Xiaomi’s modern wearables and the Mijia ecosystem have long since ceased to be pedometers, becoming full-fledged information centers on the wrist. The ability to instantly learn about incoming calls, messengers and calendar reminders without taking a smartphone out of your pocket is one of the key features of these devices. However, despite the thoughtful logic of the interface, the initial synchronization of notifications often raises questions among users, especially when changing the phone’s operating system or updating the bracelet’s firmware.
The main challenge is the aggressive energy saving policies of modern versions of Android and iOS, which can independently close the background processes of the intermediary application. If you do not set the right permissions, the smartwatch will simply stop receiving data about new events. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for various models, including the Mi Band, Redmi Watch and Amazfit, and also consider the specific settings for different operating systems.
To get started, you’ll need a stable internet connection and a branded app installed on your smartphone. Depending on your device model, it could be Mi Fitness (formerly Xiaomi Wear) or Zepp. It’s important to understand that older models like the Mi Band 4 and below may require the outdated Mi Fit app, which is also available in official stores. Without a properly functioning link between your phone and the clock, data transfer is physically impossible.
Choosing the Right Synchronization Application
The first step is always to install the right software, as different generations of devices are supported by different platforms. New models released after 2021, including the Mi Band 6, Mi Band 7, Mi Band 8 and Redmi Watch, require the use of the Mi Fitness app. It's a single ecosystem that integrates health data and gadget settings. If you try to connect a new device through an old Mi Fit, the system simply won't detect the gadget or offer a flashing.
For Amazfit devices that are formally part of the Xiaomi ecosystem but have their own software lineup, the Zepp app is required, GTS, GTR Users are often confused when trying to configure Amazfit via Mi Fitness, which leads to pairing errors. Always check the device box or instruction manual: it clearly states which one is the right one. QR-scan code to download the desired software.
- 📱 Mi Fitness is a current application for Mi Band 6/7/8, Redmi Watch and Smart Band Pro.
- ⌚ Zepp – essential for all smart watches and bracelets under the Amazfit brand.
- 📉 Mi Fit is an outdated application for Mi Band 1-5 (Support is gradually being phased out).
- ⚙️ Bluetooth Drivers – A Hidden OS Component That Requires Update Through the App Store.
⚠️ Note: When installing an app, be sure to provide all requested permissions to access geolocation, Bluetooth and contacts immediately upon first launch. Denial of access to geolocation on Android often blocks the ability to search for the device.
The app sign-up process also requires attention. It is recommended to use the same Mi Account or Google account that is used on your other Xiaomi devices, if any, to synchronize health data to the cloud and not lose statistics when you lose or replace your gadget. Once you log in, the system will suggest adding a new device by running a space scan.
Basic notification settings in the Mi Fitness app
Once you successfully pair the device with your smartphone, you need to move to fine-tuning the data. The interface of the Mi Fitness application may vary depending on the version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the partition responsible for managing the device itself. This is usually the top card with your bracelet or watch on the app's home screen.
Inside the device menu, you'll find Device Settings or Notification Management, and that's where you create a list of apps that will be duplicated on your wrist, and by default, all the switches can be turned off, so you need to manually activate the right information sources. Android and iOS require additional confirmation for each app you select.
☑️ Checking notification settings
It's important to note that activating notifications in the app is only half the story: the phone's operating system should allow the Mi Fitness app to read the contents of other programs. Without that permission, the clock will vibrate, but the screen will remain black, or the message will not come at all. On Android, this is called "Access to Notifications," and on iOS, control is through the notification system center.
If you use an iPhone, the process looks a little different because of the closedness of iOS. In the Mi Fitness app, you need to go to the device profile and select Notification Settings. The phone automatically takes you to the system menu where you need to find Mi Fitness and allow access. Also make sure that the settings of the iPhone itself in the Notifications for the desired applications (for example, WhatsApp) include sounds and display on the lock screen.
- 🔔 Preview – an option that allows you to see the text of the message before unlocking the clock.
- 🚫 Do Not Disturb – a mode that turns off the vibration and screen at a given time.
- 📶 Connection status – an indicator showing the relevance of communication with a smartphone.
- 🗑️ Memory Cleansing – Deleting old notifications frees up space in the clock buffer.
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Activation of the switch in the application will not work without the system permission to read notifications in the settings of Android or iOS.
Specifics of settings on Android: permissions and energy saving
Android users face the most problems because of the variety of manufacturers’ shells (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), the main feature is aggressive memory management. The system can “kill” the Mi Fitness or Zepp process, deeming it unused, and then the notifications will stop coming. To avoid this, you need to lock the application in memory and remove the restrictions.
The first thing you need to do is give the app advanced permissions. Go to your phone Settings, find the Apps section or All Apps, and select your wearable device manager (Mi Fitness/Zepp). In the Permissions menu, make sure that all items are included, especially Contacts, Phone, and Notifications. Without access to contacts, the watch will only show the caller's number, not the name.
Next comes the critical step of setting up the battery. In the app menu, find Battery or Energy Saving. Select No Limits or No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from unloading the application from RAM. On Xiaomi phones with a MIUI shell or HyperOS, it is also useful to pin the application in the list of recent tasks (swipe down the application window in the running process menu) and lock the application.
| Action. | Path to the menu (example) | Required importance |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Applications → Permissions → Auto-Run | Included. |
| Working in the background | Battery → Background activity | Permitted. |
| Saving energy | Battery → Energy saving regime | No restrictions. |
| Notifications | Notifications → Management | All included |
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi devices with shell MIUI Often you need to additionally enable the item "Show pop-up notifications" in the application settings, otherwise messages will be lost when the phone screen is locked.
Another nuance is Bluetooth. Some versions of Android have separate "Access Location" permissions for Bluetooth scanning. If geolocation is turned off, the phone may not see the bracelet or lose touch with it. It is recommended to keep GPS on at least while you initially set up and synchronize the data.
Why do notifications come with a delay?
Set up push notifications for iPhone owners (iOS)
Apple smartphone owners are lucky in terms of stability of background processes, but the system of restrictions is stricter. iOS does not allow applications to freely read data from other programs without the explicit permission of the user through the system gateway.
In the Mi Fitness or Zepp app, when you turn on the notification switch for a particular application (e.g. Telegram), the iPhone will automatically open the system settings window. You need to search the Mi Fitness list and make sure the Allow Notifications switch is activated. If that window doesn't appear, go to Settings → Bluetooth, click on the icon (i) next to your device and check the connection settings.
An important feature of iOS is that the watch only displays notifications that appear on the iPhone lock screen. If you read a message on your phone and it disappeared from the juicy screen, it will also not appear on the watch or be marked as read. In addition, calls on the clock only work if the phone is nearby and connected via Bluetooth; through the cellular network (if the watch is not) you can not call.
- 🍏 The Notification Center is the place where everyone gathers.-alerts, synchronized.
- 🔒 Lock screen - a prerequisite for displaying fluffs on the clock.
- 📳 Vibro response – is set up separately in the iPhone sound profile.
- 📲 Handoff – a feature that sometimes conflicts with the transfer of calls to third-party gadgets.
If notifications stopped coming after an iOS update, try restarting both devices. Often, the Bluetooth sync service crashes, and a simple reboot restores the data exchange protocols. Also check if the phone is on Focus or Do Not Disturb mode, which can block the transmission of alerts to the periphery.
Problem Solving: Why Not Getting Messages
Even when set up correctly, there can be situations where the smartwatch is silent. The most common reason is time out of sync or the bracelet buffer overflowing. If the watch has a lot of unread notifications, new notifications may simply not arrive. The solution is simple: open the app on your phone, wait for sync and clear the notification history in the device menu.
The second common problem is version conflict: Make sure the app on your phone is updated to the latest version via Google Play or the App Store, and the firmware of the watch is relevant. Older versions of the software may not work properly with new versions of messengers (WhatsApp, Viber, Instagram), which change their notification protocols. The update often contains patches for compatibility bugs.
⚠️ Note: If you have changed your phone but have not untied your watch from your old account, notifications may arrive at the new device randomly or not at all.
It's also worth checking the settings of the messenger itself. If WhatsApp or Telegram has a notification turned off for a particular chat or is in Quiet mode, the signal will not come to the clock. The watch duplicates what is in the system, it does not generate events on its own. Check whether the phone is not in a traffic saving mode that can block the background data transfer for instant messengers.
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If the notifications are gone after the Android update, try finding your device in the Bluetooth settings, clicking "Forget Device," and then pairing again through the app, which will reset the cache of communication protocols.