How to pair your phone with a smart watch Xiaomi Watch 4: full instructions with pictures

Smart watch Xiaomi Watch 4 It has become one of the most popular gadgets 2023-2026 Years thanks to a combination of stylish design, advanced health features and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties when connecting a device to a smartphone for the first time, especially if we are talking about non-standard scenarios such as using an iPhone or phones without Google services. This article will help you understand all the nuances of synchronization, from basic settings to solving rare errors.

We’ll look at not only the standard procedure through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), but also alternative methods for devices without Google Play Services support. We’ll focus on bypassing regional restrictions that can block access to branded software in some countries. If you’ve just unpacked a new watch or are trying to reconnect it after a reset, here’s the answers.

1. Preparation of the phone and clock for synchronization

Before you start connecting, make sure both devices meet the minimum requirements. For the Xiaomi Watch 4, the following conditions apply:

• 📱 Smartphone: Android 8.0+ or iOS 12.0+ (Only the iPhone is officially supported 6s Android requires Google Play Services version 22.18+.
• 🔋 Charge of the clock: at least 50% (at low charge, the adjustment process may be interrupted).
• 📶 Network: stable Wi-Fi connection (for firmware download) and Bluetooth 5.0 enabled+.
• 🛠️ Software: latest version of the Mi Fitness app (you can download it from Google Play or App Store).

Important: If you use custom firmware on your phone (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), check Google Play Services first. On some builds, they may be disabled or removed, making it impossible to install Mi Fitness.

⚠️ Note: When connected to an iPhone, some of the features will be limited — for example, you can not answer calls after hours or install third-party dials.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Wear and Zepp Life) is the only legal way to link the Xiaomi Watch 4 to a phone.

1. Download the app from the official store (do not use it) APK From third-party sites, they may contain malicious code. For Android, it's Google Play, for iOS, it's the App Store.
2. Once installed, open Mi Fitness and sign up through your Xiaomi account (or sign in if you already have one).
3. In the main menu of the application, tap on the icon «+» (or “Add device” and select Xiaomi Watch 4 from the list.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen, and the app will request access to notifications, contacts, geolocation and fitness data, and allow all requests, or some of the features will not work.

If you see a mistake when registering for a Xiaomi account, “Service is not available in your region”, use one of the workarounds:

3. Step-by-step instructions for connecting Xiaomi Watch 4

When the app is installed and the clock is charged, we start syncing. 5-7 minute:

Turn on the watch with a long press on the side button|Open Mi Fitness and click "Add Device»|Select the Xiaomi Watch 4 model in the list|Confirm the pairing on the watch and phone|Wait for the firmware update to be completed (if required)|Set up the basic parameters (gender, age, weight)-->

Let’s take a closer look at each step:

1. Activate the watch. Press and hold the side button on the Xiaomi Watch 4 until the Mi logo appears. After download, select the language (scroll the screen up/down, tap-confirm).
2. Find the device. In the Mi Fitness app, click "Add the device» → «The clock» → «Xiaomi Watch 4. Make sure your phone is Bluetooth and Geolocation enabled (geolocation is required to work properly) GPS clockwise).
3. Pair. The watch will have a 6-digit code that matches the code in the app. Confirm the connection on both devices.
4. Update the firmware. If a new version of the software is available, the watch will automatically start updating. Do not interrupt the process or turn off Bluetooth, this can lead to the "bricking" of the device.
5. Personalization: Once you're connected successfully, the app will ask you to enter personal data (height, weight, activity goal) that you need to do to count calories and steps correctly.

If the clock is “hanging” on the code screen at the interface stage, try:

• 🔄 Reset the clock (press the 15 second button).
• 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔌 Connect the watch to charging (sometimes helps with low battery charge).

💡

If the clock is not determined by the app, try connecting it manually via your phone’s Bluetooth settings: find the device «MIBAND-XXX» (where XXX — the last digits of the serial number and pair. Then return to Mi Fitness and try again.

4. Set up notifications and calls

By default, the Xiaomi Watch 4 supports notifications from messengers, calls and calendar, but to work properly, you need to configure the permissions:

For Android:

1. Go to Phone Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Notifications.
2. Turn on the "Show notifications" switch.
3. Tap on Notification Categories and allow all types (including calls, SMS messengers).
4. Return to Mi Fitness, go to the watch profile and activate the Call Notifications option.

For the iPhone:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth and make sure that the Xiaomi Watch 4 is connected.
• 🔔 Go to Settings. → Notifications → Mi Fitness and enable "Allow notifications».
• ⚠️ On iOS, you can’t answer calls in hours – they will only vibrate when a call is in.

To set up quick responses to messages (available only for Android):

1. In Mi Fitness, choose your watch. → «Notifications» → «Quick answers».
2. Add up to 5 templates (e.g., “Respond later”, “I’m on the way”).
3. Now, when you receive a message, you can choose a response directly from the clock.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12) notifications may be duplicated.To fix this, turn off the option "Repeat Notifications" in the clock settings.

5. Alternative ways of connecting (without Mi Fitness)

If the official Mi Fitness app is not available in your region or does not work on your phone, you can use third-party solutions.

• 🔗 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (for Android). The app supports Xiaomi Watch 4 and allows you to configure notifications, dials, as well as bypass regional locks.
• 🍎 Tools & Mi Band (for iOS) Mi Fitness alternative with advanced settings but no call support. Available from the App Store.
• 🌍 Gadgetbridge (for Android without Google Services) Open source software for wearables, requires manual configuration, but supports basic features.

Instructions for Notify & Fitness:

1. Download and install the app from the official website (not from Google Play!).
2. Open Notify & Fitness and select the Xiaomi Watch 4 from the device list.
3. Follow the setup wizard – it will suggest connecting via Bluetooth and configuring notifications.
4. In the section "Digitals" you can download third-party themes (.bin format).

Advantages of alternative applications:

• ✅ Work on phones without Google Play Services (e.g., Huawei without Google Play Services) GMS).
• ✅ Support for informal dials and widgets.
• ✅ More flexible notification settings (e.g. application filtering).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No official support from Xiaomi – bugs are possible.
• ❌ Not all health functions (e.g., not all health functions, SpO₂) They can work properly.
• ❌ On iOS, alternative apps are severely limited due to Apple's policies.

💡

Use third-party apps only if the official Mi Fitness is categorically not suitable. In most cases, they are inferior in stability and functionality.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the watch stops connecting after the firmware update:

1. Remove the device from Mi Fitness (Profile) → Delete).
2. Reset the watch to factory settings: Clock settings → System system → Reset.
3. Repeat the connection procedure again.

The iPhone has a problem with persistent connection breaks, which is due to aggressive optimization of the background mode in iOS, to reduce the number of outages:

• 🔋 Turn off Low Consumption mode in iPhone settings.
• 📶 Enable the option “Update in the background” for Mi Fitness (Settings) → Mi Fitness).
• 🔄 Regularly (once in) 2-3 day) reset the clock.

7. Optimization of operation and increase of autonomy time

Xiaomi Watch 4 average-handed 7-10 days with standard use, but with active sleep monitoring, GPS and notices, this period may be reduced to 3-4 This is how you extend your work time:

• 🔋 Turn off the screen always on: Settings of the clock → Display. → Always on. → Off.
• 📊 Reduce the frequency of pulse measurement: Settings → Heart monitoring → Every one. 10/30 minutes (instead of continuous).
• 🌙 Use dark dials: AMOLED-Xiaomi Watch 4 screen consumes less battery on dark themes.
• 📵 Turn off unnecessary notifications: in Mi Fitness, select only critical apps (calls, SMS, WhatsApp).
• 📍 Use it. GPS If necessary: constant geolocation puts the battery down.

For maximum operating time (up to 14 days), activate the energy saving mode:

1. On the clock: Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
2. In this mode, notifications, constant pulse and backlighting are turned off when raising your hand, but the basic functions (time, steps) remain.

If the battery is running out too quickly (less than 2 days), check:

• 🔌 Quality of charging cable – use only original or certified USB-C cable.
• 📱 Background applications that may interfere with sync (e.g. Tasker or Automation Apps).
• 🔄 Firmware refresh rate – if the watch is constantly pumping updates, it consumes charge.

💡

To quickly check the status of the battery, swipe down on the main screen of the watch - there is displayed percentage of charge and estimated operating time.

8 Additional features and hidden capabilities

Xiaomi Watch 4 supports a number of hidden features that many users are unaware of.

• 🎵 Music control: You can switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the clock (works with Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music).
• 📷 Remote camera shutter: in Mi Fitness, enable the option “Camera Control” – now you can take photos from your phone by pressing the button on the watch.
• 🏃 Auto-hazard: if you fall or hit the clock automatically send SOS tethered.
• 💧 Swimming mode: activated manually in Settings → Regimes → Swimming. After that, the clock will track swim length and calories.
• 🔒 Screen locking: you can install PIN-watch code (Settings) → Security → Screen locking).

For advanced users available:

• 🛠️ Custom firmware installation: Alternative software (e.g. CustomFW) can be stitched through Amazfit Tools or Mi Band Master, but this voids the warranty.
• 🎨 Create your own dials: with Amazfit Watch Faces or NoMo Wear.
• 📊 Data export: Mi Fitness can upload activity history to.csv for analysis in Excel or Google Sheets.

To activate the developer mode on the watch (need for debugging and testing new features):

1. Go to Settings. → System system → About the clock.
2. Slap 5 times on the firmware version number.
3. Go back and a new section for developers will appear.

⚠️ Note: It is not recommended to enable Bluetooth debugging in developer mode unless you plan to use it. ADB It can lead to security vulnerabilities.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Watch 4