How to connect Xiaomi humidifier to iPhone: full instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi’s humidifiers have long been an integral part of the smart home ecosystem, but connecting to iPhones sometimes raises questions. Unlike Android devices, where the process may seem more intuitive, iPhone owners have to consider the features of iOS — from the limitations of the background of applications to the specifics of setting up Wi-Fi in dual-band networks. This article will help you understand all the nuances, from choosing the right version of the Mi Home app to solving typical errors like “Device not found” or “failed to connect to the network.”

We're going to look at not only the basic pairing steps, but also the hidden settings that the manufacturer doesn't always advertise, like why the humidifier might not see the 5GHz network, how to reset the device to factory settings without the Reset button, and why, after updating the firmware through Mi Home, the device stops responding to Siri voice commands via HomeKit. Particular attention will be paid to the Xiaomi Smartmi Air Humidifier 2/3, Deerma Humidifier and Viomi models — their firmware have key differences in the connection algorithm.

1. Preparation before connecting: what to check on iPhone and humidifier

Before you start pairing, make sure your iPhone and humidifier meet the minimum requirements, which will save 80% of potential problems during the setup phase.

• 📱 iOS version: no lower than 12.0 (15.0 is recommended for full compatibility with Mi Home)+). Check in Settings → Mainstream → About this device.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi router: Must support 2.4GHz (Xiaomi humidifiers don't work on a 5GHz network!) Network name (SSID) It should not contain Cyrillic or special symbols.
• 🔋 Humidifier charge: water level is not below the minimum level, and the battery (if any) is charged at least 50.
• 📲 Mi Home: Install the latest version from the App Store. Older versions (up to 6.0.100) may not support new devices.

A critical feature for iPhone: if your router uses a combined network name for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (for example, "MyWiFi" without suffixes), the humidifier will not be able to connect, in which case temporarily divide the networks in the router settings or create a guest network only for 2.4 GHz.

Also check if the iPhone is running Traffic Savings (Settings → Cellular → Data Settings) it can block background Mi Home activity, which will cause a failure during the device search phase. If you use a VPN, turn it off — some servers block access to Xiaomi servers in China.

2. Install and configure the Mi Home app on iPhone

The Mi Home app is the only official way to control the humidifier via the iPhone, but its installation has nuances that are often overlooked.

1. Download: Install Mi Home from the App Store. Avoid third-party sources - they may distribute outdated or modified versions.
2. Account registration: If you do not already have a Xiaomi account, register with your phone number or email. Importantly, you will need confirmation by SMS or mail to link devices to your account.
3. Region selection: The app will suggest you to choose a country when you first launch. Russia is the optimal region for Russia, but if your humidifier is bought in China, you may need China (in this case, the interface will be in Chinese, but the device will work).
4. Permissions: Give Mi Home access to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Notifications. Without it, the app won't be able to detect the humidifier.

Attention! If you used Mi Home on Android before and are now switching to iPhone, don't delete your old account. Devices are linked to your profile and moving them to a new account will require a factory reset.

Once logged in, go to Profile → Settings → Region and make sure the right server is selected. Region mismatch can lead to a “Device not supported in your region” error, even if the model is officially sold.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect a humidifier to an iPhone

Now, to the interface process itself, follow the instructions strictly by step, and even one point can fail.

1. Turn on the humidifier: Connect the device to the power supply. On Smartmi 2/3 models, the power indicator (blue or orange) will light up. If the indicator flashes red, the water level is too low.
2. Activate pairing mode: For Smartmi Air Humidifier 2/3: hold the power button for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange. For Deerma Humidifier: press and hold the "Mode" button for 3 seconds. For Viomi: Power button combination + fog button for 5 seconds.
3. Add the device to Mi Home: Open Mi Home and press + → Add Device. Select Humidifiers and find your model in the list. Confirm that the indicator on the device flashes orange, and click Next.
4. Wi-Fi connection: The application will offer to connect to the device’s temporary network (the name will be type «Smartmi_XXXX»). Once connected, go back to Mi Home and select your home network. 2.4 Enter your Wi-Fi password. If the password contains special characters, try changing it temporarily to a simple one (for example, 12345678).

Completion of the setup

"Device added"

2 minutes.

If at the stage of connecting to Wi-Fi there is an error “I could not connect to the network”, check:

• 🔄 Restart your router (sometimes) DHCP-The server is "hanging" and does not issue IP-device).
• 📶 Make sure your iPhone is connected to the same 2.4GHz network as the humidifier.
• 🔒 Temporary shutdown of router protection (WPA3 It can block the connection – switch to WPA2).

4. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right instructions, users often encounter errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to fix them.

Attention! If the humidifier falls off the grid periodically after a successful connection, check your iPhone energy saving settings: go to Settings → Mi Home → Energy Saving and turn off the option “Limit background activity.” Also make sure that the router settings turn off “Energy Saving Mode” for LAN ports.

The Smartmi 3 and Viomi models are characterized by an “Unknown Error (-4)” error when trying to update the firmware, due to Xiaomi’s server restrictions on devices purchased outside China.

1. Change your account region to China.
2. Connect to a Chinese server via a VPN (e.g. Hong Kong or Shanghai).
3. Repeat the update attempt.

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If the humidifier is connected, but the Mi Home displays incorrect water level, reset the sensor calibration: disconnect the device from the network, drain all the water, then turn it on again and wait for automatic calibration (it will take ~ 1 minute).

5. Resetting the humidifier to factory settings

If the humidifier is not connected or is not working properly, a complete reset may be required.

• 🔄 Smartmi Air Humidifier 2/3: Turn the device off the grid. Press the power button and, without letting go, plug the power. Hold the button. 10–15 So let the light flash quickly in red and blue, release the button, and the device will reset.
• 🔄 Deerma Humidifier: Hold the Mode button for 10 seconds until the double beep sounds. The indicator goes out and lights up again - reset is complete.
• 🔄 Viomi: Press and hold the power button + 10 seconds fog button, and when it's reset, it will emit a long beep.

Attention! After reset, the humidifier will automatically unplug your Mi Home account, and you will need to reconnect it to re-connect (see Section 3). If the device was attached to HomeKit via Mi Home, the connection will also be severed - it will have to be reconfigured.

For models with a display (Smartmi 3), the error code "E1" may appear after reset. This is normal - the code means that the device is ready for a new setup. If the code does not disappear after connecting to the Mi Home, check the integrity of the water level sensor (it may require cleaning the contacts).

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Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Before you do that, try restarting the device (turning off/on power) and updating the firmware through Mi Home.

6.Integration with HomeKit and voice control via Siri

Xiaomi humidifiers don’t have native HomeKit support, but they can be connected to the Apple ecosystem via workarounds.

1. Setup in Mi Home: Open the app, select your humidifier. Go to Device Settings» → «Public access» → «HomeKit. Click Add to HomeKit and scan. QR-code (it will appear on the screen).
2. Add to Home app: Open the Home app on iPhone. click «+» → «Add an accessory» → «I don't have a code. Select "Humidizer" from the list and scan. QR-code from Mi Home.
3. Voice control setting: In the Home app, assign a room to the humidifier (e.g., Bedroom) and activate the option "Enable in Favorites to make the device appear on the home screen. You can now use commands like, "Hey Siri, turn on the bedroom humidifier by 60%."

Limitations of integration with HomeKit:

• ⚠️ Not all models support this feature (check compatibility in Mi Home).
• ⚠️ Voice control works only with basic commands (on/off, set the humidity level).
• ⚠️ If the humidifier disconnects from Mi Home, the connection with HomeKit will also be severed.

For stable operation it is recommended:

• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware moisturizer through Mi Home.
• 🔄 Use static IP-address.
• 🔄 Disable the “Energy Saving” mode for Mi Home in the iPhone settings.

7.Utilizer Optimization: Hidden Functions and Tips

Once connected, you can customize the humidifier to your needs, and here are some hidden features that are not mentioned in the official instructions:

• 💧 Children's room mode: in Mi Home go to Device Settings» → «Operating modes" and select "Baby Mode" in this mode, the device maintains humidity at 50-60% and operates quieter.
• 🌡️ Sensor calibration: If the humidifier shows the wrong water level, drain all the liquid, then turn it on and wait for the automatic calibration (the indicator will flash blue).
• ⏱️ Delayed Start: In the timer settings, you can program the turn on 1-12 hours before the right time (useful for night use).
• 🔄 Automatic shutdown when the lid is open: activated in Settings → Safety: The device will stop working if the tank is removed or not tightly closed.

To extend the service life of the moisturizer:

• 🧼 Clean the tank and membrane of the ultrasonic sprayer once every 2 weeks (use a soft brush and vinegar solution).
• 💧 Use distilled or filtered water – this reduces scale formation.
• 🔌 Do not connect the device through an extension cord - this can cause the power supply to overheat.

Attention! If the humidifier starts to make an uncharacteristic noise (squeaking, knocking), immediately disconnect it from the network. This may indicate water entering the electronic unit or wear of the membrane, in which case disassembly and drying (or replacement of the membrane) are required.

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To keep the humidifier quieter at night, set a minimum spray level (1 level) and turn on the "Sleep Mode" mode in the Mi Home. Noise will decrease to 25-30 dB (like a quiet fan).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions