How to set up Xiaomi smart watches: from connectivity to fine-tuning

Introduction: Why set up Xiaomi smartwatches?

Xiaomi smartwatches are not just accessories, but full-fledged assistants for health, sports and everyday tasks. But many users are limited to basic functions, without even knowing that the device is capable of more.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all stages, from the first on-line to the hidden features. We will look at the Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Redmi Watch 3 and others, paying attention to their features. And if you have tried to customize the watch but faced problems, at the end of this article there is an FAQ with solutions to typical errors.

Important: the instructions are relevant for the MIUI Watch 2.0+ firmware and the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app (depending on the region). If your model is older than 2020, some points may differ - check compatibility in official sources.

Step 1: Preparation before first switching on

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need:

📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ (iPhone functionality is limited).
🔋 Charged watch (minimum 20% battery) Use original cable - unoriginal can damage contacts.
📲 Installed application: Mi Fitness - for Mi Band models and old Xiaomi Watch. Zepp Life - for the new Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Redmi Watch 3, etc.
🔄 Bluetooth 5.0 enabled+ Geolocation access (required for accurate tracking of activity).

If you update your smartphone firmware before you connect, wait until the process is complete. Interrupting the system update on your phone while syncing with your clock can cause Bluetooth protocol to crash, requiring both devices to be reset.

📊 What Xiaomi model are you setting up?

Mi Band 7/8

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro

Redmi Watch 3

Another model.

Step 2: First Enable and Connect to the Phone

The connection process is the same for most models, but there are nuances for NFC watches (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3).

Turn on the clock: Press the power button (or tap the screen if touch) for 5-10 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
Select a language: a menu with flags will appear on the screen. Swipe through until you find Russian or English.
Download the app: For Android: Mi Fitness or Zepp Life. For iOS: Mi Fitness only (features are limited).

Xiaomi Account

Settings → Accounts → Add an account

Connect the watch.

Open the application → “Add device” → Select a model → Follow the instructions on the screen.

The watch will have a 6-digit code – enter it into the app for confirmation.

If the watch is not in the app,

⚠️ Make sure your phone has power saving turned off for the Mi app Fitness/Zepp On Android, check your settings. → Annexes → Special access → Optimizing the battery.

Step 3: Basic settings: time, notifications, screen

After connecting, set the basic parameters to make the clock work comfortably:

Parameter	Where to set up	Recommendations
Time format	Profile → Settings of the clock → Time and date	Choose 24-hour or 12-hour format. To sync with your phone, turn on Auto Update.
Notifications	Profile → Notifications → Notifications Management	Turn on alerts for calls, SMS and key apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) and disable unnecessary ones to avoid draining the battery.
Screen brightness	Profile → Display → Brightness	Set Auto Brightness or choose 3-4 (out of 5). Too high brightness reduces the operating time.
Raising the wrist	Profile → Gestures → Raising the wrist	Turn it on if you want the screen to light up when you move your hand. Set a 5-second delay to save battery life.

For models with Always-On Display (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro):

🕒 Set up the display time in Profile → Display. → Always-On.
🎨 Choose the style of the dial (available 3-5 options depending on the model).
⚡ Turn off the feature overnight to save charge: Schedule → 23:00 to 7:00.

💡

If notifications don’t come, check the permissions for the Mi Fitness app in your phone settings: Settings → Apps → Mi Fitness → Notifications should be enabled.

Step 4: Adjusting Health and Fitness

The main benefit of Xiaomi smartwatches is health monitoring, so to be accurate, calibrate:

Heart rate (HRF): 📊 Include Continuous Monitoring in Profile → Heart monitoring → Frequency of measurements. ⚠️ For accuracy, wear the watch 2-3 cm above the wrist bone and tighten the strap so that the sensor fits tightly to the skin.

Blood oxygen levels (SpO₂)

Profile → Health → Oxygen in the blood → Enable automatic measurement

Recommended time: 22:00-06:00 (during sleep).

Sleep tracking

😴 Enable Smart Sleep Mode in Profile → Son → Settings.
📅 Set a sleep goal (recommended 7-9 hours).
🔕 Turn off notifications overnight: Profile → Don't disturb. → Schedule.

A difference of more than ± 10 beats / min indicates an incorrect landing of the clock.

How to improve the accuracy of the pedometer?

1. Calibrate the stride length: walk 10 meters and enter the real distance in Profile → Activity → Calibration of the stride. 2. Wear the watch on a non-dominant hand (for right-handers - left, for left-handers - right). 3. Turn off "Battery Savings" in the phone settings for the Mi Fitness app.

Step 5: Additional Features: NFC, Voice Assistant, Smart Home

Modern Xiaomi models support advanced features that many users do not use.

💳 NFC-Payment (available for Xiaomi Watch) S3, Watch 2 Pro: Add the map to your profile → NFC → Add a map. Confirm through SMS To pay, double-press the power button and bring the watch to the terminal.

⚠️ In Russia. NFC You may not be able to work with some banks due to sanctions restrictions.

Voice assistant

Profile → Voice Assistant → Enable

Supported commands: "Weather for tomorrow", "Set an alarm for 7:00", "Start training run".

Smart home.

Link the watch to Mi Home via Profile → Smart Home → Add the device.
Control the lights, sockets and cameras directly from your wrist.

For eSIM models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S3):

📶 Activate mobile communication in Profile → Mobile network → Set up the eSIM.
🔄 Synchronize contacts through Profile → Contacts → Imports.
☎ You can now call right from the clock, even if the phone is far away.

💡

NFC and eSIM are only available in global versions of the watch (with Global on the box), which can be blocked in Chinese versions.

Step 6: Optimizing the battery and solving problems

The lifetime of a single charge depends on the model and settings.

Mi Band 7/8: 10-15 days.
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: 5-7 days
Redmi Watch 3: 7-12 days.

To extend the working hours:

Problem.	Decision
Quick discharge.	Turn off Always-On Display. Reduce your heart rate to 30 minutes. Turn off notifications from unnecessary apps.
The clock is out of sync.	Reboot your phone and your watch. Remove the device in the app and reconnect it. Check if Bluetooth and geolocation are on.
The screen doesn't respond to touch.	Clean the screen with an alcohol napkin. Reset the settings through Profile → Reset. If the problem persists, contact the service (sensor defect is possible).

Critical error!

⚠️ If the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro watch is constantly rebooted after the firmware update, perform a forced reset: Charge the watch to 100%. Press the power button for 20 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears. Connect again through the app. If this does not help, run the watch through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).

Step 7: Update firmware and reset to factory settings

Regular updates improve stability and add new features to update firmware:

Open the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app.
Go to Profile. → Update of the PO.
If a new version is available, click Download and Install.
Wait until the clock is finished (the clock will reset automatically).

For full work we recommend Android.

🏃‍♂️ How to set up training on Xiaomi watches?

To add workout: On the clock: swipe up → select Workouts. Choose activity type (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) Set goals (time, distance, calories). Press Start. After workout, the data is automatically synchronized with the application.

🔒 How to protect Xiaomi watches from outside access?

Turn on screen lock: Profile → Security → Screen lock → Install PIN Also recommended: Disable notifications on the locked screen. Do not save passwords from bank cards in NFC.

🛠️ What to do if Xiaomi watches are not turned on?

Try the following steps: Set your watch to charge for 30 minutes (even if the indicator is not on). Press the power button for 15-20 seconds. If it does not work, reset through the application (see Step 7). If you are physically injured (moisture, fall), contact the service.