How to turn on Xiaomi 6 smartwatch: from charging to first setup

The Xiaomi Watch 6 is not just an accessory, but a complete gadget for health, sports and everyday tasks. But what if after buying or long idle hours the watch does not respond to buttons? The first turn on can raise questions even among experienced users, especially if the battery is completely discharged or the device requires tethering to a phone. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate the Xiaomi Watch 6, from basic charging to solving typical problems.

Many people mistakenly think that it is enough to press a physical button — but in practice, the process involves checking the charge, connecting correctly to the charger and syncing with the smartphone through the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for the global version), if the watch does not show signs of life, the problem may lie in the power supply, cable or even firmware.

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi Watch 6 does not turn on after 30 minutes on charging, do not try to disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty. First check the health of the charger and cable (more in the "Troubleshooting" section»).

1.Preparation for the first turn on: what to check before activation

Before you turn on the Xiaomi Watch 6, make sure that three key conditions are met:

• 🔋 Battery charge: even a new watch can have a minimum charge (5-10%). Connect it to the charger for 15-20 minutes before first turning on.
• 📱 Compatible smartphone: to set up you will need a phone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life for the global version of the watch).
• 🔌 Original Cable: Use only Xiaomi’s complete magnetic cable – third-party charging may not fit voltage or polarity.

If the watch was in long storage (more than 3 months), its battery could go into "sleep" mode, in which case you need to connect the charge for 1-2 hours, even if the indicator is not on, only after that Attempt switch on.

⚠️ Note: Do not use wireless charging stations or power bank with output more 5V/1A — This can damage the power controller of the watch. 5V/0.5A.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to turn on Xiaomi Watch 6

The activation process depends on the state of the watch, and let's consider two scenarios: first activation after purchase and re-start after discharge.

Scenario 1: New watch (first inclusion)

1. Connect the watch to the charger. Charging animations (battery icon) should appear on the screen. If not, see Troubleshooting.
2. Wait for the charge to at least 20% (the screen will display a percentage or icon of a partially filled battery).
3. Press and hold the physical button on the right side of the case for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: select a language, connect to your phone via Bluetooth (see the next section).

Scenario 2: The clock is dead or turned off

If the watch has been used but is not currently responsive:

1. Connect them to charge for 10-15 minutes (even if the indicator does not burn).
2. Press the power button once. If the screen doesn't light up, hold the 10-15 second button for a forced reboot.
3. If the clock vibrates but the screen is black, it may have been a firmware failure, in which case a reset is required (instructions in the “Reset” section).

Charging connected to the original 5V/0.5A| adapter

The screen shows the charging indicator (battery icon)|

Power button held for at least 5 seconds |

Smartphone ready for synchronization (Mi Fitness app installed)-->

3. Phone synchronization: without it, the clock won't work

Xiaomi Watch 6 is not a standalone device – to work properly, they need to be tied to the smartphone through the official application. Without this, many functions (notifications, sleep monitoring, software updates) will not be available.

Synchronization instructions:

1. Install the app: For China: Mi Fitness (available on AppGallery or on the official website) For the global version: Zepp Life (Google Play or App Store).

Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi/Zepp account.

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow the app to access geodata (required!).

In the app, click Add Device → Wrist devices → Xiaomi Watch 6.

Follow the instructions on the watch and phone screen (confirm pairing, select basic settings).

⚠️ Note: If the app doesn’t find the watch, try it:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off./On.).
• 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in the phone settings and repeat the search.
• 🔋 Make sure the clock charge exceeds 30% (at low charge, Bluetooth may not be switched on).

Chinese (Mi Fitness) |

Global (Zepp Life)|

I don't know.|

Another model-->

4. Troubleshooting: The clock is not included

If the Xiaomi Watch 6 doesn’t respond to the power button or charge, check out the following:

If none of the methods did not help, and the watch is under warranty - contact the Xiaomi service center. Self-repair can lead to a break in the board.

5. Resetting settings: when necessary

Resetting to factory settings helps in cases of:

• 🔄 Watches glitch, slow down or not synced with the phone.
• 🔒 You forgot. PIN-code (if it is installed).
• 📱 The clock was previously linked to another account.

How to reset your settings:

Method 1: Through the menu of the clock

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙ Settings → System system → Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method 2: Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

1. Open the app and select your watch.
2. Go to the Device Profile → Settings → Reset.
3. Confirm the reset and wait for the process to be completed (the clock will reset).

⚠️ Note: After reset, all data (stepmer, training history, settings) will be deleted. backups in Xiaomi Watch 6 are not provided - sync important data with your phone in advance.

💡

If the clock doesn't turn on after reset, try plugging it into a charger and holding the power button for 15 seconds. Sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts to get out of the looped state.

6.Firmware Update: Why It's Important for First Including

After successful activation of the Xiaomi Watch 6, it is recommended to update the firmware, which will fix possible bugs, improve stability and add new features.

1. Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
2. Select your watch and go to the Device Profile → Software Update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until the end (the clock will reboot).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process or disconnect the watch from your phone. If the firmware “flew” during the update, you will need to flash it through your PC (see spoiler below).

7. Optimal settings after the first switching on

To make the Xiaomi Watch 6 work as efficiently as possible, set the following parameters:

• ⚡ Energy saving: Turn off unnecessary notifications (Settings) → Notifications) and activate Battery mode in your workout profile.
• 🔔 Notifications: Allow only important alerts (calls, SMS, messengers, so as not to waste charge.
• 🌙 Sleep monitoring: Enable automatic sleep tracking in your health settings.
• 🔒 Security: Install PIN-unlock code (Settings) → Lock screen).

It is also recommended to calibrate the pedometer:

1. Walk 20 steps with your phone in your hand (for accuracy).
2. Compare the data in Mi Fitness and on the watch.
3. If you diverge more than 10%, calibrate the sensor to Settings → Sensors → Pedometer Calibration.

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After the first turn on, let the watch fully discharge and charge up to 100% 2-3 times - this will help calibrate the battery controller and extend its life.

FAQ: Frequent questions about including Xiaomi Watch 6