Connecting Xiaomi smart watches to Huawei phone: full instruction with error solutions

The pairing of Xiaomi smartwatches with Huawei handsets is often questioned by users due to firmware features and manufacturers’ limitations. Despite the fact that both brands run Android, their ecosystems are optimized for their own devices: Mi Watch is designed for the use of Android devices. MIUI, Huawei promotes its Huawei Watch through Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). This creates technical nuances that are important to consider when connecting.

In this article, we will not only explore the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure, but also look at alternative methods for models that refuse to connect out of the box. EMUI, Which versions of Mi Fitness or Zepp Life apps are best to use, and what to do if the clock is not determined by the phone despite the Bluetooth enabled and the correct settings. S3, Mi Band 8, Redmi Watch 3 Active and more.

If you've tried to connect devices before and have encountered errors like "Device failed to find" or "Pair interrupted," this guide will help you understand the reasons and offer working workarounds. EMUI 13/14 and MIUI 14/15 (2026 year).

1. Compatibility of Xiaomi smart watches with Huawei phones

Before you start connecting, it's important to make sure your devices are software-compatible.Most Xiaomi models officially support any Android 6.0 smartphone.+, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Supported models Xiaomi: Mi Band 5/6/7/8, Redmi Watch 2/3, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3, Amazfit GTR/GTS (Zepp-branded).
• 📲 Huawei phones: all models on the phone EMUI 9.0+ (including P60 Pro, Mate 50, Nova 11, but with reservations for devices without Google Mobile Services (GMS).
• ⚠️ Problem combinations: watches based on Wear OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro may require additional settings due to conflict with the new model. HMS Core.

The main challenge is that Google Play Services is not available on Huawei’s new phones (released after 2019), which means that AppGallery’s standard Mi Fitness app may not work properly or even installed at all.

1. Use alternative versions of applications (e.g. Zepp Life for the Amazfit/Xiaomi).
2. Install APK-Manual files through third-party sources (with security risks).

⚠️ Note: On Huawei phones without GMS (For example, the Mate 40 Pro or P50) AppGallery’s Mi Fitness app may not sync data to Xiaomi’s cloud, in which case it’s recommended to use Zepp Life or back up data manually.

2. Preparing Huawei phone for connection

To minimize the risk of errors, make the following presets on your phone:

1. Update the firmware: go to Settings → System and updates → Update the software and install the latest version EMUI.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and location: Without geolocation, some watch models (such as the Mi Band 8) refuse to mate.
3. Allow installation from unknown sources: path: Settings → Security → Additionally. → Installation from unknown sources → select the browser.
4. Turn off power saving for Bluetooth: in Settings → Battery → Battery settings → Energy saving apps add Mi Fitness or Zepp Life to exceptions.

For phones without Google Play Services (e.g. Huawei) P60) additionally:

• 🔄 Install. HMS Core latest version via AppGallery.
• 📥 Download. APK-Zepp Life application file from the official Zepp website (do not use third-party sources!).

3. Step-by-step connection instruction

Consider the universal pairing algorithm on the example of Mi Band 8 and the phone Huawei Nova 11:

Step 1: Installation of the application

Download the official application depending on the model of the watch:

• 📲 For Mi. Band/Xiaomi Watch (except Watch) 2 Pro): Mi Fitness (AppGallery or APK).
• 📲 For Amazfit/Zepp: Zepp Life (available on AppGallery).
• 📲 For Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (on Wear) OS): Wear OS by Google (requires) GMS).

Step 2: Registration of an account

When you first start the app, you will be asked to log in or create an account.

• 🔑 For Mi Fitness: Xiaomi account (can be registered via email or phone number).
• 🔑 Zepp Life: Zepp account (compatible with Huawei) ID).

Step 3: Device pairing

The algorithm for most models:

1. Open the application and click "Add device".
2. Select your model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8).
3. Press and hold the touch button until it appears. QR-pairing.
4. On the phone, confirm the connection in the Bluetooth pop-up window.

Download the correct application (Mi) Fitness/Zepp Life)

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Charge the watch to 50%+

Shut down. VPN/Firewall (can block synchronization)

Reboot both devices (if there were previous errors)-->

If the clock is not specified:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone: turn off/turn on the control panel.
• 📵 Remove all previously saved Xiaomi devices in Bluetooth settings.
• 🔧 Reset the clock to factory settings (in the device menu or through the app).

Step 4: Set up notifications and synchronize

After successful connection:

1. In the app, go to the "Notifications" section and allow access to SMS, call-and-app.
2. In the phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Permits) include: 📱 Access to notifications 📍 Geolocation 📞 Telephone (for calls) 💾 Storage (for backup copies)

⚠️ Note: On Huawei phones with EMUI 13+ You may need to disable battery optimization for the Mi Fitness app, otherwise the data synchronization (steps, pulse) will be interrupted. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → Disable energy management.

4. Solving common mistakes

Even with the right settings, users face typical problems, and let's look at their causes and ways of fixing them:

For models on Wear OS (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro):

• 🔧 Install Wear. OS by Google APK (demand GMS).
• 🔄 Turn on the Developer Mode on the clock and activate "ADB debugging".
• 📱 On the phone in Settings → System system → Developer settings enable "Bluetoothbug".

5. Alternative ways of connecting

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

Method 1: Notify & Fitness (for Mi Band)

Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (available in AppGallery) allows you to connect your watch without official software.

• ✅ It works for Huawei without GMS.
• ✅ Supports advanced features (e.g. custom dials).
• ⚠️ Disadvantages: no synchronization with the cloud Xiaomi.

Instructions:

1. Download Notify & Fitness from AppGallery.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and allow access to notifications.
3. In the application, select "Connect new device" and follow the instructions.

Method 2: Connect via Gadgetbridge (for advanced users)

Gadgetbridge is an open source software for managing wearables, which is suitable if the official apps don't work.

• 🔧 Requires manual installation APK (available on gadgetbridge.org).
• 🛠️ It supports most Xiaomi models, but without cloud sync.
• ⚠️ Maybe you can ask. ADB-commands to unlock functions.

💡

If you watch Xiaomi Watch S3 Not connecting to the Huawei Mate 50, try to temporarily disconnect HMS Core in phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → HMS Core → Turn it off. Turn it back on after pairing.

Method 3: Bypassing the restrictions through VirtualXposed (for the purpose of EMUI without GMS)

For phones without Google Play Services (e.g. Huawei) P40 Pro):

1. Install VirtualXposed from AppGallery.
2. Inside VirtualXposed, install Mi Fitness (download) APK pre-existingly).
3. Run the application in an isolated environment and pair.

This method simulates the presence of GMS, but it may work in an unstable way.

6. Optimization of work after connection

To keep the clock running smoothly, make additional adjustments:

Energy adjustment

On Huawei phones, aggressive battery optimization can interrupt communication with the watch.

1. Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery settings → Launching applications.
2. Find Mi Fitness or Zepp Life and select Manual Management.
3. Turn on the options: 🔄 "Auto-start" 🔄 "Second launch" 🔄 "Background work"

Synchronizing data with the Health Kit

If you use Huawei Health for health monitoring, set up data export from Mi Fitness:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Settings → Data Synchronization.
2. Select "Google Fit" (if any) GMS) or Apple Health (for export to other services).
3. For Huawei Health, use third-party apps like Health Sync (available from AppGallery).

Update of the watch firmware

Regular updates correct compatibility errors to check firmware relevance:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to the section of your device.
2. Click on "Update" (if available).
3. If the update does not come, download the latest version of the firmware from the forum. MIUI and install through the app.

FAQ: Frequent questions