Synchronizing wearable electronics with the main device is the first and most important step to fully use all the functions of the gadget. Owners of the popular Honor 10i model often face nuances when trying to make friends with Xiaomi trackers, since the EMUI operating system has its own power management features. Despite the fact that both brands use the Android platform, rigid battery saving algorithms can interrupt the connection at the most inopportune moment.
The connection process does not require deep technical knowledge, but requires consistent execution of actions, which we will discuss below. If you miss at least one step of setting permissions, you risk not getting notifications or losing training data. For the stable operation of the Honor 10i bundle and Xiaomi watches, it is critical to disable automatic closing of background applications for Mi Fit or Zepp Life. In this material, we will analyze all the fines of settings so that you can enjoy the functionality without crashes.
Preparation of devices for the first pairing
Before you get to the software part, make sure both devices are physically ready to connect.This is a basic step that is often ignored, leading to search errors. Charge Xiaomi watches by at least 20-30%, as the process of initial synchronization and firmware updates can require significant energy resources.
The Honor 10i also needs to check the status of the Bluetooth module, make sure the module is on and visible to other devices, sometimes rebooting both gadgets before starting the procedure helps, which clears the cache of services and eliminates temporary software failures.
For the correct operation of modern versions of the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) application, the Honor 10i must have an up-to-date version of Android and EMUI security patches installed. You can check this in the Settings → System → Software Update section.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to pair the clock through the standard Bluetooth menu in the phone settings. This will cause the device to be defined as an audio headset, and data synchronization will become impossible.
Make sure that the geolocation is enabled on the smartphone (GPS). In the latest versions of Android, it is a mandatory requirement for scanning. BLE-Bluetooth Low Energy devices, which include fitness trackers.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit (Zepp Life) application
The main tool for managing the watch is the intermediary app. For Xiaomi devices, this can be Mi Fit or a newer version called Zepp Life. You should download the program exclusively from the official Google Play store or Huawei AppGallery to avoid malicious modifications.
After installing the app, you need to register an account or log in to an existing one. Pay attention to the choice of region when registering: it must coincide with the region chosen when you first turn on the watch, otherwise synchronization may not pass.
An important step is to grant all the permissions you request, and the app will insist on asking for access to contacts, calls, location, and storage, and without those permissions, the smartwatch will be stripped of its functionality, so you won't be able to see the caller's name or track the route of your jog on a map.
Why is the app so many rights?
After you log in, go to the Profile tab and click Add Device. Select Watch or Tracker and find your model in the list. If the model is not automatically found, you can search for the device. QR-code that is often drawn in an instruction manual or on a box.
The process of pairing: step-by-step instructions
Now, to the direct connection of devices. Make sure that the Xiaomi watch is in pairing mode (usually it goes into it automatically when you first turn on or after you reset).
When the device name appears on the list of available devices, click on it. The watch screen and the Honor 10i screen should show confirmation codes. Verify them and confirm pairing on both devices. The process can take anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
When you connect, you may need to update the firmware of the watch. It is strongly advised not to interrupt this process. Put the phone on a flat surface and do not touch the screen until the progress bar reaches 100%.
| Phase | Action on Honor 10i | Action on the clock | Expected output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Mi Fit / Profile | Turn on the screen (shake) | Starting a scan |
| 2 | Press "Add device" | Waiting for a signal | Appearance of name on list |
| 3 | Select a model from the list | Check the pairing code | Request for confirmation |
| 4 | Confirm pairing | Press the tick/button | Successful synchronization |
Once the procedure is completed, the clock will display a dial, and the application will display a start screen with a suggestion to configure activity goals, and the time and date data will be automatically synchronized with the Internet via a smartphone.
Configure notifications and permissions in EMUI
The most common problem for Honor 10i owners is the lack of wrist notifications. EMUI’s operating shell is known for its aggressive energy saving policy, which kills background processes. For Xiaomi watches to work correctly, you need to create an exception.
Go to Settings → Battery → Launch applications. Find Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) and switch the switch to Manual. The optional menu will open where you need to activate three items: "Start", "Indirect Start" and "Work in the background".
⚠️ Note: If you do not configure these settings, the Honor system 10i will be forced to close the application later 10-15 minutes after the screen is turned off and the clock will no longer receive notifications.
Next, you need to configure the display of specific notifications. In the Mi Fit application itself, go to the profile of the watch, select Notifications and activate the desired sources: SMS, calls, WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers. Without this activation, even with the background mode, information will not come to the tracker.
Also check your Bluetooth settings in Settings → Bluetooth. Find the connected clock in the list of devices, click on the gear next to it, and make sure the "Sound" and "Data Exchange" items are enabled.
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If notifications are late, try turning off and re-enable the "Share" option in Bluetooth settings for your watch, which often restarts the communication channel.
Solving Common Connection Problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can get a lot of problems, and you often have a situation where you can see the watch in Bluetooth, but the app can't find it, and you have to remove the device from the list of Bluetooth phone paireds and try it again.
Another common mistake is “Device is busy” or “Can’t connect.” This means that the watch has previously been linked to another phone, and you need to reset to factory settings on the watch itself (usually via the Settings → Unbind menu or button retention) to break the old connection.
Bluetooth drivers on Honor 10i are solved by resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Network Reset. Note: this action will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords, but will not affect your personal photos or contacts.
If Xiaomi watches stopped responding to commands, try rebooting the Bluetooth module through the engineering menu, although on modern versions of EMUI this is difficult to do without root rights.
What if the app sees the watch but doesn’t connect?
Can you connect two Xiaomi watches to one Honor 10i?
Optimization of work and additional functions
After a successful setup, you should pay attention to additional features that will unlock the potential of the Honor 10i and Xiaomi Mi Band bundle. For example, setting up the wrist lift to turn on the screen allows you to save charge by activating the display only at the right time.
You can set up cardiosone mapping, step targets, and even alarm clocks that vibrate on your wrist without disturbing the phone, which is especially convenient for students or office workers.
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Proper setting of background modes in EMUI is the key to stable operation of Xiaomi smart watches with Honor and Huawei phones. Without this step, the functionality of the device is reduced by 80%.
Regularly update the firmware of the watch through the app. Developers often release patches that improve the accuracy of the pulsemeter and the stability of the Bluetooth connection.