How to link Xiaomi watches to your phone: instructions for all models (2026)

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for health tracking, notification management, and even payment, but to unlock the full potential of the device, it needs to be properly paired with a smartphone. Many users face difficulties at this stage: If the app doesn't find the clock, if the sync stops, if the notifications don't come, we'll look at all the current ways to connect (including the Wear models). OS and proprietary firmware), as well as solve typical problems that arise when binding.

It's important to understand that the synchronization process depends on the watch model (e.g. Mi Band 8, Watch 2 Pro or Redmi Watch 3), the firmware version, and even the region of purchase of the device. We've taken into account all the nuances and prepared a universal guide that will be suitable for both new and outdated gadgets. If you just unpacked the box or are trying to reconnect the watch after reset, this guide will help avoid errors and save time.

1.What Xiaomi watch can be linked to a phone?

Xiaomi has several smartwatch lines, and not all of them sync the same way.

• 📱 Mi Band and Redmi Band (including Mi Band 8, Redmi Band 2): Fitness bracelets with basic functionality, connected via Mi Fitness or Zepp Life (depending on region).
• ⌚ Xiaomi Watch (S1, S2, 2 Pro) and Redmi Watch (3, 4): full-fledged smart watch with a AMOLED-Requires the Xiaomi Wear app (for Wear) OS) or Zepp Life (for proprietary firmware).
• 🏃 Amazfit (GTR, GTS, Bip: Although the brand is owned by Zepp Health (a subsidiary of Xiaomi), this watch is only synchronized via Zepp (formerly Amazfit).

Critical nuance: Xiaomi watch on Wear OS (Watch 2 Pro does not support Zepp Life app, only Xiaomi Wear or Google Wear OS. If you try to link such a device through inappropriate software, you won't be able to sync. Check the watch model on the box or in the settings (Settings) → About the device).

If your model is not listed in the table, check the official Xiaomi website or documentation in the box.For example, the Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite (released in 2021) requires Mi Fitness, although it looks similar to newer models.

2. Preparation of the telephone before binding

Before you start syncing, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements:

• 📲 Android Version: No less than 6.0 (for Wear) OS — 8.0+). Only some models are supported on iOS (for example, Mi Band via Mi Fitness).
• 🔄 Bluetooth: version 4.0 BLE Or newer. Check the settings. → The phone. → Bluetooth version.
• 📥 Free space: at least 100 MB for installing applications and downloading firmware.
• 🌍 Google Play Region: Some apps (e.g. Zepp Life) may not be available in your country. APK official website.

Important step: disable energy saving mode and battery optimization for sync applications. on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It's done this way:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi. Fitness/Zepp Life and Select Battery Limitations.
3. Set it up without limits.

💡

If you have a Xiaomi phone with a shell MIUI, Add the watch app to "Autostart" (Settings) → Annexes → Autostart. This will prevent communication breakdowns.

We also recommend updating the firmware to the latest version.

1. Charge the watch to 50% or more.
2. Connect them to your phone via a temporary app (such as Mi Fitness).
3. In the menu of the clock, find the settings → Update of the PO.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to link the clock to the phone

Consider the universal algorithm for most Xiaomi models (except Wear). OS — The instructions will be separate for them).

Step 1: Installation of the application

Download the official application depending on the model:

• 🔹 Mi Band/Redmi Band → Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) for new versions).
• 🔹 Xiaomi Watch S1/S2, Redmi Watch → Zepp Life.

If the app is not available in your area, download it. APK from APKPure (check hash amounts of files!).

Step 2: Registration of an account

When you first start the app, you will be asked to log in or create an account.

• 📧 Email (recommended for global versions).
• 📞 Phone number (suitable for Chinese firmware).
• 🔄 Account. Xiaomi/Mi Account (if already available).

Charge the clock > 30%|Bluetooth on your phone is on|Appendix installed and updated|An account in the application created/authorized-->

Step 3: Finding and Connecting the Watch

The algorithm for most models:

1. Open the app and click Add the device (or + top-right).
2. Select your model from the list. If you don't have one, select Another device.
3. It'll appear on the clock. QR-code – scan it through the app or enter it PIN-code (usually 1234 or 0000).
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone and watch.

If the clock is not there, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off./On.).
• 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → [Name of the clock] → Forget it).
• ⚡ Reset the clock to factory settings (Settings) → System system → Reset).

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If Xiaomi watches do not connect to the phone, 80% of the time the problem is solved by resetting the watch and re-authenticating the app.

Step 4: Set up notifications and synchronize

After successful connection:

1. Allow the app to access Notices, Contacts and Locations (pop-ups will appear automatically).
2. In the menu of the clock, select which notifications to display (calls, SMS, messengers).
3. Activate Autosynchronization in the application settings.

For models on Wear OS (For example, the Watch 2 Pro):

1. Install Xiaomi Wear or Wear OS by Google.
2. Connect the clock through Settings → Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Follow the instructions in the Wear app OS (Additional plugins may be required).

4. Solving binding problems

Even with the right actions, synchronization may not work, so let's look at the common mistakes and how to fix them.

🔴 Problem: The phone can't find the watch

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📶 Bluetooth is turned off or faulty: check your phone settings. Try connecting another device (e.g. headphones) - if it doesn't work, reset your network settings (Settings) → System system → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).
• 🔋 The watch is discharged: charge it to 30% or more. Some models (Mi Band 8) do not include Bluetooth at low charge.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: If the watch was previously connected to another phone, reset their settings (Settings) → System system → Reset).
• 🛡️ Antivirus blocks connection: temporarily disable protection or add the application to exceptions.

🔴 Problem: The app does not recognize the watch model

This is true for Chinese versions of devices or new models that have not yet been added to the app database.

• 🔄 Update the application to the latest version.
• 🌐 Change the region in your phone settings to China or India (sometimes helps).
• 📥 Install an alternative version of the app (e.g. Zepp Life) CN china-fix).

💡

If your watch model doesn’t recognize you, try plugging it in as “another device” in the app, for example, Redmi Watch 3 is sometimes defined as Amazfit. GTS 4.

🔴 Problem: Synchronization is interrupted

A common complaint of users is that the watch is connected, but after a few minutes the connection is lost.

• ⚡ Energy saving: add the app to exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📶 Weak Bluetooth signal: Keep your phone and watch no more than 10 meters away without obstacles.
• 🔄 Conflict with other gadgets: disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, speakers).
• 📱 Old firmware: update your watch and phone.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14+ This can trigger the Deep Optimization feature, which forcefully closes the background processes. → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

🔴 Problem: Notifications are not coming

If the watch is connected but does not show calls or messages:

1. Check the notification settings in the app (Notifications section).
2. Allow the app to access notifications in phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Appendix of the clock] → Notifications).
3. For instant messengers (such as WhatsApp, Telegram), enable a separate permission to display notifications.
4. Reset the clock and phone.

If the problem persists, try resetting the notification settings:

1. In the app hours go to the Profile → Settings → Resetting notifications.
2. Confirm the reset and reconnect the clock.

5. Features of linking Xiaomi watches with iPhone

While Xiaomi is primarily focused on Android, some models (such as the Mi Band) support iOS.

• 📱 Only basic functions are supported: pedometer, pulse, call notifications.
• 🚫 No synchronization with Apple Health (data not exported).
• 🔄 Mi Fitness app for iOS is updated less often and may contain errors.
• 📲 Notifications from messengers (for example, iMessage) may not come.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Download Mi Fitness from the App Store.
2. Register with Mi Account (you can use Apple) ID speed up).
3. Turn on Bluetooth and allow the app to access notifications (Settings) → Mi Fitness → Notifications).
4. Add the watch through Add the device and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone with iOS 16+ Additional permission to track activity may be required (Settings) → Confidentiality → Without this pedometer will not work.

If your watch doesn’t connect to your iPhone, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off./On.).
• 📱 Remove the application and install it again.
• 🌐 Use it. VPN China or Singapore (sometimes helps with server errors).

6. How to transfer data when changing the phone

If you have changed your smartphone but want to save your workout history, settings, and other data from your watch, follow this algorithm:

Step 1: Exporting data from your old phone

At Mi Fitness/Zepp Life,

1. Go to Profile → Settings → Export data.
2. Choose the format (CSV or JSON) and confirm the export.
3. The file will be saved to the phone’s memory or the cloud (e.g., Mi Cloud).

Step 2: Transfer to a new phone

Install the app on your new phone and:

1. Sign in under the same account Xiaomi/Zepp.
2. If the data is not automatically pulled up, import them manually through the Profile. → Settings → Data import.
3. Reconnect the watch (it should be recognized as an already coupled device).

It is important that you use Wear OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the data is synchronized with Google Account:

1. On the new phone, log in to the same Google account.
2. Install Wear. OS Wait for automatic synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If you change your Xiaomi or Zepp account, all data on your watch will be reset. If you forget your old account password, restore it before you connect your watch to your new phone.

7. Alternative methods of binding (without official annexes)

If official applications fail (e.g. due to regional restrictions), alternative methods may be used, but they require technical skills and may violate warranty.

🔧 Method 1: Use Notify & Fitness for Mi Band)

It is a third-party open-source app that supports most Xiaomi fitness bracelets.

• ✅ It works without a Xiaomi account.
• ✅ Supports notifications from all applications.
• ✅ Allows you to adjust the vibrations and screen.

Cons:

• ❌ No official support.
• ❌ Maybe not working with new models.

Instructions:

1. Download Notify & Fitness (APK).
2. Turn off the official Mi Fitness app.
3. In Notify & Fitness, select Add Device → Mi Band.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

🔧 Method 2: Gadgetbridge (for advanced users)

It's an open source application that supports a lot of devices, including Xiaomi.

• 📱 Mi Band 2-8.
• ⌚ Amazfit Bip/GTR/GTS.
• 🔄 Watch based on Nordic chipset.

How to determine:

1. Download Gadgetbridge from the official website.
2. Turn on the Developer Mode on the clock (usually a 5-fold tap on the Software version in the settings).
3. Connect the watch through Gadgetbridge and set up sync.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party apps can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the watch. for example, Mi Band 8 when connecting via Gadgetbridge may stop working NFC.

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)