Xiaomi Smart Watches: How to Connect, Configure and Use 100%

Xiaomi smart watches have long ceased to be exotic — today they are full-fledged gadgets that can replace a fitness bracelet, a remote for a smart home and even a wallet. But how not to get lost in the variety of models Mi Band, Mi Watch and Redmi Watch? How to connect them to a smartphone, configure notifications and extend the battery life?

In this guide, we’ll look at all the key issues, from model selection to hidden features that aren’t written in the official instructions, how to sync your watch with Mi Fit or Zepp Life, which apps to install first, and why some features only work on Android, not iOS, and how to get around the 50 pin limit in the Mi Band 8, which Xiaomi doesn’t advertise.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned user, there's something new here, and let's start with the basics: how to make sure you're not wrong when you buy.

How to choose a smart watch Xiaomi: a comparison of all current models in 2026

Xiaomi smartwatch lineup today has more than 10 models – from the budget Redmi Watch 4 to the flagship Xiaomi Watch S4. To avoid overpaying for unnecessary functions, decide on priorities:

• 🏃 Fitness tracker – if you want accurate steps, sleep and pulse data, look for the Mi Band 8 or Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro.
• 📱 Autonomy from the smartphone – for calls and messages without a phone suitable Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro SIM-card.
• 💰 Budget up to 5,000 ₽ — Best choice: Redmi Watch 4 or Mi Band 8 (NFC-version).
• ⌚ Premium design – Xiaomi Watch S3 sapphire-glass.

Let’s look at the key models in the table:

An important nuance: models with NFC In Russia, they are often sold without Mir Pay support - check this feature before buying (CN) You may not be able to speak Russian from the box".

Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi smart watch to the phone

The connection process is simple, but many users experience sync errors or no notifications. Follow this algorithm to avoid problems:

1. Install the official annex: 📱 For the Mi Band. 8/Redmi Watch: Mi Fit (iOS) or Zepp Life (Android). ⌚ For the Xiaomi Watch S3/Watch 2 Pro: Xiaomi Wear only (available in AppGallery for Huawei).

Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation

Register.

Xiaomi Account

Google

Apple ID

Add the device.

Typical errors and decisions:

• ❌ "Can't connect" → Reboot the watch (press the button for 10 seconds) and the phone, then try again.
• ❌ "App doesn't see the clock" → Make sure your phone is on Bluetooth 5.0+ and power saving modes are turned off.
• ❌ "No notifications" → In the phone settings, give the Mi Fit application permission to Autostart and Work in the background.

Charge the watch to 50%+

Install the latest version of the application

Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Disable VPN (can block Xiaomi servers)

Reset the watch to factory settings (if it was already in use)-->

If the Mi Band 8 watch doesn't connect to the iPhone, try this trick: uninstall the Mi Fit app, restart the phone, then install it again. On Android, a similar problem is often solved by cleaning the app's cache (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache).

Previous articleHidden features of Xiaomi smart watches: what your watch can do, but you didn’t know about it

Even power users are often unaware of half the capabilities of their gadgets. Here are 5 non-obvious chips that work on most models:

• 🔍 Phone search: double-click on the watch button - the phone will emit a loud signal (works even if it is silent mode).
• 📸 Camera Control: In the Mi Fit app, enable Camera Control – now you can take pictures with a gesture or by pressing the watch screen.
• 🚶 Navigation without a phone: on Xiaomi Watch S3 You can download offline maps through Zepp Life (Navigation section).
• 💤 Smart alarm clock: watches analyze sleep phases and wake up at optimal time (±30 minutes from the set time. Included in Settings → Alarm clock → Smart alarm clock.
• 🔋 Emergency charge saving: on Mi Band 8 press the button for 5 seconds → Select Low Power Mode (up to 30 days without recharging!).

Little-known life hack for Mi Band 8: if no more is displayed in the appendix 50 Contacts for quick answer to calls, add others via the web version of Mi Fit (mi.com/health). There's a restriction — 200 contact.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro has another hidden feature called "Do Not Disturb" mode on schedule to set it up:

1. Open up Xiaomi Wear → The device → Don't disturb.
2. Activate the option on schedule.
3. Set a time (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
4. In the Exclusions section, select which notifications to skip (calls, messages, alarm clocks).

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If you have a Mi Band. 7/8, Try the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Play Market) alternative app, which lets you adjust vibrations for different contacts, add your dials, and even respond to messages with voice (on Android).

How to extend the life of the battery: optimizing energy consumption

Official data on autonomy is often overstated - in real-world conditions, Mi Band 8 work 7-10 The Xiaomi Watch S3 — 5-7. There are ways to increase the working time in 1.5-2 once:

Critical errors that kill the battery:

⚠️ Note: Do not leave your watch on charge more 2 hours after 100%. Xiaomi Lithium Polymer Batteries are Sensitive to Overcharging – This Reduces Their Resources 20-30% yearly.

For the Xiaomi Watch S3 And the Watch 2 Pro has another trick: turn off the background measurement. SpO₂ (This function eats up to 12 percent of the charge per day, although it is only useful for professional athletes:

Settings → Health → Oxygen Saturation → Measurement Mode → Manual

If the clock is discharged for 1-2 Check the charge consumption by application:

1. Open Mi Fit/Zepp Life.
2. Go to Profile. → The device → Battery status.
3. See which process consumes the most (most often it is a constant monitoring of heart rate).
4. Shut it down or limit it.

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The most effective way to save charge is to turn off the constant monitoring of heart rate and turn it on only during exercise. 40-50%.

How to update the firmware on Xiaomi smart watches: a step-by-step guide

Firmware updates add new features, fix bugs, and improve autonomy, but many users are afraid to upgrade because of the risk of "bricking" the device.

Method 1: Automatic update (recommended)

1. Connect the watch to charge and make sure it is >50% charge.
2. Open Mi. Fit/Zepp Life → Profile → The device → Update of the PO.
3. If an update is available, click Download and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).
4. After restarting the hours, check the firmware version in Settings → About the device.

Method 2: Manual update (if automatic does not work)

If the watch does not see the update, download the firmware manually:

1. Find the latest firmware for your model on the official Xiaomi website (Wearables section).
2. Download the file with the.fw extension.
3. Place it in the root folder of the phone (not in the folder!).
4. In the Mi Fit app, go to Software Update → Local Update and Select a File.

⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the upgrade process!If the Mi Band 8 watch hangs on the logo after firmware, reset: press the button for 20 seconds, then plug it into charging for 1 hour.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro has an alternative method through the ADB (Only for experienced users):

adb devices


adb shell am start -n com.xiaomi.wearable/.update.UpdateActivity

This command is forced to run an update check.

Synchronization with a smart home: how to manage Xiaomi-gadgets from the clock

Xiaomi smart watches can become a control panel for a smart home – turn on the lights, adjust the temperature or run a robot vacuum cleaner.

1. Make sure you have a Xiaomi Home (formerly Mi Home) and at least one smart home device (like Xiaomi Smart Lamp or Roborock).
2. In the Mi Fit app, go to Profile → The device → Smart home.
3. Click Add Device and select gadgets from the list.
4. Now the smart home widget will appear on the watch – control the devices directly from the wrist.

What devices are supported:

• 💡 Xiaomi Smart Lamp - adjusting brightness and color.
• 🧹 Roborock/Mi Robot Vacuum – Starting a Cleanup.
• 🔌 Xiaomi Smart Plug – Remotely switching on / off sockets.
• 🌡️ Xiaomi Temperature and Humidity Sensor – Climate Monitoring.

On the Xiaomi Watch S3 There's an additional function called automatic scripting:

• If I go to bed (sleep time), turn off the lights and turn on the humidifier.
• "If your heart rate is above 120, turn on the fan."

To customize the scenarios:

1. Open Xiaomi Home on your phone.
2. Go to Automation. → Create → Conditions.
3. Select a trigger (such as a sleep mode on the clock).
4. Add an action (e.g., turn off the lamp).

⚠️ Attention: If after linking with a smart home, the watch began to discharge quickly, turn off background synchronization in the settings of the smart home widget. 20-30%.

Frequent Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Your Watch Fails to Work

Even the most reliable gadgets sometimes fail. TOP-5 problems and ways of solving them:

If Mi Band 8 doesn’t connect to your iPhone after the iOS update, do:

1. Forget the device in Bluetooth Settings on iPhone.
2. Delete the Mi Fit app.
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Install Mi Fit again and reconnect.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with problems GPS:

1. Open Xiaomi Wear.
2. Go to Settings. → About the device → Reset GPS.
3. Go to an open space and wait for the data update (5-10 mine).

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If Xiaomi watches do not turn on after discharge, connect them to charging on the 30-40 Even if the screen doesn't respond, the battery can gradually recover. Don't try to disassemble the watch, it will take away your warranty!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Xiaomi smart watches