Xiaomi smart watches (series Mi Band, Amazfit, Watch) S3 And others require proper synchronization with the phone to reveal everything from activity tracking to music management, and many users experience problems when they first connect -- the device is not detected, the application is bugged, or the data is not updated. In this article, we will analyze all methods of synchronization (by Bluetooth, via Wi-Fi, using the QR-code, as well as typical errors and their solutions.
Synchronization takes no more than 5 minutes, if you know the nuances. For example, for Mi Band 7 Pro and later requires an updated version of Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life), and for older models like Mi Band 4, you may need to reset. We will look at universal methods that work on all Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Watch 3 Active and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.
1. Preparation of the phone and clock for synchronization
Before connecting, check three key conditions:
- 📱 Version. Android/iOS: Mi Fitness requires Android 6.0+ iOS 12.0+. On older smartphones (such as Redmi) 4A) application may not be installed.
- 🔄 Watch firmware update: if the clock is not synced, update them via Settings → About the device → Update of the PO.
- 🔋 Battery charge: the watch must have at least 20% charge, otherwise the process will be interrupted.
Also turn off the power saving mode on the phone — it can block background work Mi Fitness. On Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco, this is done in Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode. For iPhone, check that in Settings → Privacy → Geolocation Services the app is allowed to access the location.
Important: If you have previously used a watch with another phone, reset to factory settings directly on the watch (usually hold the 10 seconds button or select Reset menu).
⚠️ Attention: On iPhone with iOS 17+ Additional Bluetooth resolution may be required in Settings → Mi Fitness → Bluetooth. Without that, the clock will connect, but not sync the data.
2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application
The official sync app is Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life or Mi Wear).
- 🤖 Google Play for Android)
- 🍎 App Store (for iOS)
After installation:
- Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi account (required!) without an account, synchronizing data between devices will not be possible.
- Click Add Device and select your watch model from the list. If you don't have a model, select the closest one in the series (for example, Mi Band 7 is the right one for Mi Band 8).
- Follow the instructions on the screen. The app may ask you to turn on Bluetooth, geolocate, and allow notifications.
If the app doesn’t find the watch, try:
- 🔄 Restart your phone and watch.
- 📶 Turn Bluetooth on/off on your phone.
- 🔍 Make sure the watch is in pairing mode (the watch screen should display a Bluetooth icon or QR-code).
Bluetooth on your phone
Clock charged (>20%)
Mi Fitness app updated
Xiaomi account authorized
Power saving mode is off.-->
Synchronization over Bluetooth (main method)
This is the most reliable method that works on all models.
- Open Mi Fitness and click Add Device.
- Choose your watch model from the list. If you don't have one, choose the next generation (for example, Redmi Watch 2 is the best for Redmi Watch 3).
- On the watch, confirm the pairing (usually you need to press the screen or hold the button).
- Wait until the sync is complete (it can take up to 2 minutes) and a tick or Connected will appear on the watch screen.
If the process is stuck in the “Connection” stage, try:
- 🔌 Disconnect the watch from other devices (such as an old phone or tablet).
- 📱 Remove the watch from the list of Bluetooth devices in the phone settings and reconnect.
- 🔄 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.
For models with NFC (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3): If the clock is not synced, turn off the NFC on the phone – sometimes it conflicts with Bluetooth.
⚠️ Note: On Samsung with a One shell UI You may need to disable the dual Bluetooth function in the developer settings, otherwise the clock will be permanently turned off.
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If the watch is connected but the data is not updated, open the Mi Fitness Profile → My Devices section, select the watch and click Sync Data manually.
4. Synchronization through QR-code (for new models)
Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Amazfit) GTR 4) support connection through scanning QR-It's convenient if Bluetooth is unstable:
- In the Mi Fitness app, select Add Device → Connect via QR.
- On the clock, find the Settings section → Connection → QR-code (the path may be different).
- Put the phone camera on QR-clock-screen.
- Confirm the pairing on both devices.
If QR-code not scanned:
- 🔦 Increase the brightness of the watch screen to maximum.
- 📸 Make sure the phone’s camera is not covered with a protective glass or case.
- 🔄 Reset the clock (hold the 10-15 second button).
This method is particularly useful for iPhones, where a Bluetooth connection can be cut due to iOS restrictions. QR-The watch will be connected via Xiaomi’s cloud, not directly via Bluetooth.
5. Solving synchronization problems
If the watch is connected but the data is not updated or notifications are not coming, check:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The clock is connected but not synchronized. | Mi Fitness background work blocked | Allow auto-start and work in the background in phone settings |
| Notifications don't come in. | There is no permission to notify | Check the settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness |
| The clock is off after 5-10 minutes. | Power saving mode on the phone | Add Mi Fitness to battery exclusions |
| No updates to weather or steps | No Internet connection. | Enable mobile data or Wi-Fi on your phone |
For the Mi Band 6/7/8 and Redmi Watch 2/3 models, a common problem is resetting the connection after updating the firmware.
- Remove the watch from the Mi Fitness app.
- Reset the clock to factory settings (Settings → Reset).
- Reconnect as if it were a new device.
What if the clock is not fixed at all?
6. Set up notifications and additional functions
After successful synchronization, set up:
- 📳 Notifications: in Mi Fitness go to Profile → My devices. → Notifications and select the applications you want to see on the clock.
- 🎵 Music Management: For Xiaomi Watch S3 and Amazfit GTR 4 Available to control the phone player directly from the clock (included in Settings) → Music).
- 🏃 Activity Tracking: Set your goals for steps, calories, and sleep in the Health section.
- 🔒 Screen lock: Some models (such as Mi Band 8) can unlock your phone using a watch.
There are fewer features available for iPhones due to iOS limitations, such as answering calls from the clock only works on Android, and iOS may not work:
- 📞 Calling in hours.
- 📁 Synchronization of contacts.
- 🔄 Automatic weather update.
If the feature is missing, check the region of your Xiaomi account. Some options (such as Xiaomi Pay) are only available for accounts in China or Europe.
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On Android, Xiaomi watches work with maximum functionality, including answering calls and controlling the camera. On the iPhone, only basic functions are available: pedometer, notifications and alarm clock.
7. Alternative synchronization methods
If Mi Fitness is not suitable (for example, due to regional restrictions), try:
- 🌐 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (for Android) – supports older models like Mi Band 3 and allows you to configure notifications more flexible than the official app.
- 🍎 Mi Fit (Old, but Works with Mi Band 4 and Before).
- 🔗 Amazfit (for the watch series) GTS/GTR, If not, they are not defined in Mi Fitness).
To connect via the application side:
- Remove the watch from Mi Fitness.
- Reset the clock to factory settings.
- Connect through the new app by following its instructions.
Warning: Application Party may not support all functions (e.g. measurement) SpO₂ They also often require manual data entry to synchronize.