How to connect a smartwatch with a Xiaomi phone: full instruction with error solutions

Xiaomi’s smartwatches (Mi Band, Amazfit, Watch) have become an integral part of the brand’s ecosystem, but their first smartphone connection is often questionable. Why you can’t see your device in the Bluetooth list, how to log in to Mi Fit or Zepp, and what to do if your watch is turned off via a Bluetooth phone 5 This article will not just repeat the standard steps from the official documentation, but will break down the hidden settings that are relevant to firmware. MIUI 14/15, and reveal techniques that save time (for example, how to get around two-factor authorization without the need for a new one). SMS).

It is important to understand that the synchronization process depends on the model of the watch (for example, Xiaomi Watch). S3 It requires Zepp Life, Mi Band 8 for Mi Fitness, Android on the phone, and even regional restrictions (China uses Mi Fit China, Europe uses global versions).+, POCO F5 And Xiaomi 13 Ultra with the latest updates to ensure that the tips are up to date. If you've already tried to connect and you've got a "Device Unable to Find" or "Sync Interrupted" error, there's a section in the article that diagnoses the 10 most common problems and their solutions.

1.What app you need to connect Xiaomi smart watches

The choice of software depends on the product line and year of release, and here is the current compatibility table (updated May 2026):

A critical nuance: if your watch is released after 2022, it most likely requires a Zepp Life or Mi Fitness (rather than the outdated Mi Fit). Mi Band 8 Pro is officially supported only in Mi Fitness v5.12+.

For models on Wear OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3) Wear will require additional Wear OS It needs to be installed before the first sync, otherwise the watch will not be able to load branded dials and widgets.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect the watch to the phone Xiaomi

Consider the universal algorithm on the example of Mi Band 8 and Xiaomi phone 13T s MIUI 14.For other models, the steps may differ slightly - we will point out the key differences in spoilers.

Charge the clock to 50% or more|Install the current version of the application (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life)|Turn on Bluetooth and GPS phone-on|Make sure you have a Mi Account installed on your phone (for Mi Band)

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Step 1: Activation of the clock

Press and hold the touch button on the watch for 5 seconds until the vibration and logo of Xiaomi appear. for Amazfit may need to press the button 4 times in a row (depending on the model). After activation, the watch will go into search mode - the screen will appear QR-code or flashing Bluetooth icon.

Step 2: Launching the application

Open Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) and click Profile» → «Add the device. The system will prompt you to scan. QR-code with the clock or select the model manually if QR-code is not readable:

• 🔍 Check the lighting – the screen should be clearly visible to the camera.
• 📱 Try entering a 6-digit code that appears under QR-code.
• 🔄 Reset the clock (for Mi Band: press the 10 seconds button).

Step 3: Synchronize over Bluetooth

After the scan. QR-The application will request access to:

• 📍 Geolocation (required for the correct operation of the pedometer).
• 📁 Storage (for loading dials).
• 📞 Contact and SMS (notice-in).

If you refuse access to contacts, notifications about calls and messages will not work – this is a restriction of the firmware of the watch.

Step 4: Update the firmware

Once connected, the app will prompt you to update the firmware of the watch. Do not interrupt the process - for the Mi Band 8, the update takes up to 15 minutes. If the watch battery runs out during the update, they can blink (you will need a reset via fastboot).

3. Why the clock does not connect to the phone: top-10 errors and solutions

If sync is interrupted or the clock is not displayed in the list of devices, check these points:

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI Android 15 and Android 14 have a new bug LE Audio is not supported.... It's related to updating the Bluetooth stack - solution: roll back on MIUI 14 or install the Mi Fitness 5.13 beta+.

Specific cases:

• 🔋 If the watch is zero, it may not turn on after charging. Solution: hold on to charge for 10 minutes, then press the button for 15 seconds.
• 🌐 For the Xiaomi Watch S3 Wear OS A separate link is required through Wear OS App without it, Google Assistant and payments will not work.
• 📵 If the phone does not see the clock after the update MIUI, Reset Bluetooth settings: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Reset the settings.

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If the Mi Band 8 watch doesn’t connect to the Xiaomi 14, try temporarily turning off Wi-Fi. 6E In the phone settings, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi conflict 6E — known problem MIUI 15.

4. Set up notifications and calls on smartwatches

By default, the clock only shows basic notifications (calls, SMS). To set up the display of messages from Telegram, WhatsApp or other apps:

For Mi Fitness:

1. Open the application and go to Profile → Your device. → Notifications.
2. Turn on the "Message Notifications" switch.
3. Click on “App Management” and select messengers.
4. Activate the “Show Content” option if you want to see text messages.

For Zepp Life:

• 📱 Go to Profile. → The device → Notification settings.
• 🔄 Enable Contact Synchronization to display caller names.
• 📵 For Amazfit. GTR 4 Quick Answers option available – set up templates in the Messages section».

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Watch S3 wear OS notifications are configured through the Wear app OS by Google, not Zepp Life. If notifications don't come, check permissions in your phone settings → Annexes → Wear OS → Notifications.

Notification problems?

• 🔕 Is not the "Do Not Disturb" mode on the clock (swipe down) turned on → bell-shaped).
• 📵 Are not notifications for Mi Fitness disabled in phone settings: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications.
• 🔄 Restart your watch and phone if notifications stop coming after the update.

5. How to synchronize health data with Mi Health

Xiaomi watches collect data on pulse, oxygen in the blood (SpO₂), Stress and sleep, but by default, they're only stored in the watch app to export them to Mi Health (or Google Fit):

Method 1: Through Mi Fitness

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Account.
2. Click on Data Sync and select Mi Health.
3. Sign in and confirm access.

The data will be updated automatically every 2 hours (when you are actively connected to the clock).

Method 2: Through Zepp Life

In Zepp Life, sync with Mi Health is not available directly, but you can export data to Google Fit:

1. Go to Profile → Settings → Data Synchronization.
2. Select Google Fit and log in.
3. Enable the options “Steps”, “Pulse” and “Sleep”.

Important: For proper sleep synchronization, the clock must be connected to the phone for at least 4 hours straight before going to bed, otherwise the data may not be saved.

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If you are using Xiaomi Watch S3 Wear OS, Health data is automatically synced to Google Fit without any additional settings.

6.How to Reset Xiaomi Smartwatch to Factory Settings

You need to reset if the watch is stuck, not synced, or you're selling a device.

Method 1: Through the application

1. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
2. Go to Profile. → Your device. → Settings → Reset.
3. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password from Mi Account).

Method 2: Through the menu of the clock

For the Mi Band. 7/8 Redmi Watch:

1. Scroll down on the main screen of the watch to the Settings item (icon) ⚙️).
2. Select "Reset» → «Reset all data».
3. Confirm at the push of a button.

For the Xiaomi Watch S3:

1. Press the button 5 times to enter the recovery menu.
2. Select “Wipe Data” using the touch screen.

Method 3: Hardware reset

If the clock does not respond to touch:

• 🔌 Connect the watch to charging.
• 🔘 Press the touch button for 20 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
• 📱 Untie the device in the application (profile) → Remove the device).

⚠️ Note: After the reset of Xiaomi Watch S3 Wear OS You will need to re-link through Wear OS App. Without this, the watch will not be able to connect to Wi-Fi and download updates.

7. Battery Optimization: How to Extend Hours of Life

Even Xiaomi’s new watches can be discharged for a long time. 1-2 And this is the day when you're using it. 5 Proven ways to increase autonomy:

• 🔋 Turn off the permanent pulse: in Mi Fitness go to the Device Profile → Heart monitoring → Mode: Manual.
• 🌙 Reduce screen brightness: in the clock settings, select Brightness: 2-3 division».
• 📵 Limit notifications: leave only calls and SMS, Shut down social media.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: new versions optimized battery consumption (for example, in Mi Band 8 after upgrading to 1.16.0.14 autonomy increased by 30%).
• ⚡ Use the original cable: unoriginal charging can damage the battery.

For the Xiaomi Watch S3: supplemental:

• 🕒 Turn off the “Always-on Display” (constantly active screen).
• 📡 Deactivate Wi-Fi if you don’t use a voice assistant.
• 🎵 Reduce the time to auto-disable music to 10 minutes».

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If the Mi Band 8 watch is discharged per day, check the active background processes in Mi Fitness. Often the fault is a bug with constant weather synchronization - turn off the weather widget in the dial settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi smartwatches