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

Xiaomi smartwatches are some of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, but without the right Bluetooth configuration, their functionality is severely limited. You can not sync data with your phone, receive notifications or control music if the connection is not activated. In this article, we will discuss how to turn on Bluetooth on different models of Xiaomi watches – from the budget Mi Band to the flagship Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, and also look at typical errors and ways to fix them.

It is important to understand that the activation process may vary depending on the firmware version and device model, such as the Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch. S3 The menu interface is different, and some older versions (such as Mi Band 4) may require a pre-update.

If you encounter a problem where the Bluetooth on Xiaomi watches is not turned on or permanently shut down, at the end of the article you will find a section with solutions. FAQ compatibility with different smartphones and features of working on iOS and Android.

1. Preparing Xiaomi Watches for Bluetooth Enablement

Before you activate Bluetooth, make sure your Xiaomi watch is ready to connect.

• 🔋 Battery charge: The charge level should be at least 20%. on some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S2) At low charge, Bluetooth automatically shuts down to save energy.
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility: Xiaomi watch officially supports Android 6.0+ iOS 10.0+. Older versions may have connection problems.
• 🔄 Firmware update: Outdated software often causes Bluetooth crashes. Check for updates in Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
• 🛠️ Settings reset: If the watch has previously connected to another device, a reset may be required (in the Settings menu). → Reset).

Pay special attention to the permissions of the application on the smartphone. On Android, you must provide Mi Fitness or Zepp Life with access to:

• 📍 Geodane (for accurate tracking of activity)
• 📞 Contact and SMS (notice-in)
• 🎵 Storage (for downloading firmware and branded dials)

⚠️ Note: On iPhone after installing the Zepp Life application, you must manually turn on Bluetooth in your phone settings (Settings) → Bluetooth.Automatic connection via the app may not work.

If you are using Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or other models with Wear OS, Pre-install the Wear app OS Google on a smartphone, and without it, you can't synchronize data, even if Bluetooth is on.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to turn Bluetooth on different Xiaomi models

The activation process of Bluetooth depends on the type of watch. Below we have provided universal instructions for the most popular Xiaomi lines.

2.1. For fitness bracelets Mi Band (3/4/5/6/7/8)

On Mi Band bracelets, Bluetooth is automatically activated when you first connect to your phone, but if the connection is broken or you need to re-activate, follow the following steps:

1. Scroll the screen to the right to the point More (or More).
2. Select Settings (cog icon).
3. Find the Bluetooth section or Connection.
4. Activate the switch (if any) or wait for the sign to appear Ready to connect.

On the Mi Band 7 and newer path, it might look like this: → Connection → Bluetooth. If there is no point, then the module runs in the background and only turns on when searching for devices through the application.

2.2. For smart watches Xiaomi Watch (S1/S2/S3, Watch 2 Pro)

On a full-screen watch, the process is more flexible. Here's how to turn Bluetooth on on the Xiaomi Watch S3:

1. Swipe up the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Find the Bluetooth icon (stylized letter B) and tap it.
3. If there is no icon, go to Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth and activate the slider.

On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (with Wear) OS) algorithm:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen.
2. Then, touch the settings (cogs) icon.
3. Select Connections → Bluetooth.
4. Turn on the module and wait for the available devices.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Watch Color 2) may need to reboot after Bluetooth is turned on.

Make sure the clock is charged.|Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone|Update the watch firmware|Restart the clock (if required)|Installation of an official annex-->

2.3. For the Redmi Watch (1/2/3/4)

The Redmi Watch budget line has a simplified interface to enable Bluetooth:

1. On the main screen, swipe left to the app menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to Connections. → Bluetooth.
4. Activate the switch. If it's not there, the module turns on automatically when you search for devices.

On Redmi Watch 3 and Redmi Watch 4, you can also use a voice assistant to turn on Bluetooth. To do this, say “turn on Bluetooth” after voice control is activated (hold the side button for 2 seconds).

3 How to connect Xiaomi watches to your phone via Bluetooth

Turning Bluetooth on your watch is only half the battle. Now you need to pair it with your smartphone properly. Let's take Android and iOS separately.

3.1 Connection to an Android smartphone

For Android devices, use the official Mi Fitness app (for older models) or Zepp Life (for newer ones).

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi/Zepp account.
3. Click Add Device and select a model of your watch.
4. Follow the hints on the screen. When the watch appears on the list of available devices, confirm the connection.

If the watch doesn’t appear on the list, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off./On.).
• 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices and repeat the search.
• 🔋 Remove and re-insert the battery (on models with removable battery).

Connection to iPhone (iOS)

For iPhone, use the Zepp Life app (formerly Amazfit).

• 🍎 On iOS, Bluetooth can turn off in the background. To avoid this, in the iPhone settings, go to Settings → Zepp Life → Background update and turn it on.
• 🔒 Allow the app to send notifications (Settings) → Notifications → Zepp Life).
• 📶 If the connection is interrupted, turn off Low Power mode in the iPhone settings.

On the Xiaomi Watch S3 and other models with Wear OS iPhone will require an additional Wear app OS Google.Sans it synchronization of data will be incomplete (for example, will not receive notifications from messengers).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone 15 and newer with a chip A17 The Pro may conflict with Bluetooth 5.0 on older watch models (e.g. Mi Band 5.

4 Why Bluetooth on Xiaomi Watches Doesn't Turn on: Typical Problems and Solutions

If you followed the instructions but Bluetooth still doesn’t work, check out the following points:

If the problem persists, try resetting the clock to factory settings.

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code).
3. After restarting, repeat the connection procedure.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with Wear OS Reset is done via the recovery menu: hold the side button for 15 seconds until the Android logo appears.

5. Optimizing Bluetooth: How to Reduce Battery Consumption

A constantly active Bluetooth can significantly reduce the time of a single charge, and here are some tips on how to save energy without losing functionality:

• 🔋 Turn off Bluetooth at night if you don't use sleep features. On most models, this can be done via Sleep Mode in the settings.
• 📵 Limit background sync. In the Zepp Life app, go to Device Profile → Synchronization settings and set the interval no more than 1 time per hour.
• 🎵 Turn off music transmission if you're not using it. on Xiaomi Watch S3 This is done in the settings → Music. → Bluetooth transmission.
• 🔄 Use Power Saving Mode. On some models (like the Redmi Watch 4), it turns off Bluetooth after 10 minutes of inactivity.

On a Wear watch. OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro can manually control the connection through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth. Automatic Connection is available here, which is best to turn off if you want to control battery consumption.

💡

If you use a watch for exercise, turn on the phone-free exercise mode in the settings, in which case Bluetooth will only activate during exercise, saving charge the rest of the time.

For models with Always-On Display (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3) It is recommended to turn off this function if it is not critical. + Active Bluetooth can reduce the time to 1-2 days instead of the declared 12.

6. Compatibility of Xiaomi watches with other Bluetooth devices

Xiaomi watches can be connected not only to smartphones, but also to other gadgets: headphones, fitness equipment, car radios.

Connection to wireless headphones

Not all Xiaomi watches support headphone output.

• ✅ Supported by: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S3 (call-only).
• ❌ Not supported: Mi Band of any version, Redmi Watch 1/2/3.

To connect headphones to the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro:

1. Turn on the headphone pairing mode.
2. On the clock, go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
3. Select headphones from the list of available devices.

6.2 Synchronization with fitness equipment

Xiaomi watches can be connected to treadmills, exercise bikes and other devices through protocols ANT+ Bluetooth FTMS. However:

• 🏃 Mi Band and Redmi Watch support basic synchronization (steps, pulse).
• 🚴 Xiaomi Watch S3 The Watch 2 Pro is compatible with most modern simulators (e.g. Technogym, NordicTrack).

To connect:

1. Turn on the simulator Bluetooth-synchronization mode.
2. On the watch, activate the appropriate profile (for example, exercise bike or treadmill).
3. Confirm the pairing on both devices.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to a Peloton or Zwift simulator, you may need an additional bridge application (e.g., Companion for Zwift).

7. Frequent errors when working with Bluetooth on Xiaomi watches

Even after a successful connection, users encounter errors.

• 🔌 Unconnected Error: Most often due to conflict with other Bluetooth devices, the solution is to disable all other gadgets (earphones, speakers) and try again.
• 🔄 Permanent connection breaks: Check to see if the connection is blocked by third-party software (e.g. Greenify or Battery Saver.
• 📱 Watches connect but notifications don't come: On Android, check if notifications for the Zepp Life app are disabled in your phone's settings. On iOS, go to Settings → Notifications → Zepp Life and enable the option to Show on the lock screen.
• 🔋 Bluetooth shuts down when low charge: On some models (like the Mi Band 6) it's normal behavior. Charge the clock to 30% or higher.

If Xiaomi watches connect to your phone but don’t sync data (steps, pulse, sleep), try:

1. Reboot both the watch and the smartphone.
2. Remove the device from the list of conjugated in the Bluetooth settings of the phone.
3. In the Zepp Life app, go to the Device Profile → Synchronize data and start the process manually.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with Wear OS For forced data synchronization, use the voice assistant command: “Sync data with your phone».

FAQ: Answers to popular questions