Connecting Xiaomi fitness watches to a smartphone: from Mi Band to Amazfit

Xiaomi fitness watches are some of the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality, design and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties connecting a device to a smartphone for the first time. This article will help you figure out how to properly sync your smartwatch with your Android or iOS phone, avoid typical errors and customize all the features for comfortable use.

We will look not only at the basic steps of connecting through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), but also the nuances of working with different models - from the budget Mi Band 7/8 to the flagship Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Amazfit GTR 4. We will pay special attention to solving problems with Bluetooth, Mi Accounts and setting up notifications. If you just unpacked a new device or want to reconfigure an old one - this guide is for you.

1.What Xiaomi fitness watch supports phone connection

Before syncing, it’s important to make sure your watch model is compatible with your smartphone. Xiaomi releases several lines of wearables, each with its own connectivity features:

• 📱 Mi Band (1-8) – budget fitness bracelets with basic features (stepmeter, pulse, notifications). Support Android 6.0+ iOS 12.0+.
• ⌚ Xiaomi Watch (S1, S1 Pro, 2, 2 Pro – smart watches with advanced features (GPS, NFC, Voice assistant. Requires Android 8.0+ or iOS 13.0+.
• 🏃 Amazfit (GTR, GTS, Bip – sports watches with advanced analytics compatible with Android 7.0+ iOS 12.0+, Some features (such as answering calls) only work on Android.

Note: NFC models (such as the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro) may require additional mobile payment settings via the Mi Pay app, and some features (such as measuring blood oxygen levels) are only available on certain firmware.

Important: The Xiaomi Watch Color and Amazfit T-Rex series do not support connecting to iPhone for firmware – only for basic data synchronization.

2. Preparation of the phone before connection

To avoid synchronization errors, you need to set up your smartphone in advance.

1. Update your operating system to the latest version. On Android, check Settings → System → Software Update, on iOS, Settings → Basic → Software Update.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation (required for some features, such as clock search).
3. Install the official annex: 📲 For Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch: Mi Fitness (Google Play) or Mi Fitness (App Store). 🏃 For Amazfit: Zepp (Google Play) or Zepp (App Store).
4. Create or log in to an account: 🔑 For Mi. Band/Xiaomi Watch – Mi Account (registration at account.xiaomi.com). 🔑 For Amazfit, a Zepp account (you can use Mi Account, Google or Apple) ID).

Update the OS to the latest version

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation

Install the official application (Mi Fitness/Zepp)

Create or log in to an account (Mi Account/Zepp)

Charge hours at least 50%-->

If you are using Android, it is also recommended to:

• 🔒 Allow the Mi app Fitness/Zepp Access to Contacts, Notifications and Phone (for calls).
• 🛡️ Disable battery optimization for the application (in Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions).

⚠️ Note: Huawei and Honor smartphones may require additional permission to work in the background. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Permits → Autostart and turn on the option.

3. Step-by-step instructions for connecting fitness hours

Consider the universal synchronization algorithm for the Mi Band 8 and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. For other models, the steps are similar, but may differ slightly.

Step 1: Turning on the clock

If you are using the watch for the first time:

1. Charge the device to a minimum of 50% (for Mi Band, 20% is enough).
2. Press and hold the button on the body (or touch area on the Mi Band) for 3-5 seconds until the logo appears on the screen.
3. Wait until the initial setup is complete (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).

Step 2: Adding a device to the app

Open Mi Fitness or Zepp and do the following:

1. Click on the Profile icon → Add the device (or + in the upper right corner).
2. Choose your model from the list. If it's not available, update the app or check compatibility.
3. Confirm permission to access Bluetooth and Notifications.
4. Wait for the app to find the watch (they should blink or vibrate).
5. Click Connect and confirm pairing on both devices.

Step 3: Set up the basic parameters

After successful connection, the application will offer:

• 🔄 Update the firmware (recommended to be done immediately).
• ⏰ Select the main dial (can be changed later).
• 🔔 Set up notifications (calls, SMS, messengers).
• 🏃 Enter personal data (gender, age, weight) to accurately calculate calories.

Note: For models with NFC (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro) you will need to link a bank card in the Mi Pay app after you connect (available only for Android).

4. Set up notifications and calls

One of the key functions of a fitness watch is to alert you to calls and messages, so that they work correctly:

Android.

1. Open Mi Fitness → Profile → Your Device → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Notification switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your watch (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. In your phone settings, go to Applications → Mi Fitness → Notifications and allow access to notifications.

On iOS.

On iPhone, notification functionality is limited to:

• 📱 Only alerts are provided for calls and SMS (Messengers – only on some models, for example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
• 🔕 To enable notifications, go to iPhone Settings → Bluetooth → i (near your watch) → Allow notices.

⚠️ Note: On iOS, notifications from Viber, Facebook Messenger and other messengers may not come due to Apple's restrictions.The solution is to use an Android smartphone or check messages manually on your phone.

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If notifications are late, turn off the power saving mode for the Mi Fitness app in your phone settings, and check if they are blocked by antivirus or VPN.

5. Solving common problems

Even with the right connection, users are faced with common errors, and here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: The watch does not connect to the phone

• 🔋 Check the battery charge of the watch (minimum 20%).
• 📱 Restart your smartphone and watch.
• 🔄 Update the Mi app Fitness/Zepp last-minute.
• 🚫 Remove the device from the list of associated Bluetooth devices and try to connect again.

Problem 2: The app doesn’t see the clock

• 📲 Make sure your phone is enabled with Bluetooth and geolocation.
• 🛡️ Temporarily shut down. VPN firewall.
• 🔄 Reinstall the app.
• 📡 Check if the antivirus is blocking the connection (for example, Avast or 360 Security).

Problem 3: Notifications are not received

• 🔔 In your phone settings, check if notifications are allowed for Mi Fitness (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications).
• 📵 Make sure the watch is not in Do Not Disturb mode (check in the app).
• 🔄 Reconnect the clock to the phone.

Problem 4: The clock is running out quickly

• 🔋 Disable unnecessary functions: Constant pulse, Autobrightness, Lift for activation.
• 📲 Update the firmware of the watch through the app.
• 🔄 Reset the clock to factory settings (in Device Settings) → Reset).

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If Xiaomi watches don’t connect to iPhones, try pairing them first through the standard Bluetooth menu in iOS settings, and then add them to the Mi Fitness app.

6. Additional settings and chips

Once you've successfully connected, you can customize your watch to your needs, and here are some useful features:

1. Change of dial

In the Mi Fitness or Zepp app:

1. Go to Profile → Your device → Dials.
2. Choose your favorite version from the collection (there are animated and thematic).
3. Click Set and wait for synchronization.

For the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Amazfit GTR 4, dials with weather, step and pulse widgets are available.

Adjustment of sports regimes

The watch automatically recognizes the training:

• 🏃 In the app, select Trainings → Autodetermination and enable option.
• 📊 Set goals for steps, calories and activity times in Profile → Goals.

3. Music management

On models Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Amazfit GTR 4 you can control the player of the phone:

• 🎵 Enable the option in the device settings → Managing music.
• 🔊 When listening to music on your phone, use the buttons on your watch to pause/skip tracks.

4. Phone search

If you lost your smartphone, you can find it with a watch:

• 🔍 In the menu of hours, select Find the phone.
• 📢 The phone will give a loud signal (even if it is silent).

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On the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro, you can adjust gestures to control the phone’s camera, for example, double-pressing the watch screen will take a picture on the smartphone.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates improve the stability of the watch and add new features to update the software:

1. Open Mi Fitness/Zepp and go to Profile → Your Device → Firmware Update.
2. If a new version is available, click Update.
3. Wait until the process is complete (don’t turn off Bluetooth or leave the app!).

Update time: 5 to 20 minutes depending on the model. For the Mi Band, 2-3 minutes is usually enough, for the Xiaomi Watch - up to 15 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: If the watch is out or out of order during a firmware update, it may stop turning on. In this case: Put the watch on charge for 30 to 60 minutes. Hold the power button for 15 to 20 seconds for a forced reboot. If the watch does not react, contact the service center (self-repair may lead to loss of warranty).

If the clock starts to work unstable (for example, data is not synchronized or freezes), reset:

1. In the appendix: Profile → Your device → Resetting settings.
2. On the clock: Settings → System → Reset (for models with a touch screen).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi fitness watches