Connecting Xiaomi smartwatch to smartphone: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi smartwatches are not just accessories, but a full-fledged assistant for tracking health, managing notifications and even paying for purchases. However, many users face difficulties when connecting a device to a phone for the first time. In this article, we will discuss all the steps of synchronization from installing an application to configuring additional features, and also consider typical errors and how to fix them.

It is important to understand that the connection process may vary depending on the watch model (Mi Band). 7/8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Redmi Watch 3) We covered all relevant scenarios, including cases where the clock is not determined by the phone or the Mi app. Fitness/Zepp Life can't see the device. If you've just unpacked a new Xiaomi watch, start with the first partition. If you've already synced but stopped, go straight to the problem solving section.

1. What applications are needed to connect

To synchronize the smart watch Xiaomi requires an official application, the choice of which depends on the model of the device:

• 📱 Mi Fitness – for Mi Band fitness bracelets (including Mi Band 8) and Redmi Watch budget watches. Available for Android 6.0+ iOS 12.0+.
• ⌚ Zepp Life – for Xiaomi Watch smartwatches (e.g. Watch 2 Pro, Watch) S3). Supports the same OS versions, but with advanced features for the watch.
• 🔄 Xiaomi Wear is an outdated app, only valid for models until 2020 (such as Mi Band 4.

Download the applications can be officially:

• 🤖 Google Play for Android)
• 🍎 App Store (for iPhone)

⚠️ Attention: Applications from Third-Party Sources (APK-files) may contain viruses or not support the latest versions of watch firmware.

After installing the app, take your time to plug in the clock.

1. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (if not, create through Settings). → Account in the annex).
2. Provide all the permissions you request (notifications, location, contacts) without them, many of the features won’t work.
3. Update the app to the latest version – it is critical for compatibility with new watch models.

2. Step-by-step connection instruction

Consider the universal synchronization algorithm on the example of Mi Band 8 and Mi Fitness application (for other models, the steps are similar, only the names of menu items differ).

Charge the clock until 50% more|Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Install the latest version of Mi Fitness/Zepp Life|Unpack your watch and remove the protective film from your contacts (if any)-->

Step 1. Turning on the clock

On most Xiaomi models, the watch is activated automatically when connected to the charger.

• 🔌 Connect the watch to charging for 10-15 seconds, then disconnect.
• 🖐️ Press and hold the touch button (or screen area) for 5 seconds.
• 🔄 If the watch was already in uso, reset: Settings → System system → Data resetting.

Step 2. Search for the device in the application

1. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
2. Click Profile. → Add the device (badge «+» top-right).
3. Select your watch model from the list. If you don't have one, update the app.
4. Confirm pairing on the phone and on the clock (on the screen of the watch will appear the code – it must match the code in the application).

Step 3: Set up the main parameters

After successful connection, the application will offer:

• 👤 Link the watch to your Xiaomi account (required for data synchronization).
• 📱 Set up notifications (select apps whose alerts will be duplicated on the clock).
• 🏃‍♂️ Enter personal data (height, weight, age) to track activity correctly.
• ⚙️ Update the firmware of the watch (if a new version is available).

⚠️ Warning: If you have a "Disconnected" error at the interface stage, check that the Bluetooth on your phone is on and the clock is within a 1-meter radius. VPN or firewalls blocking the connection, the watch is not connected to another device (for example, a tablet).

💡

If the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is not defined in Zepp Life, try connecting it first via Mi Fitness and then transferring it to the main app through Profile. → My devices. → Transfer data.

3. Set up notifications and calls

One of the key functions of a smartwatch is to duplicate notifications from a smartphone, to configure this option:

For Android:

1. In annex Mi Fitness/Zepp Life go to Profile → My device. → Notifications.
2. Activate the Notification switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your watch (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. In the phone settings, allow the Mi Fitness app to access notifications: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications → Permission.

For the iPhone:

On iOS, notification functionality is limited due to Apple's policy, and you will only receive:

• 📞 Incoming calls (with the option to reject).
• 💬 SMS-Messages (without messenger support).
• 🔔 Alarms and reminders from the standard watch app.

For models Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3 Voice assistant is available (only on Android) to activate it:

1. Open the Settings. → Voice assistant on the clock.
2. Choose Google Assistant or XiaoAI (for China).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up the microphone.

💡

On the iPhone, Xiaomi smart watches work in a reduced mode due to Apple restrictions. For full functionality, use an Android smartphone.

4. Synchronization of health data

Xiaomi smart watches track more than 30 health parameters: from steps and heart rate to blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) And stress, so that these data are properly stored and analyzed:

Monitoring settings:

• 🩺 Enable continuous heart rate control: Profile → My device. → Monitoring of heart rate → Continuously.
• 😴 Activate sleep tracking: Sleep settings → Auto-tracking (it is recommended to set the interval from 22:00 to 8:00).
• 💪 So, make a reminder of the insecure. → Sedentary lifestyle (e.g., every 60 minutes).

Data export:

All data collected is automatically synced to your Xiaomi account and is available on the Zepp Life web version to export to other services (e.g. Google Fit or Apple Health):

1. In the app, go to Profile → Settings → Synchronization of data.
2. Choose a service for export and log in.
3. Set the synchronization frequency (recommended "Daily").

⚠️ Attention: Data on SpO₂ (Oxygen levels and stress on Mi Band models 7/8 It is only measured manually. Automatic monitoring requires a Xiaomi Watch. 2 Pro or higher.

5. Solving typical problems

Even with the right connection, users are faced with errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the clock does not respond to touch:

1. Reboot the device: connect to the charger and hold the 10 seconds button.
2. Check the screen cleanliness – fat or moisture can block the sensor.
3. Update the firmware through the app.
4. If the problem remains, reset: Settings → System system → Data resetting.

Error "Device not supported":

This error occurs if:

• You’re trying to connect your watch to a phone with Android Go or an outdated OS version (below 6.0).
• The watch model is not compatible with the region (for example, the Chinese version of the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro for the European phone).
• The phone is unofficial (castom) ROM.

Solution: Use another phone for initial setup or contact Xiaomi to change your firmware region.

6. Additional functions and hidden capabilities

Xiaomi smartwatches have a number of hidden features that many users are unaware of.

• 🎵 Music control: On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, you can switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the clock (even if the phone is in another room). → Music.
• 🔦 Lantern: On models with AMOLED-The screen (for example, Mi Band 8) can turn on the white screen at full brightness: swipe down the main screen and hold the flashlight icon.
• 🔒 Screen lock: The watch can automatically lock the phone when it is away from it (on Android). → Security → Phone lockdown.
• 🏊 Swimming mode: On Xiaomi Watch S3 It supports tracking of pool length and swimming style. → Swimming.
• 💳 Contactless payments: On models with NFC (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro can be linked to a bank card through the Mi Pay app (available in all countries).

How to change the dial:

Most Xiaomi models can be used with third-party dials.

1. Download the dial file in.bin or.wfz format (for example, from AmazonFit).
2. Place the file in the Mi folder Fitness/watch_faces phone-on.
3. In the app, go to Profile → My device. → Dials → Add.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial dials may cause a malfunction of the clock. Before installation, back up your data via Settings → System system → Backup.

💡

On Mi Band 8, you can activate Do Not Disturb during sleep or meetings, swipe down the screen and tap the moon icon, in which all notifications will be turned off except alarm clocks.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular updates to the watch firmware solve bug problems, add new features and improve stability.

Update through the annex:

1. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
2. Go to Profile → My Device → Firmware Update.
3. If a new version is available, click "Update" and wait for the process to be completed (the clock will restart automatically).

Manual update (if automatic does not work):

If the app doesn’t find updates, but you know they are:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Mi Community website.
2. Place the.fw or.bin file in the root folder of the phone.
3. In the app, click Firmware Update → Local Update and select the downloaded file.

Reset to factory settings:

If the watch is unstable or you are transferring it to another user, reset:

1. On the clock: Settings → System system → Data resetting → Confirm.
2. Annex: Profile → My device. → Untie the device.

Once reset, all data (steps, sleep, settings) will be deleted without recovery.

8 Compatibility with other devices

Smart watches Xiaomi can be connected not only to smartphones, but also to other gadgets:

• 💻 Laptops / PC: Bluetooth can synchronize data with Windows 10/11 (Mi Fitness application for PC is required, available on the official website).
• 🎧 Headphones: Watch Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro supports Bluetooth headphones for listening to music without a phone.
• 🚴 Exercise bikes: Through ANT+ Bluetooth watches can sync with fitness equipment (e.g. Garmin bicycle computers).

Connecting to several phones:

Officially, Xiaomi watches are only tied to one device, but there is a workaround:

1. Untie the clock from the first phone through Profile → My device. → Untie.
2. Connect them to the second phone (the data will be saved in the account Xiaomi).
3. For a quick switch, use one Xiaomi account on both phones.

⚠️ Warning: It is not possible to connect to two phones at the same time – the watch will conflict and lose connection.

💡

For maximum compatibility, use Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. On devices of other brands (Samsung, iPhone) there are possible functional limitations.

FAQ: Frequent questions