How to connect smart watch Xiaomi Mi Watch to the smartphone: full instruction with a photo

Xiaomi Mi Watch (including Mi Watch Lite, Mi Watch Color and Mi Watch S1) has become a popular accessory for tracking activity, managing notifications and even paying for purchases. However, many users face difficulties when connecting a device to a smartphone for the first time. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of pairing (via Mi Fitness, Zepp Life and manually), consider typical errors and give recommendations for optimal settings after connection.

It's important to understand that the process depends on the watch model and the firmware version. For example, the Mi Watch Lite requires Mi Fitness, while new versions of the Mi Watch S1 Pro run through Zepp Life. We took these nuances into account and prepared a universal guide that will suit most devices in the line. If you just unpacked the watch or encountered an error "Unconnected" - this material will help solve the problem in 5-10 minutes.

1.Preparation for connection: what to do before pairing

Before you start setting up, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ (for the Mi Watch S1 Android 8.0 or iOS 13.0).
• 🔋 Charge of at least 50% – at low battery level, the pairing may be interrupted.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) for downloading applications and updates.
• 🔄 Turn it off. VPN/Proxies – They Can Block Xiaomi Servers.

Also check that the smartphone is enabled Bluetooth (in the Quick Settings menu or via Settings → Connections → Bluetooth). For Mi Watch models with NFC (such as the S1 Active), additionally activate contactless payment in the banking application - this will be required to set up Mi Pay later.

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If the watch was previously paired with another phone, reset: go to Settings of the clock → System → Data reset and confirm the action. This will delete all data, but avoid conflicts with the new connection.

If your account is linked to China (mi.com/cn), some features (such as voice assistant or Mi Pay) may not be available, and we recommend using the global version (mi.com/global) or creating a new account through the app.

2.Application selection: Mi Fitness vs Zepp Life

Xiaomi is gradually moving its Mi Fitness devices to Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit).

How do you know which app your model needs? Look in the manual out of the box or check the markings on the back of the watch. If it says Model: M2129 or something like that, it's Mi Watch Lite (you need Mi Fitness). For Model: M2229 (S1 series), download Zepp Life.

⚠️ Note: If you install the wrong app (e.g. Zepp Life for Mi Watch Lite), the watch will not be identified in the list of devices.

3. Step-by-step instruction: connection via Mi Fitness

This method is suitable for Mi Watch Lite, Mi Watch Color and early versions of Mi Watch.

1. Download Mi Fitness: 🤖 Google Play (Android) 🍎 App Store (iOS)

Xiaomi

Register. → Email/Phone.

Turn on Bluetooth.

Mi Watch

🔵

Add the device:

Profile → Add the device → Watch → Mi Watch Lite

Confirm the conjugation:

Confirm

Download Mi Fitness | Register your Xiaomi | Enable Bluetooth on your phone and watch | Select a model in the list of devices | Confirm the pairing code-->

If the clock is not there, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off/On).
• 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in the phone settings and repeat the search.
• 🔋 Reset the clock (hold the 10 seconds button until vibration).

Once you have successfully connected, the app will prompt you to update your firmware. Don't refuse to update it, it will fix bugs and add new features (for example, monitoring). SpO₂ It takes 5-15 minutes to process, don't interrupt it!

Connect via Zepp Life (for Mi Watch S1 and later)

Zepp Life offers deeper health analytics and integration with Xiaomi services. Instructions for the Mi Watch S1/S1 Pro:

1. Install Zepp Life: 🤖 Google Play 🍎 App Store

Xiaomi

Zepp

(You can use the same email.)

Activate Bluetooth

Add the device:

+ → The clock → Mi Watch S1

Confirm the link:

⚠️ Note: If Zepp Life does not display heart rate or workout data after pairing, check the app's permissions:

• 📱 Phone settings → Annexes → Zepp Life → Permits
• 🔒 Enable geolocation, notifications and physical activity.

For models with NFC (such as the Mi Watch S1 Active), after connecting, you will be prompted to configure Mi Pay.

1. Open Zepp Life → Profile → Mi Pay
2. Link a bank card (supported by Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.).
3. Confirm the link via SMS from the bank.

5. Notification setting and data synchronization

After pairing, the watch will show basic information (time, steps), but for full operation you need to configure:

Notifications from the telephone

To see messages from messengers and calls:

1. In Mi Fitness/Zepp Life, go to Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Notification switch.
3. Select the applications you want to see (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte).
4. On Android, allow additional notifications in the system settings: Settings → Apps → Zepp Life/Mi Fitness → Notifications → Allow

5.2 Synchronization of health data

To automatically update steps, sleep and exercise:

• 🔄 Enable Auto Sync in the App Settings.
• 📊 Connect to Google Fit or Apple Health (in Profile) → Integration).
• ⏱ Set the synchronization interval (recommended every 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the steps on the clock and in the app differ, check:

• 🔋 Charge level of the clock (at < 15% synchronization may be disabled).
• 📶 Internet connection stability (for cloud synchronization).
• 🔄 Availability of firmware updates (in Hours Settings) → System system → Update).

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To save battery, turn off sync in the background (in the application settings). Instead, run manual data updates 2-3 times a day, holding the clock screen and choosing Sync.

6. Solving common connection errors

Even with the correct following of the instructions, there may be failures. Let's consider the typical problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method of connecting:

1. Remove the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app.
2. Clear the cache and app data in the phone settings.
3. Reboot your phone and watch.
4. Install the application again and repeat the pairing.

Mi Watch (1st generation) on Wear OS manual installation may be required APK-You can find instructions for a specific model on the forums. 4PDA or MIUI SU.

7. Optimal settings after connection

To ensure that the watch works stably and economically consumes charge, we recommend setting the following parameters:

Energy conservation

• 🔋 Turn on sleep mode for the period from 23:00 to 7:00 (in Settings) → Display. → Sleep regimen).
• ⏱ Set the backlight time for 5-10 seconds (longer - the battery goes down faster).
• 📴 Turn off the constant pulse (in Settings) → Heart monitoring → Measure by hand).

Personalization

• 🎨 Set the dial through the application (in Profile) → Dials have free and paid options).
• 🔔 Set up vibration for different types of notifications (calls, messages, alarms).
• 🏃‍♂️ Add priority workouts to the main screen (running, cycling, swimming).

For owners of the Mi Watch S1 Pro, additional features are available:

• 🎵 Controlling music on your phone right from the clock (play/pause, next track).
• 📸 Remote shutter for smartphone camera (in Settings) → Camera).
• 🗺 Offline maps for navigation (downloaded via Zepp Life).

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To extend the battery life to 7-10 days, turn off automatic sleep and heart rate monitoring. Instead, use manual measurements 2-3 times a day.

8. Frequent questions and answers