Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi watches: how to turn on, connect devices and troubleshoot

The Xiaomi Mi smartwatch is not only a stylish accessory, but also a powerful tool for monitoring health, sports and even managing other gadgets. However, many users face difficulties when connecting devices with Bluetooth for the first time: headphones do not find the watch, the smartphone does not sync, and there is no obvious on-line button on the menu. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate Bluetooth on different models of Xiaomi Mi Watch, Mi Band and Watch S, and also explain how to fix typical connection errors.

It’s important to understand that the process of turning on Bluetooth can vary depending on the firmware version, watch model and even the region of sale. For example, on the Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite, the path to communication settings is shorter than on the flagship Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. We have collected universal instructions that will work for most devices, and also added unique life hacks for models with limited functionality (for example, for children’s versions or devices without a screen).

1.How to check if your watch supports Bluetooth

Before you try to turn on Bluetooth, make sure that your Xiaomi Mi model is equipped with this module at all. Some budget fitness bracelets (for example, Mi Band 1/2) can sync with your smartphone only through a special application, and they do not have a full Bluetooth connection for headphones or other accessories.

Here is a list of Xiaomi models that support Bluetooth for connecting third-party devices:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Watch (all generations including Lite)
• 📱 Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/Pro
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Band 5/6/7/8 (limited support)
• 📱 Xiaomi Watch Color 1/2
• 📱 Xiaomi Smart Band Pro

If your model is not on the list, it does not mean that it does not support Bluetooth, it may be limited to synchronization with a smartphone, you can specify the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation for the device.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to turn on Bluetooth on the Xiaomi Mi watch

The activation process of Bluetooth depends on the operating system of the watch. Most modern Xiaomi models run on MIUI Watch or Zepp OS, but even within the same line, the interface may differ. Below we will give a universal algorithm that will suit most devices.

Method 1: Through the menu settings of the clock

This is the most reliable method that works on Xiaomi Mi Watch, Watch S and other models with a touch screen:

1. Swipe your finger from the bottom up on the watch screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Find the Bluetooth icon (usually a stylized "B" or headphone icon) and if it's not, move on to the next step.
3. Tap the icon to activate Bluetooth. If the icon is lit in blue or green, the module is on.
4. If the icon is not on the panel, go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and turn on the switch.

Method 2: Mi Fitness/Zepp App

For models without direct access to Bluetooth settings (e.g. Mi Band 5/6), control is done via the app:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Zepp (for Xiaomi Watch) on your smartphone.
2. Select your watch from the list of connected devices.
3. Go to the Device Settings section → Connections.
4. Find the Bluetooth option and activate it.

Check the battery power of the watch (minimum 30%)

Update the firmware to the latest version

Make sure that the headphones / bracelet in pairing mode

Disable Bluetooth on other devices (to avoid conflict)-->

If the watch doesn’t find other devices after turning on Bluetooth, try rebooting them. To do this, hold the side button (or touch zone) for 10 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.

3. How to connect headphones, fitness bracelet or smartphone

Turning Bluetooth on is only half the story, and now you need to connect another device to the watch correctly, and let's look at the three most popular scenarios.

Connecting wireless headphones

Xiaomi Mi Watch (starting with the Watch S1) supports Bluetooth headphones to listen to music or answer calls.

1. Turn on the pairing mode on the headphones (usually you need to hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks).
2. On the clock, go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
3. Select Add Device and wait until the name of your headphones appears in the list.
4. Tap the name of the pairing headphones. If necessary, confirm the connection on both devices.

Not all Xiaomi Mi models support music playback via Bluetooth. For example, the Mi Band 7 can only connect to a smartphone, not to headphones.

Synchronization with a smartphone

For full-fledged work of the watch (notifications, calls, activity tracking), they must be connected to the smartphone:

1. Install Mi Fitness or Zepp on your phone.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and watch.
3. Launch the application and select Add the device.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The clock must be automatically determined.

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If the watch is not connected to the iPhone, try first to turn on the Device Search mode in the smartphone’s Bluetooth settings, and then run the Mi Fitness app.

Connecting to another fitness bracelet or smart weights

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Watch S1 Pro) can act as a hub for other devices, such as the Mi Body Composition Scale.

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your watch and on your connected device.
2. On the watch, go to the Apps → Health → Devices.
3. Select the device type (libras, bracelet) and follow the instructions on the screen.

Table 4: Compatibility of Xiaomi Mi models with Bluetooth devices

To save you time, we have collected data on the compatibility of popular Xiaomi Mi models with different types of Bluetooth devices:

If your model is not in the table, check the specifications on the Xiaomi website or in the documentation.Please note that even if the watch supports the connection of headphones, the sound quality can be worse than when you connect directly to the smartphone, due to hardware limitations.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you have Bluetooth enabled correctly, you can have connection problems, and let's look at the most common bugs and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: The watch does not find the device

If Xiaomi Mi Watch doesn’t see headphones or smartphones:

• 🔄 Restart both devices (the clock and what you’re trying to connect).
• 📱 Update the firmware of the watch through the Mi app Fitness/Zepp.
• 🔗 Make sure the device is in pairing mode (the headphones usually flash blue light).
• 📡 Check the distance – the devices should be no further than 1 meter from each other.

Error 2: Connection is interrupted

If the Bluetooth connection is permanently broken:

• 🔋 Check the battery charge on the clock and the connected device.
• 📵 Make sure there are no sources of interference nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).
• 🔄 In the settings of the clock, turn off energy saving for Bluetooth (if there is such a point).
• 📲 Reconnect the device, previously removing it from the list of conjugates.

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If the problem persists, try resetting the clock to factory settings. Go to Settings → System → Reset.

Mistake 3: No sound in the headphones

If the headphones are connected, but there is no sound:

• 🎧 Check the volume on the clock (it may be set to a minimum).
• 🔊 Make sure that the media audio is transmitted to the headphones (in the clock sound settings, select the connected device).
• 📵 Reconnect your headphones or try another device to check.

⚠️ Attention! On some Xiaomi Mi Watch models, the sound to the headphones is transmitted only when playing music from the watch, not from the smartphone.

6. How to turn off Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi watch

If you need to temporarily turn off Bluetooth (for example, to save battery power), you can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Quick Settings Panel

Swipe your finger from the bottom up on the watch screen, find the Bluetooth icon and touch it, and if the icon goes out, the module is off.

Method 2: Through settings

Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and move the switch to the off position.

You can also turn off Bluetooth via the Mi Fitness/Zepp app:

1. Open the app and select your watch.
2. Go to the device settings → Connections.
3. Turn off the Bluetooth option.

⚠️ Attention! Shutting down Bluetooth will break the connection between the watch and the smartphone, you will stop receiving notifications, and activity data will not sync until the connection is restored.

7. How to reset Bluetooth settings on your watch

If you're experiencing persistent connection errors, resetting Bluetooth can help, which will remove all the associated devices and return the communication settings to factory settings.

Here's how to do it:

1. On the clock, go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Select Reset Settings or Remove all devices (the name of the item depends on the model).
3. Confirm the action.
4. Restart the clock (hold the power button for 10 seconds).

After resetting, you will have to reconnect all devices, but this often solves problems with unstable connection or inability to find new gadgets.

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If the reset didn’t help, try updating the watch firmware through the Zepp app. To do this, go to the Device Profile → Software Update.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)