How to connect Xiaomi watches to your phone: full instructions with error solutions

Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets have long been an integral part of the brand ecosystem, offering users advanced health monitoring, notifications and even contactless payments. However, many owners face difficulties when first syncing devices — especially if we are talking about new models like the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Mi Band 8 with updated software. This article will not just explain how to link the watch to the phone, but also help avoid the typical errors that interrupt the connection process.

It’s important to understand that the synchronization algorithm depends on the watch model, firmware version, and even the regional settings of the smartphone. For example, Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch S1 use different applications (Mi Fitness and Zepp Life, respectively), and in China and Europe, the available features may differ. We will analyze the universal steps that are relevant for most devices, as well as the nuances for specific models – from budget bracelets to flagship smart watches.

If you’ve tried to connect your watch and you’ve encountered an error like “Device failed” or “Synchronization interrupted,” there’s a separate section with solutions in the article, and we’ll also show you how to transfer data from your old wristband to your new one, set up notifications from messengers, and optimize battery consumption once you’re connected.

What apps are needed to connect Xiaomi watches

The first step is to choose the right app. Xiaomi uses several official platforms to manage wearables, and a wrong choice can lead to inability to sync. Here is the current list for 2026:

• 📱 Mi Fitness – for most fitness bracelets (Mi Band) 3/4/5/6/7/8, Xiaomi Smart Band Pro. Supports basic functionality: pedometer, pulse, notifications.
• ⌚ Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) – for smartwatches (Xiaomi Watch, Watch) S1/S2/2 Pro, Watch Color. Advanced features: exercise, stress monitoring, sleep tracking.
• 🔄 Xiaomi Wear is a universal app for new models (starting with the Mi Band 8 Pro and Xiaomi Watch 2.

Important: Some models (such as the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active) can work in two applications at once, but with different set of functions, for example, Zepp Life has additional dials available, and Mi Fitness – quick synchronization with Mi Home to control the smart home.

Before installing, check the region of your Mi Account. If it is linked to China, some features (such as Google Fit or Apple Health) may be blocked.

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Region.
2. Choose Russia, Europe or Global (not China).
3. Restart the phone and try again.

⚠️ Note: Mi Fit and Amazfit apps are no longer supported. If you have one of these apps installed, uninstall it and download the current version of Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.

Step-by-step: how to link Xiaomi watches with a phone

Consider the universal connection algorithm for the Mi Band 8 and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. For other models, the steps may differ slightly (see the compatibility table below).

Download the official app (Mi Fitness/Zepp Life/Xiaomi Wear)

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Charge the watch to at least 50%

Make sure your phone has the latest version of MIUI or Android 8.0+ installed.

Turn it off. VPN (It can block Xiaomi servers)-->

Now we move on to synchronization:

1. Activate the watch Press and hold the button on the device body (or touch the screen if touch) until the Xiaomi logo appears. For the Mi Band it is usually 3-5 seconds, for smart watches - up to 10 seconds.
2. Open Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) and click Profile → Add Device. Select your model from the list. If there is no model, update the app.
3. Search for a device Press Link and wait for the phone to find the clock. If the search is delayed, reset the Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth → Off/On).
4. A 6-digit code will appear on the watch screen. Compare it to the code in the app and confirm the link. If the code doesn't show, tap the watch screen or press the side button.
5. Allow the application to access Notices, Contacts and Locations (necessary for accurate activity tracking).

If the watch doesn’t sync data (steps, pulse) after you connect, check your phone’s energy saving settings: add the Mi Fitness app to the exclusion list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Mi Fitness → No restrictions).

Mi Band 7/8

Xiaomi Watch S1/S2

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro

Another model

I haven't bought it yet.-->

Solving problems when connecting Xiaomi watches

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, synchronization can be interrupted, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:

• 🔴 "Failed to find device" Make sure the watch is not connected to another phone (reset it via Settings → Reset on the watch itself. Turn off the power saving mode on your phone and in the app. Try connecting via Developer Mode (activated by 5x tap on the Build Number in your phone settings).
• 🔄 "Synchronization interrupted" Check the stability of the Internet connection (the application needs to download the firmware for the watch). Fitness/Zepp Life to the latest version if you use Mi Band. 8, Update the firmware of the watch through the Device Profile → Update of the PO.
• 🔋 Check the cable and adapter - use the original from Xiaomi. Clean the contacts on the watch and charger with alcohol. If the watch does not respond, hold the power button for 20 seconds for a forced reboot.

⚠️ If you bought a watch in China (version) CN), For full operation, you may need to change the firmware region. This is not officially supported and may result in a loss of warranty. Alternatively, use the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (unofficial but supports all features).

For models with NFC (for example, Mi Band 8 Pro or Xiaomi Watch S2), you need to additionally configure the payment system after connecting:

1. Open Mi Fitness. → Profile → Xiaomi Pay.
2. Attach a bank card (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB are supported).
3. Activate the function on the watch: Settings → Contactless payments.

How to transfer data from the old bracelet to the new

When you replace the Mi Band 5 with the Mi Band 8 or switch from the Xiaomi Watch S1 to the Watch 2 Pro, you can save your activity history, settings and achievements.

1. Back up in the old app: Mi Fitness → Profile → Settings → Backup Data will be saved to your Mi Account.
2. Connect the new bracelet to the same account, and when you first start up, the application will prompt you to restore data.
3. Check sync with Google Fit/Apple Health (if you have used it before). For this: Mi Fitness → Profile → Related accounts

Important: some data (e.g. individual dials or alarm clock settings) are not automatically transferred, they need to be reconfigured, and if the new bracelet has additional sensors (e.g., a new bracelet, SpO₂ Mi Band 8, historical data on them will be missing.

For the Xiaomi Watch S2 and Watch 2 Pro, an expanded data export via Zepp Life is available:

• 📊 Export the reports to PDF or CSV through profile → Reports. → Exports.
• 🔄 Synchronize workouts with Strava or Apple Health.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Band 8 with menstrual function, this data is not automatically transferred due to privacy restrictions.

Configure notifications and additional functions

Once connected successfully, Xiaomi watches can display notifications from calls, messages and apps to customize them to suit your needs:

1. Selection of notification apps In Mi Fitness or Zepp Life go to: Device Profile → Notifications → Application Management Check boxes Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks and other programs.
2. Notification filtering To keep the watch from vibrating from each email, set up priority contacts: Notifications → Priority Contacts → Add You can also turn off notifications for sleep or exercise.
3. Quick Answers (for smartwatches) The Xiaomi Watch S2 and Watch 2 Pro have response templates available. To customize them: Zepp Life → Profile → Quick Answers → Edit Up to 10 of your own phrases.

For models with voice assistant (Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro) additionally configure:

• 🎤 Voice commands - turn on Settings → Voice assistant.
• 🔊 Music Management – Link the Watch to Spotify or Yandex Music.

If notifications are late, check:

• 📶 Bluetooth connection stability (distance between phone and watch should not exceed 10 meters).
• 🔄 Background activity of the application (in the phone settings add Mi Fitness in optimization exceptions).

💡

To ensure that notifications are displayed in full (not just the sender’s name), open Apps → Mi Fitness → Notifications → Allow notifications to be accessed and enable the “Show Content” option in your Android settings.

Optimizing the battery after connection

Many users complain that after syncing with the phone, Xiaomi watches begin to run out faster, due to active data transfer, notifications and background processes.

• ⚡ Turn off unnecessary sensors if you do not use blood oxygen measurements (SpO₂) or stress monitoring, turn them off: Clock settings → Sensors. → SpO₂/Stress. → That'll save you up to 20 percent of the charge.
• 🔔 Reduce notification frequency in Mi Fitness, limit notifications to only important apps (see previous section).
• 🌙 Activate sleep mode In the settings of the clock, turn on sleep mode at night - this will turn off vibration and backlighting.
• 🔄 Update the firmware In new versions of software often optimize power consumption. Check the updates once a month.

For Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Mi Band 8 available mode ultra-day energy saving:

1. Open the Settings on the watch → Battery → Energy saving mode.
2. Choose Extended (disables some sensors) or Extended (time and pedometer only).

💡

The most effective way to save charge is to turn off automatic pulse measurements (leave only manual ones), which extends the Mi Band's performance by 30-40%.

Frequent questions and answers