How to connect iPhone to Xiaomi smart watch: full instruction with error solutions

Synchronizing iPhones with Xiaomi smartwatches is a task that seems easy only at first glance. While Apple’s ecosystem and Mi/Wear devices run on different operating systems, sharing them is possible thanks to special applications and workarounds. The main challenge is the limitations of iOS, which prevents Xiaomi watches from revealing all the functionality available on Android. However, even in this tandem, you will be able to receive notifications, track activity and control music.

In this guide, we will not only look at the standard process of connecting through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), but also at alternative methods for models that do not officially support the iPhone. We will focus on solving typical problems: synchronization errors, lack of notifications and fast battery discharge of the watch. If you own the Mi Band 7/8, Mi Watch, Redmi Watch 3 or older models, this guide will help you set up your devices as efficiently as possible.

Which Xiaomi smartwatch is compatible with iPhone?

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches work equally well with iPhones, and the official support through the Mi Fitness app is as follows:

• 📱 Mi Band 5/6/7/8/9 — Full compatibility, including notifications and fitness tracker.
• ⌚ Mi Watch (all generations) – limited functionality (no phone calls answered in hours).
• 🏃 Redmi Watch 2/3/4 — Basic functions are supported, but synchronization delays may occur.
• 💎 Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3 — Premium models with advanced features, but on iOS work unstable.

Amazfit models (like the GTR 4 or GTS 4), despite being part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, require a separate Zepp app and have a different connectivity algorithm.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi iPhone watches do not support installing third-party apps (such as Spotify or Strava) directly on the device. NFC-Payments and Voice Assistant Xiao AI.

Before buying, check if the model features a note that says "IOS Support." For example, the Mi Band 8 is officially compatible, but the Xiaomi Watch Color 2 may be out of order.

Preparing iPhone and smart watches for synchronization

To avoid connection errors, pre-set both devices:

1. Update the watch to the latest version via the Mi Fitness app (if the watch has already been connected to another smartphone).
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone: Go to Settings → Bluetooth and activate the feature.
3. Allow notifications for Mi Fitness: Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness → Allow notifications
4. Disconnect the watch from the previous device (if it was paired). To do this, select the watch in the Mi Fitness app → Device settings → Disable.

For Mi Watch S3 and later, you may need to reset to factory settings before connecting to your iPhone for the first time, via the watch menu: Settings → System → Data Reset.

Update iOS to the latest version

Remove the old version of Mi Fitness (if installed)

Charge the watch to at least 50%

Enable geolocation for Mi Fitness (Settings → Privacy → Geolocation Services)

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Important: If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later, temporarily turn off the Tracking Notifications feature for the Mi Fitness app before you plug in the watch.

Step-by-step: Connect via Mi Fitness

The official way to sync is through the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit).

1. Install the app: 📲 Download Mi Fitness from the App Store. 🔓 Sign up or sign in via your Xiaomi account (you can use Google or Apple) ID).
2. Add a new device: 🔍 Click Profile. → Add the device. 📱 Choose your watch model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8).
3. Bluetooth pairing: 🔵 Make sure the search mode is turned on on (the screen will appear). QR-link-code). 📶 On iPhone, confirm the pairing request in the pop-up window.
4. Set-up of notifications: 🔔 In the watch menu in the app, include options: Call notifications, Messages, Calendar. ⚙️ For each app (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), manually allow notifications to be displayed.

It can take up to 5 minutes to do this -- don't interrupt the connection. If the clock doesn't work, restart your iPhone and try again.

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If Mi Fitness doesn’t see the watch, try connecting it via the standard Bluetooth menu on your iPhone: Find the device in the list, click Connect, then go back to Mi Fitness and update the page.

Alternative ways of connecting (for informal models)

If your watch (such as the Xiaomi Watch Color 2) is not supported by Mi Fitness, use one of these solutions:

To connect via Notify & Fitness:

1. Install the app from the App Store.
2. In the settings of the watch, turn on Pairing mode (press the button for 10 seconds).
3. In the app, select Connect Device → Mi Band 5/6/7 (depending on the model).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, health data (pulse, sleep) may not sync with Apple Health. Exporting will require additional software, such as Health Sync.

Official application Mi Fitness

Third-party software (Notify & Fitness, Zepp)

Manual connection via Bluetooth

I haven't tried it yet.

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Set up notifications and fitness functions

After the successful connection of Configure, the main parameters:

• 🔔 Notifications: In Mi Fitness, go to Device Profile → Notifications, switch on the call switches, SMS, Calendar and third-party messengers. WhatsApp or Viber may require separate permission in iOS settings.
• 🏃 Fitness tracker: Activate automatic activity recognition (Settings) → Activity monitoring. Set your goals by steps and calories in the Goals section.
• 🩺 Health monitoring: Enable Pulse, Oxygen and Sleep measurements (not available on all models). Mi Band 8 is available with Stress Test - activate it in the watch menu.

To ensure that the notifications are displayed correctly:

1. Open your iPhone settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness.
2. Enable the Sounds, Badges and Preview options.
3. For instant messengers (such as Telegram) in their settings, allow the display of notifications on the locked screen.

Update the firmware of the watch through the iPhone

Firmware watches through the iPhone is possible, but has nuances.

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to the device profile.
2. If an update is available, a notification will appear for the new version of the software.
3. Connect the watch to charging and confirm the installation.

For models that are not updated through Mi Fitness (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S1), use:

• 🔧 Third-party utilities: Amazfit Tool or Mi Bandage (requires Android devices for intermediate file downloads).
• 📥 Manual installation: Download firmware from miui.su (Gadget firmware section). Place the.fw file in the iPhone root folder via iTunes or Finder. In Mi Fitness, select Update manually and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Warning: Continuous firmware updates via iPhone can crash if Bluetooth communication is interrupted.Recommended way to use Android smartphone for critical operations.

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Update your firmware only when the charge level is above 60% and the Internet connection is stable. Interrupting the process can make the watch inoperable!

Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face common bugs, and here's how to fix them:

If Xiaomi watches aren’t determined by the iPhone after a few attempts:

1. Remove the watch from the list of Bluetooth devices on your iPhone.
2. Reset the clock settings to factory (Settings → Reset).
3. Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.
4. Try connecting via another device (like an Android tablet), then go back to your iPhone.

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If your iOS watch stops connecting after the update, check if Mi Fitness is blocking as an “unsafe” app. Go to Settings → Privacy → Analytics and Improvements → Analytics and delete all entries related to Mi Fitness.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting iPhone to Xiaomi watches