How to use Xiaomi smartwatches: from basic setup to hidden features

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant in everyday life, which can track health, manage music, display notifications and even pay for purchases, but many users use only 20% of their gadgets, unaware of hidden features. This article will help you understand how to properly set up Xiaomi watches (including Mi Band, Watch models). S3, Watch 2 Pro and others, sync them with your smartphone and use advanced features.

We're going to look at not just basic things like connecting, charging, setting dials, but also rare things like controlling your smartphone camera, setting up automatic sleep tracking, and even creating your own workouts, and we're going to focus on the typical novice errors that lead to a fast battery drain or sensors that don't work properly, and if you just bought a Xiaomi watch or want to unleash its potential at 100%, this guide is for you.

1.Preparation for first use: unpacking and charging

Before you start setting up, make sure that the Xiaomi watch is fully charged. complete with most models (such as the Mi Band 7 or Watch). S3) There's a magnetic charging cable. Connect it to any one. USB-port (from computer, charger or power bank).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use unoriginal cables - this can lead to overheating of the battery or slow charging.The original cable has a special chip that controls current. Charging up to 100% usually takes 1.5-2 hours.

• 🔋 Charging Indication: Battery animation (Mi Band) or percentage of charge (Xiaomi Watch) will appear on the screen).
• 📱 First Entry: After charging, press and hold the side button (or touch zone for the Mi Band) for 3-5 seconds.
• 🌐 Language choice: On some models (for example, Watch 2 Pro) at the first turn on you need to select a language - scroll up/down and tap on Russian.

If the watch does not respond to the pressing, check:

1. Is the charging cable connected correctly (magnets must be tightly attracted)
2. Are the contacts on the back of the watch contaminated (wipe them with a dry wipe).
3. Has the clock been discharged to zero (in this case, it may take 5-10 minutes to recharge before turning on).

2. Synchronization with a smartphone: step-by-step instructions

Without a smartphone, Xiaomi’s watches work like a regular fitness bracelet, and to unlock their potential, you need to install the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), which is available for Android and iOS.

Download the application from official stores:

• 📱 Android: Google Play
• 🍎 iOS: App Store

Follow the instructions:

1. Open Mi Fitness and register (via Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple) ID).
2. Tap Add the device → Choose your watch model (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8).
3. Allow the application to access notifications, geolocation, and contacts (this is necessary for the functions to function properly).
4. On the clock, confirm the pairing (usually you need to click on the tick on the screen).

⚠️ Note: If the watch is not on the list of available devices, upgrade the Mi Fitness app to the latest version. iPhone may require additional Bluetooth resolution in your system settings.

Is Bluetooth enabled on your smartphone?

The latest version of Mi Fitness is installed

Is the watch at least 50% charged?

Whether notifications for the application are allowed-->

3. Basic setting: dials, notifications and user profile

After synchronization, set the clock to your own, start with the most prominent dial. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile. → My device. → Dials, you can go here:

• 🎨 Choose from pre-installed options (usually 5-10 pieces).
• ⬇️ Download additional from the store (some paid).
• 🖼️ Set your own photo as a background (not available on all models).

For Xiaomi Watch models S3 And the Watch 2 Pro has animated dials that respond to gestures or show the weather. To change the dial on the watch, swipe left/right on the screen and select the one you like.

Next, set up notifications:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Notification switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your watch (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. Adjust the vibration and sound (on models with a speaker, such as the Watch 2 Pro).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, notifications may be delayed due to iOS restrictions.To reduce lag, in your phone settings, turn on Mi Fitness Background Update.

4. Health tracking: pulse, sleep and stress

One of the key benefits of Xiaomi watches is health monitoring, and they're constantly monitoring your pulse, your blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), Sleep quality and even stress. To be accurate, follow these tips:

• 🩺 Pulse: Wear your watch 2-3 fingers above your wrist. For accurate measurement, sit still 1-2 minutes.
• 😴 Sleep: Turn on the mode Do not disturb before bedtime, so that the clock does not wake up with vibration.
• 🧘 Stress: To calibrate the sensor, perform a 5-minute meditation (available in Mi Fitness).

To view the statistics:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app.
2. Go to the Health section.
3. Select the desired parameter (for example, heart rate).
4. For detailed analysis, tap on the schedule.

On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and later, the emergency ECG measurement feature (requires certification in your country) is available. To activate it, update the watch firmware to the latest version and confirm your personal data in Mi Fitness.

5. Fitness functions: training, pedometer and calories

Xiaomi watches support more than 100 types of workouts, from running to yoga.

1. On the watch, find the Training icon (usually a running man).
2. Choose the type of activity (e.g., Walking, Biking, Swimming).
3. Press Start – the watch will start tracking the pulse, distance and calories burned.
4. At the end, click Finish – the data is automatically synchronized with Mi Fitness.

For accurate calorie and step counting:

• 👟 Indicate in the profile of Mi Fitness your height, weight and gender.
• 📏 Calibrate the pedometer: walk 100 meters with the clock and compare the data with the real distance.
• 🏃 Turn it on. GPS on a smartphone for accurate route tracking (on models with its own) GPS, For example, watch. S3, It's not necessary).

⚠️ Attention: If the watch is understepping, check if it fits tightly with the wrist. Weak attachment causes movement to pass. Also make sure that the Mi Fitness settings have the right step length (default is calculated automatically, but you can manually specify it).

💡

Create your own workout in Mi Fitness: Go to Training → Make a plan, choose the exercise and the duration of the exercise, and the clock will vibrate as you change stages!

6. Advanced Features: Payments, Voice Assistant and Smartphone Management

Xiaomi’s watches today are much more than just time-dating, and consider hidden features that many people don’t know about.

💳 Contactless payments

Xiaomi Watch models S3 The Watch 2 Pro is supported NFC To pay for the purchases. To set up:

1. Open Mi Fitness. → Profile → My device. → Contactless payments.
2. Add a bank card (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB and others are supported).
3. Confirm the link via SMS from the bank.
4. To pay, bring the clock to the terminal and hold the 2 second button.

🎤 Xiao's voice assistant AI

The Watch 2 Pro has a built-in voice assistant to activate it:

1. Hold the side button for 3 seconds.
2. Say a command such as “set an alarm for 7am” or “What is the weather forecast?”

⚠️ Attention: Xiao AI It only works on Chinese and English firmware. Only basic commands are available for Russian-speaking users.

📸 Controlling the smartphone camera

Xiaomi watches can remotely control the camera of the phone.

1. Open the Camera app on your smartphone.
2. On the clock, find the Camera icon (or add it to the menu).
3. Click on it - on the watch screen there will be a view from the lens of the smartphone.
4. Use the buttons on your watch for zoom or shooting.

💡

The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro can work independently from the smartphone thanks to the built-in eSIM module (not supported in all countries).

7. Battery savings: how to extend the work without recharging

One of the most common problems users have is fast battery drain.

• 🔋 Mi Band 7/8: 7–14 days.
• 🔋 Xiaomi Watch S3: 5-7 days.
• 🔋 Watch 2 Pro: 3-5 days (due to color screen and color screen) NFC).

To increase the working time:

1. Turn off the constant pulse (in Mi Fitness) → Profile → My device. → Heart rate → Measure automatically select Every 30 minutes instead of Every Minute).
2. Reduce the brightness of the screen (on models with the AMOLED-The display is very much affected by the cost).
3. Disable notifications from unnecessary applications.
4. Enable the energy saving mode (in the settings of the clock).

⚠️ If the battery is discharged in 1-2 days, check whether it works in the background GPS Or a music player, and it could also be a non-original strap with metallic elements that interferes with sensors.

8. Troubleshooting: The clock doesn't sync, vibrate, or turn on

Even the most reliable devices sometimes fail, so let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

If the clock is hanging:

1. Connect them to the charger.
2. Hold the side button for 10-15 seconds before rebooting.
3. If it doesn’t help, reset your settings via Mi Fitness (profile) → My device. → Reset).

⚠️ Note: After the reset, all data on the watch will be deleted, but the statistics in Mi Fitness will remain. If the watch does not respond to the reset, contact the service center - it may be a hardware malfunction.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions