How to pair Xiaomi watches with Samsung phone: a complete guide to problem solving

Connecting Xiaomi smartwatches to Samsung phones seems like a simple task, but in practice, users face sync errors, Bluetooth problems or broken notifications. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of connection from installing the Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) application to setting up individual settings, and also consider typical errors and how to fix them.

The difference between different brands is that Bluetooth LE protocols conflict with manufacturers’ limitations. For example, Samsung can block background activity of third-party apps, and Xiaomi can require the latest firmware for stable operation. We tested the instructions on the Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Galaxy S22/S23, Galaxy A54 phones — all the steps are relevant for Android 12-14.

If you’ve tried to connect the watch before, but you encounter an error like “Device failed” or “Sync interrupted,” skip the basic steps and go straight to the problem solving section. For beginners, follow the instructions sequentially, which will take no more than 10 minutes.

Device requirements before connection

Before you start syncing, check if your technique meets the minimum requirements, which will save you 80% of the potential errors.

• 📱 Samsung phone: Android version is not lower 8.0 (for the Mi Band 6/7 — 9.0+). On models with one UI 5.0+ (for example, Galaxy S21) You may need manual resolution for Mi Fitness in battery settings.
• ⌚ Xiaomi Watch: firmware should be up to date. for Mi Band 8 minimum version is 1.15.0.14, for Xiaomi Watch S1 — 2.20.3.1. You can check the version in the device menu: Settings → About the device.
• 🔄 Bluetooth: The phone must be enabled version 5.0 or later.Outdated modules (e.g. Bluetooth 4.2 in the Galaxy) J5 2017 not supported BLE-Connecting with the latest Xiaomi models.
• 📶 Internet: first synchronization requires a connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network (the application downloads firmware data).

Important: If your Samsung phone is released before 2019 (like the Galaxy S8 or Note 9), update Google Play Services to the latest version via Google Play before connecting.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness (Zepp Life) application

Xiaomi’s official watch management app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), and since 2023, some models (such as the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) have moved to the Zepp Life platform, but the functionality has remained similar.

Download the app from Google Play at:

• 🔗 Mi Fitness for Mi Band
• 🔗 Zepp Life for Xiaomi Watch

After installation:

1. Open the app and select the region of Russia (or your country).
2. Sign up via phone number, email or Xiaomi/Google account.
3. In the Profile → Settings menu, set the units of measurement (metric) and enable Autosynchronization.

Important for Samsung: After installation, go to Phone Settings → Apps → Mi Fitness → Permissions and turn on:

• 📍 Location (to search for Bluetooth devices)
• 📱 Phone (for call notifications)
• 🔋 Optimizing the battery → Choose Without Limitations

Bluetooth pairing: a step-by-step process

Now, to the connection itself, make sure that Xiaomi watches are at least 50 percent charged, and that can be interrupted when the charge is low.

Instructions for Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch:

1. Activate Bluetooth on your Samsung phone (swipe down → Bluetooth icon).
2. Launch Mi Fitness and click Add Device (+ icon in the upper right corner).
3. Select your model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 7).
4. On the clock, press and hold the touch button (or screen) until it appears. QR-pairing.
5. On the phone, confirm pairing in the Samsung system window (a request for permission to share data may appear).

If the clock is not specified:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone: Turn off and turn on the module again.
• 📱 In Samsung Settings, go to Connections → Bluetooth → Settings (⚙️) → Additional and enable Display Notifications.
• ⚡ Reset network settings on the clock: Settings → System system → Resetting the network.

Set up synchronization and notifications

Once the connection is successful, you need to set up automatic data synchronization and notifications, without which the watch will not display calls, SMS or messages from messengers.

In the Mi Fitness app:

1. Go to the Profile section → Your device. → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Call Notification and Notifications from the apps switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your watch (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. In the Sync section, set the interval every 30 minutes (or Continuously for Xiaomi Watch).

For Samsung phones: Due to the One UI features, additional customization may be required:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Additional settings.
2. Find Mi Fitness in the list and turn on Show notifications.
3. In the Special Access section, allow the App to Display over other windows.

💡

If notifications are duplicated (both on your phone and on your watch), turn them off in the messenger settings. For example, in Telegram: Settings → Notifications → Disable “Show notifications on the lock screen”.

Addressing common mistakes

Even with the right connection, there can be failures. We have compiled the TOP-5 bugs and fixes that are relevant for Samsung + Xiaomi in 2026.

1. “I was unable to connect to Xiaomi servers”

The reason: conflict with Google Play Services or traffic blocking.

Decision:

• 🔄 Update Google Play Services to Google Play.
• 🌐 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or turn on mobile internet.
• 📱 In Samsung settings, turn off Private DNS (Settings → Connections → Other networks → Private. DNS).

2.The clock is switched on but immediately switched off

The reason: One UI’s energy saving kills background processes.

Decision:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Maintenance of the device → Battery → Background Limits and Disable Restrictions for Mi Fitness.
• ⚡ Enable AutoRun for the application in the battery settings.

3. Heart rate monitoring is not working

The reason: outdated firmware watch or conflict with other sensors.

Decision:

• 📲 Update the firmware of the watch through Mi Fitness (Profile) → Your device. → Update of the PO).
• 🩺 Reset sensor settings: Clock settings → Sensors. → Reset.

💡

If neither of these methods worked, try connecting the watch to another phone (at least temporarily) to help determine if the problem is in the watch or Samsung settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use Samsung Knox (for example, in corporate phones), it can block the connection with Xiaomi. in this case, contact the device administrator or disable Knox in the security settings.

Additional settings for experienced users

If the basic features work but you want to unlock the full potential of the watch, pay attention to these options:

• 🔄 Automatic change of dial: in Mi Fitness go to Dials → Driver and select a time or event (e.g., a change when switching to running).
• 🏃 Training without a phone: for Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro available mode Offline GPS. Activated in Settings → Training. → GPS phoneless.
• 🔊 Music Management: To switch tracks from the watch, in the Mi Fitness settings, turn on Media Management and allow access to the Warehouse.
• 🛡️ Screen locking: in Clock settings → Lock screen set up PIN-data-protection.

For owners of the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Xiaomi Watch at the same time: both devices can be connected to the same phone, but notifications will be duplicated. To avoid this, in the Samsung Wearable notification settings, turn off alerts for applications that are already configured in Mi Fitness.

Frequently asked questions

If your problem is not resolved, check the error section or contact Xiaomi with the application logs (Profile → Review). Specify the watch model, the One UI version and the error description - this will speed up the solution.