The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 remains a popular smartphone even in 2026, but many users are struggling to sync it with today’s smartwatches. The problem is not with the phone itself, but with the compatibility of firmware, application versions and communication protocols. In this article, we will examine all the current ways of connecting, from classic Bluetooth to alternative methods through third-party applications, and also look at typical errors and their solutions.
Features of the Redmi Note 8 The fact that he works on the base MIUI 12-14 (depending on the updates) and does not support all communication protocols that use the new smartwatch. OS They may require Google Play Services to be the latest version, or Xiaomi or Amazfit devices may require special proprietary applications. We tested all the options and put together working circuits for the Mi Band watch. 8, Amazfit GTR 4, Huawei Watch GT 4 other popular models.
1. Preparation of the smartphone before connection
Before you start syncing, make sure your Redmi Note 8 is ready to work with wearables.
- 📱 Updated firmware MIUI: minimal — MIUI 12.5 (stable). You can check in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
- 🔄 Free space: at least 500 MB on the system partition for installing applications.
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 40% on the phone and 70% on the watch (some models refuse to sync when charged low).
- 📶 Stable Internet: for downloading applications and updates to the firmware of the clock.
If your phone hasn’t been updated for a long time, check manually:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Check Updates and install the latest version.
- After the update, restart the device.
⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 8 runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some sync features may not be available (GMS).
2. Selection of the application for connection
Depending on the watch model, you will need one of the following apps:
| Model clock | Annex | Download link | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch S3 | Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) | Google Play | It requires registration in Mi Account. Supports Russian. |
| Amazfit GTR 4, Bip 5 | Zepp Life (formerly Zepp) | Google Play | You need to link to a Zepp or Huami account. |
| Huawei Watch GT 4 | Huawei Health | Google Play | It does not work with Huawei Mobile Services, but requires Google Play Services. |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | Galaxy Wearable | Google Play | Needs Android 8.0 version+. On the Redmi Note 8 possible lag. |
Important: For the Wear watch OS (TicWatch Pro 5 requires a Wear app OS Google, but it doesn’t officially support Redmi Note 8 due to Android version restrictions (requires Android 8.0)+ In this case, try the alternative methods described in section 5.
If you are not sure what application you need, check:
- On a box of watches, there is usually QR-code.
- In the instructions for the device (section "Synchronization").
- On the official website of the manufacturer in the product card.
Install the required application|Update the phone firmware|Charge your watch and phone|Turn on Bluetooth and GPS|Turn off the power saving mode-->
3. Step-by-step instruction: Connect via Bluetooth
The most universal way is synchronization via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Let’s look at the Mi Band 8 and Mi Fitness:
- Download Mi Fitness from Google Play or via APKCombo (if you don’t have access to the Play Market).
- Account Registration: Launch the app and log in via Mi Account (if you don’t have an account, create one at account.xiaomi.com).
- Bluetooth Activation: Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth) and make sure the watch is in search mode (usually you need to press the touch button or hold the screen).
- Device search: In the Mi Fitness app, click Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Band 8.Wait until the watch is on the list.
- Confirmation of Connection: The confirmation code will appear on the watch screen – compare it to what is shown in the app and click Confirm.
- Firmware Update: Once connected, the app will offer to update the watch firmware – agree to avoid errors in the future.
If the clock is not there, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the Redmi Note 8 and the clock.
- 📱 Remove the Mi Fitness app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Memory. → Clear the cache).
- 🔌 Disable Power Saving Mode for Bluetooth (Settings) → Battery. → Energy saving regime → Settings → Turn off for Bluetooth).
⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 with firmware MIUI 11 or lower may not work Automatic connection after reboot, in which case you have to manually reconnect the clock each time.
💡
If the clock is connected but permanently off, check your Bluetooth settings in Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Bluetooth version. You need version 5.0 or higher to work smoothly.
4. Wi-Fi connection (for supported watches)
Some smartwatches (such as Amazfit) GTR 4 or Huawei Watch 4) supports synchronization over Wi-Fi. This allows you to receive notifications and update data even without an active Bluetooth connection:
- Connect your watch to Wi-Fi: In the menu of the watch, find the Settings section → Wi-Fi and select your network. Enter a password (if required).
- Set up the app: In Zepp Life or Huawei Health, go to Device Profile → Settings → Network connections and activate the option Sync over Wi-Fi.
- Check the connection: Turn off Bluetooth on your phone – if the watch stays connected to the internet, then Wi-Fi is working correctly.
The advantages of Wi-Fi synchronization:
- 📶 Notifications come even if the phone is far away (within the Wi-Fi network).
- 🔄 Automatic weather and health data updates.
- 📱 Lower battery consumption of watches (compared to constant Bluetooth).
Disadvantages:
- 🔌 The clock is discharged faster with active Wi-Fi.
- 📡 Not all models support this feature (check the specifications).
- 🔒 Requires a stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (5GHz may not be supported).
How to check if your watch supports Wi-Fi?
5. Alternative ways of connecting
If standard methods don’t work, try one of these solutions:
Method 1: Use Notify & Fitness for Wear OS)
Notify & Fitness app lets you connect your watch to Wear OS To phones without official support:
- Install the app on your phone and watch (via Play Market on your watch).
- In the phone settings, enable Bluetooth debugging (Settings) → System system → For developers → Bluetooth debugging).
- In Notify & Fitness, click Connect and select your watch.
Method 2: Connect via Gadgetbridge (for open firmware)
Gadgetbridge is an open source wearable software that works for Mi Band, Amazfit and others, and can be downloaded from the official website.
Advantage: does not require registration in proprietary services (for example, Mi Account), disadvantage: limited functionality (not all notifications work).
Method 3: Manual Addition via Bluetooth Settings
If the app can’t see the watch, try connecting it manually:
- Turn on the clock pairing mode (usually hold the button) 5-10 seconds).
- On your phone, go to Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth.
- Click Device Search and select your watch from the list.
- Confirm the pairing on both devices.
⚠️ Note: When manually connected via Bluetooth Settings, some features (such as notifications or sleep monitoring) may not work.
6. Solving common errors
Even with the right connection, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The watch is not on the appendix | Outdated Bluetooth or conflict with other devices | Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Remove all saved Bluetooth devices in Settings → Bluetooth.Reset the clock (usually hold the 15 second button). |
| Permanent connection breaks | Power saving mode limits the background operation of the application | Add the app to the exceptions: Settings → Battery. → Energy saving regime → Select applications → Mi Fitness/Zepp. Turn off battery optimization: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions. |
| No notifications coming. | No rights to display notifications | Enable notifications for the app: Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness → In the app itself, check: Profile → Notifications → Synchronize notifications. |
| Error "Can't update the firmware" | Unstable Internet connection or insufficient memory on the clock | Connect to Wi-Fi (non-mobile Internet). Charge the clock to 100%. Restart the app and try again. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- 📱 Reset network settings on your phone (Settings) → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings).
- 🔄 Install an older version of the application (e.g. Mi Fit 4.6.0 instead of the latest version).
- 🔧 Check the clock on another phone – if the problem is repeated, the device itself may have malfunctioned.
💡
90% of connectivity problems are solved by resetting your Bluetooth settings on your phone and rebooting your watch. Don't neglect these simple steps!
7. Set up notifications and additional functions
After successful connection, adjust the clock to your needs:
Notifications
To receive alerts from your phone:
- In the app (Mi Fitness, Zepp, etc.) go to the Device Profile. → Notifications.
- Enable the option to Sync notifications.
- Select the apps you want to see on your watch (such as WhatsApp, Telegram).
Health monitoring
Activate functions:
- 🩺 Heart rate measurement: Clock settings → Heart monitoring → Automobile.
- 😴 Sleep tracking: Profile → Son → Automatic tracking.
- 🏃 Stepmer: Usually enabled by default, but you can configure the target in Profile → Activity.
Managing music
Some watches (e.g. Amazfit) GTR 4) allow you to control the playback of music on the phone:
- Enable the function in the clock settings: Settings → Music. → Managing from the clock.
- Launch the player on your phone (Spotify, YouTube Music), and the clock will appear pause/skip buttons.
⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 with firmware below MIUI 12.5 may not work music control after hours due to restrictions API. Update your system or use third-party apps like Musixmatch.