How to connect Xiaomi smart watch with your phone: full instruction + problem solving

Introduction: Why you need to synchronize Xiaomi watches with your phone

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just a time-tracking accessory, but a full-fledged gadget that can turn your smartphone into a center for managing health, sports and everyday tasks. However, without pairing it properly with your phone, most of the functions will remain unavailable.

The connection process may seem simple, but many users are faced with typical errors: the clock is not determined by the phone, the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) does not see the device, or synchronization is interrupted halfway. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic instructions for the Mi Band 7/8 models, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and others, but also the nuances of settings for Android and iOS, as well as solving common problems.

We'll focus on security issues: why it's important to download official software, how to avoid connecting to fake servers, and what to do if your watch has disconnected from your phone for no apparent reason, and if you've just unpacked a new device or are trying to reconnect your old watch, this guide will help you get it right the first time.

What Xiaomi watch supports pairing with a smartphone

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches work on the same connection scheme, for example, fitness bracelets of the Mi Band series use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), while full-fledged smartwatches like the Xiaomi Watch S3 may require additional permissions to synchronize data.

• 📌 Mi Band 8/8 Pro - the latest version of the fitness bracelet with AMOLED-Display and extended sleep functions.
• 📌 Mi Band 7/7 Pro – popular models with an improved heart rate sensor and SpO₂.
• 📌 Xiaomi Smart Band 8 – a budget alternative with a basic set of features.
• 📌 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – smart watch with Wear OS Support for Google Assistant.
• 📌 Xiaomi Watch S3 — Premium model with a screen of 1.43" and autonomy up to 15 days.
• 📌 Redmi Watch 4 – budget version with a GPS 140+ training regimes.

Important: Some older models (such as the Mi Band 3 or Amazfit Bip) may require older versions of the Mi Fit app that are no longer updated, in which case we recommend using alternative firmware or third-party apps like Notify & Fitness (for Android).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Watches based on Wear OS (Watch 2 Pro is connected via Google Wear OS, It's not Mi Fitness. It's a fundamental difference from fitness bracelets!

Preparation of the phone before pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements. Android requires a version at least 6.0 Marshmallow, iOS 12.0 and later.

• 🔋 Charge of the battery of the phone (minimum 30%) and hours (minimum 50%).
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – They can block Xiaomi servers.
• 📱 Enable Bluetooth and geolocation (required for some models).

For Android, additionally:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Access to Notifications.
2. Find the Mi Fitness app and allow notifications to be accessed.
3. In Settings → Bluetooth, remove all previously saved Xiaomi devices (if any).

For the iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Geolocation Services.
2. Select Mi Fitness and set the "Always" resolution.
3. In Settings → Bluetooth, turn on the detection mode.

Remove old Xiaomi devices in Bluetooth

Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version

Enable geolocation and Bluetooth

Charge your watch and phone

Disable VPN and Antivirus (temporarily)

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If you use the Chinese version of the watch (for example, with firmware for the CN market), you may need to change the region in the Mi Fitness app to "Mainland China", but this can cause problems with notifications in Russian.

Step-by-step: how to connect a Xiaomi watch with a phone

Consider the universal algorithm for most models. If you have a Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro on Wear OS, skip this section and go to the special instructions below.

Step 1: Installation of the Mi Fitness app

Download the official appendix from:

• 🤖 Google Play (Android)
• 🍎 App Store (iOS)

Avoid third-party sources – they can distribute modified versions with viruses.

Step 2: Signing up or signing in to your Xiaomi account

When you first start, Mi Fitness will offer to create an account or sign in through:

• 📧 E-mail
• 📱 Phone number (c) SMS-code)
• 🔄 Account. Google/Facebook (not for all regions)

If you’ve used a Xiaomi watch before, sign in to the same account to keep your health and activity data history.

Step 3: Adding a new device

In the main menu of the annex:

1. Click on the profile icon (top right corner).
2. Select "Add device".
3. Find your model in the list (for example, Mi Smart Band 8).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Step 4: Synchronization and adjustment

After successful connection:

• 🔄 Update the firmware of the watch (if available).
• ⚙️ Set up notifications in "Device Profile" → Notifications".
• 🏃 Select the data displayed on the screen (steps, calories, weather, etc.).

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If the clock is not determined, reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module: turn it off and turn it on again in the settings.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (Wear OS)

For the Wear OS watch:

1. Install the Wear OS by Google app.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and watch.
3. In the app, click “Configure device” and select Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.
4. Confirm the pairing code on both devices.

Once connected, install additional apps (like Google Assistant or Spotify) via the Play Market on your watch.

Common mistakes and their solution

Even with the correct following of the instructions, failures can occur, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Remove the watch from the list of devices in Mi Fitness.
2. Reset the clock to factory settings (usually by pressing the button for 10 seconds).
3. Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your watch, all data (steps, sleep, workouts) will be deleted from your device. However, if you are logged in to your Xiaomi account, the story will be saved in the cloud.

Configure notifications and additional functions

After successful pairing, we recommend setting up:

• 📱 Notifications: In Mi Fitness → Device profile → Notifications select the applications you want to see on your watch (WhatsApp, Telegram, calls, etc.).
• 🏃 Fitness tracker: Activate sleep, heart rate and blood oxygen tracking (SpO₂) under “Health monitoring".
• 🔊 Quick Actions: Set up gestures (e.g. raising your hand to turn on the screen) in Display Settings".
• 🔒 Screen lock: Install PIN-Code for the watch in "Security" so that no one can read your notifications.

For Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro on Wear OS, additional options are available:

• 🎵 Installation of music applications (Spotify, YouTube Music).
• 🗣️ Google Assistant Voice Assistant.
• 📸 Controlling the phone camera directly from the clock.

If you have a Mi Band 8 Pro with NFC, be sure to link your bank card for contactless payments:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Wallet.
2. Choose a partner bank (for example, Sberbank or Tinkoff).
3. Follow the instructions for linking the card.

⚠️ Attention: Function NFC-Payments are only available for official firmware and in supported countries, and Chinese versions of watches may require a change in the region of the account, which can lead to loss of warranty.

Sleep tracking

Notifications of calls and messages

Monitoring of heart rate

Managing music

Contactless payments (NFC)

Other function

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How to disconnect Xiaomi watch from your phone

If you need to temporarily or permanently untie the watch (for example, to sell or connect to another phone), do it correctly:

Method 1: Through the Mi Fitness app

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to the device profile.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select "Delete Device".
4. Confirm the action.

Method 2: Through Bluetooth settings

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
2. Find your watch in the list and click on the gear next to it.
3. Select "Forget the device."

On iOS:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the icon "i" next to the clock.
3. Select "Forget this device."

After the shutdown, the watch will automatically go into the waiting mode for a new connection. If you plan to sell or transfer them to another person, reset to the factory settings:

1. On the clock, go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
2. Confirm the action (usually hold the button for 5-10 seconds).

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Always reset your settings before transferring your watch to another user, which will delete your personal data and activity history.

FAQ: Frequent questions about pairing Xiaomi watches