Synchronization of Xiaomi Redmi smart watch with Android via Bluetooth: full instructions from A to Z

Xiaomi Redmi Watch has become one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties in first syncing with an Android smartphone via Bluetooth. Unlike the iPhone, where the process is often automated, Android requires several key steps to get the gadgets to interact correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at not only the basic connection procedure, but also the nuances that the manufacturer is silent on, from choosing the right version of the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) to solving problems with persistent connection breaks. Here you will find working solutions for the Redmi Watch 2 Lite, Redmi Watch 3 Active and the flagship Redmi Watch 4, because their firmware has important differences. If you have tried to sync your watch but have encountered a “Device not found” or “Unconnected” error.

1. Preparation of the smartphone and the clock for synchronization

Before you start connecting, make sure both devices are ready to communicate, a step that is often missed, but it is responsible for 70% of successful synchronizations.

On a smartphone, you need:

• 📱 Update the operating system to the latest version (minimum required Android 6.0, but for full functionality better Android 8.0)+).
• 🔄 Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation (yes, it is even necessary to connect the clock!).
• 🚫 Remove old versions of Mi Fit, Zepp or Mi Fitness apps if they were installed earlier – they may conflict.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet (required to download the firmware of the watch).

On the Xiaomi Redmi smartwatch:

• 🔋 Charge the device to at least 50% – at low charge, the clock can interrupt the synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If you previously connected this watch to another phone, reset to factory settings right on the watch: Settings → System system → Reset. Otherwise, the new connection may end with the error "The device is already tethered».

Installation and configuration of the official annex

To sync Xiaomi Redmi Watch with Android requires the official application Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life).It is important to use it, not third-party utilities – they do not support full functionality (for example, updating firmware or adjusting notifications).

Download the app from Google Play directly. Notice the version:

• 📱 For Redmi Watch 2 Lite and older, Mi Fitness 5.0 is suitable+.
• 📱 Redmi Watch 1 (if you still use it) will require Mi Fit version 4.6.0.

After installation:

1. Open the app and sign up via your Xiaomi account (or Google/Facebook). Without an account, synchronization (steps, sleep, pulse) will not work!
2. Click Add Device → Select “Wandheld Devices” → “Redmi Watch”.
3. Allow all application requests: access to contacts, notifications, geolocation and phone.

⚠️ Note: If the application requests access SMS — This is normal. The watch uses this feature to display incoming messages on the screen, and failure will result in no notifications.

3. Step-by-step instruction for connecting via Bluetooth

Now, let's move directly to synchronization, and follow the instructions strictly by the steps, and skipping any of them can cause a failure.

Step 1. On a Redmi smartwatch, go to the menu and select “Plug phone” (or “Add device”). QR-code PIN.

Step 2. In the Mi Fitness app on your phone, click "Scanner" QR» (if the clock is QR) enter PIN-The code is manual. QR-scanner is down:

• 📱 Check the permission to use the camera for the application.
• 🔦 Increase the brightness of the watch screen – sometimes the code is poorly read.

Step 3. After scanning, the phone will need to confirm pairing via Bluetooth. Click "Connect" in the Android system window.

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Connected devices → Bluetooth → Reset).
• 📱 Check if the connection is blocking the power saving mode or VPN.

Step 4. Wait until the synchronization is complete. It can take up to 5-10 minutes if the watch updates the firmware. Don't interrupt the connection!

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If the Redmi Watch 3 Active isn’t connected, try updating the firmware first through the Mi Fitness app on another phone, and then re-sync on your device.

4. Set up notifications and basic functions

Once successfully connected, you need to configure notifications, fitness tracker and other features, without which the watch will only work as a “dial”.

Notifications:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to “Device Profile” → “Notifications”.
2. Turn on the "Allow notifications" switch.
3. Select the applications you want to see on your watch (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte).
4. Set up the vibration and backlight of the screen when you receive new notifications.

Fitness functions:

• 🏃‍♂️ Enable automatic activity recognition (Settings) → Monitoring of activity).
• ❤️ Set up your pulse measurement (recommended interval: every 10 minutes).
• 💤 Activate sleep monitoring (includes deep and superficial sleep phase analysis).

Additional opportunities:

• 🎵 Music Management: Allow Media Access in Android Settings.
• 📸 Remote camera shutter: Enable in the Settings of the clock → Functions → Camera.
• 🔒 Unlocking the phone: requires settings in Android Settings → Security → Smart Lock.

5. Solving common connection problems

Even with the right setup, Xiaomi Redmi Watch users face common errors. Let’s look at the most common and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The clock is switched on but immediately switched off.

It's connected to the power saving mode on Android.

1. Go to Android Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode.
2. Find Mi Fitness in the list and turn off optimization for it.
3. Also add the app to auto-start exceptions.

Problem 2: Notices are not coming.

Check it out.

• 📵 Notification permissions in Android Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications.
• 🔕 Do not disturb the clock (Settings) → Don't disturb).
• 📶 Bluetooth connection stability (reconnect the clock).

Problem 3: The watch does not update the firmware.

Causes and solutions:

• 🌐 Weak Internet: Connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi or use mobile data.
• 🔋 Low charge: Charge the watch to 80%.
• 📱 Mi Fitness: Update the app on Google Play.

💡

If the Redmi Watch 2 Lite doesn't update, try resetting it to factory settings and repeating the sync, which solves 90% of the firmware problems.

6. Optimizing the operation of hours to extend autonomy

Xiaomi Redmi smartwatches are known for their energy efficiency, but when used actively, the battery can run out in 1-2 days.

Screen settings:

• 🌓 Reduce brightness to 30-40% (enough for rooms).
• ⏱ Set screen timeout for 5-10 seconds.
• 🚫 Turn off the Always-on Display if you don’t need it.

Fitness functions:

• ❤️ Measure your pulse every 30 minutes instead of 10.
• 💤 Turn off sleep monitoring if you are not using it.
• 🏃‍♂️ Deactivate automatic activity recognition (if you rarely exercise).

Synchronization of data:

• 🔄 Turn on manual synchronization instead of automatic synchronization.
• 📶 Turn off background data updates in Mi Fitness settings.

7. Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth does not work)

If Bluetooth syncs are constantly failing, try alternative methods. They're less convenient, but sometimes they save you in critical situations.

Method 1: Connect via Wi-Fi (for firmware).

Some Redmi Watch models (such as the Watch 4) support firmware updates over Wi-Fi:

1. Connect your watch and phone to a single Wi-Fi network.
2. In Mi Fitness, go to “Device Profile” → “Firmware Update”.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (the watch must be 100% charged).

Method 2: Use of third-party applications.

If the official app refuses to work, try:

• 📱 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (supports basic notification features).
• 📱 Tools & Mi Band (for customization of dials).

Limitations: These apps don’t update the firmware or sync health data!

Method 3: Reset and reconnect.

Extreme measure if nothing helps:

1. On the clock: Settings → System → Data reset.
2. On the phone: Remove the watch from the Bluetooth device list and reinstall the Mi Fitness.
3. Repeat the connection procedure from scratch.

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If the Redmi Watch 3 Active doesn’t connect to an Android 13+ phone, try rolling back the Mi Fitness version to 5.2.0 – the newer versions have compatibility bugs.

8. Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)