How to set up Xiaomi wristwatch: a complete guide from connectivity to fine-tuning

Xiaomi smartwatches have long ceased to be just an accessory — they have become a full-fledged assistant in everyday life. But many users face the problem: they bought a device, and how to set it up correctly is unclear, as a result, the watch runs half-heartedly, does not show notifications, quickly discharges or even refuses to sync with the smartphone.

This article is not just a manual, but a complete setup guide, taking into account all the nuances, we will examine not only the basic steps (connection, setting time), but also hidden features that the manufacturer does not advertise, such as how to set up automatic sleep tracking without manually starting or why the Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch behave differently when syncing with the iPhone, and you will learn what settings can reduce battery life by 30%, and how to avoid this.

Whether you have a new Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or a budget Mi Band 7, the setup principles are similar, and we will note the differences separately. Ready to turn your watch into the perfect assistant?

1. Preparing the clock for the first turn on: what to do before synchronization

Many users make the critical mistake of trying to connect the watch to the phone without following the initial steps, which leads to synchronization failures, firmware freezes, or even the inability to update the software.

• 🔋 Charge the watch to at least 50%. Low charge can interrupt the process of updating the firmware, which can “brick” the device. S1 Watch 2, which requires more power for the first setup.
• 📱 Update your smartphone firmware if your phone has an outdated version of Android (below). 8.0) or iOS (below). 13.0), Mi Fitness/Zepp Life may not work properly with the clock.
• 🌐 Check the region in the phone settings. some features (e.g, NFC-Payments or voice assistants are only available in certain countries, and if your region is Russia and the settings are the United States, the watch may lose some of the features.
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN They can block the clock from connecting to Xiaomi servers, which will not download weather data, currency rates or software updates.

Pay special attention to the choice of application for synchronization.

• 📱 For most models (Mi Band) 6/7/8, Xiaomi Watch S1 Active: You need to use Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit).
• ⌚ For flagship watches (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch) S3) — Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit).
• ⚠️ Don't confuse it! Installing the wrong app will cause the clock to simply not be identified in the list of devices.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a watch in China (the domestic version), it may be tied to the Xiaomi Wear app, which does not work outside of China. In this case, you will need to change the firmware region - a process not for beginners, it is better to contact the service.

2. Step-by-step synchronization with the phone: from connection to the first setting

Now, the most important thing is that you pair your watch with your phone, and it may be different from model to model, but the overall pattern is the same, and let's look at the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and the Zepp Life app.

1. Install the app (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life) from the App Store/Google Play and register (you can use Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple) ID).
2. Turn on the watch with a long press on the physical button (if any) or tap on the screen. For the Mi Band, you just need to wear a bracelet - it activates automatically.
3. In the app, click Profile → Add the device and select your model from the list.
4. Put your watch to your phone, you should request Bluetooth connectivity, and allow notifications, contacts, and geolocation (this is necessary for the functions to work properly).
5. Wait for the firmware update. If it is available, the watch will reboot 1-2 times - don't interrupt the process!

After successful synchronization, the application will prompt you to perform the initial setup:

• 👤 Personal data: height, weight, sex, date of birth (needed to calculate calories and steps).
• 🏃 Activity goals: number of steps, sleep time, target pulse.
• ⏰ Time format: 12/24 hour, display of seconds.
• 🔔 Notifications: Selection of applications for which alerts will come.

At this point, many users are faced with a problem: the watch is connected, but does not show notifications or display the weather.

⚠️ Note: If you use an iPhone, note that Xiaomi limits functionality for iOS.For example, the Mi Band 8 will not run Xiao voice assistant. AI, A notifications may be delayed up to 5 minutes.

3. Screen and interface settings: dials, brightness, gestures

Xiaomi’s smartwatch interface is flexible, but most users are unaware of half the possibilities. For example, did you know that you can assign different dials to different days of the week or turn off the backlight at night?

How to change the dial:

1. Long press on the main screen of the clock → A menu with available dials will appear.
2. Scroll left/right and choose your favorite option.
3. To download new dials, open the application on your phone, go to Profile → Dials and download free or paid options.

Hidden screen settings:

• 🌓 Autobrightness: in the settings of the clock (Display) → Brightness, you can turn on automatic backlighting, which will save you charge, but in sunny weather, the screen can get too dim.
• ⏱️ Backlight time: By default, the screen goes out after 5 seconds, but you can increase the time to 15 seconds (reduces autonomy by a few seconds). ~10%).
• 👆 Gestures: In Settings → Turn on: Raise your hand to turn on the wrist screen to flip notifications Double tap to return to the home screen
• 🔒 Screen lock: to avoid accidentally pressing the clock while sleeping, activate Settings → Screen. → Blocking when wearing.

For models with AMOLED-Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3) The Always-On Display feature is available (AOD) — It's a minimalist display of time, even when the screen is off, to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Always-On.
2. Choose the style of the dial for AOD (Usually 3-5 options).
3. Set up a schedule (e.g., turn off AOD at night to save charge).

⚠️ Attention: Always-On Display reduces the life of Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro from 7 to 4-5 days.If autonomy is critical for you, use it AOD daytime.

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To quickly switch between dials, add the Dial widget to the watch's main screen, press the blank space on the screen and select "Add widget."

Notifications and Call: How to Set Up Alerts and Not Miss Important

One of the main reasons for buying a smartwatch is that you can get notifications right on your wrist. But by default, Xiaomi doesn't show alerts from all apps, and some messages can be duplicated or delayed.

Basic setting in the annex:

1. Open Zepp. Life/Mi Fitness and go to the Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the main notification switch on the device.
3. In the list of applications, mark those alerts from which you want to see on the clock (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. Set up the Notification Style: 📬 Full text – shows the entire message (may take up several screens). 📌 Short text – only the title and the first 20 characters. 🔔 Vibration only – no text display (useful for work chats).

Problems with notifications and their solutions:

Call settings:

• 📞 To receive calls directly from the clock (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro supports this feature), turn on Settings. → A challenge → Taking calls on the clock.
• 🔇 To turn off the call sound on the clock (leave vibration only), go to Settings → Sound. → Call sound and move the slider to the left.
• 📵 If you don’t want your clock to vibrate when you call, turn off Vibration when you call in the same menu.

⚠️ Note: Mi Band (all models) cannot accept calls, only reject. Voice response is only available on Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3 and the latest models.

5. Physical activity and health: pulse, steps, sleep and exercise

Xiaomi's smartwatch is not only a stylish accessory, but also a powerful tool for tracking health, but many users complain about inaccurate data, such as the watch counting steps when you're driving in a car, or showing the pulse of 220 while you sleep, and figuring out how to set up activity tracking correctly.

Pedometer setting:

• 👟 By default, the watch counts steps based on the average step length. To improve accuracy, specify your height in the application profile.
• 📊 If steps are not counted correctly (for example, while driving), calibrate the sensor: 20–30 You can take steps with your phone in your hand. Compare the data on Google. Fit/Apple Health and watches, if the difference is greater 10%, manually adjust the length of the step in the Profile → Physical data.

Settings → Activity → Exclude travel

Pulse tracking and SpO₂:

• ❤️ The default pulse rate is every 30 minutes. To change the interval, go to Settings. → Heart monitoring → Measurement frequency.
• 🩺 For accurate measurement SpO₂ (Sit still for 2-3 minutes before the test, and the data may be incorrect if the hand is shaking or the watch is not tightly attached to the wrist.
• 📉 If your pulse is unrealistic (such as 30 or 220 beats), remove your watch, clean your sweat sensor, and re-wear it.

Sleep tracking settings:

• 😴 By default, the clock automatically detects when you've fallen asleep, but if you go to bed to read or watch a movie, it may start recording your sleep too early.
• 🛏️ For more accurate sleep analysis, activate Breath Monitor (available on Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and later).
• ⏰ If the clock wakes you up too early (due to the Smart Alarm feature), turn it off or set the wake-up interval in Settings. → Son → Smart alarm clock.

Training and sports regimes:

• 🏃 To add a new sport that is not on the list, use Free Training mode and manually specify the type of activity in the app after synchronization.
• 📈 For running or cycling, turn on GPS-tracker (available on models with GPS). This will increase data accuracy, but reduce the time of work by 20-30%.
• 🔄 If the data is not synced after the workout, check the connection to the phone and restart the clock (press the button for 10 seconds).

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for maximum accuracy of the pulse and SpO₂ wear a watch 2-3 fingers above your wrist and tighten the strap so that there is no gap between the sensor and the skin.

6. Battery and autonomy: how to extend the life of hours by 2 times

One of the most common complaints about Xiaomi smartwatches is that the battery is running out quickly, and while the manufacturer promises up to 7-14 days of battery life, in practice, many users charge the device every 2-3 days, the reason is because of the wrong settings.

The main “eaters” of the battery and how to optimize them:

Additional tips for saving charge:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic data synchronization. Instead, manually sync 2-3 times a day (push the screen down for updates).
• 🌙 Activate night mode. → The display set the time when the screen will dim (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
• 📵 Turn off unnecessary sensors. If you're not using a barometer or compass, deactivate them in the settings.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery. Every 2-3 months, discharge the clock to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption - this will prolong the battery life.

What to do if the clock is discharged in a few hours?

If even after optimizing the settings, the battery goes down too quickly, the problem may be:

• 🔄 Frozen firmware - try to update the software through the application.
• 📱 Confuse with your phone – reconnect the clock (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and add again).
• 🔋 Worn-out battery – if the watch is over 2 years old, it may be time to replace the battery (at the service center).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi Watch S1 Watch 2 Pro with a function NFC-Payment, note that it consumes an additional 5-10% charge per day.

7. Secret features and life hacks that 90% of users do not know about

Xiaomi smartwatches hide a lot of useful features that are not described in the official instructions. Here are a few life hacks that will make your use of the device much more convenient:

1. Quick access to your favorite features:

• 🔄 Most models can adjust gestures to start quickly, such as double-pressing the screen can open a workout, and shaking the wrist can turn on a flashlight.
• 📌 On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, press the screen and drag the desired widget upwards - it will fix on the main screen.

Control of music and camera:

• 🎵 To control the music playback on your phone right from the clock, add the Music widget to the home screen. Works with Spotify, YouTube Music and the standard player.
• 📸 On models with a button (for example, Xiaomi Watch) S3) You can assign it to control the camera of the phone. You can press once, you can use the timer, you can do it twice, you can take a picture.

3. Do not disturb schedule mode:

• 🚫 Turn on the settings. → Don't disturb. → Schedule and set a time (e.g. 23:00 to 8:00) during which time the clock will not vibrate and illuminate the screen when notified.
• 📱 You can also sync this mode with the phone – then the alerts will be turned off simultaneously on both devices.

Hidden sports modes:

• 🏊 On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro there is an undocumented mode of Swimming in open water. To activate it, select Swimming in the pool, and then hold the screen for 3 seconds - an additional menu will appear.
• 🧘 For yoga or Pilates, use the Other Workout mode, but manually specify the type of activity in the application after synchronization - so the data will be more accurate.

5. Alternative firmware and customization:

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ On the Mi Band. 6/7 You can install custom firmware AmazMod, which adds new dials, widgets and even games (for example, Snake or Snake). 2048).
• 🔓 This requires the bootloader to be unlocked through ADB Switch the watch through Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (instructions are available on the forum) 4PDA).