You bought a Xiaomi smartwatch or fitness bracelet, but you don’t know which app to set it up? This problem is familiar to many newcomers: the brand offers several programs at once — Mi Fit, Zepp Life and Zepp App — and it is not always clear which one is suitable for your model. Moreover, some devices (for example, Amazfit) although belonging to the Xiaomi ecosystem, require separate software.
In this article, we will look at what software is needed for a particular Xiaomi watch model, what the official apps are different from, and how to avoid connection errors. You will also learn whether third-party programs (such as Notify & Fitness or Tools & Mi Band) can be used and what features will become unavailable with this choice.
Xiaomi’s official apps for smart watches: a brief overview
Xiaomi and its subsidiary brand Huami (developer of Amazfit devices) release several official watch and bracelet management apps, all available for free on Google Play and the App Store, but with supported devices and functionality.
Main programmes:
- 🔹 Mi Fit is a classic Mi Band bracelet app (including Mi Band) 7/8) And some models of watches Xiaomi Watch. Supports basic functions: sleep monitoring, pedometer, notifications.
- 🔹 Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit for overseas markets) is an extended version for Xiaomi and Amazfit devices, with added training, health analytics, integration with Strava.
- 🔹 Zepp App – a proprietary app for Amazfit watches (for example, Amazfit) GTR 4 or GTS (4) Provides advanced metrics such as VO₂ Max and stress tests.
Important: Xiaomi has been actively moving users from Mi Fit to Zepp Life since 2023, but older models (like the Mi Band 5) still only work with Mi Fit.
How do you determine which app you need for your watch?
To avoid making a mistake with the choice of a program, follow a simple algorithm:
- Look at the box or back cover of the device – it shows the exact model (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S1 or Mi Band 8).
- Check the compatibility table below.
- If your model is in multiple columns (such as the Mi Band 7 Pro), choose the app with the maximum functionality (usually Zepp Life).
| Model of the device | Mi Fit | Zepp Life | Zepp App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 1–6 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Mi Band 7/8 | ✅ (baseline) | ✅ (functional) | ❌ |
| Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Redmi Watch 3 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
⚠️ Note: If you connect the Mi Band 8 to the Mi Fit, some features (e.g., some features, AI-Sleep analysis or voice training will not be available. Always use the recommended application from the table.
Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi watch to the phone
Consider the process using the example of Zepp Life (similar to other applications):
- Download Zepp Life from the App Store or Google Play.
- Register an account (you can use Google, Facebook or phone number).
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow the app to access geodata and notifications.
- Click Add Device → Select your model from the list.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: Confirm the pairing on the clock (usually you need to click on the touch button).
Charge the clock to 50% or more
Update your phone to the latest version
Disable VPN (can block Xiaomi servers)
Make sure there is enough memory on the phone (the app weighs) ~100MB)-->
If the clock is not connected:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone and device.
- 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in the Bluetooth phone settings.
- 🔧 Check if the antivirus is blocking Bluetooth access.
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, some features (such as quick notification responses) may not work due to iOS limitations.
Mi Fit vs Zepp Life: Which is the Best?
Many users are wondering whether to switch from Mi Fit to Zepp Life? Let's compare the key differences:
| Function | Mi Fit | Zepp Life |
|---|---|---|
| Supported devices | Only Mi Band 1-8, Xiaomi Watch Lite | Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2, Redmi Watch |
| Sleep analysis | Basic (sleep phases) | Extended (dreaming, REM-phase, tips for improvement) |
| Training. | 10+ sports | 100+ species including HIIT and yoga |
| Integration with third-party services | Only Google Fit. | Strava, Apple Health, MyFitnessPal |
💡
Zepp Life offers 2-3 times more features for health analysis, but takes up more space on the phone (about 150 MB vs. 50 MB for Mi Fit).
If you have a Mi Band 6 or older, the switch to Zepp Life is justified. For owners of Mi Band 5 and older models, it is better to stay on Mi Fit - new features are still not supported.
Can I use third-party programs for Xiaomi watches?
Yes, there are alternative applications such as:
- 🔧 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band – Advanced notifications, customization of dials.
- 🔧 Tools & Mi Band – manually adjusts the vibration, brightness of the screen.
- 🔧 Mi Bandage – remove ads in the official application.
However, there are important limitations:
- ⚠️ No official support – when updating the firmware, the watch may stop working.
- ⚠️ No synchronization of health data (e.g. pulse or oxygen levels).
- ⚠️ Risk of blocking Xiaomi account for using unofficial software.
💡
If you lack features in the official app, try updating the watch firmware first through Zepp Life – often new features appear after an update.
Frequent Mistakes When Connecting Xiaomi Watches and How to Fix Them
Even with official apps, users face problems. Consider typical situations:
- The watch is not in Bluetooth search: 🔋 Check the battery power (less than 20% – the device may not be powered on). 🔄 Restart the clock by pressing the button for 10 seconds.
The app gives the error "I couldn't connect":
Cause and solution
The data is not synchronized:
- 📶 Check your internet connection (the app needs Xiaomi servers).
- 🔧 In your phone settings, allow Zepp Life to work in the background (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
This will only carry the basic metrics (steps, weight, exercise) and you'll have to type in your sleep and heart rate data manually.