Modern smart watches have become an integral accessory for those who monitor their health and activity. Xiaomi Mi Watch model offers a wide range of functionality, but for full operation requires a competent initial configuration. Proper setting of Bluetooth connection and binding to the application are the key stages, without which the gadget will remain just a beautiful dial.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at how you activate your device, sync with Android or iOS, and set up notifications and workout profiles, and learn to avoid common pairing errors and unlock the full potential of your wearable gadget.
Before starting the procedure, make sure your watch is at least 20% charged, which is essential for the Bluetooth module to work smoothly during the installation process, as activation may take some time.
Preparation for the first launch and charging
The first thing you need to do after unpacking is to charge the device. Unlike smartphones, the watch is often stored in warehouses with a discharged battery, which can lead to the activation of deep discharge mode. Connect the magnetic cable to the contacts on the back and wait for the Mi logo to appear on the screen.
Sometimes users find that the device does not respond to the press immediately after connecting to the network, in which case you need to wait 5-10 minutes. If the screen does not catch fire, try to gently wipe the contacts on the watch and cable with an alcohol wipe, as oxidation can interfere with the transmission of current.
It is important to use a charger with a current of no more than 1A or standard USB-The use of powerful fast-charging units from smartphones can damage the watch's power controller, as their battery has a smaller capacity and is not designed for high currents.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave a discharged watch in long-term storage without recharging. Lithium polymer battery can go into deep discharge, after which it will be impossible to restore it without special equipment.
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When you first charge, leave the watch at the dock for at least 40 minutes, even if the screen caught fire earlier, which will ensure that the battery controller is calibrated.
Once turned on, select the interface language. This is standard for Russian-speaking users, but if the interface is in Chinese or English, look for the gear icon or the letter "E" at the bottom of the list. QR-loading-code.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application
Xiaomi’s Mi Fitness app (formerly known as Zepp Life for some models, but Mi Fitness is better for Mi Watch) can be downloaded from Google Play Market or Apple App Store. Make sure you download the official app from developer Anhui Huami Information Technology.
Once installed, start the app and create a Mi Account or log in through an existing one, which is necessary to synchronize health data and save settings in the cloud, and without an account, the functionality of the watch will be severely limited.
In the app menu, click the add button. The system will ask for permission to use geolocation and Bluetooth — be sure to agree, otherwise the search for the gadget will not begin. The name of your model should appear in the list of available devices, for example, Xiaomi Watch or Mi Watch Lite.
- 📱 Make sure the phone is on GPS, This will speed up the search for satellites for accurate tracking.
- 🔋 Check that the phone doesn’t run other fitness apps that can intercept the clock signal.
- 📶 Be no more than 1 meter away from the clock during pairing.
Once you successfully pair your watch and smartphone, you'll see a confirmation code, check the numbers and click "Confirm." You'll start the process of synchronizing time and date, and installing the necessary firmware updates.
Interface with Android and iOS: features
The process of connecting to Android and iOS smartphones has its nuances. On Android, the system may require permanent permissions to work in the background to keep the connection with the watch from breaking down. You will need to allow the Mi Fitness app to auto-start and work in the background in the battery settings.
On iPhone (iOS), the situation is stricter due to Apple’s security policy, you will need to provide access to contacts, calendar and notifications, and it is also important that the iOS version is at least 10.0, otherwise the application may not work correctly or not install at all.
If the watch is not an app, try resetting your Bluetooth settings on your phone or rebooting your smartphone, sometimes by removing the old watch profile from the Bluetooth device list in your phone’s settings before you try again.
| Parameter | Android | iOS (iPhone) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum OS version | Android 6.0 | iOS 10.0 |
| Access to contacts | Required. | Required. |
| Synchronizing the calendar | Complete. | Limited. |
| Responses to communications | Templates/Voices | Only templates. |
☑️ Access rights verification
It's worth noting that some features, such as quick response to messages or installing third-party dials, can work differently depending on the phone's operating system. On Android, customization options are usually wider.
Update of firmware and system settings
Once connected, the app will prompt you to update the software. The firmware is the brain of your watch, and new versions often contain bug fixes and sensor stability improvements. Don't ignore this update, even if the watch is working normally.
The upgrade process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the screen of the watch can go out and light up again, and the percentages of the progress bar can "hang" in one place. This is normal, you can not interrupt the process.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn off Bluetooth on your phone during firmware updates and keep your smartphone screen active. Interrupting your data record may cause your watch to break (“bricking up").
What to do if the update is suspended?
After the update, it is recommended to check the settings of the region. If you are in Russia or CIS, make sure that the correct region is selected in the application, as the availability of servers for synchronizing time and weather data depends on this. The wrong region can lead to the clock showing the time with an error of several hours.
Set up notifications and calls
One of the main features of a smartwatch is that you can see notifications without reaching your phone. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile -> Application Notifications, and you can choose which apps will duplicate your messages on your wrist.
To work this feature, you need to give the application permission to "Access Notifications" in the system settings of Android or iOS. Without this permission, the watch simply will not receive data about new messages from messengers or social networks.
You can also set up call displays, you can choose whether to show the caller's name (contact access required) or just the number, and you can also use Do Not Disturb, which syncs with the mode on the phone or works on a predetermined schedule.
- 🔔 Set up vibration for different types of notifications to distinguish a call from a message.
- 🚫 Use the "Cinema" or "Sleep" mode so that the screen does not light up when raising your hand.
- 📞 Turn on the "Apply the clock" function if your model supports speaker and microphone.
It is important to understand that the text of long messages can be cropped. To read full SMS or messages from WhatsApp, it is better to use the Last Notifications widget on the watch itself, scrolling through the list.
Activity tracking and training profiles
For athletes and active lifestyle enthusiasts, the Xiaomi Mi Watch offers a variety of training modes. In the app, you can choose sports that interest you: running, swimming, cycling, yoga and others. The watch will automatically track your heart rate, speed and distance.
Particular attention should be paid to the setting GPS-For the first training session using GPS You'd better go out and start exercising on your watch. 1-2 minutes, after which the track will begin to draw exactly.
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To maximize accuracy, wear your watch tightly but without squeezing your wrist. Shifting your watch while running can distort the optical sensor.
In your health settings, you can set goals by steps, calories and activity time, and the clock will vibrate to remind you to stand up and stretch if you sit still for a long time, and all the data is stored in history and can be analyzed in graphs.
Personalization of interface and dials
The look of the watch can be changed indefinitely. In the Mi Fitness app, in the Dials section, you can find a huge library of free and paid designs. You can choose from classic hand clocks, digital data, animated pictures or minimalist style.
Some dials allow you to customize the display data, such as weather, stepmer, pulse or battery power. You can choose the set of widgets that is important to you. It takes a few seconds to install a new dial and takes you via Bluetooth.
You can also customize the order of the app menu, and you can use two modes: a list (vertical scrolling) or a grid of icons, and choose the one that you find more convenient to navigate with one finger.
⚠️ Attention: Animated and complex dials with more widgets consume more battery power. If you care about autonomy, choose static black dials.
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Use the Always On Screen (AOD) function with caution, which makes the screen look beautiful and informative, but reduces the time of the screen by 2-3 times.