Synchronizing smartwatches with Xiaomi Redmi phone: a complete guide from A to Z

Smartwatches have become an integral part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, but their first connection to the Redmi smartphone often raises questions even among power users. Problems arise not only because of the variety of watch models (from the budget Mi Band to the flagship Watch S3), but also because of the features of MIUI firmware that can block the background activity of applications. In this article, we will analyze all the steps of synchronization, from preparing devices to solving typical errors that are not described in the official instructions.

The peculiarity of synchronizing smart watches with Xiaomi Redmi is close integration with the proprietary Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models). However, even with the correct installation of the software, users face intermittent communication, lack of notifications or rapid battery discharge after connection. We have analyzed the causes of these problems and have prepared unique solutions that you will not find in standard manuals – for example, how to circumvent the limitations MIUI on autorun applications or why some watch models require manual input of the MAC- address in Bluetooth settings.

1. Compatibility of Xiaomi Redmi smartwatches and phones: support table

Before you start syncing, make sure your watch model is officially supported by your smartphone. Xiaomi regularly updates the list of compatible devices, but some combinations may work with limitations. Below is the current compatibility table for popular watch models and Redmi smartphones (data for 2026):

If your watch model is not in the table, check it out on Xiaomi’s official support website. Note that Redmi HyperOS-based smartphones (such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) may require additional permissions for synchronization applications, due to new security policies introduced in 2026.

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi watch models with the NFC index (e.g., the Watch S3 NFC) may not sync with phones released for the Chinese market (with the C suffix in the smartphone model name), a limitation due to regional firmware settings.

2. Preparing Xiaomi Redmi phone for synchronization

Before you connect a smartwatch, you need to configure your smartphone to avoid the typical errors like "device fails to find" or "connection interrupted." Follow this checklist:

Turn on Bluetooth and GPS (even if the watch doesn’t use geolocation)

Update MIUI to the latest version (check Settings → About Phone → System Update)

Install an official app (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life) from AppGallery or Google Play

Allow application auto-run in Settings → Applications → Application management → Auto-run

Disable the power saving mode for the synchronization application in Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode

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Pay special attention to permission settings for the synchronization application. MIUI 14+ The way has changed: now you need to go to the settings → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Permits and inclusion:

• 📍 Location (necessary for proper pedometer operation and GPS)
• 📱 Notifications (to allow the clock to show incoming calls and messages)
• 🔄 Background activity (otherwise the connection will break)
• 📎 Access to contacts (to display callers' names)

Xiaomi Watch S3|Mi Band 8|Redmi Watch 3|Amazfit GTR 4|Another model |Not yet bought-->

If you are using Redmi with firmware for the Chinese market, check the region in settings: go to Settings → Additional → Region and select Russia or Global. Otherwise, the Mi Fitness app may not display some of the watch’s features, such as payment via Mi Pay.

3. Step-by-step instructions for synchronizing smart watches

The connection process varies depending on the watch model and the version of MIUI, and we'll look at a universal algorithm that works for most devices, and if your model requires specific actions, they'll be listed separately.

1. Activate the watch. For new devices, charge it up to 50% and press the power button (or touch area of the screen) before the welcome screen appears. For the Mi Band, you just need to put the bracelet on your hand, it will turn on automatically.
2. Launch the sync app. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life and click Add Device (+ icon in the upper right corner). Select your watch model from the list.
3. Confirm the connection on the watch. The watch will have a 6-digit code on the screen, compare it to the code in the app. If the codes match, click "Confirm" on both devices. 💡 If the code doesn't appear, restart the watch with the power button for 10 seconds, and try again.
4. Set up the basic settings. Once you've successfully connected, the app will suggest: 🕒 Sync time (automatically or manually) 🔔 Select notifications to display on the watch 🏃‍♂️ Enter personal data (weight, height, age for calorie counter)

Update the firmware of the watch. Check the device menu in the app for updates. For the Xiaomi Watch S3 and the newer update takes up to 20 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

For Amazfit models (such as GTR 4 or GTS 4) it is additionally required to connect via Zepp:

1. Go to Bluetooth Settings on your phone, find the Amazfit XXX device and manually confirm pairing (sometimes the system requests a PIN- code – the default is 0000 or 1234).
2. In the Zepp app, go to Profile → My Devices → [your watch] → Connection settings and enable Sustainable Connection.

4. Solving synchronization problems

Even with the right connection, users are faced with typical errors, and we have collected non-obvious solutions that are not described in the official documentation.

4.1 The watch is connected but switched off quickly

Reason: MIUI aggressively shuts down background processes.

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving Mode → Selection of applications.
2. Find Mi Fitness/Zepp Life and select "No Limits".
3. Enable "Disable Optimization" for this application.

Savings in battery charge

To increase autonomy:

For the Xiaomi Watch S3 and Amazfit GTR 4, further disable the "Always-on Display" (permanently active screen) if you don't need one. This will save up to 40% of charge per day.

5.3. data synchronization with Mi Account

To keep your workouts and health data in the cloud:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account (if not registered, create an account).
3. Enable "Autosynchronization" and "Backup".

This will allow you to recover data when changing your phone or resetting your clock.

💡

Regularly update the watch firmware and the synchronization application – in new versions, critical bugs that affect the autonomy and stability of communication are fixed.

6.Sync Smartwatches with Multiple Phones

Can you connect a watch to two Xiaomi Redmi smartphones at the same time? Technically not, but there are workarounds. Officially, the watch only communicates with one device, but:

• 📱 For Mi Band and Redmi Watch: You can manually switch between phones via Bluetooth Settings, but notifications will only come to the last connected phone.
• 🔄 For Xiaomi Watch S3 and Amazfit: Some firmware allows you to save training data on both phones if you use the same Mi Account.
• ⚠️ Important: When reconnected to another phone, the watch can reset unsynchronized data (steps, pulse).

If you need to constantly switch between phones (such as work and personal), consider duplicating notifications through third-party apps like Notify for Mi Band (available on Google Play), which allows you to redirect notifications from one phone to another via the cloud.

7. Resetting synchronization and reconnecting the clock

If the clock is glitching, not syncing data, or constantly shutting down, a complete reset of the connection can help.

1. Remove the watch from the app. In Mi Fitness/Zepp Life, go to your device profile and select Delete Device.
2. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings. On your phone: Settings → Bluetooth, find your watch and hit Forget.
3. Reset the clock to factory settings. Most models do this by saying: Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings For Mi Band: hold the touch button for 10 seconds until vibration occurs.
4. Reboot the phone. This will clear the Bluetooth cache.
5. Repeat the synchronization process from scratch, following the instructions in Section 3.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting the Xiaomi Watch S3 and Amazfit GTR 4, you may need to re-assign to the Mi Account. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

8. Alternative synchronization methods

If the standard method of connection does not work, try alternatives.

• 📵 The watch is not defined by the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔄 Synchronization is interrupted due to regional constraints.
• 📱 You have custom firmware on Redmi (like LineageOS).

8.1 Connection through third-party applications

For some models of watches, alternative applications are suitable:

Third-party apps have the advantage of advanced notification settings and the ability to bypass regional locks, such as Notify & Fitness, which allows you to set the vibration for each type of notification separately.

8.2 Manual Bluetooth connection

If the automatic synchronization does not work:

1. Enable Developer Mode on your phone (as described in Section 3).
2. In the Developer Settings, turn on “Bluetoothbusting”.
3. Connect your watch to your phone via the standard Bluetooth menu (Settings → Bluetooth → Device Search).
4. Launch the Mi Fitness app and manually select the connected device.

This method often helps if the watch is defined by the phone but not connected through proprietary software.

8.3.Use of ADB for Forced Synchronization

For advanced users: if the clock is connected but the data is not synchronized, you can force the process to run through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging via USB.
2. Follow the command: adb shell am start -n com.xiaomi.hm.health/com.xiaomi.hm.health.sync.SyncActivity
3. Reset the clock.

This command runs a hidden synchronization module in Mi Fitness.

FAQ: Frequent questions on synchronizing smartwatches with Xiaomi Redmi