How to Turn on Xiaomi Smart Watch: From Charging to First Launch

Xiaomi smartwatches are some of the most popular wearables on the market, but even with them, users sometimes have difficulties during the first turn on stage, especially when it comes to models without physical buttons (for example, Mi Band 7 or Xiaomi Watch S3), where it is not immediately clear how to activate the screen or start the setup process.

We will not only look at standard models like the Redmi Watch. 4 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, but also pay attention to specific cases: what to do if the watch does not respond to pressing, how to turn it on after deep discharge, and why sometimes forced reboot is required. 2026 Checked for compatibility with the latest Mi app updates Fitness/Zepp Life.

If you've just unpacked a new device or pulled out a watch after a long downtime, this article will save you time and avoid unnecessary errors. Let's start with the most important thing: checking your battery power.

1.Preparation for the first inclusion: charging and diagnosis

Before you try to turn on Xiaomi smartwatches, make sure they are charged. Even if the device is new, the factory charge rarely exceeds 20-30%, and it takes at least 50% of the charge to start and sync with the smartphone for the first time.

• 🔌 Connect the watch to the charger. For Mi Band models, use the original magnetic connector cable, for Xiaomi Watch, use the wireless charging pad (if provided).
• ⏳ Leave the device on charge at least for 30-40 The charge indicator (usually a red or green LED) should light up a few seconds after connecting.
• 📱 While the watch is charging, install the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Zepp Life (for Xiaomi Watch) from Google Play or the App Store on your smartphone.

Not all Xiaomi models show the charge level when connected to the network. For example, the Mi Band 6 and later display the indicator only after pressing the touch button. If the screen does not respond, try holding your finger on the button for 10-15 seconds - this can wake the device.

If the clock is not turned on after charging, check:

• 🔋 State of the charger contacts – they must be clean and not damaged.
• 🔌 Cable and adapter fault (try charging from another power source).
• 📦 Presence of protective film on contacts (relevant for new devices).

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If Xiaomi watches do not respond to charging, try connecting them to a power source with output 5V/1A (standard USB-Sometimes powerful adapters (e.g. from smartphones) can block charging due to protocol incompatibility.

2. How to turn on a physical button watch (Mi Band, Redmi Watch)

Most Xiaomi fitness bracelets (Mi Band and Redmi Watch series) are equipped with a physical button or touch zone.

1. Make sure the device is charged (the indicator should be green or flash when connected to the charge).
2. Press and hold the physical button (or touch area below the screen) for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the button and wait for the system to boot. The watch or welcome menu should appear on the screen.

For models Mi Band 5/6/7/8 and Redmi Watch 3/4 algorithm is the same, but there are nuances:

If nothing happens after holding the button:

⚠️ Warning: The device may be in deep discharge mode. Connect it to charging on the 1-2 Sometimes the power controller will block the power on until the minimum charge level is reached (5%).

Make sure the battery is charged (>20%)|Check the integrity of the cable|Press and hold the button for 5 seconds|Wait for the Mi logo to appear|Release the button and wait for the loading-->

3. Enable the watch without buttons (Xiaomi Watch, Watch S)

Xiaomi’s premium smartwatches (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3, Watch Color) often lack physical buttons, either through the touch screen or automatically when connected to charging. Here’s a step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the watch to the charger. The charge indicator (battery icon) should appear on the screen.
2. If the screen is not active, tap it with your finger or swipe it either way. Some models require double tapping.
3. After the Mi logo appears, wait until the system is fully loaded. This can take up to 1-2 minutes.
4. If the watch does not react, hold your finger on the screen for 10-15 seconds – this will force the device to unlock.

For models with a rotating crown (for example, Xiaomi Watch S3):

• 🎛️ Press the crown once – the screen must be activated.
• 🔄 If the clock is off, hold the crown. 5-7 seconds until you feel the vibration.
• 📱 After turning on, follow the instructions on the screen to connect to the phone.

A critical nuance: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and later may require binding to your Mi Account when first enabled, without which some features (such as notifications or payments) will be blocked.

4. Forced reset and reset settings

If Xiaomi’s smartwatches aren’t turned on in the standard way, you may need to force a reboot or factory reset.

• 🔄 System freezes after firmware update.
• 📉 Critical battery discharge (less than 3%).
• 🔧 Incorrect settings blocking the inclusion.

How to make a forced reboot:

1. Connect the watch to the charger (required!).
2. For models with a button: hold it for 15-20 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the logo.
3. For buttonless models: Hold your finger on the screen for 20 seconds or press the crown (if any) at the same time.
4. After the reset, the clock should be turned on in normal mode.

Reset to factory settings (erase all data!):

1. Turn on the clock (if it is turned off).
2. For Mi Band: go to Settings → System → Reset (on some models you need to press the button 5 times quickly).
3. For Xiaomi Watch: Go to Settings → About Device → Reset or hold the crown for 30 seconds before the recovery menu appears.
4. Confirm the reset (usually a swipe or button press is required).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Watch models S3 A new reset via the menu may require you to enter a password from Mi Account. If you do not remember it, use the recovery function at account.xiaomi.com.

5.Sync with phone and setup after switching on

Once successfully enabled, Xiaomi’s smartwatches need to be synced to a smartphone, a process that is the same for most models, but there are differences depending on the app:

• 📱 For Mi Band: Use Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit).
• ⌚ For Xiaomi Watch: Use Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the app on your phone and sign up (or sign in to your Mi/Xiaomi account).
2. Click Add Device and select your model from the list.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: Confirm the pairing on the clock (usually you need to press a button or swipe up).
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete. At this point, the clock can reset.
5. Set up the basic parameters: language, units of measurement, notifications.

If the watch doesn't find the phone:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocated.
• 🔗 In your phone’s Bluetooth settings, delete the old clock connection (if it was one).
• 📲 Update the Mi app Fitness/Zepp Life to the latest version.

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Without sync with your smartphone, most of the features of Xiaomi smartwatches will not be available: notifications, GPS-Tracking, firmware updates and even some training regimes.

6. Frequent errors and their solution

Even after successful activation, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🔧 Hardware damage: cracks on the screen, moisture (on models without protection) IP68).
• 📦 Device authenticity: Counterfeiting often has power and software issues.
• 🔄 Firmware region: Some models (e.g. China) require special versions of applications.

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If Xiaomi’s smartwatches start to glittle after the firmware update, try rolling back to the previous version. Go to Device Profile → Software Update → Roll back (if the feature is available) in the Zepp Life app.

7. Features of inclusion for old and new models

The switching algorithm may vary depending on the year of release of the device, and here are the key differences:

• 🕒 Old Models (Mi Band) 1-4, Amazfit Bip: Have a physical button to hold 5-7 You need to be bound to Mi Fit (new versions of the app may not support these devices) No touch controls - all actions are done through a button.

For models 2023-2026 years (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3 Smart Band 8 Pro) new functions added:

• 🔐 Biometric authentication: unlocking by fingerprint (on some models).
• 🌐 Independent Wi-Fi Connection: Allows you to install apps without a phone.
• 🔋 Fast charging: 10 minutes of charging is enough for 1 day of work.

If you have purchased a used device, be sure to reset it to factory settings before the first switch on. This will remove the binding to the previous owner and avoid synchronization problems.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions