Modern wearable devices from the company Xiaomi they have long ceased to be just accessories for counting steps. Today these are full-fledged gadgets capable of monitoring health, receiving notifications and even paying for purchases. However, to unlock the full potential of the device, it is necessary to properly establish the connection between the watch and the smartphone. The pairing process via Bluetooth seems simple, but in practice users often encounter nuances that block the connection.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for successfully synchronizing any model of the Mi Band, Amazfit series and other devices in the ecosystem Mijia with the operating system Android. You will learn how to prepare your phone, which application to choose and what to do if the gadget does not see the clock. Correct setup at the start will save you from problems with data desynchronization and missing notifications in the future.
Preparing devices before synchronization begins
Before trying to connect gadgets, you need to make sure that both devices are in good condition and ready to work. Often the problem lies not in a software glitch, but in a simple battery discharge or a switched off communication module. Charge the watch Mi Band or Amazfit to a level of at least 20%, since the process of initial setup and firmware update requires significant energy resources.
You must activate the module on the smartphone Bluetooth and geolocation service. This is a mandatory requirement in modern versions of Android: without GPS enabled, the system will not allow the application to scan peripheral devices. Also make sure that the phone has enough free memory to install proprietary software, and that the operating system version meets the minimum requirements (usually Android 6.0 and higher).
If the watch was previously paired with another phone, you need to unlink it. Go to the Bluetooth settings of your old device, find the name of the watch in the list and select the option "Forget device" or "Cancel pairing". After this, reboot the watch itself through the settings menu or by holding the touch button to reset the temporary cache connection data.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to pair directly through the Bluetooth system menu in the phone settings. Mi watches require mandatory authorization through a proprietary application, otherwise the functionality will be limited or the connection will not take place at all.
☑️ Ready to connect
Selecting and installing the right application
The key element of the Xiaomi ecosystem is software that acts as an intermediary between the hardware of the watch and the smartphone. Depending on the model of your device, you will need to install a specific application from Google Play Market or the manufacturer's official website. The use of third-party utilities is not recommended, as they may incorrectly interpret heart rate or sleep data.
For most fitness bracelets in the Mi Band series (starting from version 4 and newer), the main application is Mi Fitness (formerly known as Zepp Life). Older models, such as Mi Band 2 or 3, may require installation. Branded smartwatches Mi Fit. Branded smartwatches Amazfit are also controlled via the app Zepp. It is important to download exactly the version that is intended for your region in order to avoid problems with the interface language and synchronization servers.
After installing the application, you must grant it all the requested permissions. The Android system will ask for access to contacts, call history, location, and notifications. Denying any of these rights will result in the watch not being able to display incoming calls or messages from instant messengers. In the phone settings, in the section "Applications" → "Mi Fitness" → "Permissions" check that all switches are active.
- 📱 Mi Fitness - a universal application for the new Mi Band 6, 7, 8 bracelets and Redmi Watches.
- ⌚ Zepp Life —the optimal choice for owners of Mi Band 4 and 5, as well as some Amazfit models.
- 🏃 Zepp —necessary for advanced sports watches Amazfit GTR, GTS and T-Rex.
Why does the application not see the watch?
If the application does not detect the device when scanning, check if it is running in background on another phone. The watch can only support connection to one active device at a time. Also try clearing the application cache in the Android settings and starting the search again.
Step-by-step guide for connecting via Bluetooth
The pairing process is standardized, but requires care at each stage. Launch the installed application and log in to your account Xiaomi or create a new one. On the main screen, find the add device button, which is usually indicated by an icon «+» or located in the “Profile”section. Click on it and select the category of your device from the list provided.
The application will begin searching for available gadgets. At this moment, bring the watch as close to the phone as possible (distance no more than 10-15 cm). The watch screen may prompt you to confirm pairing or vibrate. As soon as the device name appears in the list on the smartphone screen, click on it to begin the pairing procedure.
The system will ask for confirmation on both devices. Check the codes if they are displayed and press “Confirm” or “Tick” on the touch screen of the watch. After a successful connection, the application will prompt you to configure your watch face, activity goals, and notification settings. Do not skip this stage, as this is where the basic work profiles are loaded.
| Connection stage | Action on the phone | Action on clock | Indicator status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search for device | Press “+” in the application | Do nothing | Blue indicator flashes |
| Pairing | Select a device in the list | Press confirmation | Vibration and communication icon |
| Synchronization | Waiting for data loading | Displaying progress | The indicator is constantly on |
| Completion | Setting up notifications | Return to watch face | Standby mode |
Setting permissions and energy saving
The most common reason for connection dropouts is Android's aggressive energy saving policy. The system can “put to sleep” the clock application, considering it a background process, which leads to loss of communication and lack of notifications. To avoid this, you need to manually configure the battery settings for a specific application.
Go to "Settings" → "Applications", find your application (for example, Mi Fitness) and go to "Battery" or "Energy consumption". Select mode "No restrictions" or "Do not limit". This will prevent the system from closing the application in the background. It is also recommended to pin the application in the list of recent tasks (swipe down or press the lock) so that it always remains in RAM.
Pay special attention to autorun. On Xiaomi, Huawei and Honor smartphones, this feature is often disabled by default. Find the application in the startup list and activate it. Without this, after rebooting the phone, the watch may not connect automatically, and you will have to launch the application manually to restore connection.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interfaces may differ depending on the MIUI, HyperOS or pure Android shell. If you do not find the “No restrictions” item, look for the “Special Access” or “Battery Optimization” section.
For stable operation, disable the “Bluetooth Smart Switching” function if it is in the phone settings. This option may attempt to switch the connection to other nearby devices, causing the watch to become unstable.
Solving common connection problems
Even if all instructions are followed, technical difficulties may arise. If the phone does not see the clock, try restarting the Bluetooth module: turn it off, wait 10 seconds and turn it on again. As a last resort, perform a complete reboot of the smartphone - this clears Bluetooth stack errors, which often accumulate during long-term operation.
If pairing succeeds, but is immediately broken, check the list of paired devices in the Bluetooth system settings. Remove the clock from there, if it is there, and try to connect again exclusively through the app. Sometimes it helps to reset the watch to factory settings through the menu of the bracelet itself ("Settings" → "Reset"), after which the procedure starts from scratch.
Problems with data transfer may be associated with an outdated firmware version. Go to the app and check for updates for your watch. Manufacturers regularly release patches that correct connection stability errors. It is critically important to install updates when the battery charge is at least 50% and while being near the Wi-Fi router, since the firmware file is downloaded to the phone and then transferred to the watch.
- 🔄 Reboot —the first action in case of any communication failures (reboot both the phone and clock).
- 🗑️ Clear cache — delete temporary application files in Android settings without deleting the data itself.
- 📶 Distance —make sure that there are no thick walls or sources of strong interference between devices.
90% of connection problems are solved by setting the “No Limits” power saving mode for the companion application.
Additional options after setup
After a successful connection, a wide range of personalization settings opens up to you. You can download new watch faces from the in-app store, customize how widgets appear on your watch screen, and rearrange menu order. This allows you to make using the gadget as convenient as possible to suit your individual needs.
An important aspect is setting up notifications. In the application, you can select messages from which applications will be duplicated on your wrist. It is recommended to enable synchronization for instant messengers, calls and SMS, but disable less important notifications so as not to be constantly distracted. You can also set up vibration patterns for different types of events.
Remember to sync your data regularly. Although modern watches store information about workouts and sleep in their own memory, a regular connection to the phone is necessary to upload statistics to the cloud and build long-term health charts. If there is no connection for more than 7 days, old data can be overwritten with new ones.
Why does the watch not receive notifications from WhatsApp or Telegram?
Make sure that in the application settings (section “Application notifications”) there are checkboxes next to the desired messengers. Also check that notifications from these applications are not disabled in the system settings of Android itself. Sometimes re-checking the box helps: uncheck it, save, then check it again.
Is it possible to connect a Mi watch to two phones at the same time?
Officially, the watch only supports connecting to one smartphone. However, some models allow you to quickly switch between devices if both phones have been paired beforehand. To do this, you need to select “Disconnect” in the application on the first phone, and “Connect” on the second. Full simultaneous operation is impossible.
What to do if the application says “Device is busy”?
This means that the watch is already connected to another phone or the background process has not completed the previous session. Try turning off Bluetooth on all nearby devices, rebooting your watch, and clearing the app cache. If that doesn't help, reset the watch to factory settings.
Does the Android version affect the operation of the watch?
Yes, on very old versions of Android (below 6.0), new applications may not work or may be unstable. Also, on Android 12 and higher, the rules for working with Bluetooth scanning have changed, so be sure to give the application permission to search for devices nearby.
How to reset the clock if the screen does not respond?
Put the clock on the charger. On some models, holding the power button while charging brings up the reboot menu. If this does not work, leave the watch to discharge until it turns off completely, then put it on charge and immediately try to turn it on or connect to the application.