Applications for smart watches Xiaomi: how to turn the gadget into a multifunctional assistant

Xiaomi smartwatches have long ceased to be just fitness trackers — today they are full-fledged gadgets with advanced capabilities. But few people know that their functionality can be significantly increased with the help of third-party applications. 30-40% The potential of the Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch S3 or Redmi Watch 4. In this article, we will analyze what applications are really needed for Xiaomi watches, how to install them and what tasks they solve – from sleep monitoring to smart home management.

It’s important to understand that not all apps are equally useful. Some duplicate standard features, others require root access (which voids the warranty), and others can harm the device at all. We have selected only proven solutions that work on most Xiaomi watches (including the Mi Watch, Amazfit and Haylou) and do not require complex manipulations. You will also learn which programs should be removed immediately after purchase - they only consume battery.

Why do you need applications for Xiaomi smart watches?

Xiaomi's standard smartwatch software covers basic needs: pedometer, pulsemeter, notifications. But what if you need more?

• 📊 Advanced health analytics – not only the pulse, but also stress levels, heart rate variability (HRV), prognosis.
• 🎨 Customization of appearance – thousands of dials, animations, themes (including themes for the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch).
• 🏠 Smart Home Integration – Manage Xiaomi Home, Google Assistant or Alice from the Wrist.
• 🎵 Autonomous music playback – without being tied to a smartphone (for example, via Spotify or Yandex Music).

Without third-party apps, many of these features are either missing or running in a stripped-down form. For example, the standard Mi Fitness app doesn't have detailed phase analysis, and the dials are updated once a month, and specialized programs solve these problems.

Another key point is compatibility. Not all apps work with all models. S3 fitting APK-file ADB, Mi Band 7 is branded software only. We're going to break down the options for different devices.

Top.-5 Required applications for Xiaomi watches

We tested dozens of programs and selected those that are really worth installing, all of which are free (or have a free version) and do not require root rights.

Important: Mi Band Master app lets you bypass Xiaomi’s regional restrictions (e.g. enable) NFC Payment in Russia, even if the function is not officially supported).

Each of these apps solves a specific problem, such as Sleep as Android not only tracks sleep phases, but also wakes at the optimal moment (30 minutes before the set time) to make it easy to wake up, and AmazTools gives access to thousands of dials that are not available in the official Xiaomi store.

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Before installing third-party applications, disable automatic updates of proprietary software in Mi Fitness – sometimes new versions block the work of third-party programs.

How to install applications on Xiaomi watches: step-by-step instructions

The way you install it depends on the model of the watch, and let's look at two basic options for devices on Zepp. OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3) It is also a simpler model like the Mi Band 7.

Method 1: Installation through APK (Zepp OS)

1. Download. APK-file of the desired application (for example, from the APKMirror site).
2. Connect the clock to the computer through ADB (You need to have the developer mode on).
3. Enter the command in the terminal: adb install name file.apk
4. Reboot the clock (adb reboot).

Method 2: Through third-party launchers (for Mi Band)

For Mi Band and Redmi Watch direct installation APK No, but you can use companion apps:

1. Install Mi Band Master or Notify for Mi Band.
2. Connect the watch via Bluetooth.
3. In the application settings, select the desired functions (for example, customization of notifications or dials).
4. Synchronize the data.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Mi Band Master) require you to disable the official Mi Fitness during setup, which can result in loss of daytime activity data. → Account. → Backup.

Health and fitness apps: What really works?

Xiaomi’s standard smartwatch sensors collect data, but their analysis is often superficial.

• 🩺 CardioBot - analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) To assess stress and fatigue levels, he works with Mi Band. 6/7 Xiaomi Watch S2.
• 🏃 Strava – synchronizes jogging data with professional trackers (supports Amazfit and Xiaomi Watch via Zepp) OS).
• 💤 Pillow is an alternative to Sleep as Android with a simpler interface (integrated with Mi Band via Health Sync).
• 🍽️ MyFitnessPal – Calorie data synchronization with Xiaomi trackers (requires manual tuning in Mi Fitness).

Critical information: CardioBot app can detect early signs of arrhythmia, but its data is no substitute for a cardiologist's consultation.In 2023, Xiaomi Watch users S2 with his help found in themselves atrial fibrillation at an early stage.

For athletes, integration with Strava is particularly useful, and it allows:

• Automatically load the jogging routes with GPS.
• Compare results with other users.
• Get detailed statistics on pace, pulse and calories.

⚠️ Note: When using MyFitnessPal, the calories from the Mi Band may be duplicated. To avoid this, in the Mi Fitness settings, turn off automatic sync with Google Fit if you are not using it.

Customization of appearance: dials, themes, animations

Xiaomi's official dial store is limited to just a few hundred options, many of which are repetitive. Third-party apps give access to thousands of designs, including animated and interactive.

The best sources of customization:

• 🎨 Facer – more than 100,000 dials (works with Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro via Wear) OS).
• ⚙️ AmazTools - not only dials, but also setting fonts, colors, location of widgets.
• 🖌️ WatchMaker – creating your dials from scratch (supports Amazfit and Xiaomi Watch) S1/S2).
• 🌈 Mi Band Faces – a collection of dials for Mi Band 5-8 previewable.

Example of settings through AmazTools:

1. Install the application on your smartphone.
2. Connect the watch via Bluetooth.
3. In the dial section, select your favorite design.
4. Click Apply and wait for synchronization.

⚠️ Note: Some dials from third-party sources may contain hidden ads or malicious code. download files only from trusted sites such as Amazfit Watch Faces or Facer.

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Dials with animation (for example, moving hands or background) reduce the time of the clock by 15-20%. If autonomy is critical, choose static designs.

Applications for music and media management

Xiaomi’s smartwatch can become a full-fledged music player – if you know what programs to use. The standard player in Mi Fitness supports only local files and has stripped down functionality.

Top solutions for music:

• 🎧 Spotify (for Wear) OS) — Music streaming directly to the watch (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
• 🎵 Musify – Playback control on a smartphone (works with Mi Band 7 and newer).
• 📻 SoundCloud – listening to podcasts and mixes (via Zepp) OS).
• 🔊 Poweramp - advanced player with equalizer (requires manual download of tracks on the clock).

For autonomous music listening (without a smartphone) you need:

1. Download tracks for the watch through Mi Fitness → Music. → Local files.
2. Connect Bluetooth headphones.
3. Use a Poweramp or standard player to play.

⚠️ Note: Watch Xiaomi Watch S3 Support up to 2GB of music, but files must be in format MP3 with a bitrate not higher than 320 kbit / s. FLAC or WAV nonreproduce.

Integration with smart home and voice assistants

Xiaomi’s smartwatches could be the remote control for the entire Mi Home ecosystem, but they need the right apps.

Opportunities for integration:

• 🏡 Mi Home – control of lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners (Xiaomi Watch) S2 support).
• 🗣️ Google Assistant for Wear Watches OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
• 🤖 Alice from Yandex – through the Yandex for Devices app (works with Mi Band 7 and newer).
• 🔌 Home Assistant – for advanced users (requires customization through the YAML-configuration).

Example of setting up Google Assistant on Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro:

1. Install Google and Google Assistant on your watch through the Play Market.
2. In the settings of the clock, turn on Voice input.
3. Say “OK, Google” or click on the microphone icon.

For the Mi Band, the options are limited, but you can set up quick commands. For example, Mi Band Master has Gesture feature. → Smart home management where you can tie double-clicking on the screen to the lights on.

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Xiaomi Watch Watch S3 It can work as a remote for Xiaomi Mi TVs TV To do this, you need to install the Mi Remote app (available only in Chinese firmware).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Watch apps