How to connect Xiaomi smart watches to a smartphone: from pairing to fine tuning

Why connect a Xiaomi watch to a phone?

Xiaomi smartwatches are not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for health tracking, notification management and even payment for purchases. Without the right connection to the smartphone, the device loses up to 80% of functionality: step data is not synchronized, call alerts do not come, and some models (for example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) refuse to work without being tied to the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life).

In this article you will find relevant 2026 Year of instructions for all popular models - from budget Mi Band 8 to the flagship Xiaomi Watch S3. We will not only analyze basic pairing over Bluetooth, but also the solution of typical errors (for example, code). 10008 or "cannot find the device"), setting notifications for WhatsApp/Telegram, And there are hidden features like controlling music on your phone right from the clock, and if you've tried to connect your phone and you've had problems, here you'll find unique ways to reset your settings through the engineering menu that are not described in the official documentation.

Let's get started! First, you have to figure out what your watch model is, and that's what the app and the connection algorithm are.

Step 1: Determine the watch model and compatibility

Not all Xiaomi watches connect the same way. The key difference is the generation of the device and the region of sale. For example, the global versions (Global) work with the Mi Fitness app, and the Chinese (CN) require the Xiaomi Wear or Zepp Life (for older models).

⚠️ If you bought a watch in China (version) CN), They may need to change their region in the firmware or use workarounds like the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (available on Google Play.

How do you know your watch model? Look at the box or back of the device, where it shows the exact marking (e.g., M2229B1 for the Mi Band 8), and it shows up in the settings of the gadget after the first switch on.

Step 2: Installation and configuration of the application

Before connecting the watch, you need to install an official application. It is important that not all applications are available in the App Store for iOS. For example, Xiaomi Wear for the Watch 2 Pro in Russia may not display - in this case, use Mi Fitness (it is universal for most models).

Instructions for Android:

• 📱 Open Google Play Market and find the app: For Mi Band/Smart Band → Mi Fitness (Developer of Huami) for Xiaomi Watch → Xiaomi Wear (Developer of Xiaomi Inc.).

Instructions for iOS (iPhone):

• 🍎 In the App Store, find Mi Fitness (for Mi Band) or Xiaomi Wear (for Watch).
• ⚠️ Note: iPhone does not work functions like music management or answering calls from the clock – this is a limitation of Apple.
• 🔗 Enable Bluetooth and geolocation in your iPhone settings (Settings) → Confidentiality).

After installing the app, don’t start it right away – turn on the clock first and prepare it to pair.

Charge the watch to 50%+

Installation of an official annex

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Allow geolocation for the application

Registering for Mi Account-->

Step 3: Turning the clock on and switching to pairing mode

The process of turning on depends on the model. Here is a universal instruction for most devices:

1. Charging: Connect the watch to the charger for 10-15 minutes (even if it’s new). Many models (such as the Mi Band 8) don’t turn on when the battery is dead.
2. Activation: For Mi Band: Press the touch button below the screen and hold for 3 seconds. For Xiaomi Watch: Press the side button for 5-7 seconds.

Language choice:

Russian

English

Interconnection mode:

Connect the device

Pair

⚠️ Warning: If the watch doesn't respond to the press, try resetting it to factory settings:

• For Mi Band: Connect to charging and hold the button for 20 seconds.
• For Xiaomi Watch: Press both buttons for 10 seconds.

After resetting, the device will restart and be ready for a new connection.

Step 4: Matching the clock with the phone through the app

Now, the most important step is device binding, and the algorithm is the same for most models, but there are nuances.

Instructions for Mi Fitness (Zepp Life):

1. Open the application and click Add Device (the + icon in the upper right corner).
2. Select your model from the list. If you don't have one, select Another device and type the name manually.
3. It'll appear on screen. QR-Point the watch camera over it (for models with a camera) or confirm manual pairing.
4. Confirm permissions on the phone: access to contacts, notifications, geolocation.
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

Instructions for Xiaomi Wear:

1. In the application, click Connect the device → Watch.
2. Select your model. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro may require scanning QR-clock-screen.
3. Enter. PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
4. Confirm the pairing on both devices.

⚠️ If the app can’t see the watch, try it:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off/On).
• 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in the phone settings.
• 🔧 In the app, click Update the Device List (update button in the upper right corner).

Once connected successfully, the watch will automatically update the firmware (if a new version is available). Don't interrupt the process! Disabling at this stage can lead to the "bricking" of the device.

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If the watch is connected but permanently switched off, turn off the power saving mode for the Mi Fitness app in the phone settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions).

Step 5: Set up notifications and basic functions

Now that the watch is connected, it's time to personalize it, and let's start with the most important thing, notifications.

How to enable notifications:

1. In the app, go to Device Profile → Notifications.
2. Activate the Notification Switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your watch (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. Adjust the display style: vibration only, sound + vibration, or full text of the message.

Additional settings:

• 🔔 Alarm clocks: Can be set both on the clock and in the app (Profile) → Alarm clocks are supported by smart alarm clocks (waking up in the light sleep phase).
• 🏃 Activity tracking: Enable automatic recognition of walking, running, sleeping (Profile) → Health monitoring).
• 💳 Contactless payment: For Xiaomi Watch S3 watch 2 Pro is available to link cards Mir/MasterCard via Mi Pay (Russian firmware required).
• 🎵 Music management: On the watch you can switch tracks on the phone (works with Spotify, Yandex Music, Apple Music).

⚠️ Note: Some features do not work on the iPhone:

• Answering phone calls from the clock (no call only).
• Controlling the phone's camera.
• Some widgets (such as weather).

For Android users, there are more options available, such as setting up automatic notifications to turn off at a certain time (Profile → Do Not Disturb) or creating quick responses to messages right from the clock.

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On the iPhone, the functionality of Xiaomi watches is limited due to Apple's policy. Android smartphone is recommended for full use.

Step 6: Solving Common Connection Errors

Even if you do all the steps right, you can make mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try alternative applications:

• 📱 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band – supports all models.
• 📱 Tools & Mi Band - Extended settings for Mi Band.
• 📱 Mi Band Master – for older models 3/4).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, turn off automatic synchronization in the official Mi Fitness, otherwise the data will be duplicated or lost.

Step 7: Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi watches can do much more than the instructions say, and here are some useful things that few people know about:

• 🔍 Phone search: In the menu of hours, select Find the phone - the smartphone will begin to vibrate and make sound (works even in silent mode).
• 📸 Camera Control: In the app settings, enable Camera Control – you can now take a selfie by clicking on the watch screen (works with Android).
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off the Constant pulse and Autobrightness - this will increase the operating time to 20%.
• 🎮 Games on the clock: on Xiaomi Watch S3 You can install simple games like 2048 or Snakes through Xiaomi Wear.
• 🌙 Do Not Disturb Schedule Mode: Set up automatic notifications off during sleep (Profile) → Don't disturb. → Schedule).

For models with NFC (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3):

• 🚇 Payment for transport: Link the card Troika or Strelka through Mi Pay (works in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities).
• 🔑 Emulation of keys: Can be recorded RFID-tags (e.g. from intercom) using the Mi Home app (required) NFC-clock-module).

⚠️ Note: The emulation function of bank cards works only with Russian firmware. If you have a global version of the watch, you will need to change the region in the Mi Account to Russia or Kazakhstan to link the cards.

For advanced users: if you want to install custom dials, download them from the AmazfitWatchFaces website (suitable for Xiaomi as well).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi watches