Where in the smartphone Xiaomi is pedometer and how to set it up correctly

You bought a Xiaomi smartphone and found that it can count steps without additional gadgets? Or, on the contrary, you can not find a built-in pedometer, although the manufacturer promised this feature? In this article, we will analyze exactly where the pedometer is hidden in the firmware of MIUI different versions, how to activate it and why it may not work. And also tell you which models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO support the calculation of steps at the iron level — without constant GPS.

Spoiler: 90 percent of the time, the pedometer is already on your phone, it's just hidden in an obscure location or it's off by default, and if you use fitness apps like Google Fit or Mi Fitness, the steps can be duplicated -- and that's okay, but the key is to set up the data source correctly so that there's no discrepancy in the statistics.

Where to look for a pedometer in Xiaomi smartphones: 3 main places

Depending on the MIUI version and smartphone model, the path to the pedometer may differ. We've compiled the latest firmware options for 2023-2026, starting with the most obvious, the standard Health app.

If you have Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 or newer, try this way:

1. Open the Health app (green leaf icon).
2. Go to the Statistical tab (or Data in older versions).
3. Scroll down to Activity block - there will be a step schedule.
4. Tap the chart to see the detail by the hours and days.

On older models (e.g. Redmi 10 or POCO X3), the pedometer can be hidden in Settings → Google → Fitness if you use Google Fit services. Also check the Steps widget on the home screen – it can be added with a long press on the desktop and select the Widgets item.

Why the pedometer does not show steps: 5 reasons and solutions

If you've gone through all the paths in the previous section, but the pedometer persists in showing zero or doesn't update the data, the problem lies in one of five factors. Let's take them in order, from the simplest to the most complex.

• 🔋 Battery savings lock the sensors. → Save charge, check if the background processes for the Health app or Google Fit are disabled. Also add these apps to the list No Limits.
• 📱 There's no hardware accelerometer, cheap models like Redmi. A1 or POCO C50) They may not have a special sensor to count the steps, and then the pedometer will only work through the steps. GPS, battery-powered.
• 🔄 Data is not synchronized. If you use multiple fitness apps (e.g. Mi Fitness and Google Fit), they may conflict. Go to Settings → Annexes → Health → Permits and leave only one data source.
• 🛠️ Firmware failure after update MIUI Sometimes you reset your sensor settings. Try resetting the Health app cache to Settings. → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🚫 Regional restrictions: Some models for the Chinese market have the pedometer turned off by default, and the solution is to change the region in the smartphone settings to India or Europe (but this may affect the performance of other services).

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If the pedometer started to work incorrectly after the MIUI update, try rolling back the Health app version via APKMirror. Often bugs are fixed in the following patches.

How to turn on the pedometer on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If you have a pedometer on your smartphone but it’s turned off, follow this instruction, which is suitable for most models on MIUI 12-14, including the Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro and POCO F4.

Enable Sensor Access Permits for Health App

Add the Steps widget to the main screen

Turn off battery savings for background processes

Check the presence of a hardware accelerometer in the characteristics of the model

Sync data with Google Fit (optional)-->

Detailed instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Health (or Mi Health) and select Permissions.
3. Activate all switches related to Physical Activity, Motion Sensors and Background Access.
4. Return to Settings → Battery → Saving Charge and Add Health to the No Limits List
5. Reboot the smartphone – this will help the sensors calibrate.

And then the pedometer will start recording the steps in the background, so to see the statistics, add a widget to the home screen or open the Health app, and notice that the first data can only come in 10 to 15 minutes walk — that's okay.

Comparison of pedometers in different Xiaomi models: table

Not all Xiaomi smartphones count steps equally accurately. Budget models often use an accelerometer-based software algorithm that is less accurate than the hardware pedometer in flagships. Below is a comparison table for popular devices from 2022-2026.

Important: In models with a software pedometer (such as the Redmi 10A or POCO M5), the accuracy depends heavily on how you wear your phone. For best results, put it in your pants pocket or in a bag on your belt, so the sensors record body movements more accurately.

How to Calibrate a Pedometer for Greater Accuracy

Even the hardware pedometers in Xiaomi flagships can be 5 to 10 percent wrong. To minimize the error, calibrate, which is especially true if you notice that the phone understates or overstates the number of steps compared to a fitness bracelet.

Calibration instructions:

1. Walk exactly 50 steps with your phone in your hand (like walking).
2. Open the Health app and check how many steps the smartphone has recorded.
3. If the difference is greater than 5 steps, go to Settings → Additional → Calibration of sensors (the path may differ).
4. Enter the actual number of steps (50) and save the settings.

After calibration, restart your phone. Repeat the test, the error should decrease. If the difference is still significant, try resetting the Health app to factory settings (Settings → Apps → Health → Warehouse → Clear data).

Third-party applications for calculating steps: when they are needed

Xiaomi's built-in pedometer doesn't always suit users -- some want more statistics, some don't have enough accuracy -- and third-party apps can help in that case, and we tested 5 popular solutions and picked the best ones.

• 📊 Google Fit. Free, integrates with other Google services, supports synchronization with the Mi Band.
• 🏃 Accupedo. Paid (there's a trial period), but the most accurate of the test subjects.
• 📈 Pedometer (by ITO Simple interface, no registration, suitable for older users.
• 🔋 StepCounter (by Leap Fitness) Minimalist design, low battery consumption. Not suitable for professional athletes.
• 🌍 MapMyWalk combines pedometer with route building. Perfect for tourists, but quickly puts down the battery.

Before installing a third-party app, disable the built-in pedometer in Health to avoid data duplication. Also check permissions: the app needs access to Motion Sensors and Geolocation (for some features).

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If you want accuracy, combine data from your smartphone and fitness bracelet, for example, the Mi Band can be set as your main step source and your phone as a backup.

Frequent questions about pedometer in Xiaomi

If your question is not covered in this section, check the official Xiaomi documentation for your model or contact support via the Feedback app (Settings). → The phone. → Feedback: Specify the exact model of the smartphone and version MIUI — This will help the professionals solve the problem faster.