How to turn on Xiaomi’s new smartwatch: from charging to first setup

Have you just unpacked Xiaomi’s new smartwatch — whether it’s the Mi Band 8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Smart Band 7 Pro — but it doesn’t respond to taps, the screen stays black and the charging indicator doesn’t burn? Don’t panic: 90% of the time, the problem is solved in 5 minutes.The fact is that new Xiaomi wearables come with a fully discharged battery (even if the box says “100% charge”), and the first-on process is different from the standard one for smartphones.

In this article, we will discuss all the steps from proper charging to synchronization with the phone, and also tell you what to do if the watch does not respond to the on button after 30 minutes on charging (this is a critical sign of locking the power controller).

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1.Preparation for the first turn on: what to do before charging

Before you connect the watch to the charger, follow a few mandatory steps, which can lead to battery failures or even hardware damage (for example, if you use a non-original cable with an inappropriate voltage).

First, check the kit. In the box with the Xiaomi watch should be:

• 📦 The smart watch itself (in protective film)
• 🔌 Charging cable (magnetic or clamping, depending on the model)
• 📄 Short instructions in several languages (sometimes not available in budget versions)
• 🔋 In some models (for example, Xiaomi Watch) S3) — strap

Second, check the charging contacts on the watch and cable. They should be clean, free of oxidation or contamination. If you notice dust, gently wipe them with a dry cotton swab (do not use alcohol or wet wipes!). 7/8 often covered with protective film – it must be removed before the first charge.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the watch from hand or in an unofficial store, check the serial number on the box and on the device itself (usually indicated on the back of the case under the strap.

Finally, get your smartphone ready. Make sure it's on:

• 📱 Mi Fitness (for Mi Band) or Xiaomi Wear (for Xiaomi Watch)
• 🔄 Bluetooth and geolocation enabled (necessary to find device)
• 📶 There is a stable Internet connection (to download firmware)

2.Proper charging of new watches: why they don't turn on right away

The most common mistake users make is to try to turn on Xiaomi watches immediately after connecting to a charge.In fact, new wearable devices require a minimum of 10-15 minutes of charging before they react to the power button, due to the features of the power controller, which blocks the onset at a charge level below 5%.

How to charge your watch correctly:

1. Connect the magnetic cable to the contacts on the back of the watch (for the Mi Band, insert the device into the clamp). Make sure the connection is tight - a click should be heard.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the charger 5V/1A (You can use a smartphone charger. Don't plug in to the phone. USB-Computer port – the voltage may not be enough.
3. Leave the watch on charge for at least 20 minutes. The indicator (usually a red or green LED) should light up within the first 30 seconds. If this does not happen, see the section "Clocks do not charge".

After 20 minutes of charging, try turning on the clock:

• 🔘 For Mi Band: Press and hold the touch button under the screen for 5-7 seconds.
• 🕒 For Xiaomi Watch: Press and hold the physical button on the sidebar for 10 seconds.

If the screen doesn't catch fire, but the charging light flashes, wait another 10 minutes. If the indicator doesn't burn at all, the problem could be in the cable, the power supply, or the device itself.

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3. First inclusion and language selection: what to do after the logo appears

When the watch finally turns on, you’ll see the Xiaomi or Mi logo.

Once you've chosen a language, the watch will offer you to connect to the phone.

• 📲 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and the Mi app is open Fitness/Xiaomi Wear.
• 🔍 In the list of available devices, select your watch (the name will contain a model, for example, "Mi Band"). 8_1234").
• 🔗 Confirm pairing on both devices (on the watch you may need to press a button or swipe up).

If the watch doesn’t find the phone, try:

1. Reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone (turn off / turn on in the settings).
2. Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in Bluetooth settings and repeat the search.
3. Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version.

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If the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro doesn’t respond to touch after turning on, try resetting: hold the physical button for 15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

4.Configure via the app: without this, the clock will not work

Many users think that once turned on, the watch is ready to use, and in fact, without binding to a Mi Account and setting up through the application, most of the features will not be available, from pedometer to notifications.

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Xiaomi Wear (for Xiaomi Watch).

2. Press "Add device" (icon "+" top-right).

3. Select your watch model from the list. If you don't have one, update the app.

4. Follow the instructions on the screen:

• 🔄 Allow access to notifications, contacts and geolocation (without this, calls and other information will not work). SMS).
• 📋 Enter your data: gender, age, weight (need for accurate calorie counting).
• ⚙️ Select the main settings: time format (12/24 units of measurement (metres/ft).

Once synchronized, the watch will automatically upgrade to the latest firmware version, a process that can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes — don’t interrupt the connection to your phone!

If the app gives an error "I couldn't connect", try:

• 📵 Turn it off. VPN Proxies on your phone (they can block Xiaomi servers).
• 🔄 Reboot both the watch and the smartphone.
• 📥 Remove the Mi Fitness app cache in your phone settings.

5.Clocks not included: Diagnostics and solutions

If after 30 minutes of charging, the Xiaomi watch does not show signs of life, the problem may be in one of four components:

1. Charging cable is the most common reason. Check it on another device or try charging the watch from another power supply.
2. Battery – if the watch was in storage for more than a year, the battery could completely discharge to a critical level.
3. Power controller - a failure in the chip responsible for charging (solved by flashing).
4. Screen – if the charging indicator is on, but the screen is black, the plume may be damaged.

Here's what you can do on your own:

🔋 The clock is not charged (the indicator does not burn)

• 🔌 Try a different cable and power supply (original from Xiaomi or Redmi).
• 🧲 Check the polarity of the connection: the magnetic cable should be tightly attracted to the contacts.
• 🔥 If the watch warms up when charging, turn it off immediately.

🖥️ The clock is charged but not turned on

• 🕒 Wait 1-2 hours on charging – sometimes the battery is discharged to 0%.
• 🔄 Try hard reset: for Mi Band, hold the button for 20 seconds; for Xiaomi Watch, hold the button + charger.
• 📥 Connect the watch to your PC via cable and check if it is defined as a device (in Device Manager).

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi Watch S3 Watch 2 Pro after resetting is required PIN-code, but you did not install it – this is a sign that the device was tied to another Mi Account.

If nothing works, check the watch for warranty.

• 🔧 Refresh the power controller (cost) ~1000-1500 rubles.).
• 🔋 Replace the battery (relevant for models over 2 years old).
• 🖥️ Restore the firmware through the service cable.

6. Reset to factory settings: when and how to do

Hard reset can help if the watch:

• 🔄 Hanging on the Mi logo.
• 📵 Not synchronized with the phone.
• ⚙️ They work unstablely (reboot independently, do not count steps).

Resetting methods for different models:

Important: Once reset, all data from the watch (steps, training, settings) will be deleted, and if the watch was linked to the Mi Account, it can be recovered from the cloud.

If the reset doesn't work, try flashing the watch manually through a PC.

• 🖥️ Mi Fit Tool or Gadgetbridge.
• 📁 Firmware for your model (you can download it on the forum) 4PDA).
• 🔌 Firmware cable (sometimes a soldering iron is required to connect to contacts).

⚠️ Attention: Unprofessional firmware can turn a watch into a brick. If you are not sure of your abilities, contact the service.

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Resetting to factory settings deletes all local data, but does not affect the warranty. If the watch is warranty, you should first contact the service center.

7. Optimal settings after the first switching on

To Xiaomi watches worked stably and economically consume charge, adjust the following parameters:

⚡ Battery savings

• 🌙 Turn on the "Sleep" mode at night (disables the screen illumination).
• 🔄 Set the data synchronization interval: 1 time per hour (not every 5 minutes).
• 📵 Disable notifications from unnecessary apps (such as games).

🏃 Sensor accuracy

• 🎯 Calibrate the pedometer: walk 20 steps with your phone in your hand, then sync the data.
• ❤️ Set up your heart rate zones manually (in the Mi Fitness app). → Profile → Health settings).
• 🛌 Turn on sleep tracking (but turn off automatic napping if you sleep sensitively).

🛡️ Security

• 🔒 Install. PIN-watch code (in security settings).
• 📍 Turn off geolocation for Mi Fitness app if not in use GPS-tracking.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware (new versions fix vulnerabilities).

For models with GPS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3) recommended:

• 📍 Before your first outdoor workout, wait until the clock catches the satellites (badge) GPS I need to stop blinking).
• 🏞️ In the settings GPS Select the "Energy Saving" mode for long runs.

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If you have a Mi Band 8 with NFC, activate the "Fast Payment" function in the settings. To do this, you need to link a bank card in the Mi Pay application (available only for Russian banks that support Mir Pay or UnionPay).

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even after successful activation, users often face problems due to incorrect actions, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

🚫 Mistake: The watch discharges quickly

Reason: Constant synchronization with the phone, enabled GPS screenlight.

Decision:

• Turn off automatic synchronization (leave manual only).
• Reduce the brightness of the screen to 50%.
• Turn off notifications from social media.

🚫 Error: Notifications are not received

Reason: The phone has disabled permissions for Mi Fitness or power saving mode.

Decision:

• In the phone settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Permissions: Enable "Show over other windows".
• Add Mi Fitness to the battery optimization exception list.
• Reconnect the clock to the phone.

🚫 Mistake: The watch doesn't count steps or pulse

Reason: Wrong position on the hand, dirt on the sensor or outdated firmware.

Decision:

• Wear the watch 2-3 fingers above the wrist (the sensor should fit tightly to the skin).
• Wipe the sensors on the back of the watch with an alcohol napkin.
• Update the firmware through the app.

🚫 Mistake: Clocks don't define exercise

Reason: Automatic activity recognition is disabled in the settings.

Solution: In the Mi Fitness app → Device profile → Training settings turn on "Autodetermination".

If the problem recurs, check if there is any physical damage to the sensors. On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and similar models, the pulse sensor is located on the back side - it is easy to scratch if you wear a watch without a strap.

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions