How to add a device to Mi Home: full instructions with pictures and tips

Xiaomi’s Smart Home ecosystem today brings together hundreds of smart devices, from Yeelight light bulbs to Mi Robot Vacuum robot vacuum cleaners. But even experienced users sometimes face challenges when connecting their gadgets to the Mi Home app for the first time. This article will help you figure out how to add a new device to the system, avoid typical mistakes, and what to do if something goes wrong.

We will look not only at the basic process of adding through the application, but also at the nuances for different types of devices (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee), as well as ways to solve common problems - from the inability to find the device to server errors. All instructions are relevant for the version of Mi Home 6.5+ (2026) and work on devices running Android and iOS.

1. Preparation before connection of the device

Before adding a new device to the Mi Home, make sure all the preconditions are met, which will save time and eliminate unnecessary problems.

First, check the device’s compatibility with your region in the app.Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 4 Pro or Aqara Camera Hub) G3) You may need to select a specific server (China Mainland, Europe, Russia) if the device is purchased abroad, it may not be on the list available for your region.

Install the latest version of Mi Home from the App Store/Google Play

Connect your phone to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (most devices don’t work with 5GHz)

Charge the device (if wireless) or connect to the socket

Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled (for supported devices) BLE)-->

Pay special attention to the Wi-Fi network:

• 📶 Only 2.4GHz – most Xiaomi smart devices don’t support 5GHz networks. If your router is running in two bands, temporarily disable 5GHz or create a separate network for 2.4GHz.
• 🔒 Without special characters – Wi-Fi password should not contain Cyrillic, spaces or symbols like @#$%. Use Latin and numbers.
• 🌍 Router region – if you are in Russia and the router is set to the US or Europe, there may be connection problems. Check the settings in the router administrator panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

⚠️ Note: If you connect your device via Mi Home in China but are physically located in another country, some features (e.g., Xiao voice assistant) AI) For proper operation, select your region server in your profile settings.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Home app

The Mi Home app is the central control element for all Xiaomi devices, and even if you already have one installed, it is recommended to update it to the latest version before adding a new gadget.

Download the application from official sources:

• 📱 Android: Google Play (version 6.5.4 or later).
• 🍎 iOS: App Store (requires iOS 12.0)+).

After installation:

1. Sign up or sign in to an existing Xiaomi account (if not, create one via email or phone number).
2. Select the region in your profile settings (Russia, Europe or other depending on your location).
3. Allow all the necessary permissions: access to geolocation, Bluetooth, notifications and Wi-Fi network.

Smart Lamps (Yeelight, Philips)

Robots (Mi Robot, Dreame)

Sensors and sensors (Aqara, MiJia)

Cameras and video intercoms

Other/Nothing-->

If you have previously used the application, but have not updated it in a long time, clear the cache in the phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Home → Memory. → Clear the cache. This will help avoid errors when adding new devices.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to add a device to Mi Home

The process of adding most Xiaomi devices is the same, but there are nuances depending on the type of connection (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee).

Step 1. Open Mi Home and click on the icon + (add the device) in upper right corner.

Step 2: Select a category of device (e.g. Lighting, Security, Climate) or search by model.

Step 3: Follow the instructions on the screen. Most devices will require:

• 🔌 Turn on the power (connect to the socket or insert batteries).
• 📱 Bring your phone close to your device (for Bluetooth devices).
• 🔄 Press and hold the reset button (usually) 5-10 seconds) until the indicator flashes.

For Wi-Fi-enabled devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Socket or Mi Air Purifier):

1. Select your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network from the list.
2. Enter the password from the network (if requested).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 2 minutes).

Important: Some devices (e.g. Aqara Hub) M2 Mi Home Security Gateway requires a pre-connection to the Aqara Home app, and then you can integrate them into the Mi Home app.

4. Features of connecting different types of devices

Not all Xiaomi devices connect the same way. Let’s look at the key differences:

For Zigbee devices (e.g. Aqara sensors):

1. First, add a hub (Mi Home Gateway or Aqara Hub) to the Mi Home.
2. Press the button on the hub to switch to pairing mode (the indicator should flash yellow).
3. Add the sensor through the app by selecting the Zigbee category.

For Bluetooth devices (such as Mi Band 8):

• 📲 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth 4.0 enabled.+.
• 🔋 Charge the device (if discharged, it will not be detected).
• 📍 Place your phone and device no more than 1 meter apart.

⚠️ Note: If you connect the Xiaomi Mi Smart Clock or other screen-enabled device, you may need to pre-set up via its own menu before adding to the Mi Home (language selection, Wi-Fi connection).

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, there are sometimes problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If the device is added but not displayed in the list:

• 🔄 Update the page in the app (pull the screen down).
• 📱 Reset Mi Home (close and open again).
• 🌐 Check your internet connection (the device may not sync without a network).

💡

If you are connecting the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum, make sure it is on the charging station before adding it to the Mi Home, otherwise the process may be interrupted due to low battery charge.

6. How to control the device after connection

Once added successfully, the device will appear on the Mi Home home screen, and now it can:

• 🎛️ Manually control (on/off, change modes).
• ⏰ Set up automation (for example, turn on the lamp when driving).
• 📊 View statistics (for sensors, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers).
• 🔄 Update the firmware (if a new version is available).

To set up automation:

1. Go to the Automation section (Icon) ⚙️ bottom-screen).
2. Click Add Automation and select a condition (e.g., if the motion sensor is triggered).
3. Select an action (e.g., Turn on a smart lamp).
4. Save the rule and activate it.

To update the firmware:

1. Open the device card in Mi Home.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select the firmware update (if available).
4. Confirm the update and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

💡

If the device stopped responding after the firmware update, try resetting it to factory settings and plugging it back in again, which solves 90% of the problems with the "hung" gadgets.

7. How to delete or transfer a device to another account

If you want to remove your device from Mi Home (for example, before selling) or transfer it to another account, do the following:

Device removal:

1. Open the device card in the application.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Settings.
3. Select Remove the device and confirm the action.

Transferring the device to another account:

• 📱 First, remove the device from your current account (as described above).
• 🔄 Reset the device to factory settings (usually by holding a long button).
• 👤 Log in to another Xiaomi account and add the device again.

⚠️ Note: Some devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi Home Security Gateway) reset all associated sensors when they are removed from your account!

8.Alternative ways to manage Xiaomi devices

In addition to Mi Home, Xiaomi devices can be controlled through other platforms:

To connect to Google Home:

1. Open Google Home and click + → Set up your device.
2. Select “Is There a Device Already?” and find Xiaomi in the list.
3. Enter your Mi Home account and allow access.
4. Select the devices for synchronization.

Home Assistant will require:

1. Installation of the component xiaomi_miio through HACS manually.
2. Get token devices (e.g., through the Mi Home Token Extractor app).
3. Add configuration to the configuration.yaml file:

fan xiaomi_miio:


- host: 192.168.1.100




token: YOUR_TOKEN_HERE




model: zhimi.airpurifier.mb4

💡

If you use Home Assistant, for stable operation of Xiaomi devices, turn off the function in the router AP Isolation can block interaction between gadgets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)