How to connect Mi Watch to Xiaomi phone: full guide

Integrating wearables into the Xiaomi ecosystem gives users access to enhanced health statistics and instant notifications. The process of pairing a smartwatch with a smartphone of the same brand is usually faster and more stable thanks to the optimization of the MIUI system or the new HyperOS. However, even within the same ecosystem, nuances can arise that require careful approach to Bluetooth configuration and application permissions.

In this article, we will take a look at all the steps, from initial preparation to fine-tuning notifications to ensure that your device works smoothly. You will learn what applications are needed for different watch models and how to avoid typical errors when you start the first time. Proper communication between devices is key to correctly tracking heart rate, sleep and activity.

Before you get to the technical steps, make sure that both devices have at least 50% battery charge, which is a critical parameter, since the initial synchronization and firmware update process can require significant energy. If the charge is low, the watch can shut down at the most critical moment, which will lead to a reset.

Device preparation and application selection

The first step is to determine the right software to control your gadget. Unlike in the old days, when there was one universal solution, now the line of wearable devices is divided between several platforms. For most modern models, such as the Mi Watch Lite, Mi Band and the new Mi Watch series, the main application is Mi Fitness (formerly known as Zepp Life in some regions, but now there is an active transition).

Owners of flagship models such as the Mi Watch S1 or Mi Watch S1 Active sometimes require the WearOS by Google app, but in the EMEA region they also often work through Mi Fitness. It is important not to get confused and download exactly the software that is recommended for your specific watch modification.

Apps should be downloaded exclusively from trusted sources to avoid malicious code. For Xiaomi phones, this is the GetApps store or the official Google Play Market. APK-Files from questionable resources may lead to leakage of personal data about your health and location.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install modified versions of applications to unlock regions.This often leads to the inability to log in to your Mi Account and loss of software warranty.

Make sure your smartphone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocated. Android requires location access to scan BLE-Bluetooth Low Energy, not active GPS-The phone module simply “will not see” your watch in the list of gadgets available for connection.

The process of pairing through Mi Fitness

Once you install the Mi Fitness app, you need to log in. Use your Mi Account to log in, which will ensure that you sync with all the other devices in the brand. If you don't already have an account, it will take no more than a minute to sign up. After you log in to the main interface of the app, click on the Devices tab or the + button in the top corner of the screen.

Take your watch in your hand and wait for it to appear. QR-The app will automatically search for nearby devices. Once your watch name appears in the list, click on it. On your smartphone screen and on the watch display, a confirmation code may appear — check the numbers and confirm the pairing.

During the connection, the system will request several important permissions, such as access to contacts, call logs, SMS and app notifications if you want to see messages from messengers on your wrist, and a permit to operate in the background to keep pulse and step data continuously transmitted.

If the automatic search didn’t give results, try scanning. QR-The code displayed on the watch screen via the application interface is often more reliable when you first connect, because it forces the pairing mode to be triggered, and when you successfully connect, you'll start synchronizing time and date, and checking for firmware updates.

Configure notifications and permissions in MIUI

MIUI’s operating shell is known for its aggressive energy saving policy, which can kill application background processes. To keep the Mi Watch running properly, you need to manually configure permissions for the Mi Fitness app. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Mi Fitness.

In the permissions menu, find the "Out-Start" option and activate it. This will allow the application to run with the system and not be a closed battery optimizer. It is also recommended to set the power saving mode for this application to "No restrictions." This is a key point for stable operation of push notifications.

Next, go to Bluetooth settings. Find your watch in the list of connected devices and make sure that it activates switches for contact and call history, without which you can't see the name of the caller or make calls right from the watch if the model supports this feature.

⚠️ Note: When updating the system MIUI Power saving settings can be reset to factory. After each major OS update, check autostart status for the watch application.

For users who only want to receive notifications from selected contacts or apps, there is a flexible setup inside the Mi Fitness itself. You can choose specific apps from the list of apps installed on the phone whose notifications will be duplicated for hours.

Solving synchronization problems

Despite belonging to the same ecosystem, sometimes there are situations when the Xiaomi phone does not see the watch or breaks the connection. Often the problem lies in the cache of the Bluetooth module. Try to go to Settings → Bluetooth, find your watch in the list, click on the gear icon and select "Forget the device" or "Cancel pairing."

Then reboot both devices. Reboot clears temporary files and resets the communication protocol stacks, which solves the invisibility problem in 80% of cases. If the problem persists, check if the watch is connected to the other phone. One gadget can only be paired with one smartphone at a time.

In some cases, resetting the network settings on your smartphone helps. This action will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, so be prepared to re-enter passwords. Path to reset: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.

If you use third-party dials, they can cause conflicts. Try to return a standard dial through the app and check the connection stability. Heavy graphics on dials sometimes overload the data buffer between the phone and the clock.

Update of the watch firmware

Immediately after the connection, the application will offer to update the watch software, it is strongly recommended to agree to this action. Firmware updates contain not only new features, but also important security patches, as well as fixing errors in the Bluetooth module and sensors.

The upgrade process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the watch screen may go out and light up, and the progress bar will move in jerks. Don't panic or try to break the connection. Interrupting the firmware record can cause the watch to turn into a brick and require service intervention.

Make sure that during the upgrade, the phone is near the clock and has a stable Internet connection.The firmware file is downloaded to the phone and then transmitted to the clock over a Bluetooth channel.The data transfer speed over Bluetooth is limited, so the process takes time.

💡

If the update is stuck at 99% or 1%, don't rush to reboot the clock. Wait 10-15 minutes. Often the system completes background database optimization, and the indicator just doesn't update visually.

Once the update is successfully installed, the watch will automatically restart. Check the software version in the watch settings or in the app to see if the operation is successful. Often, after the update, the pedometer accuracy and interface response speed improve.

Additional features and widgets

Once you have a basic setup, you can access the advanced features, download new dials, set activity targets, and add widgets to the watch’s home screen. The Mi Fitness app offers a dial store where thousands of designers create screen designs.

For athletes, setting up your workouts is important, and you can choose the type of activity (running, cycling, swimming) and adjust the data you see on the screen during exercise, and the watch will transmit real-time telemetry, plotting your pulse and pace.

You should also pay attention to the phone search feature, which means that if you lose your smartphone within your apartment, start this feature on your watch, and the phone will start ringing loudly even if it is silent (depending on your settings), which is convenient in everyday life.

⚠️ Attention: Function NFC Mi Pay only works in certain regions and with certain banks. NFC It is often used only for reading access cards or transport, but not for payment.

Use the Stress and Breath widget to monitor your nervous system. The watch analyzes heart rate variability and suggests relaxation exercises. These data are also synchronized with the app to generate long-term statistics of how you feel.

💡

Regular calibration of sensors and wearing watches tightly attached to the wrist (but not compressive) significantly improves the accuracy of heart rate and sleep measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)