Searching for Xiaomi smartwatches via phone: from standard features to hidden chips

Losing Xiaomi’s smartwatch is a nuisance that many owners have faced. Fortunately, the Mi Ecosystem ecosystem offers several ways to track your gadget through your smartphone, even if you’re far from home.

Modern watches (Mi Band 7/8 Pro, Xiaomi Watch 2/3, Redmi Watch 4) feature Bluetooth 5.2 and GPS (in advanced versions), making it much easier to search. But even if your model does not support satellite navigation, the chances of finding a device remain high thanks to the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) and integration with Google Find My Device.

In this article, we will look at all the current search methods, from basic to little-known, and also tell you how to prepare your watch for possible loss in advance. If you read this after you lost your gadget, immediately move to the emergency section.

Preparing the hours for the search: what to do in advance

If your Xiaomi watch is still with you, take 10 minutes to set up features that will make it easier to search in the future:

• 🔗 Link the watch to your Xiaomi account: Without authorization in Mi Account, most search methods will not be available. → Profile → Devices.
• 🔔 Set up connection break notifications: In the same menu, find Loss of Communication Alert and set a range (we recommend 10-15 meters).

Pay special attention to the model Xiaomi Watch S3 — it supports stand-alone GPS, which allows you to track the clock even without connecting to the phone. For other models (Mi Band, Redmi Watch) it is critical that at the time of loss the phone is in range of Bluetooth (up to 30 meters indoors).

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If you have a Mi Band 7/8 without GPS but with NFC, add a virtual Mi Pay card to your watch. If you lose it, you can block it through Mi Fitness → Wallet, preventing unauthorized payments.

Method 1: Search through the Mi Fitness (Zepp Life) app

The official Mi Fitness app (renamed Zepp Life in 2023) is the first tool to find lost watches, and works for all Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models, but with limitations:

• ✅ Works for devices within Bluetooth radius (up to 50 meters in open areas).
• ❌ Does not work if the watch is discharged or out of range.
• 🔍 Accuracy: shows the last known location (if the location is GPS switched off).

Search instructions:

1. Open Mi Fitness on your phone.
2. Go to the Device section → [The name of your watch].
3. Slip on the device search icon (radar icon or speaker).
4. If the watch is in range, it will emit an audible signal (volume depends on the model).

For models with GPS (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3), the app will show a map with the last location.

Check if Bluetooth is on on your phone|Reboot the Mi Fitness app|Make sure the watch is not discharged (try charging another device with the same cable)|Check if the "Device Search" function is disabled in the clock settings-->

Method 2: Google Find My Device

If your Xiaomi watch is synced to your Google account (via Mi Fitness or directly), you can try to find it through Find My Device, which is suitable for models on Wear OS (such as Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro), but with reservations:

How to use Find My Device:

1. Go to Google Find My Device or open the app on your phone.
2. Sign in with the same Google account as you do on your watch.
3. In the list of devices, select your watch (if displayed there).
4. The last known location will appear on the map, and for models with Wear OS, you can turn on the beep.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi Watches Are Not Shown in Find My Device, Check Your Sync Settings in Mi Fitness → The device → Google account. Re-linking may be required.

Method 3: Third-party search applications

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can use third-party services. We tested 5 popular apps and selected two of the most effective for Xiaomi watches:

• 📱 Tile (available for Mi Band) 6/7/8): It works via Bluetooth beacons. It requires you to install Tile on your phone and pre-set it. 20 meters.
• 🌍 Life360 (model GPS): It allows you to track your watch as a separate device on your family network. S3 Watch 2 Pro.

Instructions for Tile:

1. Install Tile from Google Play.
2. Tie the Xiaomi watch as a new device (select Another Bluetooth device).
3. In case of loss, open the map in the app - the last location will be marked.

Advantage Life360 — You can set up geofences, for example, if the watch leaves your home or office, you will be notified, but you need a monthly subscription (from 300 to 300). ₽).

The Fitness, Find My Device (Mi Fitness, Find My Device)|Third-party applications (Tile, Life360)|Please call your friends on the device.|Never lost a gadget.|Other-->

Method 4: Emergency measures if the watch is long lost

If a few hours or days have passed, the chances of finding the clock decrease, but there are still options:

• 🔋 Check charging locations: Xiaomi watches are often lost next to familiar outlets or powerbank.Look at desktop, bedside table, bag.
• 📦 Look into non-obvious places: Under the sofa pillows, between the seats in the car, in the pockets of outerwear.
• 🔍 Use Google Location History: If your watch is synced to your Google account, check Google Timeline.
• 🛡️ Lock the device: Mi Fitness can remotely lock the watch so no one can access the data.The feature is available for Xiaomi Watch S3 newer.

If you are sure that the watch was stolen:

1. Contact the police with the IMEI device (it can be found in the box or in Mi Fitness → Device → Information).
2. Write in support of Xiaomi through the official website – they can block the device by serial number.

⚠️ Please note: Do not try to track the thief by yourself. GPS-Xiaomi has protection against unauthorized access, and your actions may be considered a violation of the law.

Method 5: How to Prevent Future Loss

It’s easier to prevent a problem than to solve it. Here are 5 working tips for Xiaomi watch owners:

• 🔗 Use a lock strap: Mi Band models are often lost due to weak mounting.Buy a metal clasp strap (for example, Milanese Loop for Xiaomi Watch).
• 🔔 Set up vibration when disconnected: In Mi Fitness → Notifications enable Vibration option when communication is lost.
• 📲 Add the clock to "Quick Settings": MIUI You can add Mi Band tile to the notification curtain for quick access to search features.
• 🔋 Watch for charge: A discharged watch does not respond to search signals. Set up low charge notifications (threshold 20%).
• 🏠 Create a "home point": In Mi Fitness, mark your home address. If you lose your watch, it will alert you if it's outside a 500-meter radius.

For models with NFC (Xiaomi Watch S3, Mi Band 8 Pro), it is useful to set up automatic lock when removed from the hand. This feature is available in Mi Fitness → Security → Lock when removed.

Search Features for Different Xiaomi Models

Not all Xiaomi watches are equally searchable, and we analyzed 10 popular models and made a table of their capabilities:

For owners of Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3, the unique "Last Track" feature is available, which stores the route of your movements for the past 24 hours, even if the watch is not connected to the phone.

Mi Fitness → Device → Settings → Security → Last Track → Enable

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Xiaomi watches with eSIM (such as Xiaomi Watch S3) can be found through a carrier. Contact the IMEI phone salon of the device - they can identify the last tower to which the watch was connected.

Frequent questions about finding Xiaomi watches