How to set up Xiaomi’s step-watch: a complete guide from synchronization to precise calibration

Xiaomi’s smartwatches are no longer just an accessory, but they are now full-fledged assistants in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One of the key features of such devices is a pedometer, which helps to track physical activity, calorie consumption and even sleep quality. However, many users face a problem: these pedometers are often inaccurate or not synchronized with a smartphone at all.

In this article, we will learn how to set up Xiaomi’s step-watch (including Mi Band models) 7/8 Pro, Xiaomi Watch 2/3, Redmi Watch 3/4 And others, so that they can show you the most accurate data, and you can learn how to sync your device with Mi Fit or Zepp Life, calibrate your pedometer, set your personal goals, and even fix common bugs. And also – how to make sure that the watch does not reset data after updating the firmware.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will help you get the most out of your Xiaomi gadget, starting with the most important thing: connection and initial setup.

1. Connecting Xiaomi watches to a smartphone: the first step to an accurate pedometer

Before you set up a pedometer, you need to connect the clock to the phone correctly. Without this, no data will be stored or synchronized. The connection process is the same for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances depending on the version of the application.

First, make sure that your smartphone has one of the official apps:

• 📱 Mi Fit – for older models (Mi Band) 1-6, Amazfit first generation generation)
• 📱 Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) – for new devices (Mi Band) 7/8 Pro, Xiaomi Watch 2/3, Redmi Watch)
• 📱 Xiaomi Wear – an alternative application for some regions

Important:

Mi Band 8 Pro

Xiaomi Watch 3

Zepp Life

Mi Fit

Now, follow the following steps:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (via Google, Facebook or phone number).
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and unlock the watch screen (if it’s a Mi Band, tap the touch button).
4. In the app, click Profile → Add the device and select your model.
5. Hold the clock close to the phone and wait for the synchronization to complete.

⚠️ Warning: If the watch doesn't connect, try rebooting both the smartphone and the gadget, and check if the watch is connected to another device, in which case you must first untie them through Settings. → Disable the device in the application.

2. Set up a pedometer in the application: goals, notifications and synchronization

Once connected, you need to adjust the pedometer settings to make the data fit your lifestyle. Open the app (Mi Fit or Zepp Life) and go to the section of your device.

The main settings of the pedometer are in the menu:

• 🎯 Personal goals – you can set a daily rate of steps (by default 8000, but experts recommend starting with 6000 and gradually increasing the number of steps).
• 🔄 Auto Sync – Enable this option to keep the data updated in real time.
• 📊 Units of measurement – choose the metric system (kilometers) or the imperial system (miles).
• 🔔 Progress Notifications – Set up alerts when you reach 50%, 75% or 100% of your daily allowance.

To change the goal in steps:

1. Open the Profile tab → Your device. → Activity targets.
2. Click on Steps and move the slider or enter the value manually.
3. Save the changes – they sync with the clock over time 1-2 minute.

If you want your watch to vibrate when you reach your goal, activate the Target Reminder option in the notification settings to help keep your watch active throughout the day.

3. Pedometer calibration: how to make data more accurate

Even after setting up, the pedometer may show inaccurate data, such as overestimating or underestimating the number of steps, because of improper calibration or individual gait, and to correct this, perform manual calibration.

Method 1: Calibration through the Zepp Life app (for new models):

1. Open Profile. → Your device. → Pedometer settings.
2. Select the Calibration of Steps.
3. Come on. 20-30 steps with the phone in hand (the app will compare data with the sensors of the smartphone).
4. Confirm the calibration and wait for the synchronization.

Method 2: Manual stride length adjustment (for all models):

1. Measure the length of your step: walk 10 meters and count the number of steps, then divide 10 by that number.
2. In the app, go to Profile → Personal information → Length of step.
3. Enter the value obtained (usually) 0.6-0.8 metre).

⚠️ Warning: If the pedometer is lying after calibrating, check if the sensors are disturbed by a strap or clothing, for example, a bracelet that is too tightly fastened can block the movement of the sensor.

💡

For maximum accuracy, wear a watch on your non-working hand (for right-handers, left-handers, right-handers), which reduces the number of false positives when writing or working at a computer.

4. Data synchronization with Google Fit, Apple Health and other services

So that pedometer data can be automatically transferred to Google Fit, Apple Health, or Strava, you need to set up integration, which is useful if you use multiple training apps.

For Google Fit:

1. Open Mi. Fit/Zepp Life and go to Profile → Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
2. Select Google Fit and log in.
3. Allow access to data on steps, distance and calories.

For Apple Health (on iPhone):

1. Launch the Zepp Life app.
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Apple Health.
3. Turn on the switches opposite Steps, Distance and Active Calories.

If the data is not synchronized:

• 🔄 Check if the background mode for the Zepp Life app is enabled in your phone settings.
• 📱 Update the application to the latest version.
• 🔌 Reconnect the clock to your phone (forget the device in Bluetooth and reconnect it).

5.Pedomere error fixing: why data is reset or not saved

One of the most common problems is resetting pedometer data after updating the firmware or rebooting the watch. Here's how to avoid this:

Causes of discharge and their solution:

• 🔋 Battery discharge: If the watch is turned off due to a full discharge, unsaved data is lost. Solution: Charge the gadget at least once in a row. 3-4 day-day.
• 📲 No synchronization - if the watch has not connected to the phone for a long time, the data may not be saved.Solution: Enable Autosynchronization in the settings.
• 🔄 Firmware failure - settings are sometimes reset after an update.Solution: Back up your data in the app before updating.

If the pedometer stopped working completely:

1. Reset the clock (on the Mi Band, press the touch button for 10 seconds).
2. Remove the device from the application and connect again.
3. Check if the flight mode on the clock is turned on (it turns off the sensors).
4. Update the firmware through Profile → Your device. → Update of the PO.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Mi Band 6 and older), after resetting to factory settings, the pedometer can show zero values on the first day.

💡

If the pedometer problem occurred after a fall or hit of the clock, the accelerometer is likely damaged, in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

6 Additional Pedometer Functions: Monitoring Sleep, Calories, and Activity

Xiaomi watches today not only count steps, but also analyze other activity parameters.

Sleep tracking:

• 😴 Turn on Sleep Monitoring in the clock settings (default works from 22:00 to 8:00).
• 📊 For accurate analysis, wear a watch on your hand all night long – it records the phases of deep and superficial sleep.
• ☕ In the app Zepp Life you can see tips for improving sleep based on your data.

Calorie counting:

• 🔥 To get calories counted correctly, enter your exact weight, height, and date of birth in your profile.
• 🏃‍♂️ Enable Activity Auto-Detection – the clock will distinguish between walking, running and cycling.
• 🍔 In the application, you can set a goal to burn calories (for example, 2000 kcal per day).

Training regimens:

• 🏊‍♀️ Select the type of activity manually (running, swimming, cycling, etc.) for more accurate calculation of steps and pulse.
• ⏱️ Set up automatic recognition of the start of the training (in Settings) → Training).
• 📈 After training, data can be exported to Strava or Apple Fitness.

💡

If you are in the gym, choose the Power Training mode - in this case, the pedometer will take into account the movements of the hands, not just the legs.

7 How to extend the life of the battery without losing the accuracy of the pedometer

Many users turn off the pedometer to save battery life, but there are ways to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing accuracy.

Optimization of settings:

• 🔋 Turn off your constant pulse (measure it only during exercise).
• 📶 Reduce the synchronization frequency to 1 time per hour (c Settings) → Synchronization).
• 🌙 Turn on the clock sleep mode at night – this turns off unnecessary sensors.
• 🔔 Turn off vibration for progress notifications (it consumes battery power).

If the battery is running out too quickly (less than 2 days), check:

1. Is the Permanent Display on (on Xiaomi Watch, this is one of the main reasons for the discharge).
2. Are there any third-party dials installed – they may contain errors that increase the load on the processor.
3. Does not work in the background incompatible application (for example, Notify for Mi Band may conflict with official software).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a Xiaomi pedometer