The official Xiaomi smartwatch management app on Android smartphones is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), a versatile software that supports most of the brandβs models, from the budget Mi Band to the premium Xiaomi Watch S3 or Watch 2 Pro. However, from 2023, the company began the transition to a new application β Xiaomi Wear, which is designed to replace Mi Fitness for new devices.
Many users confuse the two apps or donβt know which one is right for their particular watch model. In this article, weβll figure out which app is right for your device, how to install it properly, link it to the watch, and set it up. Youβll also learn how Xiaomi Wear differs from Mi Fitness, and what to do if the app doesnβt find your watch.
Itβs important to understand that the choice of app depends not only on the model of the watch, but also on the region of purchase. For example, the global versions of the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro work with Xiaomi Wear, and the Chinese versions may require Mi Fitness with a changed region in the settings. We will analyze all the nuances in detail so that you can avoid typical errors when connecting.
Xiaomiβs official smartwatch apps: Mi Fitness vs Xiaomi Wear
Until 2023, all Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets were controlled through one app, Mi Fit (later renamed Mi Fitness), which supported synchronization of step, sleep, pulse data, and allowed you to set dials and adjust notifications. However, with the release of the Xiaomi Watch S2 and Watch 2 Pro, the company began to move to a new app, Xiaomi Wear.
Now the situation looks like this:
- π± Mi Fitness β for older models (Mi Band 3/4/5/6, Amazfit Bip, Xiaomi Watch S1, etc.).
- β Xiaomi Wear β for new devices (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3, Smart Band 8 Pro and later).
- π Zepp Life is for Amazfit devices (a subsidiary of Xiaomi), but is sometimes used for some Xiaomi models in China.
How do you know which app you want? First, check your watch model. Second, look at your purchase region.
- πΊπΈ Global versions (sold in Europe, Russia, India) β usually run with Xiaomi Wear or Mi Fitness.
- π¨π³ Chinese versions (bought on AliExpress, Taobao or China) β may require Mi Fitness to change region to βChinaβ in your account settings.
Critical information: If your watch is not connected to the app, check the firmware. Some Chinese models require firmware to be globalized, otherwise they won't be recognized by Xiaomi Wear.
How to Download and Install the Right App
Both Mi Fitness and Xiaomi Wear are available on Google Play, but there are some nuances:
- π Mi Fitness may not appear in search if your region on Google Play is not supported, in which case download APK from the official Xiaomi website or a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
- π² Xiaomi Wear is available in all regions, but some models require a firmware update.
Installation instructions:
- Open Google Play and search for the name of the application you want.
- Make sure the developer is Xiaomi Inc. (for Mi Fitness) or Huami Inc. (for Xiaomi Wear).
- Click "Install" and wait for the download to be completed.
- Open the app and sign up (or sign in via your Xiaomi, Google, Apple ID account).
If the application is not installed, check:
- π΅ Is there enough space on the phone (needs a minimum of 100MB)?
- π Android version (needs Android 6.0 or later).
- π Region on Google Play (some apps are not available in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other countries).
βοΈ Preparation for the installation of the application
Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi watch to the phone
Once you install the app, you need to sync it to the clock, and the process may vary slightly depending on the model, but the overall pattern is as follows:
For Xiaomi Wear:
- Open the application and click "Add device" (+ in the upper right corner).
- Select your watch model from the list (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait until the watch appears on the list of available devices.
- Confirm the connection on the clock (usually you need to press a button or touch the screen).
- Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5-10 minutes).
For Mi Fitness:
- Launch the application and go to the "Profile" section β "Add device".
- Select a category (Smart watch or fitness bracelet).
- Follow the instructions on the screen, confirming the actions on the watch.
- After connecting, update the watch firmware if the app offers to do so.
If the clock is not:
- π Make sure they are charged (minimum 20%).
- πΆ Reboot Bluetooth on your phone.
- π Restart the application.
- π± Try connecting from another phone to rule out a problem with the device.
What to do if the clock is not connected?
Configure notifications, dials and other functions
Once you have the watch, you have to customize it to your needs, and let's look at the basic features that are available in both apps:
1. Notifications
- π© Turn on the alerts for calls, SMS and messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
- π Set up vibrations and sound signals.
- π« Turn off unnecessary notifications (e.g. from games or ads).
2. Dials
- β Select a preset dial or download a new one from the store.
- π¨ Some models support customization (color, style, displayed widgets).
- πΎ Save your favorite dials in Favorites.
3. Health monitoring
| Function | Mi Fitness | Xiaomi Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse measurement | β (24/7) | β (with notifications of arrhythmia) |
| Oxygen levels (SpOβ) | β (manual/auto) | β (with 30 days of history) |
| Sleep tracking | β (basic) | β (sleep-phase) |
| Stress and energy | β | β (new models only) |
To set up, go to the Device Profile β Notification Settings or Health. The Lab section is also available in Xiaomi Wear, where you can enable experimental features (such as monitoring sleep breathing).
π‘
If notifications are late, turn on the Xiaomi Wear/Mi Fitness app autostart permission and work in the background. You can do this in your phone settings: Settings β Applications β Xiaomi Wear β Battery β No restrictions
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after a successful connection, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
1.The watch discharges quickly
- π Turn off the permanent pulse measurement (in the health settings).
- π΄ Reduce the brightness of the screen or turn on the "Battery Saving" mode.
- π Update the watch firmware (check for updates in the app).
2. data are not synchronized
- πΆ Reconnect the watch to the phone (Forget the device β reconnect).
- π Restart your phone and watch.
- π Check the Internet connection (data synced via the cloud).
3.The application crashes or does not open
- ποΈ Clear the app cache (Settings β Applications β Xiaomi Wear β Memory β Clear the cache).
- π Reinstall the app.
- π± Check compatibility with your version of Android.
β οΈ Warning: If the watch stops turning on after the firmware update, donβt try to reset it through a button β this can cause complete data loss. Instead, plug the watch into charging and wait for the automatic reboot (may take up to 30 minutes).
Mi Fitness and Xiaomi Wear: Which App is Better
Many users are wondering whether to switch from Mi Fitness to Xiaomi Wear? Let's compare them by key parameters:
| Criteria | Mi Fitness | Xiaomi Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Supported devices | Older models (Mi Band 3-6, Watch S1) | New models (Watch 2 Pro, Smart Band 8) |
| Interface. | Simple but outdated | Modern, with animations |
| Health functions | Basic (pulse, steps, sleep) | Expanded (stress, SpOβ, breathing) |
| Synchronization | Slower, sometimes crashes | Faster, more stable. |
| Dials | Limited choice | More options + customization |
If your watch supports both apps (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S1), we recommend using Xiaomi Wear, which offers more features and is better optimized. However, for older devices (Mi Band 5 and earlier), Mi Fitness remains the only option.
β οΈ Warning: Don't install both apps at the same time - this can lead to sync conflicts. If you're switching from Mi Fitness to Xiaomi Wear, first uninstall the old app and untie the clock in Bluetooth settings.
Alternative applications for Xiaomi smart watches
If the official apps don't suit you, you can use third-party solutions that offer additional features, but may be less stable:
1. Notify & Fitness for Mi Band
- π Advanced Notices (with emojis and long texts)
- π Detailed health statistics.
- π¨ More dials (including custom dials)
2. Mi Band Master
- π§ Manual tuning of vibration and brightness.
- π² Export data to Google Fit.
- π Optimizing battery consumption.
3. Amazfit Zepp
- π Supports Chinese versions of devices.
- π Advanced sleep and exercise analytics.
- β οΈ Requires registration with Zepp (may not work with some Xiaomi models).
Before using third-party applications, consider:
- π They may request access to personal data (steps, location).
- π Not all features will work consistently (e.g. notifications may be duplicated).
- π΅ Some apps require Android 8.0+.
π‘
The app side is useful for advanced features, but official (Mi Fitness or Xiaomi Wear) ensures stable operation and regular updates.