Xiaomi’s modern wearables have become incredibly popular thanks to a great combination of functionality and affordable price. However, immediately after buying, many users are faced with the question of how to set up a Xiaomi watch to work correctly and sync with a smartphone. The process of initial activation can seem confusing, especially given the frequent changes in the names of companion applications.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps in getting your device ready for work, from unpacking to fine-tuning notifications, learn about the differences between Mi Fit, Zepp Life and Mi Wear apps, and understand which software is best suited for your activity tracker model.
The right Bluetooth connection and the right software installation are the foundation of a stable gadget. Errors at the initial stage often lead to the watch not seeing the phone or stop transmitting data about the pulse and steps. To avoid unnecessary nerves, carefully follow the instructions below.
Preparation for pairing and selection of an annex
The first step before setting up a Xiaomi watch is to determine what app your model needs. The Mi Home ecosystem isn’t always universal for wearables, so it’s important to install the right software. Usually, information about the required application is indicated on the box or in the instructions in the form of QR-code.
Most modern fitness bracelets and watches, such as the Mi Band Series 4-8, work through the Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit).Newer or specific models may require the installation of Mi Wear or even Galaxy Wearable for some versions.
Before installing the app, make sure your smartphone is running GPS and Bluetooth. Also check the operating system version: most trackers require Android 6.0 or iOS 10.0 or higher to run smoothly. If the OS is outdated, sync may be error-prone or not at all.
It is important to register an account in the app immediately, you can do this through your phone number, email or social media accounts. Without authorization in your Xiaomi account, the functionality of the watch will be limited, and you will not be able to save your training history. After registration, log in to your profile to start searching for the device.
The process of connecting the clock to the smartphone
The most critical step is to pair devices directly. Don't try to connect the watch through the standard Bluetooth menu in your Android or iOS settings. This is a common error that causes the phone to see the device but not be able to transmit data.
You have to act strictly through the interface of the installed application. Open Zepp Life or Mi Wear, go to the profile and select the item to add a new device. The application will start scanning space and, most likely, quickly detect your new watch.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
When you see a picture of a device on your smartphone screen, click on it to start (pairing). The watch may have a confirmation code that you check with your phone and confirm by touch. The entire process takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the speed of updating the list of devices.
⚠️ Note: If during pairing, a request for permission to access contacts, calls or geolocation appears on the phone screen, it must be confirmed. Without these permissions, call notifications and SMS will not arrive.
Once successfully connected, the watch usually displays an app logo or a welcome message. Now the gadget is ready for basic use, but to fully work requires several important steps, including updating the software.
Updating the firmware and setting up the interface
Immediately after the first connection, the app will almost always offer to update the firmware of the watch. This step should not be ignored, since the factory version of the software often contains bugs that were fixed in more recent releases.
To start the update, go to the device profile in the app and look for "Version Update" or "Firmware Update." Make sure the watch's battery is at least 50% and the smartphone is next to them.The process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the watch screen will go out and turn on.
| Renewal phase | User action | Clock indication |
|---|---|---|
| File download | Waiting, not turning off the phone screen | The Mi or Xiaomi logo |
| Transfer of data | Keep devices close (up to 1 meter) | Process bar or interest |
| Installation | Don't press anything. | Black screen or logo |
| Reboot. | Wait for automatic activation | Animation of system boot |
Once the update is successful, you can start personalizing it, and you can have a dial store where you can choose your screen design, and you can set a photo from the gallery or download a themed dial that displays the weather, pulse and steps.
What to do if the update is suspended?
Setup of notifications and notifications of applications
One of the main functions of a smartwatch is to be able to see notifications from your phone without taking it out of your pocket. To set up a Xiaomi watch to receive messages, you need to give an application access to system notifications. In the app, this section is usually called “App Notifications” or “App Notifications”.
In the list that opens, you'll see all the apps you've installed on your smartphone. Just turn on the switches in front of the apps you want to get your wrist messages from, which could be messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, social media or email clients.
But simply switching on is often not enough: Android operating systems, especially those with MIUI or HyperOS shells, aggressively save battery life and can kill background processes.
- 📱 Go to the phone settings and find the "Applications" section».
- 🔍 Find the list of Zepp Life or Mi Wear.
- 🔋 Select “charge savings” and set the value “No restrictions».
- 🚀 Enable the “AutoStart” option for a companion app.
You can also look at the settings of the watch screen itself, so you can choose which events will cause vibrations and which will only be light alerts, so you can filter out spam and only respond to important messages from loved ones or colleagues.
Sensor calibration and health monitoring
To accurately track physical activity, you need to set up a user profile correctly, including your height, weight, date of birth and activity level, which is used by algorithms to calculate calories burned and VO2 max.
The heart rate sensor is worth special attention, and you can choose the frequency of measurements in the settings: manually, every 10, 30 minutes or continuously. Continuous monitoring gives the most complete picture, but significantly reduces the battery life of the device.
⚠️ Attention: For the pulse sensor to work properly, the watch must fit tightly to the wrist. Too loose the bracelet will let the sensor light through, leading to measurement errors or no readings.
Don’t forget to set up sleep monitoring. Xiaomi watches can detect the phases of deep and superficial sleep, as well as daytime naps (dream). To activate this function, just turn on the appropriate switchboard in the application, and the gadget will automatically analyze your rest at night.
💡
Wipe the sensor on the back of the watch with a soft dry cloth before each pulse measurement.Skin fat or sweat can distort the optical sensor readings.
Solution and resetting of settings
Even when you set it up correctly, it sometimes crashes: the watch loses communication, stops counting steps or does not show time. Most often, the problem is solved by simply restarting. In the watch menu, find System or Settings and select Reboot.
If the software restart doesn't work, you can reset the device completely to factory settings, and it will put it back out of the box. In the companion app in the device profile, you scroll down to the bottom and select Unbind, and then confirm the reset on the watch itself.
Time desynchronization is a common problem. Make sure your smartphone is automatically synchronizing time over the network. The watch takes time from the phone, so if the phone is incorrect, it will be shot down on the wristband.
- ⌚ Check if the “Do Not Disturb” mode on the clock is turned on.
- 📶 Make sure that Bluetooth on your phone is active and not blocked by antivirus.
- 🔄 Try removing the device from the app and adding it again.
- 🔌 Charge the device to 100% before re-attempting to set up.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in the incompatibility of Bluetooth versions. Make sure that the Bluetooth drivers on your smartphone are updated. It is also important for iPhone owners to allow the application to access Location with the Always option, otherwise synchronization of training data may not occur in the background.