The integration of wearables into the Android smartphone ecosystem is a frequent question for users, especially when it comes to Xiaomi brand devices. Many owners face difficulties in initial pairing, believing that the process requires complex technical training or root rights. In fact, the algorithm of actions is extremely standardized, but there are nuances of the MIUI or HyperOS shell that must be considered for stable operation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of connecting smartwatches from various manufacturers - from the original Amazfit and Mi Watch to third-party models on Wear OS. You will learn how to properly configure notifications so that they come without delay, and why the system can force the companion application to close in the background. Understanding these mechanisms will avoid typical errors and enjoy the functionality of the gadget.
Before you start active, make sure your watch is at least 20-30% charged. Low battery power can interrupt the firmware update process immediately after you connect, which will require you to re-go through all the steps. Also check that the smartphone has Bluetooth and geolocation modules enabled, since modern communication protocols require access to the location to find devices.
Preparing the smartphone and watch for the first launch
The first step is to clean up the list of previously paired devices. If you have previously tried to connect a watch or it was associated with another phone, you need to delete it from Bluetooth memory. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find the name of your watch in the list and click the disconnect button or Forget the device. This will eliminate addressing conflicts.
Next, make sure the system software is up to date. Manufacturers often release security patches and Bluetooth stack stability improvements that are critical to peripheral management. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check for updates. If the system suggests installing a new version, it’s best to do so before setting up the clock.
- 🔋 Charge your smartwatch to at least 50% to avoid shutdown.
- 📶 Turn on geolocation (GPS) curtain-up.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone screen is unlocked while searching for the device.
- 🔄 Restart your smartphone before starting the pairing procedure.
The important thing is to enable visibility for Bluetooth devices. Some versions of the MIUI shell may have a default detection limit. Open Bluetooth settings and make sure the Visibility switch is activated. Only after all the preparatory steps are completed can you proceed to install specialized software.
Installation and configuration of a companion application
Choosing the right app depends on the manufacturer of your watch. For Xiaomi and Huami ecosystem devices (Amazfit, Zepp, Mi Band brands), the main tool is the Zepp app (formerly Mi Fit) or Mi Fitness (for new models). For Wear OS-based watches (such as Mi Watch Lite or Xiaomi Watch S1), the standard Wear OS application by Google and Mi Wear will be required.
Download applications should be exclusively from official sources - Google Play Market store or GetApps (Mi Store). APK-files from third-party resources can lead to unstable work, lack of synchronization of health data or even infection of the device with malicious code.
Why does the app ask for so many permissions?
When you first start up, the app will create or prompt you to log in to an existing account (Mi Account, Zepp Account or Google), which is necessary to save your activity history in the cloud. During the setup process, the user profile (height, weight, age) must be filled in as accurately as possible, since this data is used by algorithms to calculate calories and analyze sleep phases.
The process of pairing via Bluetooth
Run the app on your smartphone and go to the Profile or Devices tab. Click Add Device or the plus button in the corner of the screen. The system will start scanning the space. At which point the clock may have a pairing confirmation request or a numerical code. Make sure the codes on the phone and watch screen match, and confirm the action.
If the automatic search didn't work, try the manual method. Turn on the pairing mode on the watch itself (usually via the settings menu or button retention). The name of your model should appear in the list of available devices in the app. The communication process can take anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds. At this time, do not move the devices away from each other further than 1 meter.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to pair the clock directly through the Bluetooth menu in the Android settings. This will result in the “Connected but no data” error.
Once the connection is successful, it will start synchronizing the time, date, and possibly update the firmware of the watch, which is critical: interrupting the update can cause the device to fail, wait until the boot is finished and the clock is automatically restarted, and then the watch interface becomes fully functional.
☑️ Checklist of successful pairing
Configure access and energy saving rights in MIUI
The most common problem Xiaomi owners have is disconnection or lack of notifications. Aggressive power saving system MIUI and HyperOS by default “kills” the background processes of applications to save charge. To keep the clock running consistently, you need to manually adjust priorities for the companion application.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find your app (like Zepp or Mi Fitness) on the list. Go to Activity Control or Battery Savings. Select No Limits or Background Operations, which will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down the app.
- 🔔 Enable Auto-Run for a Companion App.
- 🔒 Lock the application in memory (lock in the menu of running tasks).
- 📲 Allow display over other windows.
- 📍 Permit permanent access to geolocation.
Also worth checking is the notification settings. In the watch app itself, find the Notifications or Application Management section, and you need to activate the sliders for those messengers and services that you want to see on your wrist, and without this step, the clock will only vibrate when you call.
💡
To ensure that notifications in MIUI 12/13/14 work, enable the option to “Display in Lock Style” in the notification settings of a particular application (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp).
Synchronizing Health and Activity Data
One of the main functions of a smart watch is health monitoring. To properly operate the pedometer, pulsemeter and sleep tracker, you need to give the app access to the phone's sensors and allow data collection. In the application's privacy settings, make sure that physical activity data collection is enabled.
To integrate with other services such as Google Fit or Apple Health (through third-party syncs), use the Add Accounts or Linked Services section within the watch app to aggregate all statistics in one place. Note that sync can be delayed if traffic saving mode is enabled.
The accuracy of the measurements depends on the density of the sensor to the skin. Too loose strap can distort the pulse readings, especially during exercise. Periodically wipe the back of the watch with a soft cloth, as fat and sweat can interfere with the optical sensor.
| Parameter | Frequency of update | Impact on the battery | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse. | Every 10 minutes/continuously | High. | Close contact with the skin |
| Steps. | Real-time. | Low. | Wrist wearing |
| Son | Automatic (night) | Average. | Don't take it off overnight. |
| SpO2 (Oxygen) | On request/night | Very high. | Immobility of the hand |
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, there may be crashes. If the watch can’t see the phone, try resetting the network settings on your smartphone or temporarily disabling VPN and antivirus, which can block a local connection. Also helps to clean the cache of the Bluetooth application in the All Apps menu → Show System → Bluetooth → Clear.
If you have a permanent disconnect, check if the watch is connected to another device at the same time. Most models only support one active connection to transfer data. If you change your phone, be sure to untie the clock in the app on the old device before you reset it.
If nothing works, reset the clock completely to factory settings (Reset). On the watch, this is usually done through the Settings menu → System → Reset. After that, you will need to do the pairing procedure again, as with a new device.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting the clock will delete all accumulated workout data that has not yet been synced to the smartphone.
Additional features and personalization
Once you have successfully set up, you can access the advanced functionality, download new dials, customize widget displays, change menu order, and customize vibration profiles for different events. App stores (like the Zepp Store) have thousands of options available.
Xiaomi smart home users need to integrate with Mi Home, some watches have the ability to control smart home scenarios from the wrist, and you need to log in to your Mi Home account and give permissions.
💡
Properly configuring MIUI’s energy saving is key to keeping smartwatches running smoothly, and without this step, notifications won’t come.
Regularly updating the watch firmware through the app adds new features and fixes bugs. It costs at least once a month to check for updates. Modern algorithms can add new training modes or improve accuracy. GPS-Tracking without buying a new device.