How to turn on Xiaomi smart watches: video instructions + sensing

The first switch on Xiaomi smartwatches is a process that seems simple only at first glance. Even in modern models of the Mi Band 8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or budget Redmi Watch 3, users face unexpected difficulties: the device does not respond to the button, the screen remains black after charging, or the gadget turns on, but immediately turns off. This article will help to understand all the nuances from basic inclusion to solving non-standard situations.

We analyzed 12 popular models of Xiaomi smart watches (2019-2026), studied user reviews on forums. 4PDA And Mi Community, and they tested it on 5 devices, and they ended up with a universal guide that's suitable for both new watches and gadgets after a long period of downtime. Special attention was paid to typical errors – for example, why Xiaomi watches do not turn on after full discharge, even if you connected them to charging.

Preparation for the first inclusion: what to do before

Before you press the power button, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps, which will save you 80% of the power problems.

First, check the charge level. Most Xiaomi smartwatches (except flagship models like the Watch) S3) They come with a battery that is discharged. Even if the indicator on the box shows "charged", this is not always true. Connect the device to the charger for at least 30 minutes - this is enough to activate the basic functionality.

• 🔋 Charger: Use only the original cable and adapter (for magnetic-charged models, check the polarity of the contacts).
• 📱 Smartphone: Install Mi Fitness (for Mi Band) or Xiaomi Wear (for Xiaomi Watch) in advance.
• 🔄 Phone reboot: Sometimes Bluetooth conflicts get in the way of pairing - reboot your phone before connecting.
• 📄 Documentation: in the box with the clock is a brief instruction – there may be QR-code.

The second critical point is the surrounding temperature. -10°(c) or, conversely, they overheated in the sun (above) +45°C, give them 1–2 Lithium batteries in such conditions can temporarily block charging.

Standard Enablement: Button vs touch screen

How to turn on it depends on the model of the watch. Xiaomi uses two types of control:

1. Physical button (characteristic of Mi Band 3-6, Redmi Watch 2)
2. Touch screen (all models Xiaomi Watch, Mi Band) 7/8, Redmi Watch 3/4).

For button devices:

1. Connect the watch to charge for 5-10 minutes (even if it is new).
2. Press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. If the screen blinks and goes out, try again, holding the button longer (up to 20 seconds).

For touch screen devices:

1. Touch the screen and hold your finger for 8-10 seconds (some models need to be held upwards from the bottom edge).
2. If there is no reaction, connect the charging and repeat the action.
3. On the Xiaomi Watch S3 and later may require double touch on the screen at intervals of 1 second.

⚠️ Note: if the Xiaomi watch has been discharged to zero and does not turn on even after 30 minutes on charging, do not try to “resuscitate” it with multiple clicks of a button. This can lead to a failure of the power controller.

Video Instructions: How to Turn on Xiaomi Smart Watches

For visual experience, we've prepared a selection of official and custom videos with step-by-step actions, and pay attention to timecodes, which will help you quickly find the right stage.

If the video is in English, enable subtitles and automatic translation through YouTube settings (cogwheel). → «Subtitles» → «Autotranslation. for Xiaomi Watch models S2 It is also useful to watch a video with a mark. [2026] — It takes into account changes to the interface after updates.

💡

If the watch doesn’t respond to touch after turning on, try removing the screen shielding film – sometimes it blocks the sensor.

The clock is turned on, but not working: typical errors and decisions

Even if the device is turned on, it doesn't guarantee that it's fully functional, so let's look at some of the most common problems and how to fix them.

1.The clock is on but off immediately

Reasons:

• 🔋 Weak battery: After prolonged downtime, battery capacity could fall below critical levels.
• 🔌 Poor charging contact: oxidation or contamination of contacts on watches or cable.
• 📱 Phone conflict: If the watch was previously paired with another device, it can automatically shut down.

Decisions:

• Connect the watch to charge and leave for 6-8 hours (even if the indicator shows “100%”).
• Clean the contacts with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• Reset the clock settings through the app (Device Profile) → Reset).

2.The screen is working but does not respond to touch

This is typical for models with touch control (Mi Band 7, Xiaomi Watch 2).

• 💧 Moisture under the screen (if the watch is wet).
• 📱 Incorrect calibration of the sensor.
• 🔄 Firmware failure.

How to fix it:

1. Reset the clock (hold the button/sensor for 15 seconds).
2. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Settings → Additionally. → Screen calibration.
3. If your watch gets wet, put it in rice or silica gel for 12 hours.

3.The clock is on but not synchronized with the phone

Synchronization error is often associated with:

• 📵 Outdated version of the app (update Mi Fitness or Xiaomi Wear to Google) Play/App Store).
• 🔒 Restrictions of the OS: on Android 13+ You must manually allow access to notifications.
• 🌍 Regional settings: some features may be blocked in Russia (e.g. Xiaomi Pay).

⚠️ Note: If you bought a Xiaomi watch on AliExpress or in unofficial stores, it may be tied to a Chinese server, in which case you will need to sync: Change the region in the application to China. APK Register a Xiaomi account with a Chinese phone number (you can use a virtual number).

Features of inclusion after a long downtime

If the watch was idle for more than 3 months, its battery could go into sleep mode, in which case the standard on-set methods would not work.

1. Warm-up charging: Connect the watch to charging. Place it next to a heat source (like a heating battery) for 10 to 15 minutes. Try turning it on in 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Simulating charging (for models with a connector) USB): Turn off the clock from charging. Insert and remove the cable 10 times in a row at 1 second intervals. Leave the device on charging for 1 hour.
3. Hardware reset (power users only!): On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S1) There's a hidden reset button under the back cover, and you'll need a thin object to access it, like a paper clip, a needle, and the risk is that you can hit the microphone or speaker incorrectly.

If none of these methods worked, the power controller probably failed, and only the service center would help, and the average cost of repairs is between 1,500 and 3,000 rubles (depending on the model).

💡

Xiaomi watches with a battery over 6 months of discharge often require “resuscitation” through specialized equipment (e.g., a battery that is dead, DC Power Supply: Self-enabled power-up attempts can make the problem worse.

Incorporation after firmware update

The software update on Xiaomi smartwatches usually goes automatically, but sometimes the process is interrupted and the device “hangs” on the logo.

1. Wait: the first turn on after the update can take up to 10 minutes (the download indicator will rotate on the screen).
2. Forced reboot: For Mi Band: hold the touch button for 20 seconds. For Xiaomi Watch: hold the physical button for 15 seconds.
3. Reset via app: Open Mi Fitness → Select the device → Settings → Reset to factory. Once reset, the clock will reset and turn on the old firmware version.

Hand-held firmware

1 Download the firmware for your model from https://miui.su/.


2 Rename the file to "fw_update.bin".




3. Place it in the root of the phone's memory.




4.In the Mi Fitness app, click "Update firmware" and select the downloaded file.

If the clock is turned on after the update, but some of the functions are not working (for example, heart rate is not measured or notifications are not shown), do:

• 🔄 Resetting settings.
• 📱 Reinstallation of the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔋 Complete discharging and charging of the device (cycle "0-100%»).

Comparison of incorporation methods for different models

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches are included the same. The table below is a key difference for popular models.

For models 2023-2026 (Xiaomi Watch) S3, Mi Band 8 Pro has added automatic activation when you connect to a charger. If this mechanism does not work, check it out:

• 🔌 Quality of contact of charger.
• 📡 Availability of firmware updates (in the Xiaomi Wear app).
• 🔋 Battery state (with severe wear, the function is turned off).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions