Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets have long been an integral part of the brand ecosystem, but their first connection to a smartphone often raises questions from users. Even if you already have experience with Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch gadgets, each new model can have its own nuances of synchronization. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to connect a watch to a phone, from basic setting through Mi Fitness to solving typical connection errors.
Special attention will be paid to device compatibility: not all Xiaomi watches work equally well with other phones. For example, the Mi Band 8 Pro requires a smartphone with Android 6.0+ and Bluetooth 5.0, while older versions of the Mi Band 3 can sync even with Android 4.4.
1.What Xiaomi watch can I connect to my phone?
Xiaomi’s wearables ecosystem includes more than 20 models, but not all of them are compatible with modern smartphones. Below is the current list of supported gadgets and their features:
- 📱 Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8 — Basic fitness bracelets with pulsemeter and notifications. Support Android 4.4+ iOS 9.0+ (restrictively).
- ⌚ Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3 — «smartwatch AMOLED-screen, GPS support NFC (Android only).
- 🏃 Redmi Watch 2/3 — budget hours with a SpO2 sensor and 100+ Training regimes. Compatible with Android 6.0+.
- 💎 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – the flagship model of 2023 with Wear OS (Google Mobile Services requires).
Important: Wear OS models (such as the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) won’t work on phones without Google services (Huawei, some versions of MIUI for the Chinese market), and note the Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.0+ is recommended for stable synchronization.
2. Preparation of the phone before connection
Before you connect the watch to the phone, you need to follow several mandatory steps, skipping any of them can lead to synchronization errors or unstable operation of the gadget.
Turn on Bluetooth and GPS
Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version
Allow all requested permissions (geolocation, notifications, auto-run)
Reboot your phone (recommended when you first connect)-->
Pay special attention to the permissions for the Mi Fitness application:
- Activate permissions: 📍 Geolocation (for accurate jogging tracking). 🔔 Notifications (to allow the clock to duplicate messages from the phone). 🔄 Auto-run (for background data synchronization).
⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14+ You may need additional "Show Over Other Windows" permission to properly operate the watch widgets. → Special facilities → Showing over other windows.
3. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect Xiaomi watches to the phone
Consider the universal connection algorithm for the Mi Band 8 and Xiaomi Watch S2. For other models, the steps may differ slightly.
Method 1: Using the Mi Fitness app (recommended)
- Install the app: 📥 For Android: Download Mi Fitness from Google Play or AppGallery. 🍎 For iPhone: Use Mi Fitness from the App Store (features limited).
Register an account
When you first start, the app will prompt you to sign in via Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple ID. Use the same account as you did on your phone to avoid sync issues.
Add the device.
Click Add Device → Bracelet or Watch (depending on the model). Choose your model from the list. If it's not available, update the app.
Synchronize over Bluetooth
Make sure the pairing mode is on (usually hold the 3-5 second button until it appears). QR-In the app, click "Connect" and confirm the connection on both devices.
Method 2: Wear OS (for Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro)
Models on Wear OS are connected differently:
- Install the Wear OS by Google app.
- Turn on the watch pairing mode (Settings → System → Connection → Add a new device).
- In the Wear OS app, select the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro from the list and follow the instructions.
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If the clock is not set, try resetting it to factory settings: Settings → System → Data Reset. Reconnect after resetting.
Table: Compatibility of watch models with the phone OS
| Model clock | Android | iOS | Required version of Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 3/4 | 4.4+ | 9.0+ (limited) | 4.0 |
| Mi Band 5/6/7/8 | 6.0+ | 10.0+ (limited) | 5.0 |
| Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 | 7.0+ | — | 5.0 |
| Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | 8.0+ (with GMS) | — | 5.2 |
| Redmi Watch 2/3 | 6.0+ | 12.0+ (limited) | 5.0 |
4. Notification setting and data synchronization
Once successfully connected, you need to configure the duplication of notifications from the phone to the clock, which will allow you to see incoming calls, messages from messengers and reminders directly on the screen of the gadget.
How to enable notifications:
6. Additional settings after connection
After successful synchronization, it is recommended to configure the following parameters for maximum convenience:
1. Personalization of the dial
On models Xiaomi Watch S2 and Redmi Watch 3 you can install third-party dials:
- Open Mi Fitness and go to Dial Bluts.
- Choose your favorite design from the collection or download yours through Amazfit Watch Faces.
- Click "Apply" - the dial is updated on the clock for 10-20 seconds.
2.Setting up sleep and activity tracking
To ensure that sleep and exercise data are recorded correctly:
- 🛌 Enable "Sleep Monitor" in the clock settings (Profile) → Sleep settings).
- 🏃 Select priority activities in "Training" → My sports".
- ⚖️ Specify the exact parameters of the body (Profile) → Physical data) for correct calorie counting.
3. Music management from the clock
On models with Bluetooth audio support (for example, Xiaomi Watch S2), you can:
- 🎵 Control the music playback on the phone (pause, next track).
- 🔊 Save playlists right on the clock (up to 500 songs in format) MP3).
To do this, go to "Music" and follow the instructions.
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If the watch does not recognize gestures (e.g. raising your hand to turn on the screen), check the settings in Settings → Screen → Gestures. Some models require calibration of the motion sensor.
7. How to disconnect the watch from the phone?
If you need to temporarily disconnect the connection or connect the watch to another device, do the following:
Method 1: Through the Mi Fitness app
- Open Mi Fitness and go to the device profile.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Disable Device".
- Confirm the action – the clock will be detached from the account.
Method 2: Through the settings of the clock
On the watch itself:
- Go to Settings → System → Disconnect from the phone.
- Confirm the connection's broken.
⚠️ Warning: After disconnecting, all data (steps, sleep, workouts) will remain in the Xiaomi account, but reconnecting to another phone may require resetting the clock to factory settings.