Instructions for Xiaomi smart watches: from the first setup to advanced features

First introduction to Xiaomi smartwatches: what you need to know before you start

Smart watches Xiaomi is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for health, sports and everyday tasks. 8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Smart Band 7 Pro, the principles of working with them are similar in many ways, but there are nuances. Fit/Zepp Life, which turns the device into a personal trainer, a sleep monitor and even a smart home control panel.

Before you first turn on, make sure you have: a compatible smartphone (Android 6.0+/iOS 10+), a Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app (depending on the model), a charged watch (minimum 20% battery).

Without these components, the watch will work like a pedometer, losing 90% of the functions. And remember: Xiaomi regularly updates the firmware, so even budget models like the Mi Band 6 can get new features a year after release.

Connection and first setup: step-by-step instructions

Start by installing an app. Mi Fitness is good for most models (Mi Band 7, Watch S1), and Zepp Life is good for the premium line (Watch 2 Pro, Smart Band 8 Pro). Download it from the App Store or Google Play, sign up (you can use Google, Apple ID or phone number) and follow the Connection Wizard.

Synchronization algorithm:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and allow the application to access geodata (required for the correct operation of GPS).
2. In the app menu, select "Add device" and find your model in the list.
3. Click on the watch screen (or the physical button on the Watch 2 Pro) and confirm pairing when it appears on the screen. QR-code.
4. Wait for a firmware update (if available) - it can take up to 10 minutes.

Is the clock synced with the account | Is the firmware updated | Is the call notification configured | Is the pulse meter connected-->

Once connected, the watch automatically syncs time, weather, and basic settings, but one critical point is that if you use an iPhone, some features (like quick messaging responses) will be limited by Apple’s policies. Android users can access full functionality, including music and camera management.

Basic functions and control: gestures, buttons, voice

Xiaomi’s smartwatch interface is built on a combination of touch screen, physical buttons (Watch models) and gestures. Here are the key controls:

• 👆 Swipe up/down: scroll through notifications or menus (on the home screen).
• 👉 Swipe left/right: switching between widgets (weather, pulse, steps).
• 🔘 Long press: call the settings menu (on Mi Band) or voice assistant (on Watch 2 Pro).
• 🎤 Voice commands: only work on models with microphones (Watch) S1 Active, Watch 2 Pro via Alice or Google Assistant.

On physical-button models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro), it acts as a home-based one-press returns to the home screen, double press opens the list of apps, and long press activates the workout mode or pressure measurement (if supported).

Sleep tracking |Stepwatch |Notifications |Music control |GPS for jogging-->

Voice assistant on Xiaomi Watch supports commands in Russian, but with reservations:

Recognition works only when connected to the Internet (via Bluetooth smartphone).

Teams like “Alice, start running training” or “Show my pulse” are triggered with a delay of 1-2 seconds.

For iPhone voice input is not available due to iOS restrictions.

Fitness and Health: How to Set Up Activity Tracking

The main feature of Xiaomi smartwatches is health monitoring, so to be accurate, you need to properly configure your profile in the application:

1. Specify the exact age, weight and height – this affects the calculation of calories and heart rate zones.
2. Choose the dominant hand (which hand you wear your watch on) – this is important for pedometer accuracy.
3. Activate continuous pulse measurement in the settings (Profile → Heart Monitor → Continuous).

There are up to 150+ modes available for training (depending on the model), for example, the Mi Band 8 supports running, swimming, cycling and even yoga, and the Watch 2 Pro adds rowing, climbing and winter sports to this.

1. On the clock, select "Training" (the icon of a running man).
2. Scroll down the list to the sport you want and tap it.
3. Wait for the connection. GPS (If necessary, a screen will appear on the screen. 📡.
4. Click "Start" and follow the voice prompts (if enabled).

After training, the data is automatically synchronized with the application, where you can see:

- route map (if GPS was enabled),

- Pulse zones (fat burning, cardio, etc.),

— Calories and VO₂ max (endurance indicator).

Please note: for accurate measurement VO₂ max: wear a watch for at least 2 weeks – the algorithm learns from your data.

💡

If the watch does not record steps, check if it fits tightly to the wrist.The distance between the sensor and the skin more than 1 cm leads to errors of up to 30%.

Notifications and Communications: Calls, Messages, NFC

Xiaomi’s smartwatches can display notifications from instant messengers, social networks, and even banking apps to customize them:

1. In the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app, go to Device Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the "Call Notifications" and "Notifications from Applications" switch.
3. Select the applications you want to see on your watch (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, SberBank).
4. Set up the vibration and backlight of the screen when you receive new notifications.

On models with a microphone and speaker (Watch 2 Pro, Watch S1 Active) you can answer calls directly from the clock, if the smartphone is within range of Bluetooth (up to 10 meters).

When you make an incoming call, swipe right on the clock screen.

Hold the watch to your mouth – the built-in microphone is activated automatically.

To complete the conversation, press the red phone.

An important nuance: NFC on Xiaomi watches works only with cards that support Mi Pay or UnionPay. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not compatible. Also note that for payment the watch must be unlocked (Mi Band screens are blocked automatically after 5 seconds of inactivity).

Battery and Optimization: How to Prolong the Life of the Watch

The life of a single charge depends on the model and the intensity of use.

Mi Band 8: Up to 16 days in pedometer mode, up to 6 days with a permanent pulseometer.

Watch 2 Pro: Up to 7 days with active use, up to 12 days in economical mode.

Smart Band 7 Pro: Up to 15 days with GPS, but only 5 days with frequent training.

To extend autonomy:

• ⚡ Turn off the permanent measurement SpO₂ (Only turn on overnight).
• 📴 Reduce the brightness of the screen to 50-60% (Settings → Display).
• 🔔 Turn off vibrations for unnecessary notifications (e.g. from games).
• 🔄 Update the firmware – in new versions optimize energy consumption.

Charging the clock has its own characteristics:

Use only native cable (magnetic connector for Mi Band, wireless charging for Watch 2 Pro).

Do not leave your watch charging for more than 2 hours, as this can damage the battery.

— If the watch is not charging, check the contacts for dirt (wipe with an alcohol wipe) and try another one. USB-port.

⚠️ Warning: If after updating the firmware watch began to discharge quickly, reset to factory settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting. It helps 80 percent of the time.

Advanced chips: automation, smart home and hidden settings

Xiaomi smartwatches can become the center of management of the Mi Home ecosystem.

1. Make sure you have Xiaomi devices with Mi Home support (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners).
2. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Smart Home.
3. Select the devices you want to control from the clock (for example, “Switch on the lamp in the living room”).
4. The watch will feature a smart home widget where you can control scripts with one tap.

Among the hidden functions:

Do Not Disturb: Automatically disables notifications at a given time (Settings → Do Not Disturb).

- "Raise the wrist" gesture: turns on the screen when moving the hand (saves battery, but adds convenience).

- Customization of dials: in Zepp Life you can download dials from AliExpress (see "Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro face") and install them through "Profile → Dials".

For developers and advanced users, there is a developer mode that opens access to:

Logs of sensors (useful for debugging training),

- Manual compass calibration,

Testing the screen for broken pixels.

To activate it, go to Settings → About the device and tap 5 times on the firmware number.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions