What you need before getting started
Connecting the Xiaomi Band 10 to your iPhone is simpler than it seems, but it does require some basic requirements that, if overlooked, will have you going in circles. You’ll need an iPhone running iOS 16 or later, active Bluetooth, and either the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app installed. Xiaomi migrated the Band 10 to the Mi Fitness ecosystem, so this is the main app for new users in 2026.
It’s also important to have the band charged above 20% before starting the pairing process. With all that in place, the entire process takes less than five minutes.
Download the correct app for Xiaomi Band 10
This is where most people stumble. There are two Xiaomi apps available on the App Store: Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) and Mi Fitness. For the Band 10, the app recommended by the manufacturer is Mi Fitness.
Zepp Life still works with older models like the Band 7 and Band 8, but the Band 10 was designed to operate with Mi Fitness as the primary app. Installing the wrong app won’t always prevent pairing, but you’ll miss features like advanced sleep analysis, watch face customization, and health data synchronization with Apple Health.
To download Mi Fitness:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone
- Search for “Mi Fitness” (developer: Anhui Huami Information Technology)
- Tap Install and wait for the download to complete
- Open the app and create a Xiaomi account, or log in if you already have one
If you don’t have a Xiaomi account yet, registration is quick and can be done with email or a Google account.
How to pair Xiaomi Band 10 to iPhone step by step
With the app installed and your account created, follow this process:
- Turn on the Band 10 by pressing the side button or tapping the screen for a few seconds
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone (Settings > Bluetooth)
- Open Mi Fitness and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner
- Select “Add Device” or “Link Device”, depending on your app version
- The app will start a Bluetooth scan. Wait for the Band 10 to appear in the list
- Tap on the band’s name when it appears
- Confirm the pairing code that will appear on both your iPhone screen and the Band 10
- Tap “Pair” in the iOS permission window
- Wait for the initial data synchronization, which may take between 30 seconds and 2 minutes
After this process, Mi Fitness will ask for permission to access Apple Health. Grant this permission if you want your steps, heart rate, and sleep data to appear integrated in Apple’s ecosystem. This integration is optional but highly recommended for those who use iPhone as a health hub.
Enabling iPhone notifications on the Band 10
You’ve paired the band, but WhatsApp notifications aren’t showing up? That’s not a bug. iOS has an extra layer of permissions for third-party apps to access system notifications.
Follow these steps to enable them:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Mi Fitness
- Check if “Notifications” is enabled
- Inside Mi Fitness, go to Device > App Notifications
- Enable the apps you want to receive on your band (WhatsApp, Telegram, email, etc.)
- iOS may display a pop-up asking for notification access permission. Confirm it
A real limitation of iOS compared to Android: on iPhone, you receive notifications on your band, but you can’t reply to them. This is an Apple system restriction, not a Band 10 limitation. On Android, some quick replies work depending on the app.
Syncing with Apple Health
Integration with Apple Health (iOS’s central health data repository) is one of the things that makes the Band 10 useful in the Apple ecosystem. When enabled, your steps, calories, heart rate, and sleep data appear in your iPhone’s Health app alongside data from other devices.
To ensure synchronization is working:
- Open the Health app on your iPhone
- Tap your profile in the top right corner
- Access “Apps and Devices”
- Look for Mi Fitness in the list and confirm that the data categories are authorized
If Mi Fitness doesn’t appear in this list, go back to the app, access settings, and look for the Apple Health integration option. Some users report this screen only appears after the first complete synchronization cycle.
Common issues and how to fix them
The Band 10 doesn’t appear in the app scan
Check that your iPhone’s Bluetooth is on and you’re within one meter of the band. If it still doesn’t appear, restart the Band 10 by holding the side button for eight seconds. Another common cause is the band being previously paired with another device: access the Band 10 settings and perform a factory reset (Settings > System > Factory Reset).
The app freezes on the synchronization screen
Force close Mi Fitness, turn Bluetooth off and on on your iPhone, and open the app again. In stubborn cases, uninstalling and reinstalling the app solves the problem. Your data stays saved in your cloud-connected Xiaomi account.
Notifications arrive late or don’t arrive
Make sure Mi Fitness is not being restricted from running in the background by iOS. Go to Settings > Mi Fitness > Background App Refresh and enable this option. iOS has aggressive battery management that can suspend background apps, cutting off communication with your band.
The Band 10 frequently disconnects from your iPhone
Keep your iPhone and Band 10 close together and check for interference from other Bluetooth devices. In environments with many connected devices, Bluetooth stability can drop. According to public Xiaomi information, the Band 10 uses Bluetooth 5.3, which is more efficient in congested environments than earlier versions, but it’s not immune to interference.
Apple Health isn’t receiving data
Revoke and grant Mi Fitness permissions again in the Health app. This “refresh” step resolves the issue in most cases reported in Xiaomi community forums.
Frequently asked questions about connecting Xiaomi Band 10 to iPhone
Does Zepp Life work with Band 10 on iPhone?
Zepp Life can recognize the Band 10, but the official and most complete app for this generation is Mi Fitness. Using Zepp Life means giving up features exclusive to Band 10 and possibly facing synchronization issues in future firmware updates.
Can I connect the Band 10 to two iPhones at the same time?
No. The Band 10 maintains an active connection with only one device at a time. To switch iPhones, you need to unlink the band in the app on the previous device or perform a factory reset on the band before pairing with the new phone.
Does the Xiaomi Band 10 have Anatel approval?
To legally use in Brazil, any device with radio transmission needs approval from Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency). Before buying, check Anatel’s public database or verify that the product sold by the retailer has the approval number printed on the packaging or technical sheet. Informally imported versions may not have this certification.
Can I reply to WhatsApp messages from the Band 10 when connected to iPhone?
No. iOS doesn’t allow third-party apps to access the reply function through external devices the way Android does. You receive the notification content on your band, but replies must be made from your iPhone.
For whom Band 10 with iPhone makes sense, and for whom it doesn’t
The Band 10 connected to an iPhone works well for those who want health monitoring, notifications, and basic media control without spending what an Apple Watch costs. If you’re evaluating whether this combination makes sense for your budget, it’s worth comparing available options: you can check Redmi Watch 5 Active or Band 10: which to buy to understand how the Band 10 positions itself against another Xiaomi product before deciding.
The Band 10 with iPhone combination doesn’t work well for those who want quick replies through notifications, app navigation directly on the wrist, or deep integration with Siri and Apple services. For that profile, the Apple Watch SE is the most honest comparison. Now, if your goal is to have a reliable health tracker, AMOLED display, and several days of battery life for a fraction of the price, the Band 10 does the job even in the Apple ecosystem.