How to connect Xiaomi watches to Samsung phone: full instructions with error solutions

Synchronizing Xiaomi’s smartwatches (whether Mi Band, Amazfit or Xiaomi Watch) with a Samsung phone seems like a simple task at first glance, but in practice, users often face connection errors, notification problems or incorrect fitness trackers. The main difficulty lies in the differences in ecosystems: MIUI firmware and One UI shell have their own nuances of interaction with Bluetooth LE, and standard Mi Fit or Zepp applications are not always optimized for Samsung devices.

In this article, we will discuss not only the basic connection process, but also hidden settings that will avoid typical problems, from the lack of synchronization of steps to missing notifications from WhatsApp or Telegram. Particular attention will be paid to the models of the Galaxy S23/S22 and Galaxy A54/A34, where most conflicts with the Bluetooth 5.2 protocols. If you have already tried to connect the watch and received an error like “failed to find the device” or “Sync is interrupted”, here you will find solutions.

Xiaomi Watch Compatibility with Samsung Phones: What You Need to Know Before Connecting

Before you start syncing, it’s important to make sure your devices are technically compatible. Most Xiaomi models (including the Mi Band 7/8, Amazfit GTR 4, Xiaomi Watch S3) officially support Android 8.0+, but there are key points:

• 📱 Samsung Android Version: On Phones with One UI 5.0+ (Android 13/14) You may need to manually enable permission for Bluetooth scanning in the application settings.
• 🔄 Bluetooth Protocol: Xiaomi Watches Use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Samsung devices with Exynos chips (e.g., Galaxy) S22+ Exynos) sometimes conflict with BLE 5.0+.
• 🔒 Regional restrictions: Some functions (e.g, NFC-Payments to Xiaomi Watch S3) It can be blocked for Samsung’s European firmware.

Problems are more common with budget watch models (Mi Band 6 and older) due to outdated communication protocols. If your Samsung was upgrading to One UI 6.0, check if the power saving settings for Bluetooth have reset, which is a common cause of connection breakdown.

2. Step-by-step instruction: connection via Mi Fit or Zepp

The official Xiaomi watch management apps are Mi Fit (for Mi Band) and Zepp (for Amazfit/Xiaomi Watch), which are similar but nuanced.

1. Install the app: 📲 For Mi Band: Download Mi Fit from Google Play. ⌚ For Amazfit/Xiaomi Watch: Use Zepp.

Register an account:

Xiaomi

Google/Facebook

Without registration, data synchronization with the cloud will not be possible.

Turn on Bluetooth on Samsung:

Settings → Connections → Bluetooth

"Visibility for all"

Add the device in the app:

Mi Fit/Zepp

"Profile → Add the device"

Confirm the conjugation:

If at the interface stage there is an error "Can not connect", try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth module on Samsung: turn it off and turn it on again.
• 📵 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in the phone settings and try again.
• 🔋 Make sure the clock is over 20% (at low charge, some models refuse to sync).

Install the latest version of Mi Fit/Zepp|

Turn Bluetooth and GPS on Samsung|

Charge the watch to 50%+|

Remove old pairings in phone settings|

Disable VPN (can block Xiaomi servers)

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3. Solving common connection errors

Even when you follow the instructions correctly, Samsung users often encounter errors, and consider the most common ways to fix them:

Particularly noteworthy is the “Bluetooth connection is unstable” error on the Galaxy S23 Ultra and other flagships, due to aggressive One UI optimization, which suspends background processes.

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Zepp/Mi Fit → Memory.
2. Click on "Memory Management" and turn off "Auto-Optimization".
3. Reboot the phone.

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If Xiaomi watches are permanently disconnected from Samsung, try turning off the Automatic Switch Wi-Fi/Bluetooth feature in connection settings, an option that can interrupt the connection when switching between networks.

4. Set up notifications and calls on Xiaomi watches

By default, Xiaomi watches only show notifications from standard apps (Calls, SMS). To set up alerts from Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail, follow the following steps:

1. Allow access to notifications: 📱 On the phone: Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Access to notifications → turn on Mi. Fit/Zepp. ⌚ Annex: Profile → Notifications → Management of notifications → select the desired applications.

Set up the alert style:

Zepp

text

badge

Mi Band

Activate the function "Raise to view":

Raising the wrist to activate the screen

For models Xiaomi Watch S3 and Amazfit GTR 4 is available to answer calls directly from the clock (when connecting to Samsung via Zepp).

• 📞 Turn on the clock settings Calls via Bluetooth.
• 🔊 Allow Zepp to access the Microphone and Phone in Android settings.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is on modem mode (sometimes required for stable voice transmission).

5. Synchronizing health data: steps, sleep, pulse

One of the key functions of a smartwatch is to monitor activity, but Samsung Health users often face duplicate data or a lack of data to avoid problems:

• 🏃 Steps and distance: By default, Mi Fit and Zepp sync with Google Fit, not Samsung Health.To move data to Samsung Health: Install Google Fit. At Samsung Health, go to Settings → Connected services and connect Google Fit.

Sleep data:

Xiaomi

• Wear your watch 30 minutes before bedtime (for sensor calibration).
• In Zepp, enable the “Smart Sleep Mode” option (reduces battery consumption at night).

Pulse measurement:

PPG-sensor

Amazfit GTR 4

Samsung

Settings → Applications → Zepp → Permissions

"Body and sensors"

Important: If you use Samsung Health for training, turn off automatic activity tracking in Mi Fit/Zepp to avoid duplication of data.

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For accurate synchronization of health data between Xiaomi and Samsung Health, make sure to use Google Fit as a middleman. Direct synchronization between these ecosystems is not possible.

Battery Optimization: How to Extend the Life of Hours When Connecting to Samsung

Users often complain that after connecting to Samsung, Xiaomi watches discharge in 1-2 days instead of the declared 7-14.

• 🔋 Set up the synchronization interval: In Mi Fit/Zepp Go to the device settings → Synchronize data and select "Manual" or "Each" 6 hours".
• 📴 Turn off unnecessary notifications: Leave only critical (calls, SMS), Disable the rest in Notification Management.
• 🌙 Use sleep mode: In Zepp, activate "Economic Mode" at night (disables screen illumination).
• 🔄 Update the firmware: In new versions of the software for Mi Band 8 Xiaomi Watch S3 Optimized battery consumption when working with Android 13/14.

For Amazfit models (e.g, GTR 4) additional power reserve gives you a turn off Always-On Display (constantly active screen). → Always-On Display → Off..

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If Xiaomi watches run out overnight, check if background sync with Google Fit is running. Turn it off in the Xiaomi account settings at account.xiaomi.com.

7. Alternative ways of connecting: Notify & Fitness, Gadgetbridge

If the official Mi Fit/Zepp apps are unstable, you can use third-party solutions.

• 📲 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band: Supports Mi Band 3-8, Amazfit Bip. Allows you to configure notifications flexibly (including app icons on the watch screen). minus: no sync with Samsung Health (Google Fit only). Download: Notify & Fitness.
• 🔧 Gadgetbridge (for advanced users): Open-source alternative with support for Mi Band, Amazfit, Xiaomi Watch. Works without Xiaomi cloud (data is stored locally). Requires manual configuration via ADB Download: gadgetbridge.org For Gadgetbridge connection: Remove Mi Fit/Zepp Install Gadgetbridge and allow all access requests. In the app, click New Device and select the watch model. Confirm pairing on the watch. Warning: When using Gadgetbridge, certain features (e.g., some features, GPS-Amazfit tracking may not work properly. Test at your own risk. 8. Frequent questions and answers (FAQ) ❓ Why Xiaomi Watches Aren't Connected to Samsung After Updating One UI? I think the permissions for Mi are probably gone. Fit/Zepp. Check: Settings → Annexes → Zepp → Permissions: Enable Location, Bluetooth, Notifications. Settings. → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Background activity: add Zepp to exceptions. If it doesn't help, delete the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Zepp → Memory. → Clear the cache. ❓ Can you connect the Xiaomi Watch to Samsung Health directly? No, Samsung Health doesn't support direct synchronization with the Xiaomi Watch.Use Google Fit as an intermediary: Connect Mi Fit/Zepp Google Fit. In Samsung Health, connect Google Fit to Connected Services. Data will be transmitted with a delay to the end of the day. 1 hour. ❓ How to transfer data from Mi Band to new Samsung Galaxy? When changing phone: On old phone open Mi Fit/Zepp and make a backup copy to Profile → Settings → Backup.Install the app on the new Samsung and sign in to the same Xiaomi account. Connect the clock again, the data will be restored automatically. If there is no backup, the activity history will be saved on Xiaomi servers, but the notification settings will have to be reconfigured. ❓ Why did Telegram notifications stop working after connecting to Samsung? UI 5.0+. Solution: Open Telegram Settings → Notifications → Channels. Enable the option "Show as normal notifications." In Mi Fit/Zepp Update the list of allowed apps (restart the app). If it doesn't help, disable "Battery Optimization" for Telegram in the Android settings. ❓ Can you use the Xiaomi Watch to pay for Samsung Pay? No, Xiaomi Watches do not support Samsung Pay. S3 and Amazfit GTR 4 own NFC-A module for payments via Alipay or Mi Pay (only in China), which is blocked in Russia.