How to use Xiaomi watches: from the first setup to hidden features

Why Xiaomi Smart Watches Are Needed and What They Can Do

Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets are no longer just sports accessories, and today they are full-fledged assistants, from health monitoring to smart home management. But many users use only 20% of the device’s capabilities without even knowing about the hidden features. This article will help you understand how to make the most of Xiaomi watches, from basic setup to professional life hacks.

The line of devices of the brand includes several series: Mi Band (budget fitness bracelets), Xiaomi Watch (full-fledged smart watch with a full-fledged smart watch). AMOLED-The Smart Band Pro (an intermediate version with advanced features) and the Smart Band Pro, although they have different designs, have similar management principles. We will focus on the universal instructions that are relevant for most models of 2020-2026, but separately we will point out the unique features of flagships like Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Mi Band 8.

It’s important to understand that the functionality of the watch depends on the firmware and version of the Mi Fitness app. If your device does not behave as described in the article, first update the software through the official application. The instructions below are relevant for the latest firmware versions as of 2026.

First setup: how to connect Xiaomi watch to your phone

The process of pairing the clock with the phone takes no more than 5 minutes, but many users experience errors at this stage.

1. Install the app. Download Mi Fitness from Google Play or the App Store. Older models (until 2021) may require Mi Fit.
2. Register an account. Use Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple ID. Without an account, some functions (e.g. data synchronization) will not be available.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and watch. On the Mi Band bracelets, hold the touch button for 3 seconds, on the Xiaomi Watch, swipe down and tap the Bluetooth icon.
4. Add the device. In the app, click "Profile» → «Add the device» → Choose a model from the list. If your model is not, select "Other Device" and type the name manually.

Once connected successfully, the watch automatically synchronizes time, steps, and other data, if the synchronization does not occur:

• 🔄 Reset the clock (on Mi Band – hold the button for 10 seconds, on Xiaomi Watch – press the power button).
• 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔌 Check if the antivirus connection is blocked (especially for Huawei or Samsung phones).

Screen control and navigation: gestures, buttons, sensor

The interface of the Xiaomi watch is intuitive, but has nuances depending on the model.

In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) support additional gestures:

• 👆 Raising your hand – turning on the screen (configured in Settings) → Display. → Lifting for activation).
• 🔄 Double touch – wake up the screen (does not work on all firmware).
• 🎵 Shaking – Switching music (only when connected to a phone).

An important nuance: on the Mi Band 8 and later, the Smart Screen feature has appeared - the watch automatically rotates the image when you turn your hand. If this feature interferes, turn it off in the display settings.

💡

If the watch screen doesn’t respond to touch, wipe it with a wet wipe – often the problem is fat marks or cream leaks.

Health monitoring: pulse, sleep, stress and SpO₂

One of the key benefits of Xiaomi watches is advanced sensors for health tracking, but many users don’t know how to interpret data correctly or enable hidden features.

Pulse measurement:

• 🩺 Automatic Measurement: Included in Settings → Heart monitoring → Frequency (recommended every 10 to 30 minutes).
• ⚡ Quick Measurement: On the home screen, select Pulse or swipe left to the widget.
• ⚠️ Attention: for accuracy, remove the watch from your hand and place it on the table screen up on the screen. 5 Minutes before measurement (especially for Mi Band) 7/8).

Sleep tracking: The clock automatically records the phases of sleep, but for detailed analysis:

1. Make sure the function is included in the settings → Son → Auto-tracking.
2. Put the watch on a non-working hand (usually the left hand) so the data will be more accurate.
3. Check the report in the Mi Fitness app in the morning. Pay attention to the Deep Sleep schedule, which should be at least 20% of the total time.

Function SpO₂ (Blood oxygen saturation is available on models starting with the Mi Band 6 and all Xiaomi Watch:

1. Go to the menu «SpO₂» clockwise.
2. Do not move your arm for 15-20 seconds (the sensor should fit tightly to the skin).
3. Normal values: 95-100%. If the rate is below 92% for a long time, consult a doctor.

Sports and Training: How to Set Up and Analyze Data

Xiaomi Watches Support Up to 150+ sports, but most users are limited to basic modes like "Run" or "Walk", meanwhile, the right setup of workouts helps to track progress more accurately and avoid mistakes.

How to start training:

1. On the clock, select “Training” (the icon with a running man).
2. Scroll down to the sport you want to play, and choose the most specific mode (e.g., Swimming in the Pool, not just Swimming).
3. Click "Start" and wait for the signal to start recording.

Hidden functions during training:

• 🎯 Autopause: Enables in workout settings. The watch automatically pauses the recording if you stop (e.g. at a traffic light while running).
• 📊 Paws in a circle: press a button during exercise to see additional metrics (tempo, cadence, pulse zones).
• 🔊 Voice prompts: on Xiaomi Watch S2 and later you can turn on voice rate or distance through Settings → Training. → Voice alerts.

After training, the data is synchronized with the Mi Fitness app, where you can:

• Compare the results with previous training.
• Export data to Strava, Google Fit or Apple Health.
• View the route map (if included) GPS on a clock or a phone connected).

Notifications, calls and telephone management

Xiaomi watches are able not only to show the time, but also to duplicate notifications from the smartphone, and in some cases even manage it.

Configuring notifications:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to “Device Profile» → «Notifications».
2. Turn on the “Notifications” switch and select the applications you want to see on your watch.
3. Set up the display style: full text or only the app icon.

On models Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Smart Band Pro are available additional features:

• 📞 Call reception: if the watch is connected to the phone via Bluetooth, you can answer calls directly from your wrist (there is a built-in microphone and speaker).
• 🎶 Music control: swipe left on the home screen to see the player. You can switch tracks and adjust volume.
• 📸 Camera control: in the menu of the watch, find the camera icon - with its help you can take pictures on your phone (useful for selfies or group photos).

Important point: if notifications do not arrive at the clock, check:

• 🔕 Is the “Do Not Disturb” mode on the phone disabled.
• 🔄 Does the energy-saving mode block the work of Mi Fitness (especially important for Xiaomi, Redmi or phones) POCO).
• 📱 Application permissions: on Android 12+ You need to manually allow access to notifications in the system settings.

💡

On the Xiaomi Watch S2 and newer you can configure quick responses to messages directly from the clock - for this, in the Mi Fitness app, add templates in the Notifications section → Quick answers».

Battery and charging: how to extend the life of the battery

Xiaomi Watch life from a single charge ranges from 5 days (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) to 2 weeks (Mi Band 8).However, many users experience a quick discharge due to incorrect settings.

Basic advice:

• 🔋 Turn off the constantly active screen (AOD) — It eats up to 30 percent of the charge per day. → Display. → Always on.
• 🩺 Reduce the frequency of automatic pulse measurement to 1 time every 30 minutes (instead of 5 or 10 minutes).
• 📶 Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connection (relevant to Xiaomi Watch) if you don’t use weather or voice assistant.
• 🌙 Turn on sleep during rest – this turns off unnecessary sensors.

How to charge correctly:

• ⚡ Use only the original cable (especially important for the Mi Band, where the connector is magnetic).
• 🔌 Do not leave your watch on charge for more than 2 hours – this reduces the battery life.
• 🔥 Avoid charging at extreme temperatures (below 0)°C or higher than 40°C).

If the battery is running out too quickly (less than a day), check:

• 📲 Are there background trainings running (sometimes the clock continues recording after the sport is over).
• 🔄 Is it working? GPS in the background (turn off in Settings) → Location).
• 🛠️ Do you need to reset your settings (if the problem has occurred after the update).

Hidden functions and life hacks for experienced users

Even if you’ve been using a Xiaomi watch for a long time, you’re probably unaware of some of the hidden features.

1.Do Not Disturb Mode on Schedule

You can set up automatic shutdown of notifications for sleep or appointments:

1. Open the Settings. → Don't disturb the clock.
2. Turn on “Schedule” and set a time (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).

Presentation management

If you often give reports, the watch can serve as a remote control:

• 🖥️ Install the Mi Remote app on your phone (available for Android).
• Connect the watch to your phone and select Presentation mode.
• Swipes on the screen of the watch can switch slides in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

3. Phone search

If you lost your phone at home, you can find it with a watch:

1. On the clock, swipe down to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Click on the “Search for Phone” icon (the icon of the phone with waves).
3. The phone will ring loudly, even if it is silent.

4.Secret dials

Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S2) There are hidden dials that don't show up in the standard list:

1. Hold the screen on the main dial.
2. Swipe left to the end of the list.
3. Click on the icon «+» and enter the code: 123456 (for the Watch) S2) or 654321 for Mi Band 8).

5.Voice assistant

On a watch with a microphone (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Smart Band Pro) you can use voice commands:

• 🎤 Hold the button on the clock to activate the assistant.
• Say a command in Chinese or English (Russian is limited) Examples: "What's the weather today?" or "Set an alarm for 7." AM"

💡

On Mi Band 8 you can activate the Game mode (Settings) → Regimes → Games that turn off all notifications except the alarm clock for 2 hours, useful for focused work or passing levels.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions