How to connect Xiaomi watch to your smartphone: full instructions with photos and tips

Why connect a Xiaomi watch to a phone?

Xiaomi smartwatches are not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for tracking health, managing notifications and even paying for purchases. However, without the right connection to the smartphone, most of the functions will remain unavailable. Many users face difficulties already at the interface stage: the application does not see the device, Bluetooth refuses to work stably. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of connecting – from the classic Mi Band to the flagship Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the connection process depends on the watch model, the phone’s operating system (Android or iOS), and even the region of purchase of the device. For example, for the Mi Band 8 in China and the global version, different firmware is used, which can affect compatibility. We collected current data for 2026, including nuances for new models and updated versions of the Mi Fitness app (now Zepp Life).

If you've just unpacked a watch box or are trying to reconnect an old device, this will save you time and nerves. Let's start with preparation!

Preparation for connection: what to do before pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure that all the preconditions are met, which will save you most of the problems during the pairing phase.

• 📱 Update your smartphone firmware. Outdated versions of Android (below 8.0) or iOS (below 13) may not support new Xiaomi watches. → System system → Updating the system.
• 🔋 Charge the clock to at least 50%. the discharged device may interrupt the connection process or not appear in the list of available gadgets.
• 📲 Remove old versions of the apps. If you've used Mi Fit before, uninstall it and install Zepp Life (for newer models) or Mi Fitness (for older ones.
• 🔄 Reset the clock settings if you’ve already used them. To do this, press and hold the button on the case (or touch zone) for 10-15 seconds until the vibration or logo of Xiaomi appears.

Pay special attention to the application permissions. On Android, after installing Zepp Life, you must manually allow access to:

• 📍 Geodane (to track jogging and maps).
• 📁 Storage (for backup copies of settings).
• 🔔 Notifications (to have the clock show incoming calls and messages).
• 🎤 Microphone (for voice assistants in models with support for Xiao) AI).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi Watch S3 Or the new Mi Band 8 Pro with NFC, Before you connect, activate mobile on your watch (if supported by your model). To do this, insert nano-SIM or configure eSIM through the operator's application. Without this, call functions and mobile Internet will not work.

How to connect Xiaomi watches: step-by-step instructions

There are three main ways to pair a Xiaomi watch with a smartphone, depending on the model of the device and your preferences.

Method 1: Connect via Zepp Life (recommended)

This is a good option for most modern models, including the Mi Band. 7/8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Redmi Watch 3. Zepp Life App Replaces Old Mi Fit and Offers Advanced Health Analysis Features.

1. Download and install Zepp Life from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi/Zepp account. If you don’t have an account, create it via email or phone number.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and launch the app.
4. Click Profile. → Add the device and select your watch model from the list.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen: confirm the pairing on the clock (usually you need to press the touch button) and wait for the synchronization to complete.

If the watch is not displayed in the list of devices:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth → Reset).
• 📱 Make sure the watch is in pairing mode (the Bluetooth icon should flash on the screen).
• 🚫 Check if the watch is connected to another device. If so, reset it to factory settings.

Method 2: Connect via Mi Fitness (for older models)

If you have a Mi Band. 3/4/5 Or Amazfit Bip, use the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit:

1. Install Mi Fitness from the official store.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!) without authorization, data synchronization will not work.
3. Click + → Add the device and select your model.
4. Confirm the pairing on the watch (for Mi Band 5, touch the touch button).

⚠️ Note: Mi Fitness has a restriction that you can no longer link more than 5 devices to one account. If the limit is exhausted, delete unnecessary gadgets in the Profile section → My devices.

Method 3: Connecting through QR-code (alternative method)

Some models, such as the Xiaomi Watch S2, Supports pairing through scanning QR-This method is convenient if Bluetooth is unstable.

1. Open Zepp Life and go to Profile → Add the device.
2. Select the option to connect through QR.
3. On the clock, find the Settings section → Connection → QR-code (the path may differ depending on the model).
4. Put the phone camera on QR-code on the watch screen and wait for confirmation.

It's important: QR-The code is updated every 30 seconds. If the scan fails, update the code on the clock and try again.

Setup of notifications and data synchronization

Once you've successfully connected, you need to set up notifications and sync, otherwise the clock will run in a "limited" mode. Let's look at the key parameters.

How to enable notifications from apps

By default, Xiaomi watches only show notifications about calls and SMS. To add messengers and social networks:

1. Open Zepp Life. → Choose your watch → Notifications.
2. Activate the Notifications from Applications switch.
3. In the list, select the apps you want to see notifications from on your watch (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VK).
4. Set up the display style: full text or only the app icon.

For Android, additionally:

• 🔕 Allow Zepp Life to access notifications in phone settings: Settings → Annexes → Zepp Life → Notifications → Permission.
• 📵 Turn off battery optimization for Zepp Life, otherwise notifications may come with a delay.

Synchronization of health data

Xiaomi watches automatically sync steps, sleep and pulse data with the app, but for accuracy you need to:

• 👤 Enter personal data (age, weight, height) in the Profile → Personal information.
• 🏃‍♂️ Enable Auto Tracking of Activity in the Settings of the Hours.
• 🛌 Activate Sleep Monitoring (some models require manual start before bedtime).

⚠️ Warning: If your steps or sleep data are not synced, check if your phone is power-saving. It can block background Zepp Life activity. Also make sure your watch is activated with Autosynchronization (in your connection settings).

💡

To ensure that notifications arrive without delay, add the Zepp Life app to the battery optimization exception list. Xiaomi/Redmi Phones are doing this in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Zepp Life → Not optimize

Solving Connection Problems

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

The watch is not on the device list.

If the app doesn't see the clock:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone and watch (turn off/on the module).
• 📱 Check compatibility: some models (e.g. Mi Band 8) NFC) They need Android 8.0+ iOS 13+.
• 🌍 Change region in phone settings to China (sometimes helps for new models).
• 🔧 Update the firmware of the watch through Zepp Life (section About the device) → Update of the PO).

Connection is interrupted or the clock is turned off

If the connection is unstable:

• 📶 Remove all previously coupled devices in your phone’s Bluetooth settings.
• 🔋 Check the battery power of the watch – at a level below 20%, the connection may disappear.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings on your phone: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
• 📵 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – they can block synchronization with Xiaomi servers.

Authorization or synchronization errors

If the application requests to re-enter the account or the data is not updated:

• 🔑 Get out and re-enter the account. Xiaomi/Zepp.
• 🕒 Check the date and time on your phone – incorrect settings can cause sync failures.
• 🌐 Change the server in Zepp Life: Profile → Settings → server → China (or Global).

Additional settings and hidden functions

After the main setup, you should pay attention to the hidden features of Xiaomi watches, which are not always obvious.

Set up gestures and quick actions

In most models, gesture actions can be assigned:

• 🙌 Raising your hand – turning on the screen (activated in Settings) → Display. → Rising to wake up).
• 🔄 Double touch - switching the dial (in Settings) → Dials).
• 🏃 Shake - start the workout (configured in Settings) → Quick action).

Activation. NFC and contactless payments

Models with NFC (For example, Mi Band 7 NFC Xiaomi Watch S3) Support contactless payments via Mi Pay or Google Pay:

1. Open Zepp Life. → select the clock → NFC payment.
2. Follow the instructions for linking a bank card (Mastercard and Visa cards of some banks are supported).
3. To pay, bring the watch to the terminal and confirm the action on the screen.

Pay attention: NFC It only works in regions where Mi Pay is supported, and in Russia this feature may be limited.

Installation of third-party dials

Standard dials are quickly boring, but in Zepp Life you can install custom:

1. Open the Dials section in the appendix.
2. Choose a category (sports, classics, minimalism) or download a design from the Zepp Store.
3. Click Set and wait for the synchronization with the clock.

There are also informal dials (.bin files) available for the Mi Band, which can be downloaded through third-party apps like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master, but this requires unlocking the watch’s capabilities and can void the warranty.

💡

For models with AMOLED-Use dark dials with a screen (for example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) – this significantly saves battery power.

Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates fix bugs and add new features. However, an incorrect update can cause a device to break down. Follow the instructions carefully.

How to update firmware

Method 1: Appendix (recommended)

1. Open Zepp Life. → select the clock → About the device → Update of the PO.
2. If an update is available, click Download and wait until it is completed.
3. Do not disconnect the watch from your phone or leave the app until the process is over.

Method 2: Manual (for experienced users)

If the automatic update doesn’t work, you can download the firmware from Xiaomi’s official website and install it via the Mi Fit Tool or Gadgetbridge, but it’s risky — the wrong firmware can bring the watch down.

How to Reset the Watch to Factory Settings

You need to reset if the watch is glitchy, not synchronized, or you're selling the device.

• 🔄 Through the app: Profile → My devices. → Settings → Remove the device.
• 🔧 After the clock: For Mi Band: press and hold the touch button for 15 seconds. For Xiaomi Watch: Settings → System system → Resetting settings.