How to set up a Xiaomi Mi smart watch: a complete guide for beginners and experienced users

Xiaomi Mi smart watches (including popular Mi Band models) 7/8 Pro, Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3) They've become an integral part of everyday life for millions of users, not only showing the time, but also monitoring their health, managing notifications, helping with training, and even replacing their bank cards. This article will help you understand everything from basic activation to subtle settings for power users.

We’ll look at not only the standard steps in the official manual, but also the hidden features that the manufacturer is not talking about, such as how to set up automatic sleep tracking without manually starting, why Mi Fitness (now Zepp Life) may not see the clock after an update, and how to circumvent restrictions on installing third-party dials.

If you have just unpacked the box or want to optimize the work of a familiar watch, this instruction will be your guide. And for those who like experimentation, we’ve prepared a section with undocumented chips, including customizing gestures, changing the region to unlock additional features, and even manually updating the firmware through the app. ADB.

1.Preparation for the first setup: what to do before turning on the clock

Before you press the power button on the new Xiaomi Mi Watch, follow a few critical steps, and ignoring them can lead to synchronization issues, connection errors, or even loss of warranty (for example, when using unofficial firmware).

First, check the compatibility of your smartphone. Officially, Xiaomi watches support:

• 📱 Android 6.0 and higher (but Android 14 requires manual permissions setup for Zepp Life)
• 🍎 iOS 12.0 and higher (limited: no response, no notifications)
• ❌ Devices without Bluetooth 4.2 or higher (watches will not connect)

Second, you can create a Xiaomi account. Without it, you can't:

• 🔄 Synchronize Health Data with the Cloud
• 📥 Install firmware updates
• 🎨 Download additional dials from the official store

💡

If you already have a Mi Account for your smartphone, use it for your watch, which will make it easier to sync data between devices (for example, you can view your workout history in Mi Home).

Finally, charge the watch to 100% before setting up the first time, and even if the indicator is 50%, a full charge is required to:

• ⚡ Proper battery calibration (affects future charge display accuracy)
• 🔄 Successful firmware update (if required immediately after connection)
• 🛠️ Diagnostics of hardware faults (for example, rapid discharge)

Make sure the phone is compatible|Create/Restore a Xiaomi Account|Charge the clock to 100%|Install the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fitness)|Shut down. VPN On the phone (can block Xiaomi servers)

-->

2. Installation and configuration of the Zepp Life (Mi Fitness) application

The official Xiaomi Mi watch management app is called Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fitness or Xiaomi Wear) and must be downloaded before the watch is turned on, otherwise the pairing process can end in error.

• 🤖 Google Play (Android)
• 🍎 App Store (iOS)

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open Zepp Life and sign in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one).
2. Click Profile → Add the device.
3. Choose your watch model from the list (for example, Mi Band 8 Pro or Watch). S3).
4. Follow the on-screen instructions when the app asks you to enable Bluetooth and geolocation.

Android. 13/14 A request for permission may be made for:

• 📍 Exact location (you need to search for a Bluetooth watch)
• 📁 Access to files (to download dials)
• 🔔 Displays over other windows (for notifications)

Once you've successfully connected, the app will suggest you update your firmware. Don't refuse to upgrade, even if the clock is running smoothly.

• 🩺 Correct errors in the measurement of pulse and SpO₂
• 🔋 Optimize battery consumption
• 🎨 Adding new dials and animations

Mi Band 7/8|Mi Watch Lite|Watch 2 Pro|Watch S3|Another model|I haven't bought it yet)

-->

Basic setting: time, notifications and basic parameters

Once paired with the phone, the Xiaomi Mi watch automatically syncs the time, but some settings will have to be adjusted manually. Open the Zepp Life app, select your watch, and go to the Device Profile section.

Key settings that are worth checking right away:

Pay special attention to setting up notifications, and by default, the clock shows all incoming messages, which can quickly drain the battery, to optimize the operation:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Notifications → Management of notifications.
2. Disable unnecessary apps (such as games or social media if they are not critical).
3. Set the vibration: short for messages, long for calls.
4. Turn on the “Show Content” option if you want to see text messages (on iPhone, this is limited).

💡

On iPhone, notifications from third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) may not come to the clock. This is Apple's restriction - to display them, you need the messenger app to be opened in the background on the phone.

If you have a Mi Band. 7/8 Pro, check the settings. NFC (If the model supports contactless payment):

• 💳 Attach a bank card via Mi Pay (available only for Russian banks supporting Mir Pay or UnionPay).
• 🔐 Install. PIN-Payment protection code (no default code!).
• 📍 Set up an automatic shutdown NFC After 5 minutes of inactivity (savings charge).

4. Set up health and fitness tracking

One of the main advantages of the Xiaomi Mi smartwatch is health monitoring, but by default many functions are disabled or not working properly. SpO₂ (oxygenation of the blood may show inaccurate data if the sensor is not calibrated.

To set up health-tracking:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Health.
2. Turn on continuous heart rate monitoring (interval: each) 1-5 minutes depending on the model).
3. Activate high/low pulse notifications (threshold values are manually adjusted).
4. Turn on sleep tracking and set the alarm with the function "Smart awakening" (wake up in the optimal phase of sleep).

Important: Mi Band 8 Pro and Watch S3 precise-measuring SpO₂ You need to calibrate before you use it, and then you need to press the button on the clock for 10 seconds until you say "Calibration of the sensor," and then you need to follow the instructions on the screen.

For fitness functions:

• 🏃‍♂️ Add your sports to your profile → Training. → My sports.
• 🎯 Set goals by steps (recommended value — 8000-10000 day-to-day).
• 📊 Turn on automatic recognition of workouts (the clock itself will determine running, walking or cycling).
• 🏆 Activate Achievements for Motivation (Zepp Life has a Rewards System for Regular Workouts).

💡

If the watch does not count steps correctly, check whether you wear them correctly: the strap should be tightly fastened (but not crushed by the hand), and the body itself should be on the back. 2-3 You can also calibrate the pedometer by hand, by passing through the wrist. 20 steps and confirming them in the appendix.

For owners of the Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3 A function of stress assessment by variability of heart rhythm is available (HRV). So it works properly:

1. Wear a watch for at least 3 days in a row (you need to accumulate basic data).
2. Measure stress at the same time (for example, morning and evening).
3. Turn off caffeine and alcohol 2 hours before the measurement (they distort the results).

5. Personalization: dials, widgets and gestures

Standard dials on Xiaomi Mi are often boring and widgets are inconvenient. Fortunately, the watch allows you to deeply customize the interface.

Dials:

• 🎨 Set official dials from the store in Zepp Life (Profile) → Dials).
• 🖼️ Download third-party dials from sites like AmoledWatchFaces (you need to download the.bin file and download it through the application).
• 🔧 Set up complications (more information on the dial): weather, steps, pulse, battery.

Widgets:

• 📱 Change the order of the widgets: swipe left on the watch's home screen, press and hold the widget, then drag it.
• ➕ Add new widgets through Zepp Life (Profile) → Screen. → Widgets).
• ❌ Remove unnecessary ones (for example, the Menstrual Cycle widget if you don’t need one).

Gestures and controls:

• 👋 Set up a hand-raising gesture to activate the screen (in Settings) → Display).
• 🔄 Change the action when you double-push the button (for example, starting a workout or opening the last application).
• 🎵 Configure the control of music from the clock (only works with Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music).

For models with Always-On Display (e.g. Watch) S3):

• ⏱️ Set the display time (constantly or only at certain hours).
• 🔋 Turn off Always-On at night to save charge.
• 🎨 Select a minimalist dial for Always-On mode (bright colors drain the battery faster).

6. Advanced settings: battery saving, upgrades and reset

Even after setting it up correctly, many users experience a fast battery drain or freeze, most often due to poor energy saving settings or outdated firmware.

Battery savings:

• 🔋 Turn off continuous pulse monitoring (leave the interval) 10-30 minute).
• 📴 Reduce the brightness of the screen to 3-4 divisions (c Settings → Display).
• 🛑 Disable notifications from unnecessary applications.
• ⏳ Cut down the time of Always-On Display or turn it off completely.
• 🔄 Enable energy saving mode overnight (in Settings) → Battery).

Firmware update:

Xiaomi Mi watches are automatically updated, but sometimes the update gets stuck.

1. Open Zepp Life and check for updates in Profile → Firmware update.
2. If the update doesn’t install, restart the clock and phone.
3. For manual installation, download the firmware from the official website and download it through Zepp Life.

💡

If after the update the clock started to glitches (for example, data is not synchronized or communication is lost), reset through Settings. → System system → Reset.This will bring back factory settings, but it won't delete health data from Xiaomi's account.

Reset to factory settings:

If the clock is unstable, a complete reset can help.

1. On the clock go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code).
3. After reset, re-couple your watch with your phone via Zepp Life.

💡

Before reset, write down or take a picture of the current settings (e.g., the order of widgets, the dials selected), and after reset, you will have to reset them.

Manual update through ADB (power-user):

If automatic updates do not work, you can install firmware manually through ADB. For that:

1. Download Platform Tools for Windows/Mac.
2. Connect the watch to your computer via Bluetooth (you need to use it) ADB Bluetooth).
3. Enter the command: Adb devices to make sure the device is detected.
4. Download the firmware and install it with the command: adb sideload firmware.zip

💡

Use it. ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, the wrong firmware can turn a watch into a brick".

7. Solving common problems

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi Mi users face typical problems.

The watch does not connect to the phone:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 In your phone, remove the watch from the list of conjugated devices in Bluetooth settings.
• 🔧 In Zepp Life, click Remove the device, then add it again.
• 🛠️ If nothing helps, reset the clock to factory settings.

Notifications are not coming:

• 🔔 In Zepp Life, check if notifications are enabled for the right apps.
• 📵 On Android in your phone settings give Zepp Life permission to display over other windows.
• 🍎 On iPhone, notifications from third-party apps are not supported – this is Apple’s restriction.

The battery is discharged quickly:

• 🔋 Check which features consume the most charge in Settings → Battery.
• 🛌 Turn off Always-On Display and continuous monitoring of your pulse overnight.
• 🔄 Update your firmware – newer versions often optimize your power consumption.

Inaccurate pulse measurement/SpO₂:

• 🩺 Make sure the watch fits tightly to the wrist (does not hang around, but does not crush).
• 🧼 Wipe the sensor on the back of the watch with an alcohol wipe (sweat and dirt interfere with measurements).
• 🛠️ Calibrate the sensor (on some models, this is done through Settings). → Sensors).

8. Hidden features and life hacks for Xiaomi Mi

The manufacturer does not advertise some of the features of the Xiaomi Mi watch, but they can significantly improve the user experience.

1. Change the region to unlock functions:

Some functions (such as voice assistant or NFC For transportation, only available in certain regions, to unlock them:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Settings → Region.
2. Choose India (for maximum feature set) or China (for early access to updates).
3. Reset the clock.

2. Quick access to your favorite functions:

On most models, you can double-press the button to run any function, such as:

• 🏃 Quick start of training.
• 💳 Opening Mi Pay for Payment.
• 🔦 Lighting (on models with LED-lighting).

3. Do not disturb hidden mode:

Besides the standard mode DND, The clock has extended silence settings:

• 🔔 You can only turn off vibration by leaving sound notifications.
• ⏰ Set up a schedule (for example, quiet mode from 22:00 to 8:00).
• 📱 Disable notifications only from certain applications.

Export of health data:

If you want to transfer your workout data to Google Fit or Apple Health:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Settings → Synchronization of data.
2. Connect to your Google Fit or Apple Health account.
3. Select data types for export (steps, pulse, training, etc.).

5. Use of the watch as a remote for presentations:

On models with Watch 2 Pro and later, you can manage presentations in PowerPoint or Google Slides:

1. Install the Mi Remote app on your phone (available on Android).
2. In Zepp Life, activate the presentation management function.
3. During the presentation of the swipe left / right on the clock you can switch slides.

💡

Some hidden features may conflict with the core ones, such as changing the region to India will unlock the voice assistant, but it can disable Russian localization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)