Xiaomi smart watch: a full overview of the features and hidden features

Xiaomi smart watches have long ceased to be just an accessory for tracking time. Today they are full-fledged gadgets that can replace a fitness bracelet, a smart home remote control and even a partially smartphone. 20-30% Their potential, unaware of the hidden possibilities.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what Xiaomi’s smartwatches can do in 2026, from basic features to advanced application scenarios, how to choose the right model for your tasks, what features work only with the Mi Home ecosystem, and how to circumvent the limitations that the manufacturer does not mention.

We'll focus on practical cases like medically accurate sleep tracking, voice control, autonomous work without a smartphone, even undocumented capabilities for developers, and then we'll end up with a comparison table of top models and answers to common questions.

1. The main functions of Xiaomi smart watches: what all models can do

Even Xiaomi’s budget smartwatches (like the Mi Watch Lite 2 or Redmi Watch 3 Active) come with a basic feature set that covers 80% of the average user’s needs.

• ⏱️ Display time with a selection of 100+ dials (including animated and customized)
• 🏃 Activity tracker: pedometer, calories, distance, active minutes (with automatic recognition 7)+ sport)
• 💤 Sleep monitoring by phase ( REM, Light/deep sleep and rest quality assessment
• ❤️ Real-time heart rate measurement (with customizable intervals and high/low pulse alerts)
• 📱 Notifications from the smartphone (calls, SMS, Messengers) with the ability to quickly respond templates
• 🎵 Music control (pause/playback, track switching) right from the clock
• 🔋 Battery control with energy saving modes (up to 20 days of autonomy in the base mode)

It is important to understand that the functionality is highly dependent on firmware. for example, in the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro after upgrading to the new version. MIUI Watch 3.1.5 has support for independent eSIM calls, which was not the case in the first versions of the software.

There are some limitations that the manufacturer does not always warn about:

⚠️ Attention: On the clock without GPS (For example, Redmi Watch. 3) Tracking a run or a bike will use data from a smartphone, which means that without a phone, route accuracy and speed will fall into the hands of a smartphone. 2-3 once.

2. Advanced features: what is hidden in the settings

Few people know, but Xiaomi smartwatches support features that are not advertised in the official specifications.

2.1 Autonomous work without a smartphone

Models with built-in Wi-Fi module (for example, Xiaomi Watch) S3 Or the Watch 2 Pro can:

• 📞 Call and receive calls via Blutooth headset (even if the phone is turned off)
• 📧 Get notifications from Telegram, WhatsApp and email directly over Wi-Fi
• 🎧 Listen to music from Spotify or Yandex Music (pre-downloaded for the clock)

This requires:

1. Connect the watch to the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone.
2. Enable Independent Notifications in the Mi Fitness app settings.
3. Sync Contacts and Music through Settings → Music. → Local tracks.

2.2 Smart home management

Xiaomi watches are integrated with the Mi Home ecosystem and can:

• 💡 Turn the lights on/off (Yeelight, Mi) LED)
• 🔌 Manage the sockets (Mi Smart Plug)
• 🌡️ Control the temperature on thermostats (Mi Thermostat)
• 🚪 Open the lock (Mi Smart Door Lock) via Bluetooth

To set up:

1. Make sure all devices are added to one Mi Home cloud.
2. Open the Mi Home app on the watch (set by default).
3. Add the control widget to the main screen of the watch.

💡

If the watch doesn’t see the smart home device, check that it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone and upgrade to the latest version.

2.3 Hidden health chips

Xiaomi watches have undocumented medical features:

• 🩺 Measuring stress by heart rate variability (HRV) — working on the watch S2 newer.
• 🩸 Blood oxygen level assessment (SpO₂) 30 days' history.
• 🛌 Snoring analysis (requires a smartphone connection while sleeping).
• 🚶 Inactivity alert (configured in Health Profile) → Reminders).

⚠️ Caution: Data from the clock is not a substitute for medical diagnostics, such as measurement error. SpO₂ can reach ±2% and heart rate — ±5 strokes/min when driving.

3.Comparison of top Xiaomi models of 2026

To select the right watch, compare the key models in terms of technical characteristics and capabilities:

The critical difference between the models: only the Watch 2 Pro supports full calls via eSIM (without phone tethering), and the Redmi Watch 4 has the largest screen in the lineup, but loses exactly. GPS.

💡

If you need a watch for running or cycling, choose a model with a GPS (For example, watch. S3 Or Redmi Watch 4? GPS Tracking the route will be inaccurate.

4. How to prolong the life of the battery: the secrets of energy saving

One of the biggest problems with smartwatches is that the battery runs out fast, but there are ways to increase the autonomy of the smartwatch. 1.5-2 once:

• 🔄 Turn off constant heart rate monitoring (leave only night or on request).
• 📵 Reduce the brightness of the screen to 50-60% and reduce the lighting time to 5 seconds.
• 🛜 Turn off Wi-Fi if you don’t use independent notifications.
• 🚫 Remove unnecessary widgets from the home screen (they consume energy in the background).
• 🔋 Activate the energy saving mode (Settings) → Battery → Savings regime).

On models with Wear OS (For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro can be added:

• Disable Google Assistant (unless you use voice commands)
• Limit application background activity through Settings → Annexes → Permits.

Turn off the permanent pulse|Reduce the brightness to 60%|Turn off Wi-Fi (if not required)|Delete 2-3 squirt|Enable energy saving mode-->

Another life hack: if the clock runs out in a day, check which applications use up energy in Settings → Battery → Mi Fitness or Zepp Life is often the culprit because of constant synchronization.

5.Integration with Android and iPhone: what works and what doesn’t

Xiaomi’s smartwatch officially supports both types of smartphones, but there are key differences:

If you are an iPhone user, consider:

• 📱 Mi Fitness app on iOS has a stripped down functionality (there are no widgets).
• 🔄 Data synchronization takes longer due to Apple restrictions.
• 🎧 You can’t use a watch as a remote for Apple Music.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, Xiaomi Watches do not support quick notification responses (like Android).You can only read the message, but not respond with a template.

6. Frequent problems and how to solve them

Even the most reliable gadgets sometimes fail.-5 Xiaomi smartwatch problems and their solutions:

6.1. the watch is not synchronized with the smartphone

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 No Bluetooth connection: Reboot both devices and re-pair them.
• 🔄 Older firmware: update the watch through Mi Fitness → Profile → Update of the PO.
• 🛜 Wi-Fi problems: Turn off VPN on your phone and check the connection to the network.
• 📲 App crash: Clear the Mi Fitness cache in your phone settings.

6.2. The battery is running out fast.

If the clock is discharged for 1-2 day-day:

1. Check the Settings. → Battery → Use – Which App Spending the Most.
2. Turn off the constant monitoring of heart rate and SpO₂.
3. Reduce the screen refresh rate to 30 Hz (if you have such an option).
4. Reset the clock to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).

6.3 Doesn't work. GPS

If the clock does not record the location:

• 📡 Go out into the open space (GPS not working indoors).
• 🔄 Enable High Accuracy Mode in Settings GPS.
• 📱 Restart the clock and wait for a cold start. GPS (It can take up to 5 minutes).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware - in the old versions there were bugs with GPS-module.

7. Hidden opportunities for developers

Xiaomi smart watch based on Wear OS (Watch 2 Pro supports undocumented features for advanced users:

• 🖥️ ADB-Debugging: allows you to install third-party applications (for example, Wear) OS Toolbox for fine-tuning).
• 📱 Change of region: unlocks additional dials and features (e.g. Google Pay in unsupported countries).
• 🔧 Modified firmware: some enthusiasts port MIUI Watch on older models to improve performance.

To enable the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → About the clock.
2. Slap the assembly number 5 times.
3. Return to Settings and the Developer Item will appear.
4. Activate Debugging on ADB Installation from unknown sources.

⚠️ Attention: Inept actions in developer mode can cause a watch to fail, such as the wrong firmware through the ADB This will lead to a “brick” (impossibility to include).

For experiments, we recommend using:

• Wear Installer – for installation APK-clockwork.
• Bugjaeger - for ADB-team-mates.
• Watch Face Studio – to create customized dials.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions