Connecting Xiaomi’s smart Rubik’s Cube to a Smartphone: From pairing to training

Xiaomi’s smart Rubik’s Cube is not just a toy, but a full-fledged gadget with a Bluetooth module, motion sensors and a mobile app to track progress. Unlike the classic cube, the Mi Smart Cube (or Mi Cube in some regions) syncs with a smartphone, records build times, analyzes errors, and even offers training algorithms. But many users face problems at the connection stage: the device is not detected, the application does not see the cube, or the connection is constantly broken.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways of pairing, from standard connection via Mi Home to alternative methods for iPhone owners or outdated versions of Android. 0x12 And for those of you who want to make the most of it, we're going to reveal hidden features that aren't written in the official manual.

What Xiaomi Cube Models Support Phone Connection

There are several versions of Xiaomi smart cubes on the market, but not all of them are equipped with a Bluetooth module.

• 🔹 Mi Smart Cube (model) MJXJD01YM) — The first version with support for the Mi Home app and basic training modes.
• 🔹 Mi Smart Cube Pro (model) MJXJD02YM) — Improved version with gyroscope sensor, more accurate movement tracking and advanced statistics.
• 🔹 Mi Cube Play (model) MJXJD03YM) — budget option without some features, but with support for connection.

Note that the unmarked "Smart" or "Play" cubes in the title (like the regular Mi Cube from the Mi Life collection) are mechanical counterparts without electronic stuffing. They can't be connected to a phone.

To determine the model accurately, look at the box or sticker under one of the faces of the cube, MJXJD01YM). If there is no sticker, check for the on button (usually hidden under one of the stickers.

Requirements for a smartphone to connect

Before you start pairing, make sure your phone meets the minimum requirements:

On Android smartphones, it is also important that the Adaptive Bluetooth feature (located in Settings) is enabled. → Connections → Bluetooth → On some firmware (e.g., on some firmware, MIUI 13+) The cube may not connect if the developer mode is disabled - we will talk about this below.

There's a nuance to the iPhone: the Mi Home app in the App Store is often updated with a delay. If your iOS version is newer than the last update, the cube may not be determined, in which case try installing the app through TestFlight (if a beta version is available).

⚠️ Note: On Huawei smartphones with HarmonyOS or EMUI 12+ Connection issues may be possible due to limitations on background processes. Add Mi Home to the list of Secure Apps before pairing.

Step-by-step: how to connect the cube to the phone through Mi Home

The standard way to pair is through the official Mi Home app.

1. Turn on the cube: Press and hold the power button (usually located under one of the central stickers) for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
2. Install the app: Download Mi Home from Google Play or the App Store.
3. Sign up or log in to your Xiaomi account (required! without an account, the cube will not be attached).
4. Add the device: Press + → Add the device. Select the category Other or search for Mi Smart Cube. Follow the prompts on the screen (the app will find the cube itself).

Confirm the connection.

If the cube is not there, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off/On).
• 📱 Remove the Mi Home app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Home → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 🔋 Remove and re-insert the battery from the cube (if the model is battery-powered). CR2032).

The cube is charged (or the battery is installed)

Bluetooth on your phone is on

Mi Home app updated to latest version

The device is within a radius of 1 meter from the phone

On the cube flashes an indicator (blue or green)-->

Alternative ways to connect (if Mi Home is not working)

If the standard method doesn’t work, try one of these options:

1. Connection via Mi Fit

Some models of cubes (like the Mi Smart Cube Pro) support synchronization via the Mi Fit app, which is commonly used for fitness bracelets.The algorithm is the same as in the Mi Home, but the interface may seem more convenient.

2. Manual pairing via Bluetooth

On Android, you can try to connect to bypass the application:

1. Turn on the cube (button under the sticker).
2. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
3. In the list of available devices, find Mi Smart Cube_XXXX (where XXXX — unique identifier).
4. Click on it and confirm the pairing.

Then open Mi Home – the app should automatically determine the cube as connected.

3. Use of third-party applications

For iPhone or outdated Android devices, alternative programs are suitable:

• 📱 Cube Timer (available on the App Store and Google Play) – supports most Bluetooth cubes, including Xiaomi.
• 🎯 Twisty Timer – Advanced timer with analytics, but requires manual model input.
• 🔧 nRF Connect (Android only) – utility for low-level Bluetooth connection LE-device.

⚠️ Note: Third-party apps may not save statistics to the Xiaomi cloud. If you are interested in achievements and synchronization between devices, use only Mi Home or Mi Fit.

Cube adjustment and calibration after connection

After successful pairing, you need to calibrate the sensors and adjust the basic parameters. Sans this cube can not correctly fix turns or reset the timer.

How to perform calibration:

1. Open Mi Home and select your cube.
2. Go to the device settings → Calibration.
3. Place the cube on a flat surface (such as a table) with a white face up.
4. Click Start Calibration and do not touch the cube for 10-15 seconds.
5. After the beep, the cube is ready for use.

Now, set up the main parameters:

• 🎵 Sound signals: Turn on/off squeak when assembled or error (Settings) → Sound).
• ⏱️ Timer: select the countdown mode (classic, scrambling, with pause).
• 📊 Statistics: Configure the best results and error analytics.
• 🔋 Energy saving: set the time of automatic shutdown (from 5 to 30 minutes of inactivity).

For power users, Mi Home has a hidden developer mode to activate:

1. Open the cube settings.
2. 5 times quickly click on the firmware version.
3. There will be a new section for developers where you can turn on the Log sensors or debugging Bluetooth.

💡

If the cube starts to glitches (does not respond to turns, spontaneously resets), reset it to the factory settings. To do this, hold the on button for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful connection, users are faced with bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the cube:

1. Turn off the cube (hold the 5-second button).
2. Press and hold the button for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
3. Reconnect the cube through Mi Home.

For battery-powered models CR2032 Also check its charge. If the cube starts to brake or shut down, replace the battery. ~6 months with active use).

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If the cube stopped responding to the power button, try to wake it up by plugging it into a 10-15-minute charge (even if the model is battery-powered – sometimes it works due to the residual charge of the capacitors).

Hidden features of Xiaomi smart cube

Beyond the standard features (timer, statistics), the Mi Smart Cube has a lot more to offer, and here are the features that are not mentioned in the manual:

• 🎮 Blind Build mode: in the application settings, you can turn on Blind Mode, where the cube will voice moves (useful for training the build with your eyes closed).
• 🤖 Integration with Alice/Google As an assistant, if you connect the cube to the Mi Home, you can say in a voice, Alice, how much time I spent on the Rubik's Cube today?".
• 📈 Export statistics: in Mi Home you can unload the history of assemblies in the CSV-File for analysis in Excel or Google Sheets.
• 🔄 Algorithms exchange: Some firmware versions have a Share Scramble feature – you can send scrambling to a friend and compete in assembling the same combinations.
• 🎓 Training videos: Hidden in the Training section are video lessons on speed assembly (available only when connected to the Internet).

For models of Mi Smart Cube Pro is also available mode "Advanced Analytics", where the application shows:

• The slowest moves in assembly.
• Frequency of use of specific algorithms (e.g, OLL or PLL).
• Comparing your speed to world records.

To activate this mode, go to Settings → Additionally. → Showing Extended Statistics.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting the Xiaomi cube