How to connect Xiaomi watch to the phone: full instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets have long been an integral part of the brand ecosystem, but their first connection to a smartphone is often questionable. Even power users can have difficulty syncing the Mi Band 8, Xiaomi Watch S3 or older models — especially if the phone does not recognize the device or the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) refuses to work. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of connection, from preparing the phone to solving typical errors, taking into account the latest firmware updates of 2026.

It is important to understand that the synchronization process can vary depending on the model of the watch and the version of the smartphone software. For example, Mi Band 7 and later requires the Mi Fitness app, while older bracelets (Mi Band 3/4) are still supported through Mi Fit. And the Watch series (for example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) may require additional notification settings. We covered all the nuances so that you can connect the device the first time without unnecessary dancing with a diamond.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone to connect the clock

Before you start syncing, make sure your smartphone is ready to work with a wearable device, which will save you 90% of the problems during the connection stage.

Phone requirements:

• 📱 Android version: no lower than 6.0 (for new watch models - 8.0)+). You can check the settings. → The phone. → Android version.
• 🔄 Software updates: all available system updates are installed (especially relevant for the MIUI 14/15).
• 📶 Bluetooth: version 4.2 or later, older phones (e.g. Redmi) 4A) There may be problems with the Mi Band 8 connection.
• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% on phone and watch, and at a charge level below 30%, synchronization may be interrupted during the firmware update phase of the device.

Also check if the power saving mode is blocking Bluetooth.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Power Saving Mode and turn it off.
3. In the High Power Applications section, add Mi Fitness to the exceptions.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official watch management app is Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), which can be downloaded from Google Play or AppGallery, but for Xiaomi users, there is a nuance: in some regions, the app may not be available in the Play Market due to restrictions.

Alternative installation methods:

• 🌍 Download. APK From the official website of Xiaomi (section "Support").
• 📱 Use GetApps (branded store Xiaomi) – the application is in the catalog.
• 🔗 Install via APKMirror by selecting the latest stable version.

After installation:

1. Run Mi Fitness and sign up through Mi Account (required!). Without an account binding, the clock doesn't sync.
2. Log in and check the region – it should match the region of the watch purchase (for example, if the watch is purchased in Europe, choose Europe).
3. Allow all application requests: Notifications, Location, Contacts (for calls).

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If you register with Mi Fitness and you have an error “Device not supported”, try changing the region in the Mi Account settings to China (via VPN) or use an alternative account.

3. Step-by-step connection of the clock to the phone

Now, to the synchronization process itself, the instructions are universal for most models, but we'll show you the specifics for the specific devices.

Common algorithm:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and activate the watch (for Mi Band – click on the touch button, for Xiaomi Watch – hold the side button for 3 seconds).
2. Open Mi Fitness and click Add Device (+ icon in the upper right corner).
3. Choose your watch model from the list. If you don't have one, upgrade the app or download the beta version.
4. Hold the watch to the phone at a distance of < 10 cm and wait for the name of the device to appear in the list.
5. Confirm pairing on both devices (on the watch you may need to press a button or swipe).

Features for different models:

If the clock is not specified:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module: turn it off/on or restart the smartphone.
• 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in Bluetooth settings and try again.
• 🔧 In Mi Fitness, click Settings. → Clear the cache.

Charge your watch and phone >50%|

Install the latest version of Mi Fitness|

Turn on Bluetooth and location on your phone |

Remove old coupled devices in Bluetooth | settings

Register with Mi Account-->

4. Notification setting and data synchronization

Once connected successfully, you need to configure notifications and health data synchronization, without which the watch will work like a pedometer.

How to enable notifications:

1. In Mi Fitness, select the connected clock and go to Notification Settings.
2. Activate switches for Incoming calls, Messages, Applications.
3. For each application (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) allow access in Android settings: Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Permissions → Notifications

Synchronization of data:

• 🩺 To display pulse, sleep and activity, allow Mi Fitness access to the: 📊 Physical activity (Google Fit). 💤 Sleep data (if you use other trackers).
• ⚡ Enable Auto Sync in the clock settings in the app.

5. Solving common connection errors

Even with the right actions, there can be failures, and we've compiled common errors and ways to fix them based on user feedback from 2026.

Error: "Device not found"

⚠️ Note: If your phone can't see the watch despite Bluetooth enabled, the problem may be regional restrictions. S3 for China) do not connect to phones with European firmware MIUI. Solution: Change the region in the Mi Account settings to “China” (required) VPN).

• 📵 Check if the phone is on Flight Mode or Power Saving Mode.
• 🔧 Update Mi Fitness and Watch firmware (if available).
• 📱 Reboot both devices.

Mistake: "Synchronization failed"

• 🔄 Turn off Battery Optimization for Mi Fitness in Android Settings.
• 📡 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi – some watch firmware updates are downloaded only over the internet.
• 🔋 The clock should be charged. >30%, otherwise the synchronization will be interrupted.

Error: "The app does not support this model"

• 📲 Install the Mi Fitness beta from Xiaomi’s official Telegram channel.
• 🔄 Check the compatibility of the watch model with your version MIUI support site.

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If the clock is connected but the data is not synchronized, 80% of the time is due to the background mode turned off for Mi Fitness. Allow autostart and background work in the battery settings.

6. Additional functions after connection

After successful synchronization, you can customize advanced features that will turn your watch into a full-fledged gadget for health and convenience.

What can be customized:

• 🏃 Exercise: Add activities (running, cycling, swimming) to Mi Fitness and set up automatic recognition.
• 💤 Sleep monitoring: turn on a smart alarm clock (wakes up in the light sleep phase) and daytime sleep analysis.
• 🎵 Music Management: For Xiaomi Watch S3 and newer available to control the player on the phone directly from the clock.
• 🔒 Unlocking the phone: set up unlock the smartphone screen when the clock approaches (required) MIUI 12+).

How to unlock your phone for hours:

1. Open Settings → Passwords and security on the phone.
2. Select Unlock with Mi Band devices.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to enter) PIN-phone).

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro owners can use Xiaomi Pay to activate it:

1. Open Mi Fitness and select the watch.
2. Go to the purse. → Xiaomi Pay.
3. Add a bank card (Mastercard, Visa, World are supported).

7. Update the firmware of the watch through the phone

The firmware of the watch affects the stability of operation, the accuracy of sensors and the availability of new features. Xiaomi regularly releases updates, but they are not always installed automatically.

How to update firmware:

1. Open your Mi Fitness and select your watch.
2. Go to the device settings → Update the firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.
4. Wait until the process is complete (don't turn off Bluetooth!) the watch will reboot automatically.

What to do if the update is suspended:

• 🔄 Reset the clock (for Mi Band – press the touch button for 10 seconds, for Watch – hold the side button).
• 📱 Remove the watch from Mi Fitness and reconnect.
• 🔋 Make sure the clock is charged >50%. Low charge, the upgrade will be interrupted.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process, as this can lead to a “bricking” of the watch (loss of performance). If the watch stopped turning on after a failed update, try resetting it to factory settings: For Mi Band, hold the button for 20 seconds, for Watch, hold both buttons for 15 seconds.

8.Reset the clock to factory settings

If the clock is unstable, not synced, or you want to transfer it to another user, reset. This will delete all data from the device.

Resetting methods:

• 📱 Through Mi Fitness: Open the app and select the watch. Go to Device Settings → Untie the device. Confirm the reset.

Through the clock menu:

• For Mi Band: swipe down the screen → Settings → Reset.
• For Xiaomi Watch: Settings → System → Resetting.

Hardware discharge:

• For Mi Band 6/7/8: Press the touch button 20 seconds before vibration.
• For Xiaomi Watch, hold both buttons for 15 seconds.

After resetting, the watch will return to factory settings and can be reconnected, as described at the beginning of the article.

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Resetting the clock deletes all data about training, sleep and settings. If you want to save statistics, export it to Mi Fitness before resetting: Profile → Export data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi watches