How to turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi watches: instructions for all models

Why can’t you connect Xiaomi watches to Bluetooth?

Xiaomi smartwatches are some of the most popular wearables on the market, but even with them sometimes there are difficulties, most often users face the problem of connecting via Bluetooth: the gadget does not find the phone, the connection is constantly broken or the function is not on the menu at all.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi watches – from the budget Mi Band to the flagship Xiaomi Watch. 2 Pro. You will learn how to activate the module through the device menu, the Mi app Fitness/Zepp Life, and what to do if Bluetooth doesn't work despite all the effort, and we'll focus on the hidden settings in the engineering menu that aren't written about in the official instructions.

If you just bought a watch or have a problem after an upgrade, don’t rush to bring it to the service. 90% of the time, the solution is on the surface, and we’ll help you find it.

Method 1: Turning Bluetooth on through the clock menu

The most obvious method is to activate the module directly on the device itself, but the interface may vary depending on the model and firmware version. Consider a universal algorithm that will suit most Xiaomi gadgets:

1. Unlock the watch screen (raise your hand or press the physical button if you have one).
2. Swipe down from the top edge (on the Mi Band 7 and later) or left/right (on the Xiaomi Watch S1) to open the Quick Settings panel.
3. Find the Bluetooth icon (a stylized letter “B” or antenna icon) and tap it.
4. Wait for the Connected label to appear or the Memory is connected, which means that the module is active.

On some models (e.g. Redmi Watch 3 Active), the Quick Settings panel may be hidden.

• 🔍 Hold the screen down. 2-3 Seconds to open the full menu.
• 📱 Go to Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 If there is no item, update the firmware (more on this below).

Make sure the watch is charged at least 20 times%|Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone|Allow Mi Fitness to access geodata|Restart the clock if it doesn’t respond.-->

Method 2: Activate with Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

If the watch itself does not have the ability to turn on Bluetooth (or you can’t find this item), try to do it through the official app. The algorithm is the same for Mi Fitness (old version) and Zepp Life (new name):

1. Open the app and go to the Profile → My Devices tab.
2. Select your watch from the list of connected gadgets.
3. Switch to your device settings → Bluetooth connection.
4. Activate the switch (if it is gray, the module is already on).

If the watch is not displayed in the list of devices:

• 📲 Remove them from the app and re-attach them.
• 🔧 Check if your model supports the current version of the app (relevant to older Mi Bands). 3/4).
• 🌐 Make sure your phone is on mobile internet – without it, the app may not sync with your watch.

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If the clock is permanently turned off after connecting, try forgetting the device in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings and reconnecting it. This will reset the connection cache.

Xiaomi models with unique nuances of connectivity

Not all Xiaomi watches work on the same principle, and below is a table with Bluetooth activation features for popular models:

Models older than 2020 (such as the Mi Band 4 or Amazfit Bip S) may require manual synchronization via the engineering menu.

Mi Band 6/7/8|Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3|Redmi Watch 2/3|Amazfit GTS/GTR|Another model-->

Method 3: Engineering menu and hidden settings

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to turn to service features, which are suitable for power users, because the wrong actions can cause the device to crash.

To open the engineering menu on Xiaomi watches:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone (or About the clock).
2. Click 5-7 times in a row on the Firmware Version or Model Number.
3. In the menu that appears, select Engineering Mode or Service Settings.
4. Find the Bluetooth or RF Test partition and activate the module.

Some firmware may have different paths, such as the Amazfit GTR 2.

Settings → System → Debugging → Enable Bluetooth debugging

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu may result in loss of warranty or unstable operation of the device.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after successful activation of Bluetooth, the connection may not work properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔌 Watches can't find phone: Make sure your phone is Bluetooth 4.0 enabled+ (Turn off the power saving mode on your smartphone, it can block background synchronization. Reboot both devices.
• 🔄 Permanent connection breaks: In Bluetooth phone settings, turn off Automatic Shutdown (if there is one), remove the watch from the list of associated devices and reconnect. Check if other devices (for example, wireless headphones) interfere with the device).
• ⚡ Bluetooth turns on but doesn't work: Update the watch's firmware through Mi Fitness. reset the watch to factory settings (Settings) → Check if the Bluetooth module is damaged (relevant after falls or moisture infestation).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi watch stopped connecting after updating the firmware, try rolling back the software version via Mi Fitness. → Return to the previous version (not available on all models).

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If none of these methods worked, the problem may be a hardware malfunction of the Bluetooth module, in which case contact the Xiaomi service center with a check of purchase (the warranty usually covers such defects).

How to check if Bluetooth is working on your watch

Sometimes users think that the module is inactive, although the problem lies in another (for example, in the settings of the phone).

1. Connect your watch to your phone via Mi Fitness.
2. Open the task manager on your smartphone (on Android: hold the Home button; on iOS: swipe up from the bottom edge).
3. Check if the list of active processes includes com.xiaomi.hm.health (for Mi Band) or com.huami.watch (for Xiaomi Watch).
4. If there is a process, but the synchronization is not going on, the problem is in the software.

You can also use third-party diagnostic applications, such as:

• 📊 Bluetooth Scanner (Android) – shows all available devices nearby.
• 🔍 nRF Connect (iOS/Android) — Professional tool for testing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

If the watch is displayed in these apps but does not connect to Mi Fitness, the problem lies in the settings of the app or firmware.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions