How to connect a scooter Xiaomi 1S: the full guide

The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 1S is a popular model that combines reliability, stylish design and affordable price. However, to fully use all the features of the device, such as wheel locking, viewing travel statistics and updating the firmware, you need to pair with a mobile device. Many new owners face difficulties in the first launch, because the connection process has its nuances.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly connect the Xiaomi 1S scooter to the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home application. You will learn how to activate the Bluetooth module, fix common connection errors and what security settings should be set immediately after purchase to extend the battery life.

The setup process does not require deep technical knowledge, but requires careful attention to the sequence of actions. If you miss an important step, for example, not to turn on the geolocation on the phone, the smartphone may simply “not see” the vehicle.

Preparation for the first launch and activation

Before you try to connect your gadget to your phone, you need to make sure that the scooter is ready to go. Often the devices come with a discharged battery or in transportation mode. First of all, turn on the scooter by pressing the power button on the display. If the screen does not light up, set the device on charge for at least 2-3 hours.

It is important to understand that the Bluetooth module on the Xiaomi 1S scooter does not operate in constant visibility to save energy. It only activates when the system is ready to pair. This often requires a certain sequence of actions with the on button.

Make sure that the following services are enabled on your smartphone:

• 📱 Bluetooth (must be active and visible to other devices)
• 📍 Geolocation (GPS) — critically important for the Mi Home app on Android
• 📶 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi (for account registration)

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to connect the scooter through the standard Bluetooth menu of your phone’s settings like regular headphones. Direct connection via the system menu often leads to errors, as control is carried out exclusively through the application protocols.

If you’ve used other Xiaomi devices before, check if your account or app is “hanging” and sometimes it helps to reboot your smartphone before you start setting up, freeing up the Bluetooth stack.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Home application

The main management tool is the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home in newer versions), download it only from official sources: Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS. Using modified versions can lead to unstable work.

Once installed, launch the app and log into your Xiaomi Account. If you don't have one, you'll need a registration, which usually takes a couple of minutes.

In the application settings (profile → settings), be sure to specify the region “Russia” or the country where you are located. If the scooter is purchased in China (Chinese version), it is still better to put your region and search for the device manually, as automatic determination may not work due to differences in servers.

To add a new device, follow the following steps:

1. Click on the + icon in the upper right corner of the main screen.
2. In the search bar, type “Mi Electric Scooter” or “1S”.
3. Select the appropriate model from the list of icons that appear.

The app will request permissions to access Bluetooth and geolocation without permission to access location (GPS) on Android smartphones, the search for the device will not begin, as this is a system limitation of the operating system for scanning BLE-device.

The process of pairing a scooter with a smartphone

When the app is ready to search, you need to put the scooter itself in pairing mode. On the Xiaomi 1S model, this is done through the settings menu on the display or a combination of buttons. Most often, you need to quickly press the power button 4-5 times in a row until the Bluetooth indicator on the screen starts flashing.

Keep your phone as close to the steering wheel as possible (no more than 0.5-1 meters away) and the app will search, and in a few seconds you will see the name of the device.

When you connect, you may see a confirmation code on the scooter display, and if the code appears on your phone screen and on the scooter display, confirm the pairing, and sometimes you need to press and hold the power button on the scooter for a few seconds when the app asks you to do so.

If the process is stuck at 99% or Wait for Connection, try turning off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone without closing the app, and make sure that the scooter does not run another application that could intercept the connection.

Configure security and lock parameters

Once connected successfully, the main control screen opens, displaying the current battery charge, speed, driving mode and overall mileage, but the main value of the connection is the safety features.

In the settings menu (three dots in the corner or a gear), you can activate the engine lock, and when you turn on this feature, the scooter will not go, even if you spin the gas handle until it is unlocked through the application, which is extremely useful when parking in crowded places.

Speed modes are also set up here:

• 🐢 Pedestrian mode (up to) 6-10 km/h - ideal for pavements
• 🚗 Standard mode (up to) 20-25 km/h for urban roads
• 🚀 Sport mode (maximum speed) - only for experienced riders

⚠️ Warning: Activating engine lock does not replace a mechanical lock or cable.The attacker may simply pick up the scooter and carry it away, so always use additional protections in public places.

Be sure to check the firmware version in the same menu. Xiaomi periodically releases updates that improve recovery (charging during braking) and stability of the BMS (battery management system).

Diagnostics and firmware updates

Regular software updates are the key to the long life of your Xiaomi 1S. In the Mi Home app, if there is a new version, a notification will appear. Before you start the update, charge the scooter to at least 50-60%.

The update process looks like this:

1. Click “Check Updates” in the device menu.
2. Download the update package via Wi-Fi.
3. Click “Start Update” and keep your phone next to the scooter.

During firmware, the scooter screen can go out and light up, and the indicators can flash chaotically. This is normal behavior. Interrupting the process (turning off the scooter or leaving the phone far) can lead to the "bricking" of the controller.

In the diagnostics section, you can also see the number of battery recharge cycles and the condition of the cells, which helps to estimate the residual battery life, which is especially important when buying used equipment.

Solving Common Connection Problems

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often encounter errors, the most common of which is “Device not found.” 90% of the time, the problem is with the access rights of the Android app. Check in the phone settings whether the Mi Home app is allowed to use Bluetooth and the “Always” or “When using” geolocation.

Another problem is that the scooter is visible on the list, but it doesn't connect, which could mean that the device is stuck in the phone's memory. Go to the Bluetooth system settings, find Mi Scooter (or a similar name) there, and click "Forget the device" or "Untie" and then repeat the connection procedure inside the application.

Table of possible errors and decisions:

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If the scooter stopped connecting after resetting the router or changing the phone, try in the Mi Home app to completely remove the device (holding the icon) and add it again as new.

Sometimes the problem is hardware in nature. If the Bluetooth indicator on the scooter display does not light up even after repeatedly pressing the power button, the display module itself or the plume connecting it to the board may be faulty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main secret of successful connection is the presence of enabled geolocation (GPS) on the phone and being in close proximity to the steering wheel of the scooter while searching for the device.