Connecting Xiaomi Redmi smartwatch to Android phone via Bluetooth: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Watch has become one of the most popular gadgets for health monitoring and notifications due to the combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties when connecting a device to a smartphone for the first time - especially when it comes to budget Redmi models with simplified documentation. This article will help you understand all the nuances of synchronization via Bluetooth, including preparing devices, choosing the right application and solving typical errors.

Unlike the flagship Mi Watch, the Redmi series often requires additional steps to work steadily, such as manually activating the pairing mode or updating the firmware through Mi Fitness. We will look at the process for all current models (Redmi Watch 2/3/4, Redmi Watch Active), and also give recommendations for optimizing communication to minimize connection breaks. If you have already tried to connect, but the watch does not β€œsee” the phone or vice versa, here you will find proven solutions.

1. Preparation of the telephone and watch for pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure both devices are ready to sync. On the side of the smartphone you need to:

  • πŸ“± Update Android to the latest version (minimum Android 8.0 for stable work with Mi Fitness). β†’ The phone. β†’ Android version.
  • πŸ”„ Enable Bluetooth and geolocation (yes, it is mandatory – no) GPS Some of the functions of the clock will not be available. β†’ Connections β†’ Bluetooth.
  • 🚫 Disable the power saving mode for the Mi Fitness application (otherwise the connection will break). β†’ Annexes β†’ Mi Fitness β†’ Battery β†’ No restrictions.
  • πŸ“‹ Remove old pairings with other watches (if any). Go to Bluetooth Settings β†’ Remove all records with the name Redmi or Mi Band.

From the side of the Xiaomi Redmi Watch, preparation is even easier, but there are nuances:

  • πŸ”‹ Charge the watch to at least 50%. At low charge, the pairing process may be interrupted during the firmware update phase.
  • πŸ”„ Reset the watch if it has already been used with another phone. 10 Seconds for Redmi Watch 3/4) Or use a combination in the settings menu.
  • πŸ“± Activate pairing mode. Most models will automatically activate it when you first start, but if the watch has already been used, go to the Settings of the clock. β†’ Bluetooth β†’ Add the device.

⚠️ Note: If you are connecting Redmi Watch 2 Lite or Redmi Watch Active, make sure that the phone has the latest version of Mi Fitness (at least 5.6.0!

2.Selecting the Right App: Mi Fitness vs Zepp Life

One of the most common questions is which app to use to connect, with Xiaomi offering two official solutions:

AnnexSupported modelsAdvantagesDeficiencies
Mi FitnessAll Redmi Watch, Mi Band, Mi Watch LiteOfficial support, frequent updates, synchronization with Mi AccountSometimes bugs on non-Xiaomi phones, lots of unnecessary notifications
Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit)Redmi Watch 3/4, Redmi Watch Active 2More stable connection, better visualization of health dataNot all Redmi features are supported, there is no Russian language in some versions.

For most users, Mi Fitness remains the best choice, but if you have Redmi Watch 3 or newer, it’s worth trying Zepp Life. Importantly, don’t install both apps at the same time, it can cause conflicts when synchronizing.

The official versions can be downloaded only from:

  • 🌍 Google Play (Mi Fitness)
  • 🌍 Google Play (Zepp Life)
  • πŸ“± App Gallery for Huawei phones)

⚠️ Note: Do not download applications from third-party sources (APK-They often lack critical security updates, and some versions may contain malicious code masquerading as Mi Fitness.

πŸ“Š What app do you use to connect Xiaomi Redmi Watch?
Mi Fitness
Zepp Life
Other (specify in the comments)
Not yet plugged in.

3. Step-by-step instruction for connecting via Bluetooth

Now, let's move directly to the pairing process. Follow the instructions carefully, because even one step can be missed, and you can get a connection error.

  1. Install and open Mi Fitness. When you first start up, the app will ask you to register or log in through Mi Account. If you don't have an account, create one (this is a must for data synchronization).

If the scanning stage QR-code nothing happens:

  • πŸ”„ Reset Mi Fitness and try again.
  • πŸ“± Check that the app has access to the camera (Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Mi Fitness β†’ Permits).
  • πŸ”‹ Make sure your watch is at least 30% charged (at low charge). QR-code may not be displayed).

The latest update to Mi Fitness has been installed|Bluetooth and geolocation included|The clock is at least 50 times charged%|Removed old pairings with the clock|The application has been given all necessary permissions-->

4. Notification setting and data synchronization

Once you’ve successfully connected, you need to configure what notifications will arrive on the watch and how often sync will occur. Open Mi Fitness, select your watch from the device list, and go to Notification Settings.

Here are the key parameters that should be set up immediately:

  • πŸ“± Notifications from apps: Choose which messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks will be duplicated for hours. Tip: disable unnecessary (for example, notifications from games) so as not to waste battery power.
  • πŸ”” Vibration and sound: Adjust the vibration intensity for different types of notifications. Redmi Watch 4 has a Smart Vibration feature that adapts to the noise level around you.
  • πŸ”„ Autosynchronization: Turn on automatic synchronization of step, sleep and pulse data every 30 minutes to help avoid data loss when you’re in the middle of a clock.
  • πŸŒ™ Do Not Disturb: Set a schedule when the clock won't vibrate (e.g. at night) this saves charge and doesn't interfere with sleep.

For stable operation of notifications on the phone should be included:

  • βœ… Auto-run Mi Fitness (Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Mi Fitness β†’ Auto-start).
  • βœ… Display notifications for messengers (Settings) β†’ Notifications β†’ Allow for each application).

⚠️ Attention: On phones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO shelled MIUI Check the security settings further β†’ Permits β†’ Autostart. You have to manually allow autorun for Mi Fitness, otherwise the notifications will be delayed.

πŸ’‘

If notifications arrive on the clock but text does not appear, go to Settings of the clock β†’ Notifications β†’ Notification style and select Full Text instead of Icon Only.

5. Solving typical connection problems

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The watch is not on the Bluetooth device list.The pairing mode is not activated, old cache dataReboot the clock, clear the Bluetooth cache on your phone (Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Show system β†’ Bluetooth β†’ Storage β†’ Clear the cache)
The application freezes at the β€œConnection” stageConflict with another Bluetooth device or outdated watch firmwareDisable other Bluetooth gadgets, update the firmware of the watch through Mi Fitness
QR-code not scannedPoor lighting, dirty watch screen or phone camerasWipe the screen of the watch, turn on the flashlight on the phone, try to enter the code manually.
Synchronization interruptedPower saving phone or watch, weak Bluetooth signalTurn off the power saving mode, bring the devices closer to each other

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

  1. On the clock, go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Confirm the reset (may be required to enter) PIN-code, if it has been installed).
  3. After restarting, repeat the connection process again.

Important: Reset will remove all data from the clock (steps, workouts, alarm settings), so pre-synchronize them with Mi Fitness!

What if the watch is connected but does not show notifications?
1. Check if notifications for Mi Fitness are enabled in Android settings (Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Mi Fitness). 2. Make sure the watch settings do not activate the Do Not Disturb mode (Settings of the Watch β†’ Do Not Disturb). 3. Reinstall Mi Fitness by pre-deleting the watch from the device list in Bluetooth. 4. For Samsung phones, additionally check the Battery Optimization settings - add Mi Fitness to the exceptions.

6. Optimizing the clock to save charge

One of the main complaints about the Redmi Watch is that the battery is quickly discharged when used actively, and fortunately, most of the β€œgluttonous” features can be optimized without losing basic functionality.

Here are the key settings that should be changed:

  • πŸ”‹ Synchronization frequency: Set the interval no more than 1 time per hour (in Mi Fitness) β†’ Settings of the device β†’ Synchronization of data).
  • 🌑️ Pulse monitoring: Turn off continuous measurement and leave only when exercising or every 30 minutes.
  • πŸ“Ά Bluetooth Connection: In the watch settings, turn on the option to turn off Bluetooth in sleep mode (saves up to 20% charge).
  • πŸŒ™ Screenlighting: Reduce the backlight time to 5 seconds and turn off the Wrist Raise for activation.
  • πŸ”” Notifications: Leave only critical (calls, SMS, Messengers, disable notifications from games and social networks.

With these settings, the Redmi Watch 3 will last up to 10 days on a single charge (versus 5-7 days in standard mode).

Also, pay attention to the temperature: when using a watch in the cold (below -10 Β° C) or in the heat (above +40 Β° C), the battery goes down much faster, in such conditions it is better to wear the watch under clothing.

πŸ’‘

The most voracious feature in Redmi Watch is constant heart rate monitoring, which can increase the operating time by 40-50% without significant loss of functionality.

7. Update the firmware of the watch through Mi Fitness

Regular firmware updates fix connection errors, add new features and improve stability, and check for updates every 1-2 months.

How to update firmware:

  1. Open your Mi Fitness and select your watch.
  2. Go to the device settings β†’ Update the firmware.
  3. If a new version is available, click Update.
  4. Wait for the file to load (usually 5-15 MB weight).
  5. Confirm the installation on the watch (you may need to press the button).
  6. Do not disable Bluetooth or leave the application until the process is complete (takes 3-10 minutes).

If the update freezes:

  • πŸ”„ Restart the clock and phone.
  • πŸ“± Remove the watch from Mi Fitness and reconnect.
  • 🌍 Check your internet connection (update downloaded via phone).

⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware, all watch settings are reset to factory! Write down important data (such as alarm clock settings) in advance or sync it with Mi Fitness.

8. Alternative ways of connecting (without Mi Fitness)

If for some reason you can’t use Mi Fitness (like on a phone without Google Play), there are alternative ways to connect:

  • 🌐 Through Zepp Life: As mentioned earlier, some Redmi Watch models are supported by this app. The functionality will be limited, but the basic features (stepmeter, pulse, notifications) will work.

To connect via Notify & Fitness:

  1. Download the app from Google Play.
  2. Turn on the Developer Mode on the clock (5 times tap the firmware version number in Settings β†’ About the clock).
  3. In Notify & Fitness, select Add Device β†’ Xiaomi Redmi Watch.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to enter) MAC-clock-dress).

Please note: when using third-party apps, the watch warranty may be cancelled, and some features (such as sleep monitoring) will not work properly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi Redmi Watch

❓ Can I connect Redmi Watch to iPhone?
Officially, no. Mi Fitness for iOS doesn't support the Redmi Watch (only Mi Band and Mi Watch), but you can try unofficial apps like Tools & Mi Band, but the functionality will be severely curtailed.
❓ Why is the clock constantly switching off the phone?
The reasons may be different: πŸ“± Power saving mode for Mi Fitness is enabled on the phone. πŸ”‹ Charge hours below 15% (automatic shutdown to save energy). πŸ“Ά Interference from other Bluetooth devices (headphones, speakers). πŸ”„ Outdated firmware of watches or applications. Solution: check all the points above and update the software.
❓ How to transfer data from one Xiaomi watch to another?
If you change your watch to a new model (e.g., from Redmi Watch 2 to Redmi Watch 4), the data will automatically be transferred to Mi Account when you connect the new watch. To do this: Connect the new watch to the same Mi Fitness account. In the application settings, select Data Import. Confirm the transfer of your training, sleep and step history. Note that some data (e.g., alarm settings) are not always transferred, they will have to be reconfigured.
❓ Can you connect Redmi Watch to two phones at the same time?
No, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch only supports pairing with one device, and if you connect it to another phone, the previous connection will be broken, but you can use the same Mi Fitness app on multiple phones (e.g., at work and at home) by syncing data through the Mi Account.
❓ What to do if the watch stops working after the firmware update?
If the watch is stuck, not turned on or not reacting to the press after the update: Try a hard reboot: press the power button for 20-30 seconds. If it does not help, connect the watch to charging and try again. In extreme cases, reset via Mi Fitness: Device settings β†’ Reset. If the watch does not work, contact Xiaomi with the model and firmware version (you can see it in Settings β†’ About the clock before reset).