How to connect iPhone with Xiaomi watches: all ways and life hacks

Why iPhone Owners Choose Xiaomi Watch and What Challenges They Face

Xiaomi smartwatches have long ceased to be exclusive to Android: models like Mi Band 8 Pro, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Redmi Watch 4 officially support synchronization with the iPhone. But here lies the catch — Apple limits the functionality of third-party gadgets, and Xiaomi does not always adapt firmware for iOS perfectly, as a result, users face problems from the lack of notifications to sudden communication breaks.

This article will not just retell the instructions from the official manual. We will analyze all the current ways of connecting (including workarounds for older models), explain why Zepp Life works more stable than Mi Fitness, and show how to return lost features from sleep monitoring to music management. And you will learn which Xiaomi Watch models are categorically not friendly with the iPhone 15/16 due to Apple’s restrictions on the background of applications.

The official ways to connect: Mi Fitness vs Zepp Life

Xiaomi offers two official watch sync apps with iPhones: Mi Fitness (for simple fitness bracelets) and Zepp Life (for advanced smartwatches).The choice depends on the model of your gadget - and here many are mistaken.

For example, the Xiaomi Watch S3 or Watch 2 Pro require Zepp Life, while the Mi Band 8 will work in both applications – but with different set of features. In Zepp Life you will get advanced sleep and training analytics, and in Mi Fitness – a simplified interface, but more stable connection on older iPhones (before iOS 15).

• 📱 Mi Fitness – for fitness bracelets (Mi Band, Redmi Watch Lite series) Supports basic functions: steps, pulse, notifications.
• ⚡ Zepp Life is for smartwatches (Xiaomi Watch, Amazfit) and adds stress analytics, training plans, widgets.
• ⚠️ Restriction: On iPhone with iOS 17+ Background synchronization works only in Zepp Life – Mi Fitness can fall asleep".

Important: If your watch supports both apps, try Zepp Life first. Yes, it's heavier (takes ~300MB vs. 150MB in Mi Fitness), but gives you more control over settings. For example, only here you can calibrate a compass for accurate running tracking or adjust control gestures.

How to connect your iPhone to Xiaomi Watch with Zepp Life

This method is suitable for most modern models: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3, Redmi Watch 4 and others running on the Zepp OS platform. Follow the instructions carefully - skipping even one step can lead to an error "I failed to connect."

1. Install Zepp Life from the App Store. Open the app and sign up (you can use Apple ID, Google or phone number).
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone: go to Settings → Bluetooth and activate the function. The watch should be close by (no more than 1 meter).
3. Add the device: in Zepp Life, click + → Add the device and select your model from the list. If it is not available, update the application!
4. Confirm the connection: the clock will appear code (for example, 1234), which you need to enter in the application on the iPhone.
5. Update your firmware (if the system offers it) is critical for stable performance — especially on iOS 17/18.

Once successfully connected, the watch syncs time, steps and health data. But here's the caveat: On iPhone, notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) may not come automatically. To fix this, go to iPhone Settings → Notifications → Zepp Life and turn on the "Show in Notification Center" option.

Download the latest version of Zepp Life|Charge the clock to at least 50%|Shut down. VPN iPhone|Make sure your watch is not connected to another phone-->

⚠️ Warning: If the clock is permanently off after you connect, check your iPhone's power saving settings. → Battery. → Battery status and disable the option “Optimized Charging” – it can block background work Zepp Life.

Alternative methods: what to do if official applications do not work

Not all Xiaomi Watch models officially support iOS. For example, Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve or Amazfit GTR 3 Pro may not appear in the list of compatible devices in Zepp Life. In such cases, a workaround through the Notify & Fitness app (for notifications) or Tools & Mi Band (for basic functionality) will help.

Let's look at two scenarios:

To connect via Notify & Fitness:

1. Download the app from the App Store.
2. Enable notification access for it: Settings → Notifications → Notify & Fitness → Allow notices.
3. In the app itself, select a watch model and follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Notify & Fitness don’t have official Xiaomi support; they may stop working after an iOS update or watch firmware. Always check reviews in the App Store before installing!

Set up notifications and synchronize data with health

One of the main reasons to buy a smartwatch is to get notifications right on your wrist, but on iPhones, this process is complicated by Apple's policy: by default, Zepp Life can't transmit notifications from all apps.

1. Open your iPhone settings → Notifications.
2. Find Zepp Life and turn on the options: 🔔 "Show in the Notification Center" 📱 "Show on the lock screen" 🔊 "Sound" (optional)

Zepp Life

Profile → My devices → Notification settings

To synchronize health data (steps, pulse, sleep) with Apple Health:

1. Open Zepp Life and go to Profile → Settings → Connect with other apps.
2. Select Apple Health and allow access to your data.
3. Specify which metrics to export (e.g., "Steps", "Heart rate").

If nothing helps, try resetting your network settings on your iPhone: Settings → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Reset network settings. This will delete all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, but often solves connection problems.

💡

Before resetting the clock to factory settings, be sure to synchronize the data with Zepp Life - otherwise all the statistics (steps, training) will be lost!

Compatibility of Xiaomi Watch models with iPhone: full table

Not all Xiaomi watches work equally well with iPhones. Below is the up-to-date compatibility table for 2026, based on user tests and official manufacturer data. Note the Restrictions column, which lists features that won't work on iOS.

If your model is not in the table, check it on the official Xiaomi website in the compatibility section, and also note that new models (such as the Xiaomi Watch 3, announced in 2026) may require iOS 17+ to work properly.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions