Connecting a Xiaomi smart watch to an Android phone: a complete guide with step-by-step guide

Smart watches Xiaomi have long ceased to be just an accessory - they have become a full-fledged assistant in everyday life. From tracking your physical activity to managing notifications from your phone, these devices can do a lot. However, the first step to their effective use is the correct connection to a smartphone based on Android. Many users encounter difficulties at this stage: the application does not find the clock, synchronization is interrupted, or functions do not work correctly.

In this article we will analyze the entire connection process from A to Z - from preparing devices to setting up additional functions. We will pay special attention to the nuances that are often missed in standard instructions: choosing a connection protocol (Bluetooth 5.0 vs BLE), setting permissions on Android 13/14, and even how to avoid common mistakes when you turn it on for the first time. If you have just unpacked Mi Band 8 Pro, Watch 2 Pro or any other brand model, this guide will help save time and nerves.

It is important to understand that the connection process may differ slightly depending on the watch model and phone firmware version. For example, for Xiaomi Watch S3 s Wear OS A different approach will be required than for the fitness bracelets of the series Mi Band. We will cover all the main scenarios, and also give recommendations on optimizing the connection for stable operation.

1. Preparing devices before connecting

Before you begin synchronization, make sure that both devices are ready for the process. This will save you from most problems at the pairing stage.

Start by checking battery charge on your smart watch. The minimum level for a successful connection is 20%, but it is better if it is higher 50%. For some models (for example, Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro), when the battery is low, it may automatically turn off Bluetooth, which will interrupt the process. Also make sure that Bluetooth and geolocation are turned on on your phone (the latter is needed for the correct operation of some functions, such as weather or GPS tracking).

It is equally important to update the software on both devices. On your phone, check that the version is up to date Android in the section Settings → System → System update. For watches, update the firmware through the proprietary application (more on this in the next section). If you use Xiaomi based on Wear OS (for example, Watch 2 Pro), update the firmware via Play Market on the watch itself.

Download your smartwatch to 50% or higher

Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Update Android to the latest version

Make sure your phone has enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)

Reboot both devices before connecting -->

Pay special attention permissions on the phone. Modern versions of Android (since Android 10) require explicit confirmation of access to:

• 📱 Contacts (for displaying incoming calls)
• 📍 Geolocation (for GPS and weather widgets)
• 📂 Storage (for downloading branded watch faces)
• 🔔 Notifications (for synchronizing messages)

2. Selecting and installing the right application

One of the most common sources of errors is using the wrong application for connection. Xiaomi smart watches are produced on different platforms, and each requires its own software:

Watch model	Platform	Android application	Download link
Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8, Smart Band 7 Pro	Propietary OS	Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit)	Play Market
Xiaomi Watch S1/S2, Watch Color 2	Propietary OS	Mi Fitness	Play Market
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3	Wear OS	Wear OS by Google	Play Market
Xiaomi Mi Watch (first generation)	Wear OS (outdated)	Wear OS by Google + Mi Wear	Play Market

Important: For models on Wear OS (for example, Watch 2 Pro), first install the application Wear OS by Google, and then connect the watch. Attempt to connect through Mi Fitness will lead to an error.

After installing the application:

1. Launch it and register (or log in) through your account Xiaomi, Google or other supported service.
2. Click on the add device button (usually the icon + in the upper right corner).
3. Select your watch model from the list. If it is not there, update the application or check the compatibility on the official Xiaomi website data-i="118">🔄 Reboot both devices. Xiaomi official website.

Mi Fitness

Wear OS by Google

Zepp (for Amazfit)

Other

Haven't connected yet -->

If the app doesn't find your watch, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 On your phone, turn on the mode Visibility to everyone in the Bluetooth settings.
• ⚙️ In the watch settings, reset the connection (usually Settings → Bluetooth → Forget device).
• 📲 Delete the application cache Mi Fitness or Wear OS in the phone settings.

What to do if the application gives "The device is not supported" error?

This error often occurs when you try to connect a watch to Wear OS via Mi Fitness. Solution:

1. Remove Mi Fitness.

2. data-i="133">3. Connect the watch through this application. Wear OS by Google.

3. Connect your watch via this app.

If the problem persists, check the compatibility of the watch model with your version of Android on the official website.

3. Step-by-step guide for connecting

Let's look at the process using the example of the most popular model - Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (similar for Mi Band 7/6 and Smart Band 7 Pro). For watches on Wear OS (for example, Watch 2 Pro) the instructions will be different - more on this in the next section.

Step 1. Turn on the smart watch, holding down the power button (or touch area if there is no button) for 3-5 secondsuntil the logo appears Mi.

Step 2. Open the application Mi Fitness on your phone and press Add device. Select your model from the list.

Step 3. A QR codewill appear on the watch screen. Point your phone camera at him through the app. If the QR code does not scan:

• 🔦 Increase the brightness of the watch screen to maximum.
• 📸 Wipe the phone camera - dirt or scratches may interfere scanning.
• 🔄 Reboot your watch and try again.

Step 4. After successful scanning, confirm pairing on both devices. A request for permission may appear on your phone access to notifications —be sure to agree.

Step 5. Wait for data synchronization to complete (usually takes 1-3 minutes). At this stage, the watch may reboot - this is normal.

For models on Wear OS (for example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro):

1. Install the application Wear OS by Google.
2. Turn on the watch and select language.
3. On your phone, open Wear OS and press Set up device.
4. Confirm the code that appears on the watch.
5. Select account Google for synchronization.
6. Wait for the updates to install (may take up to 10-15 minutes).

4. Setting up basic functions after connection

After successful pairing, you need to configure key functions to ensure your watch performs as efficiently as possible. Let's start with the most important thing - notifications.

In the application Mi Fitness (or Wear OS for the corresponding models) go to the Notifications section and enable the option Show notifications. Here you can choose which applications will display alerts on the watch. For example, you can leave only WhatsApp, Telegram and Callsto avoid overloading the screen.

Next set activity tracking:

• 🏃 Pedometer: Set a daily goal (recommended 8000-10000 steps).
• 💤 Sleep: Turn on automatic sleep tracking and set an alarm clock according to sleep phases.
• 🚴 Workouts: Add frequently used sports (running, cycling, swimming) to favorites.
• ❤️ Pulse: Set the measurement frequency (for example, every 10 minutes in the daytime and 1 time per hour at night to save battery).

For models with GPS (for example Xiaomi Watch S3 or Smart Band 7 Pro) activate this function in the training settings. This will allow you to track the route without your phone, but remember that GPS significantly reduces battery life.

Don't forget about watch faces. More Mi Fitness more available 100+ free options are available, and for Wear OS you can install dials from Play Market on the watch. To save battery, choose watch faces with minimal animation and a dark theme (for AMOLED screens).

5. Troubleshooting common problems

Even with a correct connection, failures may occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Problem 1: The watch does not sync with the phone.

• 🔄 Restart both device.
• 📱 In the phone settings, check whether background data for the application is disabled Mi Fitness or Wear OS.
• 🔗 Remove the watch from the list of paired devices in the Bluetooth settings and reconnect.
• 📶 Make sure the phone is connected to the Internet (synchronization requires access to servers Xiaomi).

Problem 2: Notifications do not arrive.

• 🔔 In the phone settings, check that the application Mi Fitness access to notifications is allowed (Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Notifications).
• 📵 Make sure that the mode is not turned on Do not disturb.
• 🔄 In the application Mi Fitness update the list of allowed applications for notifications.

Problem 3: Rapid battery drain.

• 🔋 Disable continuous heart rate measurement (every 30 minutes is sufficient).
• 🌙 Use dark dials on AMOLED screens.
• 📡 Turn off GPS i Wi-Fi on the watch if not in use.
• 🔄 Reset the watch to factory settings (if the problem persists).

What to do if the watch stops vibrating with notifications?

1. Check if the sound on the watch is turned off (on some models, vibration is tied to sound signals).

2. In the application Mi Fitness go to Device Settings → Vibration and enable the option.

3. If vibration only works for calls, but not for messages, check the notification settings for specific applications (for example, WhatsApp may have separate vibration settings).

Problem 4: The watch does not detect your heart rate or steps.

• 🩺 Make sure the watch fits snugly to your wrist (gap more 1 cm interferes with the sensors).
• 🧼 Wipe the sensors on the underside of the watch with an alcohol wipe - sweat or dirt can block the signal.
• 🔄 Reboot the watch and update the firmware.

⚠️ Attention: If, after updating the firmware, the watch no longer displays the time correctly or synchronizes, try rolling back the firmware through the app Mi Fitness (section Device Settings → Software Update → Roll Back). This option is not available for all models.

6. Additional settings for advanced users

If you want to get the most out of your smartwatch, pay attention to these functions:

1. Music control. On models with Wear OS (for example Watch 2 Pro), you can store music on the watch and listen to it through Bluetooth headphones. To do this:

1. Connect headphones to the watch.
2. Via Play Music or YouTube Music download playlists to the watch.
3. Start playback directly from the watch (no phone needed!).

2. Voice assistant. On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and other models with Wear OS available Google Assistant. To activate it:

• 🎤 Hold the button on the watch or say "Okay, Google".
• 🔊 Set up voice activation in the application Wear OS.

3. Contactless payments. Some models (for example, Xiaomi Watch S3) support NFC for payment. To configure:

1. Add the card to Google Pay on your phone.
2. In the application Wear OS activate the option Contactless payments.
3. When paying, bring the watch to the terminal (no need to enter a PIN code for amounts up to 1000₽).

4. Automation with Google Assistant or IFTTT. Using automation services you can configure:

• 🔦 Automatically turn on the flashlight on phone when you double-click on the watch.
• ☕ Start the coffee maker when the alarm on the watch goes off.
• 📧 Automatically send SMS when the watch's charge level is low.

⚠️ Attention: Contactless payment and voice assistant functions may be limited depending on the region. For example, the watch is not officially supported in all countries. Before setting up, check the availability of services on the official Google website Google Pay The watch is not officially supported in all countries. Before setting up, check the availability of services on Google official website.

7. batteries

One of the main problems of smart watches is limited operating time. However, with the right settings, you can extend battery life by 1.5-2 times.

Basic recommendations:

• 🌑 Use dark dials on AMOLED screens (for example, on Xiaomi Watch S3).
• ⏱️ Reduce the screen backlight time to 5 seconds.
• ❤️ Disable continuous heart rate monitoring (measurements every 30 minutes are sufficient).
• 📡 Deactivate Wi-Fi and GPSif they are not used.
• 🔔 Turn off vibration for unnecessary notifications (for example, from social networks).

For models on Wear OS:

• 🛑 Disable background data synchronization in your account settings Google.
• 🎨 Use watch faces from third-party developers (for example, Pujie Black or Facer), optimized to save energy.
• 🔄 Regularly clear the application cache on your watch through Settings → Storage.

For fitness bracelets (Mi Band):

• 🌙 Turn on the mode Battery saving in the settings.
• 📴 Turn off call notifications if they are not critical.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery once every 2-3 months (discharge up to 0% and charge up to 100% without interruptions).

💡

The greatest battery consumption of smart watches occurs due to constant synchronization with the phone. If autonomy is critical, turn on the mode On an airplane on the watch while sleeping or working, when notifications are not needed.

8. settings

Regular firmware updates not only add new functions, but also fix errors, improve stability and autonomy. It is recommended to check for updates once every 1-2 months.

How to update the firmware:

1. Open the application Mi Fitness or Wear OS.
2. Go to the section Device profile → Software update.
3. If an update is available, click Download and install.
4. Wait for the process to complete (do not unplug Bluetooth or turn off the watch!).

If after the update the watch begins to work incorrectly (for example, it discharges quickly or does not synchronize), you can reset to factory settings:

• On the watch: Settings → System → Reset settings.
• In the application: Device profile → Unlink device.

After the reset, you will have to reconnect the watch to the phone, as you did the first time turning on.

⚠️ Attention: When resetting the settings, all data from the watch will be deleted, including activity statistics, watch face settings and the contact list. It is recommended to first synchronize the data with your account Xiaomi or Google.

If the firmware update is interrupted, the watch may stop responding to presses. In this case:

1. Place the watch on charge.
2. Hold the power button for 20-30 secondsuntil the logo appears.
3. Try again updates.

What to do if the clock is stuck on the logo after an update?

1. Connect the watch to the charger and wait until it is fully charged (at least 30 minutes).

2. Hold the power button 15-20 secondsuntil the screen goes out and turns on again.

3. If this does not help, perform a reset through the app Mi Fitness (section Device Settings → Reset).

4. As a last resort, contact support Xiaomi —you may need to flash it via Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

🔹 Is it possible to connect a Xiaomi smart watch to an iPhone?

Yes, but with restrictions. For models on Propietary OS (for example, Mi Band 8), you need to use the application Mi Fitness for iOS. However, some functions will not be available:

• Answering calls from the watch.
• Quick replies to messages.
• Some widgets.

Models on Wear OS (for example, Watch 2 Pro) connect to the iPhone via Wear OS by Google, but with even greater restrictions (for example, no Google Assistant).

🔹 Why does the watch not connect to the phone if Bluetooth works?

There may be several reasons:

• The watch is already paired with another device (you need to reset the connection).
• The phone has a power saving mode enabled, which blocks background work. Mi Fitness.
• Outdated version of the application or watch firmware.
• Problems with Bluetooth stack on the phone (try connecting the watch to another device to diagnostics).

Solution: Reboot both devices, update the software and repeat pairing.

🔹 How to transfer data from an old Xiaomi watch to a new one?

If both devices are connected to the same account Xiaomi, the data is automatically synchronized with the cloud. To transfer settings:

1. Connect the new watch to the application Mi Fitness.
2. In the device profile, select the option Restore data.
3. Select a backup from the old watch.

For models on Wear OS use account Google to synchronize data.

🔹 Is it possible to use a Xiaomi smart watch without a phone?

Yes, but the functionality will be limited. Without a phone, the following are available:

• Activity tracking (steps, heart rate, sleep).
• Use of preloaded music (on models with memory).
• Contactless payments (if configured).
• Basic functions (alarm clock, timer, weather last synchronization).

The following will not work:

• Notifications.
• GPS tracking (if not a built-in module).
• Updating weather and other online data.

🔹 How to reset your password on a Xiaomi smart watch, if you forgot?

If you forgot the PIN code or pattern on the watch:

1. Connect the watch to the charger.
2. In the application Mi Fitness go to Settings devices → Password reset.