How to set up a Xiaomi watch with an Android phone: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets (Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch, Redmi Watch series) have become an integral part of the brand ecosystem, but their initial setup often raises questions among users. Especially if it is about synchronizing with Android smartphones not from Xiaomi — Samsung, Realme, Google Pixel and others. In this article, we will analyze all the steps from choosing the right application to solving typical connection errors.

It is important to understand that the setup process depends on the watch model. For example, the Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch S3 use different firmware versions and may require different versions of the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life).

If you're facing problems like "watches can't find the phone" or "app can't see the bracelet," there's a solution section at the end of this article, and for those who want to maximize the potential of the device, we've added tips for setting up notifications, sports modes and energy saving.

1.What app you need to sync Xiaomi watches with Android

The main confusion arises from the fact that Xiaomi has changed branded applications for wearable devices several times, two official decisions are relevant for 2026:

• 📱 Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life) – for most Mi Band models (3/4/5/6/7/8), Redmi Watch (1/2/3/4), Xiaomi Watch (S1/S2/S3). Supports synchronization of steps, sleep, notifications and firmware.
• 🌐 Xiaomi Wear – for the new smart watch on Wear OS (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro requires a separate setup via Google Play Services.

Informal apps like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master may offer advanced features (like custom dials), but they don’t guarantee stable performance and often violate Xiaomi’s privacy policies.

You can only download official apps from Google Play or AppGallery (for Huawei devices). APK-files from third sites – they may contain malicious code or outdated versions that are incompatible with the latest firmware watches.

2 Preparing Android Phone Before Connecting

Before pairing your watch with your phone, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid mistakes:

Turn on Bluetooth and GPS

Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version

Allow all permissions (notifications, location, contacts)

Turn off the power saving mode for the Mi Fitness app

Reboot your phone (recommended for the first connection problems)-->

Pay special attention to permissions. Mi Fitness asks for access to:

• 📍 Location – for accurate tracking of jogging and cycling.
• 📱 Notifications - to broadcast SMS, Calls and alerts from messengers.
• 👥 Contacts – to display the names of the callers on the screen of the clock.
• 📁 Storage - for loading custom dials.

If you are using Android 12+, check if the system is blocking the background activity of the app.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Battery.
2. Choose Unlimited or Optimized (but not Limited).
3. Enable the option to Allow background activity.

⚠️ Note: On Samsung phones with One UI Turn off Battery Optimization for Mi Fitness in the Settings menu → Caring for the device → Battery → Background restrictions, otherwise the clock will be disconnected from the phone through the phone. 10-15 minutes of inactivity.

3. Step-by-step instructions for pairing Xiaomi watches with Android

Consider the process using the example of Mi Band 8 and Mi Fitness application (relevant for other models with adjustment for the interface):

1. Turn on the watch – press the touch button for 3-5 seconds before the Mi logo appears.
2. Install the app – download Mi Fitness from Google Play.
3. Sign up – use a Xiaomi account, Google account or phone number.
4. Add the device: Click Profile → Add the device. Select your model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8). Confirm the pairing on the watch (button or touch screen).

Update the firmware

For Xiaomi Watch S3 and newer models: after pairing, additional configuration may be required through the Xiaomi Wear app (installed automatically when you first connect).

If the clock is not set, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both the watch and the phone.
• 📵 Temporarily shut down VPN Firewall (they can block the connection).
• 🔌 Connect your watch to charging – some models (like the Mi Band 7 Pro) don’t look for Bluetooth in a discharged state.

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If the Mi Fitness app doesn't see the watch, try clearing the Bluetooth cache on your phone: Settings → Apps → Show system → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear the cache.

4. Set up notifications and calls on Xiaomi watches

By default, Xiaomi watches show only basic notifications (calls, SMS). To configure notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), follow:

1. Open Mi Fitness → Select your device → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Call Notification and Notifications from the applications switch.
3. In the Application Management section, select the messengers you want to see on your watch.
4. Set up the Notification Style: Vibration only for discreteness; vibration + sound for important alerts; raising your hand to watch is convenient during training.

For models with Wear OS (such as Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro), the notifications are set up via Google’s standard Wear OS app:

1. Install Wear OS from Google Play.
2. Connect the watch through it (if you haven’t done it before).
3. Go to Settings → Notifications and select apps.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO shelled MIUI You may need to allow auto-start for Mi Fitness in the Settings menu. → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start, otherwise the notifications will be delayed.

5. Synchronizing health and sports data

Xiaomi watches track more than 30 activity parameters, but for accurate data, you need to properly configure your profile in Mi Fitness:

1. Open the application → Profile → Personal data.
2. Indicate: 📏 Exact height and weight (affects calorie calculation). 🎯 Steps target (recommended 8000-10,000 per day). 🛌️ Sleep time (for analysis of sleep phases). 🏃‍♂️ Activity level (beginner/amateur/pro).

Continuous monitoring of heart rate

Device settings → Heart monitoring

To sync your data with other services (e.g. Google Fit or Apple Health):

1. Go to Profile → Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Choose the service and log in.
3. Set the sync direction (for example, only from Mi Fitness to Google Fit).

6. Solving Connection and Work Issues

Even after successful pairing, errors can occur, and let's look at typical scenarios and how to fix them:

If Xiaomi watches are connected but immediately switched off, try:

1. Remove the device from Mi Fitness and reconnect.
2. Reset the clock to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
3. Clear the Mi Fitness app data on your phone (Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Storage → Clear Data).

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If none of these methods worked, check your watch model’s compatibility with the Android version. For example, the Mi Band 8 requires Android 6.0+ and the Xiaomi Watch S3 requires Android 8.0+.

7. Update the firmware of Xiaomi watches manually

Sometimes automatic updates through Mi Fitness don't work, so you can install the firmware manually:

For Mi Band and Redmi Watch:

1. Download the latest firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (wearables section).
2. Place the.fw file in the Mi Fitness/firmware folder on your phone.
3. In the app, select Profile → Your Device → Firmware Update → Local Update.

For Xiaomi Watch on Wear OS:

1. Connect the watch to Wi-Fi (Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi).
2. Go to Settings → System → System Update.
3. If the update is not available, use ADB (requires PC and debugging mode).

⚠️ Note: When manually updating, do not interrupt the process and monitor the charge level (minimum 50%). NFC (For example, Mi Band 7 Pro may need to reset contactless payments after the update.

8 Additional settings for advanced users

If standard functions are few, you can expand the capabilities of the watch:

• 🎨 Custom dials: Download.bin files from sites like Amazfit Watchfaces (suitable for most Xiaomi models.
• 🔧 ADB-teams (for Wear) OS): adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 This command unlocks hidden settings (e.g., enablement) OK Google on Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
• 🔄 Automation: With Tasker or MacroDroid, set up the automatic sport mode when you start Strava or Google Fit.

For NFC models (such as Mi Band 7 Pro or Xiaomi Watch S3):

• Set up Mi Pay or Google Pay via the Mi Fitness app (Backage section).
• Attach a bank card (Mastercard, Visa, World are supported).
• Check the list of supported banks on the official website.

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To double the time of the Mi Band 8, turn off continuous heart rate monitoring and SpO₂ To do this, in Mi Fitness, set up a sensor schedule: Device settings → Monitoring → Schedule.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi watches