Connecting Smart Watches to Xiaomi 9 on Android: A Complete Guide to Problem Solutions

Synchronizing a smartwatch with a Xiaomi Mi 9 phone seems like a simple task – until you encounter errors like “device not found” or endless Bluetooth search. This guide will help you avoid typical problems and set up communication in 5-10 minutes, even if you are holding a wearable device from Xiaomi, Amazfit or another brand for the first time.

We will not only explore the standard process of connecting through Mi Fit or Zepp apps, but also alternative methods for devices without official support, including setting up notifications, synchronizing health data and solving Android problems. 10/11, which is fitted to the Mi 9 If your watch has already tried to connect Earlier, don’t miss the section on removing blockages in the system.

Important: the instruction is relevant for all modifications of Xiaomi Mi 9 (Mi 9) SE, Mi 9T, Mi 9 Pro, and also for firmware based MIUI 12-14. For Android 13 devices+ Separate recommendations added.

1. Preparing the Xiaomi Mi 9 phone for connection

Before you start syncing, make sure your smartphone is ready to work with wearable devices. Frequent connection errors are associated with improper settings of Android or application conflicts.

First thing you do is check:

• 📱 Android Version: Go to Settings → The phone. → Android version. Mi 9 is 10-12. If you have Android 13 (castom firmware), you may need to roll back or manually install Bluetooth drivers.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: In Settings → The phone. → Update system check for updates. Old versions MIUI (12.0.3) may not support new communication protocols.
• 📶 Bluetooth and location: both settings must be enabled. - Android 10+ Device search requires access to geodata – this is a security requirement of Google.

Pay particular attention to permissions for companion applications, such as Mi Fit or Zepp should have access to:

• 📁 Storage (for backup copies of data)
• 📱 Phone (for call notifications)
• 🏃 Physical activity (to synchronize steps)
• 🔋 Optimize the battery (so that the application does not close the background)

⚠️ Note: If you have previously connected other wearable devices (such as headphones or fitness bracelets), clear the Bluetooth cache. → Connected devices → Bluetooth → ⚙️ (setting) → Clear the cache. This will remove conflicting profiles.

We also recommend turning off the power saving and auto-optimization mode for the companion app. MIUI These functions can block the background work of programs, which leads to a break in communication with the clock:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select Mi Fit/Zepp] → Battery → No Limitations

2. Selection of the application for connection

The right choice of companion software not only determines the success of the connection, but also the functionality of your watch. For Xiaomi and Amazfit devices, several official and third-party applications are available, each of which has its own characteristics.

For most Xiaomi Mi 9 users, Mi Fit or Zepp are the best choice – they offer maximum compatibility and stability. GTR 4 on older firmware versions, try Notify & Fitness.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install multiple watch management apps (e.g. Mi Fit and Zepp) at the same time, which will lead to Bluetooth conflicts and unstable device operation. If you have tested different programs, delete the unnecessary ones before connecting and clear the data.

After installing the app, don't rush to plug in the clock.

1. Register or log in to your account Xiaomi/Zepp (mandatory for data synchronization).
2. Include all the permissions requested (see Section 1).
3. Update the application firmware through Settings → About the programme → Verification of updates.

Install the correct application|Enable Bluetooth and geolocation|Give all permissions to the app|Update the firmware of the clock (if required)|Remove old Bluetooth profiles-->

3. Step-by-step connection instruction

Now, let's move on to the synchronization process itself. Xiaomi/Amazfit, But we will specify the features for specific devices.

Step 1: Activation of the clock

If you are connecting the watch for the first time, you need to take it out of sleep mode:

• 🔋 For the Mi Band: plug in the charger for 10-15 minutes until the indicator flashes. Then tap the touch button to unlock the screen.
• ⚙️ For Amazfit. GTS/GTR: press the physical button on 3 A few seconds before the logo appears.
• 📱 For Xiaomi Watch: Swipe up the screen and select the language.

Step 2. Search for the device in the application

Open the selected application (Mi Fit, Zepp, etc.) and follow the Connection Wizard:

1. Click "Add device" or «+» top-right.
2. Select a model of your watch from the list. If it is not available, select "Other device" (for Mi Fit) or "Manually connect" (for Zepp).
3. Confirm that the indicator on the clock flashes (this means that they are ready to pair).
4. Wait for the name of the watch to appear in the list of found devices and tap on it.

Step 3: Connection and adjustment

After successful connection:

• 🔄 The application will offer to update the firmware of the watch – agree if the version of the software is outdated (this will fix bugs and add new features).
• 📱 Set up notifications: From the device menu in the app, select “Notifications” and enable alerts for calls, SMS and messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
• 🏃 Activate synchronization of health data: steps, pulse, sleep. This may require a connection to Google Fit.

If the clock is not specified in the list of devices, try an alternative method: turn off Bluetooth on the phone, restart the clock (press the button for 10 seconds), then repeat the search.

💡

If you have a Mi Band. 6/7 and the application asks to update the firmware, but the process hung on 0% — Reconnect your watch to another phone (at least temporarily), update, then return to Xiaomi 9. It's bypassing the bug with MIUI 12.5.

4. Notification setting and data synchronization

By default, Xiaomi’s smartwatch only shows basic call notifications and SMS. To expand the functionality, you need to manually configure alerts for each application.

How to turn on notifications for messengers:

1. Open Mi. Fit/Zepp and select your device.
2. Go to the Notifications or Alerts section.
3. Turn on the “Application Notifications” switch.
4. In the list, select messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, etc.) and turn on alerts for them.

For Android 11+ additional adjustment is required:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select Messenger] → Notifications → Allow display on a locked screen

Synchronization of health data

To automatically transfer your steps, pulse and sleep data to Google Fit or Apple Health:

• 📊 In Mi Fit: Profile → Settings → Synchronization of data → Google Fit.
• 🩺 In Zepp: Profile → Integration → Connect to Google Fit.

If the synchronization is not working:

• 🔄 Reconnect your Google account in your phone settings.
• 📱 Remove and re-add the device to Google Fit.
• 🔋 Check if it is optimizing. MIUI Google Play Services (turn off optimization in battery settings).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Mi 9S MIUI 12.5+ A bug may trigger that causes notifications to be duplicated. To fix this, turn off the option of "Repeat notifications" in the clock settings (Mi Fit). → The device → Notifications → Additionally).

5. Solving common problems

Even with the right setup, the connection can be unstable. We have collected typical errors and ways to fix them for the Xiaomi Mi 9.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the clock to factory settings:

• For Mi Band: in the Mi Fit app, select the device → «Untie the device. Then on the clock, reset through Settings. → Reset (for Mi Band 5)+).
• For Amazfit: Go to “Device Profile” in Zepp → On the clock, press the button 15 seconds before the logo appears.

Problems with MIUI 13+

Newer versions of Xiaomi’s shell can block Bluetooth background activity to fix this:

Settings → Special features → Improved features → Adaptive communication → Disable

💡

If the watch is connected but not synchronizing data, check the time and date settings on the phone. Mismatch with Xiaomi servers (even for 1 minute) leads to crashes.

Alternative methods of connection

If the standard method didn't work, try one of the alternatives, which is suitable for devices without official support or in conflicts with the Internet. MIUI.

Method 1: Gadgetbridge connection (for Mi Band 1–5)

Gadgetbridge is an open source software that works without Xiaomi cloud.

1. Remove Mi Fit and clear Bluetooth data.
2. Install Gadgetbridge from the official website (the version from Google Play may be outdated).
3. Enable the Developer Mode on the Watch: for Mi Band 4/5 touch the screen 5 Once in a while until the menu appears.
4. In Gadgetbridge, click “Add device” and select a model.
5. Confirm the pairing on the clock (may require input) PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).

Method 2: Manual Bluetooth connection (for power users)

This method is suitable for devices that are not defined in standard applications:

1. Enable Bluetooth debugging mode on your phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Bluetooth debugging
2. Install nRF Connect from Google Play.
3. Open the app, click on “Scan” and find your watch (the name usually starts with Mi Band or Amazfit).
4. Connect to the device and manually send commands to activate (protocol knowledge required) BLE).

Method 3: Using a second phone to update your firmware

If the watch is not connected due to outdated firmware, but it cannot be updated:

• 📱 Take a different phone (like on pure Android).
• Set up Mi. Fit/Zepp and plug in the clock.
• Update the firmware through the device menu.
• Untie the clock and return to the Xiaomi Mi 9.

💡

If you have an Amazfit GTR 3 and it doesn’t connect to Mi 9, try rolling back to the Zepp 5.10.0 app version – newer versions have compatibility bugs with the newer versions. MIUI 12.5.

7. Optimization of the watch with Xiaomi Mi 9

After successful connection, configure the device so that it works stably and economically consumes battery power.

How to extend the working hours:

• 🔋 Turn off the constant pulse (if not necessary): in Mi Fit, select the device → «Heart monitoring» → «Manual mode».
• 🌙 Set a dark theme on the clock (for the time) AMOLED-This will reduce battery consumption by 15-20%).
• 📴 Disable notifications from unnecessary apps (such as games or news services).
• 🔄 Reduce the sync frequency: in Zepp, select Settings → Synchronization of data → Every hour” (instead of continuous synchronization).

How to improve communication stability:

• 📶 Enable Bluetooth Priority in Settings MIUI: Settings → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Priority of Bluetooth connection
• 🔄 Regularly (once every 2-3 days) reboot the clock to clear the connection cache.
• 📱 If you use Mi Fit, disable automatic firmware updates (sometimes updates contain bugs).

Set up gestures and quick actions

Most of the hours. Xiaomi/Amazfit You can adjust gestures for convenience:

• 🤳 For the Mi Band. 6/7: in Mi Fit, select “Gesturies” and turn on “Raise your hand to wake up” or “Rotate your wrist to change the dial».
• 🎵 For Amazfit. GTS 2: In Zepp, set up Music Management – this will let you skip tracks right from the clock.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)