Xiaomi smart watches are not just an accessory for tracking time, but a full-fledged gadget that can replace a smartphone in many everyday tasks. S3 It's often limited to basics, and to unlock the full potential of a device, you need to install the right applications, but here, users face the first challenge: which programs are really needed, and which ones are just going to load up memory and drain the battery?
In this article, we analyzed over 50 Xiaomi watch apps (including Wear models). OS We've selected the best in 7 categories and prepared step-by-step installation instructions, and you'll learn how to turn your watch into a premium fitness tracker, a smart home control center, or even a standalone player with offline music. And we will also understand why some apps from Google Play do not work on Xiaomi watches and how to get around it.
1. How to install applications on Xiaomi watches: 3 working ways
Before we move on to the review of programs, we will deal with the main question: how to install software on a Xiaomi smart watch?
- ๐ฑ Through Mi. Fitness/Zepp Life - for models on proprietary firmware (Mi Band) 7/8 Pro, Watch S1/S2). Suitable only for official applications from the company store.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Through ADB (Android Debug Bridge โ a universal method for Wear OS-Watch 2 Pro, Watch (Watch 2 Pro, Watch) S3). Allows you to set up APK-manually.
- ๐ Google Play on the Watch โ if your model supports Wear OS 3+ (Watch 2 Pro after the update).
The simplest option is to use the proprietary Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit), and here the algorithm is:
- Open Zepp Life on your smartphone and connect the watch.
- Go to the Profile section โ My devices. โ [The name of your watch] โ App store.
- Select the desired application and click โInstallโ.
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If the Zepp Life store doesnโt have the app, try changing your account region to China or India, which is often where more apps are available.
For models on Wear OS (Watch 2 Pro is more complex but flexible:
1. Enable ADB debugging in the clock settings:
On the clock: Settings โ About phone โ Assembly number (tap 7 times) โ Return to Settings โ System โ For developers โ Enable debugging by ADB.
2. Connect the watch to your PC via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (use the Android Debug Bridge program).
3. Set the APK command:
adb install name file.apkWhy not everything APK They work for Wear OS?
2. Top.-5 mandatory applications for fitness and health
The main reason for buying smartwatches is activity and health monitoring. Xiaomiโs standard features cover basic needs, but for deep analytics or specific training, additional programs will be required.
| Annex | What do you need? | Compatibility | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strava | Professional running/bicycle tracking | Wear OS, Mi Band 7/8 Pro (via Zepp Life) | Synchronization with 40+ fitness services, detailed statistics of pace and pulse |
| Google Fit | Universal fitness tracker | Wear OS (preinstalled on the Watch 2 Pro) | Google Health Connect integration, automatic activity recognition |
| Sleep as Android | Advanced sleep analysis | Wear OS (purchase) | Smart alarm clock by sleep phases, recording snoring, integration with Google Fit |
| Mi Fitness (Zepp Life) | Official Xiaomi app | All models. | 120+ Training regimes, monitoring SpOโ, stress and energy |
| Cardio Journal | Heart rate control | Wear OS | Warnings about arrhythmia, exporting data to CSV doctor |
Sleep as Android is one of the few apps that can replace a full-fledged polysomnography test at home, not only tracking sleep phases, but also analyzing breathing, movement, and even noise levels in the room.
- ๐ฑ Install the main application on your smartphone (Android 6.0)+).
- ๐ Connect the clock through Settings โ Devices โ Add Wear OS.
- ๐ฐ Buy a premium version (โ300โฝ) unlock all functions.
3. Notification and Productivity Apps: How Not to Miss the Important
By default, Xiaomi watches show notifications from a smartphone, but their functionality is limited, specialized programs allow you to filter messages, quickly respond to templates or even manage calls.
The best solutions in this category:
- ๐ฉ Wear OS Phone is the official application from Google for managing calls and SMS It supports voice dialing and quick answers.
- ๐ Notification Center for Wear OS โ Alternative notification center with the ability to archive and sort messages by priority.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Telegram for Wear OS โ unofficial client with support for voice messages and stickers (installed via ADB).
- ๐ Google Calendar โ synchronize events with the ability to create reminders with voice.
Notification Center for Wear Special attention OS. Unlike the standard notification center, it allows:
- Group messages by app (for example, all WhatsApp notifications in one tab).
- Set up vibration for different types of notifications (calls, SMS, social media).
- Archive important messages for later viewing.
Disable unnecessary apps in Zepp Life โ Notifications โ Management|
Prioritize important contacts in the Settings of the clock โ Notifications โ Priority|
Set up the vibration: Settings โ Sound and vibration โ Vibration force|
Check sync with Google Account (for Wear) OS)
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โ ๏ธ Note: When using unofficial messenger clients (for example, Telegram for Wear) OS) There is a risk of data leakage. These apps do not pass Google's security checks, so it is not recommended to enter passwords from the main account into them.
4.Music and Media: How to Listen to Music Without a Phone
One of the main advantages of a smartwatch is that it can listen to music autonomously without carrying a smartphone.
- Watch with support for offline playback (Watch 2 Pro, Watch) S3 have 2 GB of memory).
- Bluetooth headphones (we recommend Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro for minimal delays).
- Application for downloading and playing music.
Top.-3 music-making:
- ๐ต Spotify (unofficial port) โ works through the ADB, The alternative is Deezer (officially supported by Wear). OS).
- ๐ง Musicolet - lightweight player with support for playlists and uniform (gapless) playback.
- ๐ป Wear Casts โ for listening to podcasts (synchronized with Google Podcasts).
To download music directly to the clock:
- Connect your watch to your PC via adb or Wi-Fi.
- Copy audio files (format) MP3 or AAC) folder /sdcard/Music/.
- Install a player (such as Musicolet) and upgrade the library.
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Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro supports streaming music through LTE, But you have to activate the eSIM in the operator's cabin. SIM-The map is only available offline playback.
5.Castomization: How to Change the Look of the Watch
Xiaomiโs standard dials are quickly boring, and there are limited options at the store, and luckily there are ways to set custom themes and even create your own.
The best tools for customization:
- ๐จ Facer is a platform with thousands of dials (requires subscriptions for premium themes). OS Some of the Mi Band models.
- โ๏ธ WatchMaker โ a designer of dials with support for animation and weather widgets.
- ๐๏ธ Pujie Black โ Minimalist dials with high performance (do not brake the battery).
To install a custom dial through Facer:
- Download Facer to your smartphone and watch (via Google Play or Google Watch) ADB).
- Select your favorite theme in the mobile app and click Sync to Watch.
- On the clock, open the Facer and apply the dial.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some custom dials contain hidden ads or collect location data. Before installing, check the reviews and ratings of the theme on Facer or WatchMaker.
6. Smart home and automation applications
Xiaomi watches can become a smart home control panel if you install the right programs, the main condition is the presence of a hub (for example, Xiaomi Gateway 3) or support for Google Home.
Useful annexes:
- ๐ Mi Home โ the official application for managing Xiaomi devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners).
- ๐ Google Home โ a universal center for devices with Matter support.
- ๐ Wear OS Tile for SmartThings โ Quick Access to Samsung SmartThings Scripts.
- ๐ก๏ธ Wear Weather โ Weather widget with support for smart thermostats.
To set up the management of a smart home from the clock:
- Install Mi Home or Google Home on your watch (via Google Play or Google Home) ADB).
- Sign in to the same account as on your smartphone.
- Add the right devices to Favorites for quick access.
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To control the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner right from the clock, add it to the Mi Home widgets and turn on the option โQuick Commands.โ Then one tap will be enough to start cleaning.
7 Games and Entertainment: What to Run on a Watch
Despite the modest technical specifications, on the watch Xiaomi can run simple games. It is entertainment for short pauses, but do not expect graphics level. PS5.
Top.-5 wear OS:
- ๐ฎ 2048 โ Classical puzzle with gesture support.
- โฝ Wear Soccer โ a football simulator with touch control.
- ๐งฉ Puzzle for Wear โ a collection of mini-games (puzzles, tetris, snakes).
- ๐น Archery Master โ Archery shooting using a gyroscope.
- ๐ง Brain Training โ a simulator for memory and logic.
To install games:
- Download. APK-game file (for example, from the APKMirror website).
- Set it through ADB adb install name file.apk.
- Run the game through the app menu on the clock.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Games are extremely draining. For example, Archery Master can reduce the time of the Watch 2 Pro from 7 to 3 hours when used actively. โ Annexes โ Auto-update.
8 How to Remove Unnecessary Apps and Clean Memory
Over time, Xiaomi watches become clogged with unnecessary programs, resulting in brakes and quick discharge.Memory cleaning is a mandatory procedure to maintain performance.
Methods of removing applications:
- ๐๏ธ Through Zepp Life: Profile โ My devices. โ [The clock] โ Application management โ Delete.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Through ADB: adb uninstall package application Example: adb uninstall com.spotify.music
- โ๏ธ Through the clock settings (for Wear) OS): Settings โ Annexes โ Select a program โ Delete.
To make room for the extra space:
- Remove the app cache in Settings โ Memory. โ Kesh.
- Transfer the music and photos to your smartphone.
- Turn off automatic download of updates for applications.
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On the Xiaomi Watch S3 You can increase the available memory by disabling preloaded voices for Google Assistant. -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.assistant.