Connecting Xiaomi smart watches to a smartphone: from pairing to fine-tuning

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for health monitoring, notification management, and even contactless payments. However, many users face difficulties already at the first connection stage: the device does not find the phone, the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) gives out errors, and synchronization is interrupted halfway through the process. In this article, we will analyze all possible connection scenarios, from basic settings to solving rare problems relevant to models of 2023-2026.

It’s important to understand that the pairing algorithm depends on three key factors: the watch model (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro vs Redmi Watch 3 Active), the phone’s operating system (Android or iOS), and the firmware version of the gadget. We’ll look at the universal steps that work for 90% of the brand’s devices, and also point out the critical differences for specific lines. If you’ve already tried to connect and got an error, skip the basic instructions and go straight to the “Problem Solutions” section.

Phone and Hours Requirements Before Connection

Before you start syncing, make sure your hardware meets the minimum requirements, which will eliminate 80% of the typical errors such as “Device is not supported” or “Disconnected”.

For Android smartphones:

• 📱 OS version: Android 6.0 and higher (for Watch) S3 And newer, Android 8.0+).
• 🔄 Bluetooth: version 4.2 or higher (for stable data transfer).
• 📲 Appendix: Mi Fitness (download to Google Play).
• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 20% on the watch, 30 on the phone%.

For iPhone (iOS):

• 🍎 OS version: iOS 12.0 and higher (for Watch 2 Pro — iOS 14)+).
• 🔗 Restrictions: Some features (such as Smart Alarm or Sleep Control) may not be available.
• 📱 Appendix: Mi Fitness (download in the App Store).
• ⚠️ It is important to note that on the iPhone you can not use Xiaomi Wear – only Mi Fitness.

⚠️ Note: If your Released phone is released before 2017 (such as the Redmi Note 4 or iPhone 6), there is a high risk of instability due to an outdated Bluetooth module).

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) is the only legitimate way to connect a Xiaomi watch to a phone. Alternative programs like Notify & Fitness or Gadgetbridge may offer advanced features, but often lead to loss of warranty and synchronization errors.

Installation steps:

1. Download Mi Fitness from the official store (Google Play or App Store).
2. Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi account (required!) using third-party accounts (Google, Facebook) may limit functionality.
3. Enable permissions for the application: 📍 Geolocation (for tracking runs). 📱 Notifications (to make the clock show) SMS call). 🔋 Auto-start (for background synchronization).

5.12.0

After installation, do not search for the devices immediately, first reset the clock to factory settings if you have already used them before, and this will prevent conflicts with previous connections.

1. On the clock go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Confirm the action (usually a long press on the physical button).

Register with Mi Fitness|Update the application to the latest version|Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone|Reset the clock to factory settings (if used previously)|Charge the clock to a minimum of 20%-->

Step-by-step connecting the clock to the phone

Now, to the interface process itself, the instructions are universal for most models, but we'll point out the key differences for the devices.

Step 1: Activation of the pairing mode on the clock

• For the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro/S3: Press and hold the side button. 3 a second until it appears QR-code.
• For Redmi Watch 3/Mi Band 8: Swipe up the screen and select “Connect the device».
• For Mi Band 7 and older: touch button → «Pairing».

The watch must display a unique code (e.g., a code, A1:B2:C3) — You will need to confirm the connection.

Step 2: Find the device in Mi Fitness

1. Open Mi Fitness and press «+» → «Add the device».
2. Select the category: “Smart watch” or “fitness bracelet”.
3. Find your model in the list (if not, select “Other Device” and enter the code manually).
4. Confirm the pairing on your phone and watch (code must match!).

Step 3: Set up the main parameters

After successful connection, the application will offer:

• 👤 User profile: gender, age, weight (important for calories and exercise).
• 🔔 Notifications: Select applications whose alerts will be duplicated on the clock (SMS, WhatsApp, calls).
• 🏃 Activity goals: Set a daily step rate (8000 default).
• 🔒 Security: set up PIN-code to unlock the clock (recommended 4-6 digits).

⚠️ Note: If the watch does not display notifications after you connect, check: Are Mi Fitness permissions enabled in your phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications: Is the “Show Notifications” function in the application itself activated (Profile) → Settings of the device → Notifications? Whether the watch is worth it in Do Not Disturb mode (check the swipe down on the watch screen).

💡

If you watch Xiaomi Watch S3 do not connect to iPhone, try to disable the “Bluetooth Connection Limit” in iOS settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → i (information) → Disable the restrictions. That'll solve the communication breakdown problem.

Typical Connection Errors and Their Solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users are faced with errors. TOP-5 Problems and ways to eliminate them, relevant for 2026.

If your problem is not included in the table, try an alternative connection method:

1. Remove the watch from the device list in Mi Fitness.
2. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, then turn it back on.
3. Press the button on the clock for 10 seconds for forced reboot.
4. Repeat the process of pairing from scratch.

Advanced settings after connection

Basic connectivity is not enough to unlock the full potential of a smartwatch, so let's look at the hidden features that are available after synchronization.

1. Set up notifications

• 📩 Notification filtering: Mi Fitness allows you to choose which apps will be duplicated on the watch, for example, disable notifications from games, leaving only messengers.
• 🔕 Do Not Disturb: automatically disables alerts at a predetermined time (e.g. 23:00 to 7:00).
• 📞 Quick answers: Watch 2 Pro available response templates SMS Right from the clock (configured in Settings) → Notifications → Quick answers).

2. Fitness and health

• 🏃 Autodetection of workouts: the watch can automatically recognize running, walking or cycling. → Settings of the device → Training. → Autodetermination.
• ❤️ Heart rate monitoring: for accuracy, wear the watch 2-3 fingers above the wrist. You can set the settings to include “High pulse warning” (threshold adjustable).
• 💤 Sleep analysis: for detailed statistics, activate the “Smart alarm clock” – it will wake you up in the phase of light sleep.

Additional functions

• 🔑 NFC and payments: for Watch S3 Watch 2 Pro is available to link bank cards via Mi Pay (only works with supported banks, list here).
• 🎵 Music management: From the clock you can switch tracks on the phone (included in Settings) → Music).
• 📸 Remote camera shutter: useful for selfies – click on the camera icon in the watch menu to take a picture from your phone.

💡

For models Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and newer available function “Autonomous” GPS» — The watch can record the route of the run without the phone. To activate, go to Settings. → Training. → GPS Select the "Hours Only" mode».

Update the firmware of the watch through Mi Fitness

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new features and improve stability. However, an incorrect update can lead to a "bricking" of the device (loss of performance).

How to check the current version of the firmware:

1. On the clock, go to Settings. → System system → The phone.
2. Remember the version (e.g. 1.17.29 for Redmi Watch 3).
3. Compare it to the latest version on the official website.

Updating process:

1. Connect the watch to charge (the battery should be) ≥50%).
2. Open Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Settings of the device → Firmware update.
3. If a new version is available, click “Update”.
4. Do not turn off Bluetooth or close the app until the process is complete (it takes 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If a download error appears during the update, don't panic: Check your internet connection (better use Wi-Fi).Reboot your phone and watch. If the error is repeated, download the firmware manually from Xiaomi Firmware Updater and update via Mi Fitness (Section “Local Update»).

Alternative ways to connect (without Mi Fitness)

The official Mi Fitness app does not always suit users due to limited functionality or regional locks, in which case you can use third-party solutions, but with reservations:

1. Notify & Fitness app (for Android)

Instructions:

1. Install Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on the clock (5 times click on the firmware version in the settings).
3. In the app, select a watch model and follow the Connection Wizard.

2. Gadgetbridge (for Android, open source)

• ✅ Pros: full control of the device, no binding to the account Xiaomi.
• ❌ Cons: complex interface, no support for new models (for example, Watch 2 Pro).

Instructions:

1. Download Gadgetbridge from the official website (not from Google Play!).
2. Turn on “Bluetoothbug” in the watch developer settings.
3. In the app, select “Xiaomi Mi Band” (even if you have a Watch) and pair.

3. Connect to iPhone via Apple Health

• 🔄 Step and sleep data can be exported to Apple Health via Mi Fitness:

⚠️ Note: Using third-party applications can lead to: Warranty loss (if you want to unlock the bootloader); Sensor instability (for example, a pulse monitor); Xiaomi account lock when you frequently request servers!

Frequently asked questions