Samsung smartphone owners often think about buying affordable and functional wearable electronics, and Xiaomi devices are one of the most popular choices on the market. However, the process of initial synchronization between Android ecosystems from different manufacturers can raise questions for inexperienced users, especially given the constant updates to the One UI interface.
Compatibility of Xiaomi gadgets with Samsung Galaxy phones is at a high level, but requires the installation of specialized software for full operation of notifications and health sensors. In this material, we will discuss in detail all the stages of pairing, from the preparation of the operating system to fine-tuning the access rights for stable operation.
Preparing Samsung smartphone before synchronization
Before you start installing apps, make sure your Samsung smartphone is fully ready to work with external Bluetooth devices. First of all, check the operating system version in the settings menu, as older versions of Android may not support the latest encryption protocols used by newer watch models.
A critical point is to enable geolocation services, which are often ignored by users but are required to run Bluetooth Low Energy on Android 6.0 and higher devices. GPS-The companion app module simply won’t be able to detect the clock in range, even if it’s in pairing mode.
It’s also worth freeing up space in the device’s memory and making sure that antivirus programs or Samsung Knox’s built-in protection don’t block third-party app installation if you plan to download installation files manually.
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Before connecting, clear the list of old Bluetooth devices in your phone’s settings to avoid addressing conflicts and speed up your search for new gadgets.
Choosing the Right Application for Management
One of the most common mistakes is trying to use the outdated Mi Fit app, which has been replaced by the new Mi Fitness platform (formerly known as Zepp Life for some models).For modern Xiaomi watch models such as the Mi Band 7, 8 or Xiaomi Watch S1, it is the Mi Fitness program that you need, which can find in the official Google Play store.
If you own older fitness trackers, you may need the Zepp Life app, which continues to support previous generations of devices, and it is important to correctly identify your model, as using inappropriate software will lead to an error when registering an account or not being able to update the watch firmware.
The table below shows the correspondence of watch models and the necessary applications for their correct work with Samsung phones:
| Model of the Xiaomi device | Required annex | Minimum version of Android |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Band 8 / 7 | Mi Fitness | Android 6.0+ |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 / S1 Pro | Mi Fitness | Android 6.0+ |
| Mi Smart Band 6 / 5 | Zepp Life / Mi Fitness | Android 5.0+ |
| Xiaomi Watch Color 2 | Mi Fitness | Android 6.0+ |
Once you install the correct app, you’ll need to create a Xiaomi Account or log in through an existing Google profile, a step that’s necessary to synchronize your health data and save your workout history in the cloud.
Connection process via Bluetooth
Launch the installed app on your Samsung smartphone and log in to your account, then click the add button for a new device, which is usually located in the top corner of the screen or in the profile tab. The application will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation - be sure to confirm all requests, otherwise the search will not begin.
Turn on your Xiaomi smartwatch; if new, it will automatically go into pairing mode, as evidenced by a flashing logo or a flashing one. QR-If the watch has been previously used with another phone, it may be necessary to reset to factory settings via the device menu.
☑️ Pre-conjugation check
When the app detects your watch, the device and the connection button will appear on the screen, press it and confirm the pairing by verifying a digital code that can be displayed on the watch and phone screen to protect against unauthorized access.
In some cases, Samsung may request additional confirmation via a Bluetooth request pop-up window that must be received within 30 seconds, and after a successful connection, automatic synchronization of time and basic interface settings will begin.
Setup of permissions and notifications
To make a smartwatch work, you need to give the app advanced access rights, which in Samsung’s One UI shell can be limited by the power saving system. Go to your phone’s settings, find the Apps section, select your watch manager, and open the Permissions section.
You need to activate access to contacts, call logs, SMS and location, and without these permissions, the watch will not be able to display the name of the caller or track the route while jogging, which significantly reduces the functionality of the gadget.
⚠️ Note: If you do not allow access to contacts, only the phone number will be displayed on the clock screen when the call is in, not the name of the subscriber from your notebook.
Special attention should be paid to setting notifications for specific applications, such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber. In the menu of the companion app, go to the Notifications section and activate the switches for the messengers you need to receive messages on your wrist.
Also, in the phone settings under Device Care → Battery → Background Activity Restriction, find the watch app and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the connection from breaking when the phone screen is off.
Solving Connectivity and Stability Issues
Despite the high compatibility, sometimes users are faced with a situation where Xiaomi watches do not connect to a Samsung phone or constantly lose connection. Often the problem lies in the Bluetooth cache, which can be cleared by going to the application settings, selecting “Show system processes” and finding “Bluetooth”.
If the device is not on the list of available devices, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on both devices, and reboot the smartphone. In rare cases, removing the watch profile from the list of conjugated devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone itself and re-searching through the app helps.
Hidden Developer Settings
It's also worth checking if the watch is activated with Do Not Disturb mode or energy saving, which can turn off wireless modules to save battery life.The watch firmware update through the app often fixes known connection bugs.
Setting up health and safety functions
Once successfully connected, it is recommended to configure health monitoring, including pulse, blood oxygen (SpO2) and sleep tracking. The app can set the frequency of measurements, but frequent surveying of sensors can drain the clock's battery faster.
It is important for Samsung Health users to know that direct synchronization of data from the Mi Fitness app to the native Samsung app is not always possible and depends on the version of the software. Often, the data about steps and training is automatically transmitted to Google Fit, which, in turn, can share them with other services.
Special attention should be paid to the emergency call or drop detection function if it is supported by a particular watch model, which is located in the "Security" or "SOS" section and requires the mandatory indication of the contacts of trusted persons.
⚠️ Note: Emergency call only works when the watch is actively connected to the phone via Bluetooth; standalone call is only possible on eSIM-enabled models.
Remember to calibrate your sensors regularly by doing outdoor exercises with GPS on your phone, which will improve the accuracy of calculating distance traveled and calories expended in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you connect a Xiaomi watch to a Samsung without the internet?
Why do the clocks run out one day after you connect?
Does all the features of Xiaomi watches work on Samsung?
How to untie the clock from an old phone?
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Properly configuring permissions in the Android system and excluding the application from the power saving mode is the key to the stable operation of Xiaomi watches with Samsung phones.