Matching the Samsung Galaxy Watch with a Xiaomi phone (including the Redmi and POCO models) is a task that seems simple at first glance, but often comes with nuances. The fact is that the ecosystems of Samsung and Xiaomi are not initially optimized for collaboration: the former are focused on Galaxy devices and Samsung Health services, the latter on its own MIUI ecosystem and the Mi Fitness app.
In this article, we will not only discuss the standard pairing process through the Galaxy Wearable, but also alternative methods for older watch models (for example, the Galaxy Watch 3 or Galaxy Watch Active 2), and also solve typical problems: from the error “cannot connect to the device” to the lack of notifications from messengers, especially focusing on setting up Google services, without which some of the functions of the watch may not work correctly.
1. Galaxy Watch and Xiaomi Compatibility: What You Need to Know Before Connecting
Before you start pairing, it's important to make sure your devices meet the minimum requirements. Here are the key points:
- 📱 Android version on Xiaomi: not lower than Android 8.0 Oreo (for new watch models - Android 10)+). On the phones with MIUI 12.5 and no newer problems usually arise.
- ⌚ Galaxy Watch: All devices on Wear OS (Galaxy Watch 4 is officially supported. Tizen watches (such as Galaxy Watch 3) will require a workaround.
- 🔄 Google Services: Xiaomi must have Google Play Services, Google Play Store and Google Account Manager installed and updated.
- 📶 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: both modules must be active on the phone while pairing. Some features (such as app downloads) will require an internet connection.
Particular attention should be paid to regional restrictions. For example, in China, some Xiaomi models ship without Google Mobile Services (GMS), which makes it impossible to connect the Galaxy Watch without first running the global version of MIUI. You can check for GMS in the phone settings: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Google Play Services.
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is purchased in China and is based on the MIUI China, before connecting the watch, you need to install global firmware, otherwise the Galaxy Wearable app will not launch due to the lack of Google services.
| Model Galaxy Watch | clock | Compatibility with Xiaomi | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 6/6 Classic | Wear OS 4 | Complete. | It requires Android 10+ and the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable. |
| Galaxy Watch 5/5 Pro | Wear OS 3.5 | Complete. | It supports all functions, including Samsung Health. |
| Galaxy Watch 4/4 Classic | Wear OS 3 | Complete. | There may be problems with MIUI 13+ notifications. |
| Galaxy Watch 3/Active 2 | Tizen 5.5 | Partial | Third-party software is required (e.g. Gear S Plugin). |
| Galaxy Watch (1st generation) | Tizen 4.0 | Limited. | Only basic functions (time, steps) work. |
2. Preparing Xiaomi phone for connection
Before pairing, you need to set up your phone to avoid errors.
Install the latest version of Google Play Services
Update MIUI to the current version
Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Turn off power saving mode for Google apps
Allow installation of applications from unknown sources (if required)
Remove older versions of Galaxy Wearable or Samsung Health
Reboot the phone-->
Pay particular attention to permissions for Google services. Xiaomi often restricts background activity of apps by default, which can interrupt the pairing process.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Google Play Services and open its settings.
- Select Permits and grant all rights requested.
- In the Battery section, set "No restrictions".
- Repeat the steps for Google Play Store and Google Account Manager.
💡
If notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) do not arrive on the clock after connecting, check the autorun settings for these applications in Settings → Applications → Autorun. On MIUI, many applications are blocked in the background by default.
For owners of Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, an additional step may be required: disabling the MIUI Optimization feature, which aggressively closes the background processes.
Enter the phone code in the app: ##6484##
Select "AOD" → disable "Optimize MIUI"⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) post-update MIUI 14, there's a Bluetooth bug that causes the clock to shut down after 5-10 minutes. ADB Or wait for a patch from Xiaomi.
3. Installation of necessary applications
To connect the Galaxy Watch to Xiaomi, you will need three main applications:
- Galaxy Wearable is the main software for pairing and controlling the watch.
- Samsung Health – to synchronize health data (if used)
- Google Play Services is a must-have component for the first two apps.
You can download them officially through the Google Play Store, but there are nuances:
- 🔍 For a Wear watch. OS (Galaxy Watch 6 is only a Galaxy Wearable.
- 🔄 For a Tizen watch (such as the Galaxy Watch 3), you will additionally need a Gear S Plugin (available at APKMirror).
- 🚫 Do not install Samsung Health from third-party sources – this can lead to sync errors.
Step-by-step installation:
- Go to the Google Play Store and find the Galaxy Wearable.
- Install the application and wait for the additional modules to be downloaded (they will download automatically when you first start).
- If you have a watch on Tizen, download the Gear S Plugin and install it manually (allowing installation from unknown sources).
- Launch the Galaxy Wearable and follow the instructions on the screen.
What to do if Galaxy Wearable is not installed?
4. The pairing process: step-by-step instruction
Now, let's get straight to the connection. Make sure the Galaxy Watch is at least 50 percent charged and the Xiaomi phone is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Step 1: Initiating the clock pairing mode
- If the watch is new, it will automatically go into pairing mode when first turned on.
- If the watch has already been used: Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth. Select "Add New Device." Click "Done" on the watch screen when the confirmation code appears.