Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged device with its own operating system that is regularly updated. Knowledge of the current firmware version is critical for solving synchronization problems, installing custom firmware or checking compatibility with new features. For example, the Mi Band 7 version below 1.10.5.0 does not support camera gestures on a smartphone, and the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro on firmware older than 2.2.1.0 can slow down when working with Wear OS.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to check software versions, from the standard menu on the watch screen to hidden commands for power users, focusing on proprietary OS models (like the Mi Band or Amazfit GTR) and Wear OS watches (like the Xiaomi Watch S3), where the logic is different, and learn how to decrypt version designations (what numbers like 1.7.68.1) mean and why sometimes the watch shows irrelevant information.
1. Standard method: through the settings menu on the clock
The easiest method is to view the version directly on the device screen. It works on all models except the Mi Band 1-3 (they do not have a display) and some budget fitness bracelets like the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4C. The instructions are universal for the Mi Band 5/6/7/8, Amazfit GTS 2/3/4, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 and others.
Algorithm of action:
- 🔧 Swipe your finger up the main screen (or press the physical button if there is one) to open the menu.
- 📱 Find the Settings icon (cog) and tap it.
- 📄 Scroll down to About, Device, Information, or About (name depends on model).
- 🔍 In the window that opens, there will be a line of Software Version (Firmware version), firmware version or Software version.
For example, on the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the path will be: Settings → System → About Watch → Software Version. And on the Amazfit GTR 4 – Settings → Device → Device Information.
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If your watch doesn’t have a touch screen responsive to swipes, try double tapping on the top of the display – an alternative way to open menus on some models.
⚠️ Attention: On a Wear watch OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3) The firmware version can only be seen through Settings → System system → About the program. The About Watch section shows the hardware platform version, not the software!
2. via Mi Fitness/Zepp app (for all models)
If the watch screen is damaged or you can't find the right item on the menu, you can find out the firmware version through the official app, which is suitable for all devices, including the old Mi Band without a display.
- 📱 Mi Fitness - for Mi Band 1–6, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2.
- 📱 Zepp (formerly Amazfit) – for Amazfit GTS/GTR/Bip, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.
- 📱 Wear OS by Google for Wear Watches OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3).
Step-by-step instructions for Mi Fitness and Zepp:
- Open the app and connect to the watch (it should be within Bluetooth range).
- Slip the icon of your device at the top of the screen.
- Go to the About Device or Device info section.
- Find the firmware version (Firmware version) string.
In Wear OS by Google, the path is different:
- Open the app and select your watch.
- Go to Settings. → About the programme.
- The firmware version will be listed in the Android version or Wear OS version section.
Check the Bluetooth connection|Update the app on Google Play/App Store|Reset the clock (hold the button) 10 seconds)|Perform data synchronization manually-->
Sometimes the app may show an outdated firmware version if the watch has not synced for a long time. In this case, update the data manually (in Mi Fitness, click on the sync icon in the upper right corner).
3. Advanced: Checking through ADB (Wear OS only)
If your watch runs on Wear OS (like the Xiaomi Watch S3 or Watch 2 Pro), you can find out the firmware version through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires command line skills but provides the most accurate information, including the build number and kernel version.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with installed ADB and watch-drivers.
- 🔌 USB-cable (to connect the clock to the PC).
- ⚙️ Developer mode on the clock (instruction below).
Steps to Verify Version:
- Turn on the Developer Mode on the Watch: Go to Settings → System → About Program. Tap 7 times on the Build Number. Go back to Settings → System and select Developer. Activate Debugging on USB.
- Connect the watch to your computer via USB and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release This will show the Android version.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) to connect via ADB need to unlock OEM Without this, the adb device team will not see the device.
What if the ADB can’t see the clock?
4. How to decrypt the Xiaomi firmware version
Xiaomi’s firmware versions are 1.7.68.1 or 2.2.1.0, which are important information about compatibility and innovation, and what they mean by 1.7.68.1 (relevant to the Mi Band 7):
| Part of the version | Example | What does it mean? |
|---|---|---|
| First digit | 1 | Major update: Changes when new features are added (e.g. support for new gestures or sports modes). |
| Second digit | 7 | Minor update: Usually fixes bugs and optimizes existing features. |
| Third digit | 68 | Build number: Changes with small patches (e.g., synchronization bug fixes). |
| Fourth digit | 1 | Revision: Used for urgent fixes (e.g., critical vulnerabilities). |
For a Wear OS watch (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S3), the format is different, for example, TWS3.230420.001 stands for:
- TWS3 is the model code (Xiaomi Watch S3).
- 230420 – Assembly date (20 April 2023).
- 001 is the audit number.
Knowing these nuances will help you understand how relevant your firmware is. For example, if you have Mi Band 6 with version 1.0.5.4 and 1.2.6.0 is available on Xiaomi, you missed two major updates (changes in the first digit).
Mi Band 5/6/7/8|Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3|Amazfit GTS/GTR/Bip|Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro|Another model-->
5.Why the watch shows an irrelevant firmware version
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the clock in the menu or application displays an outdated version of the software, although the update has already been installed.
- 🔄 In-app caching. Solution: manually update data or reinstall Mi Fitness/Zepp.
- 📱 Incomplete firmware. If the update is interrupted, the watch can boot on the old version. Solution: repeat the update.
- 🔋 Reset. Once reset, the watch can roll back to the factory firmware. Solution: Re-update the software.
- 🤖 Separation of versions: on some models (e.g. Amazfit) GTR 3) there are separate versions for the firmware of the Bluetooth module and the main software. The menu can only display one of them.
To check whether the firmware is relevant, compare it with the latest versions on official resources:
- For Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch: official Xiaomi website (Wearables section).
- For Amazfit: Zepp's support site.
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If the firmware version in the watch menu and in the application differ, trust the data on the device screen - they are more relevant.
6. How to update the firmware if the version is outdated
If you find that your firmware is irrelevant, you can update it in a number of ways, and the choice of method depends on the watch model:
| Model clock | Refreshment | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 1–8, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 | Through Mi Fitness. | Open the app and plug in the watch. Go to Device Profile → Software Update. If a new version is available, click Update. |
| Amazfit GTS/GTR/Bip, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | Through Zepp. | In the app, select your watch. Slip the Update icon. Confirm download and installation. |
| Xiaomi Watch S3 (Wear OS) | Wear OS or Play Market | On the watch, open Settings → System → System Update. Or update through the Play Market on the watch (My Applications section). |
Important nuances:
- 🔋 Charge the hours to at least 50% before upgrading.
- 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (update via mobile Internet may be interrupted).
- ⏳ On the Mi Band, the update takes 5-10 minutes, on Wear OS — 30 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: On a Wear watch OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3) after the update, you may need to reset your settings if the new firmware changes the data structure. → System system → Backup.
7. Frequent errors and their solutions
When checking or updating a firmware version, users often face problems.
- 🚫 Error "No update available" in the application, although there is a new firmware.Solution: Check the region of your account in Mi Fitness/Zepp. Some updates are coming first in China and then in the global version. Change region to China in your profile settings.
- ⚡ Solution: Connect the watch to charge and repeat the process. If it doesn't work, reset through Settings. → Reset.
- 🔄 After the update, the clock doesn't sync.Solution: Remove the device from the app and reconnect. OS Also check the permissions for Google Play Services.
- 📱 The app doesn't see the clock after the update.Solution: Reboot the clock (hold the 15 second button) and smartphone. Update the Bluetooth stacks on the phone.
If none of these methods worked, please contact Xiaomi or Zepp with the following instructions:
- Model watches.
- The current version of the firmware (how to find it - read above).
- Error descriptions (screenshot or video welcome).
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If the clock has started to slow down after the upgrade, try rolling back the firmware through Mi Fitness (System Recovery section).