Setup Mi Watch with Xiaomi phone: a complete guide from pairing to fine settings

Xiaomi’s Mi Watch has become an integral part of the brand’s ecosystem, offering users advanced health monitoring, notifications and even the ability to control other Mi Home devices. However, many owners face difficulties when first connecting the watch to a smartphone – especially if both devices are from Xiaomi, but run on different versions of firmware or other devices. MIUI. This article will help you understand all the nuances: from basic synchronization to solving typical problems.

Unlike the general instructions, here we will focus on the Mi Watch bundle. + Xiaomi phone, where both devices are integrated into a single ecosystem, means that some features (such as quick authorization via Mi Account or data sync with Mi Fitness) will work differently than when connecting to other brands’ phones. MIUI, which speed up the pairing process and reduce the battery consumption of the watch.

If you've just unpacked a new watch or want to reconfigure an old one, follow the step-by-step instructions below. And if you have any errors, there's a section at the end of this article that addresses the most common problems and problems. FAQ.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for Mi Watch connection

Before you start pairing, make sure your smartphone is ready to work with a smartwatch, which will eliminate most of the errors in the connection phase.

The first thing you need to do is update the firmware. MIUI Outdated builds may not support new watch models or may contain bugs in the Bluetooth module. → The phone. → System updates, especially for phone owners MIUI 12.5 and below – these versions often have problems connecting the Mi Watch Lite and Mi Watch Color.

Second, turn on all the permissions you need.

• 📱 Bluetooth (for pairing and data transfer)
• 📍 Geolocation (for accurate jogging tracking)
• 🔔 Notifications (to have the clock duplicate alerts from the smartphone)
• 📁 Storage (for backup of settings)

To avoid manually enabling each resolution, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Fitness and activate all the switches in the “Resolutions” section. We also recommend adding the Mi Fitness app to the “Out-Start” list (in the same app settings) so that it does not close with the background optimizer. MIUI.

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If you have a phone on MIUI 14+, Enable the "For Developers" mode and in the Settings menu → Additionally. → Special opportunities → For developers, disable the "Limit background activity" option for the Mi Fitness app. This will prevent the connection to the watch from breaking.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Mi Watch management app is Mi Fitness (formerly known as Mi Wear or Xiaomi Wear).

• 📱 Google Play (for phones with Google services)
• 🛒 App Gallery (for devices on devices on the EMUI/HMS)
• 📦 Mi App Store (built-in store on Xiaomi phones)

Once installed, start the app and sign in via Mi Account (require to use the same account as your watch if you have already set up it). If you don't have an account, register it directly in the app. Importantly, you need a confirmed email or phone number in your profile to synchronize your health data (steps, pulse, sleep).

Next, the app will suggest you select a device to connect to. In the list, find your Mi Watch model (for example, Mi Watch). S1, If you don’t have a Mi Watch Color 2 or Mi Watch Lite, upgrade your Mi Fitness to the latest version or check compatibility on Xiaomi’s official website.

Download Mi Fitness from the official source

Register/register in Mi Account

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Add Mi Fitness to Auto Launch (MIUI)

Update firmware MIUI last-minute-->

3.Pairing the Mi Watch Step-by-step with a Xiaomi phone

Now, to the process of connection, follow the instructions carefully, the order of action is important.

Step 1. Turn on the Mi Watch by holding the side button (or touch area, depending on the model) for 3-5 seconds. The Mi logo will appear on the watch screen, followed by the language selection menu. Select the language you want (usually English or Chinese by default) and confirm.

Step 2. On your phone, open Mi Fitness, go to the Profile section (the person icon at the bottom of the screen) and click Add Device» (+). The app will start searching for available devices via Bluetooth, and make sure the watch is near the phone (no more than 1 meter away).

Step 3: When the watch appears in the list (usually a model is displayed, such as a watch or watch, M2007J1SC For the Mi Watch Color, click on them. The watch will have a 6-digit confirmation code -- compare it to the code on your phone. If the codes match, confirm pairing on both devices.

Step 4: Wait until the synchronization is complete. At this point, the clock can reboot 1-2 times, which is normal. The entire process takes 2 to 10 minutes depending on the model and the amount of data being transmitted (for example, historical step data).

Mi Watch S1/S1 Pro|Mi Watch Color 2|Mi Watch Lite|Mi Watch Revolve|Another model.-->

4. Set up notifications and calls on the Mi Watch

Once you've successfully connected, it's time to set up duplicate notifications from your phone to your watch. By default, Mi Fitness includes alerts only for system applications (calls, SMS), But you can add any messengers or social networks.

To set up notifications:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to the Device section» → «Notifications».
2. Activate the “Notifications on the clock” switch.
3. In the list of applications, select those alerts from which you want to see on the clock (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VK).
4. Configure the display style: you can choose between the full text of the message or only the name of the sender.

Additional options are available for incoming calls:

• 📞 Deflection of the call from the clock (click the red handset on the screen)
• 🔕 Silent mode (clock vibrates but does not make sound)
• 🔄 Redirect to phone (if the watch is connected to headphones)

Please note: if notifications do not arrive, check:

• 🔄 Restart the clock and phone.
• 📵 Make sure Mi Fitness is not blocked by the background optimizer (Settings) → Battery → Background activity).
• 🔔 In Android settings, allow the app to show notifications (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications).

5. Optimization of operation and battery saving

One of the most common complaints of Mi Watch users is that the battery is running out quickly, and fortunately, most problems can be avoided with the right settings.

The main parameters affecting battery consumption:

• 🔦 Screenlighting: Reduce activity time to 5-10 seconds (Clock settings) → Display. → Illumination).
• 📡 Synchronization frequency: set the data update interval no more than 1 time in 30 minutes (Mi Fitness) → The device → Synchronization of data).
• 🩺 Heart monitoring: Turn off the constant pulse measurement, leaving only manual mode or measurement during exercise.
• 🌙 Sleep mode: activate automatic notifications off at night (Mi Fitness) → Profile → Regimes).

We also recommend turning off automatic weather updates (if you don’t use this widget) and vibration when lifting your hand, which significantly reduce battery life. S1 Pro) it is better to use this mode only during the daytime.

If even after optimizing the clock is discharged too quickly, check the background processes:

1. On the phone, open Settings. → Battery → Battery usage and find Mi Fitness in the list.
2. If the app consumes more than 10% of the charge, clear its cache (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
3. Turn off automatic data synchronization in the background (in the application settings).

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On the Mi Watch models with NFC (for example, S1 Pro) disabling contactless payment feature can save up to 15% charge per day. NFC only if necessary.

6. Solving common connection problems

Even with the right setup, there are sometimes errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The watch is not found in Bluetooth searches.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi phone is connected to another Bluetooth device (such as headphones or speakers), turn it off before pairing with the watch. MIUI Sometimes it blocks simultaneous connection to multiple devices.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Restart the clock (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 On your phone, turn Bluetooth on/off or restart your smartphone.
• 🗑️ In Mi Fitness, remove the watch from the list of devices and try to connect again.

Problem 2: The confirmation code on the watch is not displayed.

This is a typical Mi Watch Lite error and some Mi Watch Color games.

1. Return to the main screen (swipe down).
2. Press the screen for 5 seconds to force the clock to restart.
3. Repeat the pairing process – the code should appear.

Problem 3: The pace or pulse data is not synchronized.

The reasons may be different:

• 📵 Watch not connected to Mi Fitness (check status in app).
• 🔄 Data collection is disabled in the clock settings (clock settings) → Privacy → Health data collection).
• 📱 The phone has power saving mode that blocks background activity.

If nothing helps, try resetting the clock to factory settings:

1. On the clock go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Confirm the reset (may be required to enter) PIN-code).
3. After restarting, repeat the connection process.

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If the clock doesn’t sync after reset, try connecting it to another phone (not even Xiaomi) to help you determine if the problem is in your watch or smartphone.

Additional functions: NFC, Voice Assistant and Mi Home

The Mi Watch supports not only basic features, but also integration with other Xiaomi devices.

NFC and Contactless Payments

Models of the Mi Watch S1 Pro and Mi Watch Color 2 are equipped with a module NFC, permitting:

• 💳 Link a bank card (supported by Mir, Visa, Mastercard through Mi Pay).
• 🚇 Use the watch as a subway pass (in cities where Mi Pay Transport is supported).
• 🔑 Emulate access keys (for example, for Xiaomi smart locks).

To set up NFC:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to the Device → NFC payment.
2. Follow the instructions for linking the card (confirmation will be required through the SMS bank).
3. On the clock, activate the “Fast Payments” option in the settings NFC.

Voice assistant XiaoAI

Some models (such as the Mi Watch) S1) Available voice assistant XiaoAI, which can:

• 🗣️ Manage smart devices Mi Home (turn on the lights, adjust the temperature).
• 📅 Create reminders and alarm clocks.
• 🌡️ Report weather and news.

To activate the assistant, say "Hey, XiaoAI" or hold the button on the clock. Important: it requires an Internet connection via Bluetooth (the phone must be online).

Managing the Mi Home Smart Home

If you have Mi Home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners), they can be controlled directly from the clock:

1. Make sure that both the watch and the phone are tied to the same Mi Account.
2. In Mi Home, add the watch to the list of control devices (Profile) → Security settings → Control devices).
3. On the watch in the app menu, find the Mi Home icon and log in.

8. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates to the Mi Watch fix bugs, add new features and improve autonomy.

Method 1: Through Mi Fitness

1. Open the application and go to the Device → Firmware update.
2. If a new version is available, click “Update”.
3. Wait for the download and installation (the clock will reboot automatically).

Method 2: Manually through a firmware file

If the automatic update does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can install the firmware manually:

1. Download the latest firmware version for your model from the official Xiaomi Community website.
2. Place the.fw file in the root folder of the phone.
3. In Mi Fitness, select Device → Local update and specify the downloaded file.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process or take the clock off charging if the battery is less than 50% dead. Interrupted firmware may cause the device to “brick” and you will need to contact a service center to recover.

Resetting settings to factory

If the watch is starting to glitch or you want to sell it, reset:

1. On the clock go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select “Reset all settings” and confirm the action.
3. After the reboot, the watch will be like new – you can connect it to another phone.

If the watch does not respond to the sensor or freezes, perform a forced reset:

• Connect the watch to charge.
• Press the physical button for 20-30 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
• Release the button and the clock will reset and reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the Mi Watch