How to set up Xiaomi Watch S1: Complete guide from connectivity to fine-tuning

Xiaomi Watch S1

step-by-step

Xiaomi Watch S1

Feature of the Watch S1 They are working on proprietary firmware. MIUI Watch, not Wear. OS, This means that to work properly you need a smartphone on Android (or iOS with restrictions) and the Xiaomi Wear app (formerly Mi Fit). If you have just unpacked the watch or want to reset them to factory settings - this instruction will help avoid errors and customize the device to your needs.

Unlike the Mi Band, the Watch S1 Supports third-party dials, advanced sports modes, and even Mi Pay (in some regions), but without the right setup, many features will remain unavailable. For example, if you do not manually activate the Constant pulse, the clock will measure heart rate only during training, and not around the clock.

We won’t just go with the basic instructions – in this article you’ll find hidden settings that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise, as well as solutions to common problems (for example, why the watch runs out overnight or doesn’t sync with Google Fit). S1 and faced difficulties - scroll to the section "Problem Solving».

Preparation for the setup: what will be needed

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need. - Xiaomi Watch S1 They won't work out of the box without pre-preparedness:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+. For full work, it is better to use Android – on the iPhone, some of the functions (for example, notifications from third-party applications) may not work.
• 🔋 Charger: The watch must be at least 50 percent charged, otherwise it may shut down during setup.
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection. Xiaomi Wear app downloads firmware updates (up to 100 MB), so it’s better to connect to Wi-Fi.
• 📲 Xiaomi Wear app. Download it from Google Play or App Store. Older versions (Mi Fit) don't support Watch S1!

If you are upgrading from another Xiaomi model (e.g. Mi Band 6 or Watch) S1 Active, note: data from the old device will not be automatically transferred. You will have to manually export your training history through the Profile. → Settings → Data export in the annex.

Important! On an iPhone, you need to manually allow access to Notices and Fitness and health in your system settings before you connect, otherwise the watch won't show incoming calls or messages.

First Enablement and Connection to the Phone

When you're done, you can start setting up. Turn on the watch with a long press on the physical button (on the right), the Xiaomi logo will appear on the screen, and then the suggestion to choose the language. Here, many users make the mistake of trying to set up a watch without an app. Without Xiaomi Wear, you can only set the time manually, all other functions will remain blocked.

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and launch the Xiaomi Wear app.
2. Click Add Add the device → Choose the Xiaomi Watch S1 list.
3. Bring the watch to the phone at a distance of no more than 10 cm on the screen of the watch will appear the pairing code - compare it with the code in the application and confirm the connection.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes) Do not interrupt the process, even if the clock is “hang” during the Preparation stage.
5. After a successful connection, the application will offer to update the firmware. We recommend you to agree - the new version corrects errors and adds new features.

If an error does not work at the interface stage, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reset the clock (press the button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 In the phone settings, remove the Xiaomi Watch S1 from the list of Bluetooth devices.
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – they can block the connection to Xiaomi servers.

Downloaded the Xiaomi Wear app (version 2.10)+)

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the phone included

The clock is at least 50% charged.

Removed old Xiaomi devices from Mi Fit (if any)

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Note for iOS users: On iPhone, after connecting, you need to manually allow access to Notifications for each application (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram). → Notifications → Xiaomi Wear and enable Allow Notifications.

Setting time, date and time zone

By default, Xiaomi Watch S1 They sync time with your phone, but sometimes it doesn't work properly -- especially if you travel a lot or use two smartphones:

1. On the clock, scroll down the main screen and select Settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the System. → Date and time.
3. Turn off the autosynchronization option (if enabled).
4. Manually set the time zone, the format of time (12/24 (hour) and Date.

If the clock time is lost after disconnecting from the phone, check the following settings:

• 🔋 Make sure the watch is power-saving (otherwise it may shut down at night).
• 📶 In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to the Device Profile → Settings → Synchronize time and enable the option to Update time when connected.
• ⚡ If the watch dies in a few hours, it may be the firmware's fault. Try updating it manually (instructions in the "Firmware Update" section»).

It is important for travelers to know that the Watch S1 They support up to 5 additional time zones to add them:

1. In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to the Device Profile → Settings → Time zone.
2. Click Add City and select the desired locations.
3. On the clock, you can now scroll through time in different belts, spending your finger left-right on the main screen.

Set up notifications and calls

One of the key features of a smartwatch is alerting for calls, messages and calendar events. S1 They only show notifications from standard applications (Calls, SMS, Calendar) to add support for WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail and other services, you need to set up manual sync.

Instructions for Android:

• 📱 Open Xiaomi Wear and go to Profile → Notification of annexes.
• 🔄 Enable the slider Allow notifications.
• 📋 In the list, select the apps you want to see on your watch (for example, Viber, Slack).
• 🔕 Click Notification Settings next to each app and select which alerts to show (e.g., message only, no group chat).

For the iPhone, the process is more complicated:

1. In Xiaomi Wear, enable the Notification option.
2. In iOS settings, go to Notifications → Xiaomi Wear and Allow Alerts on the Lock Screen.
3. For each application (such as Telegram), manually enable Show on the clock in its notification settings.

Important nuance: On the Watch S1 You can set the vibration for different types of notifications, for example, make calls vibrate with long pulses and messages vibrate with short pulses:

1. On the clock, go to Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Choose a Vibration Style and customize patterns for Calls, Messages and Alarms.

💡

If notifications are late, check your phone’s energy saving settings. On Android, add Xiaomi Wear to the list of battery-protected apps (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Another useful feature is quick responses to messages. S1 You can configure up to 5 template responses (e.g., "I'm on my way," "I'll pick up later") that will be sent right from the clock:

1. In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to Profile → Quick answers.
2. Click Add Response and enter text (maximum 30 characters).
3. On the clock, now when you receive a message, you can swipe up the notification and select a template.

Health monitoring settings: pulse, sleep, SpO₂

Xiaomi Watch S1 equipped with sensors for round-the-clock tracking of pulse, blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), But by default, many of the functions are disabled to save the battery:

Step 1: Turn on constant heart rate monitoring:

• 🩺 On the clock: Settings → Heart monitoring → Turn on Continuous (interval: every 1-30 minutes).
• 📊 Annex: Profile → Health → Heart rate → set high precision.

Step 2: Set up the measurement SpO₂ (oxygenation):

• 🩸 On the clock: Settings → SpO₂ → Turn on Automatic Measurement (recommended interval: every 30 minutes).
• ⚠️ Attention: Frequent measurement SpO₂ It reduces battery life by 15 to 20 percent, and if you don't need oxygen data, you better turn it off.

Step 3: Optimize sleep tracking:

• 😴 In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to Profile → Sleep and turn on a smart alarm clock (the clock will wake you up in the light phase of sleep 30 minutes before the set time).
• 📉 If the watch doesn't record sleep, check if it's tightly attached to the wrist.

It's good for athletes to turn on recovery tracking after exercise, and it analyzes how fast your heart rate is back to normal, and it gives you recommendations for your next exercise, and it's activated like this.

1. In the app, go to Profile → Training. → Settings.
2. Turn on the recovery analysis.
3. After training, a notice will appear on the clock with a score (for example, “Recovery: 85% – you can train tomorrow”).

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To accurately measure the pulse and SpO₂ Wear your watch 2-3 fingers above your wrist bone, and the sensors should fit tightly to your skin, but not your blood vessels.

Sporting regimes and training

Xiaomi Watch S1 They support 117 sports modes, including running, swimming, cycling, yoga and even archery, but only basic profiles are turned on by default to add the right sports:

1. In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to Profile → Training. → Management of regimes.
2. Click Add and select the desired species (e.g., Rock Climbing, Rowing).
3. On the clock, these modes will now be available in the Training menu.

For accurate tracking of activity, adjust the following parameters:

• 🏃 Autodetermining training: include in the Settings → Training. → Autodetermination: The watch will automatically record running or walking for more than 10 minutes.
• 🎯 Step/calorie goals: Set daily goals in the Profile → Activity. For example, 8,000 steps or 2,000 calories.
• 🏊 Swimming mode: before swimming, turn on Water mode in the clock settings (Settings) → Regimes → Swimming. This will turn off the touch screen to avoid false touches.

If you are in the gym, it is helpful to activate repetition tracking (for weight exercises).

1. On the clock, select the Power Training mode.
2. During an exercise (such as a squat), the clock will automatically count repetitions.
3. After training, the data is synchronized with the application, where you can analyze the progress.

Tips for Runners: To Improve Accuracy GPS, Before training, perform the following actions:

• 📍 Turn on the phone High accuracy in location settings.
• 🔄 On the clock in the mode of Running, wait for the icon to appear GPS (It can take up to 2 minutes).
• 📊 After training, compare the route in Xiaomi Wear and Strava (if you use it.

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Turn off the battery to save money. GPS In modes where it is not needed (for example, yoga or strength training). GPS on the watch screen and move the slider to the left.

Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new features and improve stability. - Xiaomi Watch S1 They receive updates automatically, but sometimes they have to be installed manually – for example, if the clock starts to glitch or quickly discharge.

How to update firmware:

1. Make sure your watch is at least 60% charged.
2. Connect them to your phone via Xiaomi Wear.
3. In the application, go to Profile → Firmware update.
4. If a new version is available, click Download and Install.
5. Do not disconnect the watch from your phone or close the app until the process is complete (it can take up to 20 minutes).

Attention! ⚠️ If the clock goes off or goes out during the upgrade, it may stop turning on:

1. Put the watch on charge.
2. Press the physical button for 30 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Release the button and the watch will reset to factory settings.

If the watch gets worse after the update (for example, it discharges quickly or does not sync), try to roll back to the previous version of the firmware.

1. Download the necessary firmware version from the official Xiaomi website (Support section) → Watch S1).
2. Place the.fw file in the root folder of the phone.
3. In the Xiaomi Wear app, go to Profile → Firmware update → Local Update and select the downloaded file.

Battery Optimization: How to Extend Your Time

Officially, Xiaomi Watch S1 They keep a charge for up to 12 days, but in practice, when you use it actively, the battery will run down in 3-5 days:

1. Disable unnecessary sensors:

• 🩸 Turn on a continuous pulse only during training (interval: 10 minutes instead of 1 minute).
• 🩺 Turn off Auto Measurement. SpO₂, If you do not use this function.
• 🌡️ In the watch settings, turn off Auto Brightness and set a fixed level (e.g., 50%).

2. Optimize notifications:

• 📵 Disable alerts from unnecessary apps (such as games or news services).
• 🔔 Turn on Quiet Mode for the Night (Settings) → Don't disturb).

3. Set up energy saving modes:

• 🔋 Turn on the sleep mode for rest (Settings) → Battery → Sleep mode. The watch will only display time by turning off all sensors.
• ⚡ Use Ultra-Energy Saving Mode on Travel (Switches off everything except pedometer and time).

Attention! ⚠️ If the clock is discharged in a few hours, check the following points:

• 🔌 Make sure you use the original charging cable.Non-original accessories can damage the battery.
• 📲 Check if the firmware update is running in the background (in the Xiaomi Wear app in the Software Update section).
• 🕒 If the watch is new, let the battery “swing” – the first 3-5 cycles of charging / discharging can show unstable operating time.

💡

The most effective way to save charge is to turn off the constant pulse and SpO₂. This will extend the work time by 30-40%.

Solving common problems

Even after setting up the Xiaomi Watch correctly S1 They can work in an unstable way. Here are the solutions to the most common problems:

1.The clock is not synchronized with the phone

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 In the phone settings, delete the Watch S1 from the list of Bluetooth devices and connect again.
• 📋 In the Xiaomi Wear app, check if Auto Sync is enabled (Profile) → Synchronization settings).

2. no notifications are coming.

• 🔔 On Android: In your phone settings, check that Xiaomi Wear is not optimized with battery (Settings) → Annexes → Xiaomi Wear → Battery → No restrictions).
• 📱 On iPhone: Manually Allow Notifications for Each App in iOS Settings.
• 🔕 Make sure the watch does not turn on the "Do Not Disturb" mode».

3.The watch discharges quickly

• 🔋 Check which functions are active in the background (e.g., Continuous pulse or GPS).
• 📊 In the Xiaomi Wear app, see the battery consumption statistics (Profile) → Battery).
• 🔄 If the problem appears after the update, roll back the firmware (instructions in the section "Firmware update»).

4. Sensors are not working (pulse, SpO₂)

• 🩺 Make sure the watch fits tightly to the wrist (no more than 1 cm gap).
• 🔄 Restart the clock and check if sensors are on in the settings.
• 📋 If you're still in trouble