Connecting smart watches to Xiaomi Redmi phone: full instructions with pictures and tips

Smartwatches have become an integral part of everyday life — they monitor health, display notifications, and even let you control music without a phone, but to make all these functions work, you need to properly sync the device with the phone. If you have a Xiaomi Redmi (whether it’s a Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or newer model), the connection process has its nuances: from selecting an application (Mi Fit or Zepp Life) to configuring permissions in the app. MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the stages - from preparing the phone to solving typical errors like "does not see the watch" or "constantly break the connection».

Feature of Xiaomi phones – their firmware MIUI, This can sometimes block the background activity of applications to save battery life, which can interfere with the stable operation of smartwatches. MIUI You need to change it so that the watch doesn't turn off after 5 minutes, and how to check the compatibility of your watch model with your phone. And if you're just planning to buy, at the end of the article there is a table of compatibility of popular models (Mi Band 8, Redmi Watch 3, Xiaomi Watch). S3 and others) with different versions of Redmi.

1.What smartwatch is compatible with Xiaomi Redmi?

Before buying or connecting, it’s important to make sure your watch is supported by your phone. Xiaomi releases several lines of wearables:

• 📱 Mi Band (fitness bracelets: Mi Band 8, Mi Band 7) - the most budget, fit all Redmi with Android 6.0+.
• ⌚ Redmi Watch (Redmi Watch 3, Redmi Watch 2) – mid-segment, require Android 8.0+.
• 💎 Xiaomi Watch (Xiaomi Watch S3, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – flagship models with Wear OS, Compatible with Android 9.0+.

It is also worth considering that some models (for example, Xiaomi Watch) S1 Pro) are not officially supported in Russia, but they can be connected via Zepp Life with a change in region in the phone settings:

Important: If your Redmi is working on MIUI Global, some features (such as Mi Pay) may not be available. MIUI China EEA.

2. Preparing Xiaomi Redmi phone for connection

Before syncing, you need to set up your phone, otherwise the watch may not connect or work unstable.

Turn on Bluetooth and GPS

Install the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app

Disable the power saving mode for the application of the clock

Allow auto-start and background activity

Update firmware MIUI last-minute-->

Let's take a closer look at each item:

1. Enabling Bluetooth and GPS

The watch is connected via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), But for accurate tracking of the location (for example, in running) you need to GPS. To turn on:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the slider and allow detection.
3. Back to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Geodata and enable access for Mi Fit or Zepp Life.

Installation of the annex

For most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need one of two apps:

• 🔹 Mi Fit for Mi Band and old Redmi Watch models.
• 🔹 Zepp Life – for the new Redmi Watch 3, Xiaomi Watch S3 and Amazfit devices.

Download it from Google Play or (if you have one) MIUI without Google services, install APK from the official Xiaomi website.

3. Set up permissions in MIUI

Xiaomi is aggressively optimizing background processes, which can break the connection to the watch.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi. Fit/Zepp Life and open Permissions.
3. Turn it on: 📍 Geodata (always) 📱 Notifications 🔄 Auto-start 🔋 No battery restrictions.

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If the clock is permanently turned off after connecting, add the Mi Fit app to the "Secure Apps" in the battery settings. MIUI. This will prevent automatic closure.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect a smart watch to Xiaomi Redmi

Now, let's get to the synchronization process itself. The instructions are good for most models, but there are nuances for the Wear. OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3) — We will look at them separately.

Step 1. Turn on the clock and activate the pairing mode

Most Xiaomi devices need to do this:

1. Charge the watch to at least 20% (otherwise it may be switched off during setup).
2. Press and hold the power button (or touch area on the Mi Band) until it appears QR-pair.
3. If the watch has already been connected to another phone, reset it via Settings. → System system → Reset.

Step 2. Launch the application and start pairing

Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life and follow the customization wizard:

1. Click Add the device (the icon"+" top-right).
2. Select your watch model from the list. If you don't have one, select Another device and type the name manually.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the watch screen or confirm pairing manually (code must match on the phone and clock).

Step 3: Set up the basic parameters

After connecting, the application will offer:

• 👤 Create or log into an account Xiaomi/Zepp (mandatory for data synchronization!).
• 📏 Enter height, weight and age to calibrate the pedometer.
• ⚡ Allow notifications (select the apps you want to see on your watch).
• 🔒 Set up a screen lock (if supported).

For a Wear watch. OS (Xiaomi Watch S3, Watch 2 Pro):

These models require additional steps:

1. After connecting via Zepp Life, install Wear OS By Google from Play Market.
2. In the appendix Wear OS Confirm pairing and allow access to contacts, messages and phone calls.
3. Update the firmware of the watch through Settings → System system → Update of the PO.

4. Set up notifications and additional functions

Once connected successfully, the watch will show the time and steps, but to get the most out of the device, you need to configure:

Notifications from annexes

By default, the clock only shows incoming calls and SMS. To add messengers:

1. Open Mi. Fit/Zepp Life → Device profile → Notifications.
2. Enable the Notifications slider and select apps (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, VK).
3. In Android settings, allow the watch app to access notifications: Settings → Annexes → Zepp Life → Notifications → Permission.

2.Music and player control

On most models (Redmi Watch 3, Xiaomi Watch) S3) possible:

• 🎵 Manage playback (pause, next track) right from the clock.
• 🔊 Save music on the watch (up to 500 songs on Xiaomi Watch) S3).

To do this, go to the Music app. → Local music and download tracks.

Payment from the clock (Mi Pay)

The function is only available for models with NFC (Xiaomi Watch S3, Redmi Watch 3 Active and Requires:

1. Bank card bindings in the Mi Pay app (not available in all regions).
2. Activation. NFC on the phone (Settings) → Connections → NFC).
3. Settings of the pin code for the watch in Mi Fit → Security.

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If notifications arrive on the clock with a delay, check the energy saving settings in the MIUI. Add the watch app to "No Limits" in the battery section.

5. Typical errors and their solution

Even if you set it up properly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Error "I failed to update the firmware"

If the clock needs to be updated, but the process is interrupted:

1. Check your Wi-Fi connection on your phone (update downloaded via the internet).
2. Make sure that your phone has enough memory (at least 500MB of free space is needed).
3. If the update is hanging, restart the clock by holding the power button for 10 seconds.

The clock does not vibrate when notified.

Check it out.

• 🔕 Do not disturb on the clock (Settings) → Don't disturb).
• 🔊 Vibration level in Mi Fit (Notifications) → Vibration settings).
• 📵 Bluetooth connection (if signal is weak, watch may not vibrate).

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After the update MIUI The watch stops connecting, resets it to the factory and re-pair. Sometimes newer versions of the firmware reset the permissions.

6.How to extend the battery life of the watch?

Xiaomi smart watches usually hold a charge of 5 to 14 days, but when used actively (GPS, Notifications, constant synchronization) time is reduced. Here's how to increase it:

1. Optimize screen settings

• 🌓 Reduce the brightness to 50-60% (Settings → Display).
• ⏱️ Reduce the backlight time to 5 seconds.
• 🖼️ Use dials without animation (they consume less energy).

2. Manage notifications

Each notification turns on the screen and vibration, which consumes the charge.

1. In Mi Fit, go to Notifications → Notification Management.
2. Leave only critical (calls, SMS, messengers).
3. Turn off notifications from games and social media.

3. Set up activity tracking

Continuous monitoring of heart rate and SpO2 It drains the battery:

• ❤️ Turn off automatic pulse measurement (Settings) → Heart monitoring → Handheld).
• 😴 Turn on sleep tracking only at night.
• 🏃 Use it. GPS only when necessary (for example, during a run).

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If the clock is discharged for 1-2 Check the background processes in the day MIUI. Sometimes the system blocks the synchronization and the clock is constantly trying to reconnect, which consumes the charge.

7.How to disconnect the watch from Xiaomi Redmi and connect to another phone?

If you decide to change your phone or sell a watch, you need to unplug it from your Xiaomi account correctly, otherwise the new owner will not be able to connect it.

Step 1. Reset the settings on the clock

This can be done in two ways:

• 📱 Through the app: Open Mi Fit/Zepp Life. Go to the Device Profile → Settings → Untie the device. Confirm the action.
• ⚙️ Right on the clock: On the clock, open Settings → System system → Reset. Select Reset all settings and confirm.

Step 2: Delete the device from your Xiaomi account

If you drop your watch, it can stay tied to your account, so you can completely untie:

1. Go to the Xiaomi Account website.
2. In the Devices section, find your watch and remove it.
3. If the clock is not displayed, wait 24 hours – sometimes the synchronization is delayed.

Step 3: Connect to a new phone

Now the watch is ready to pair with another device. Repeat the process in section 3, but note:

• 🔄 If the watch was previously linked to a Xiaomi account, the new owner must use the same account or wait for automatic deletion (up to 7 days).
• 📲 On iPhones, some features (such as answering calls) may not work.

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If you're selling a watch, take a screenshot of the unbundling from your Xiaomi account and show it to the customer, which will prove that the device is completely free.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting smart watches to Xiaomi Redmi