Modern Xiaomi smartphones have powerful built-in sensors that are ready to track your physical activity by default. However, many users are faced with the fact that after buying a device or updating the firmware, the step counter does not appear on the lock screen or stops updating the data in the widgets. This does not mean that the gadget breaks, most often it lies in the energy saving settings or the absence of an activated plugin.
To function properly, the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS must have the appropriate permissions. Android’s standard operating algorithm limits the background activity of applications to save battery power, which can block the accelerometer from running in standby mode. So simply installing an application does not always solve the problem without additional manual configuration of the system.
In this article, we will take a look at the nuances of activation and pedometer settings so you can control your sporting achievements without any errors, learn how to properly configure data access, calibrate sensors, and what system constraints are worth bypassing for stable operation.
Use the Mi Fitness app to activate
The main tool for tracking activity on Xiaomi and Redmi devices is the system application Mi Fitness (formerly known as Mi Sport), which is the software module that collects data from the accelerometer and gyroscope, processes it and outputs the final figures. In most regions, the application is preinstalled, but if it is not, you need to download the official version from the GetApps store or Google Play.
After the first run, the app will ask for basic data: height, weight and age, which are critical to correctly calculating distance traveled and calories expended. The algorithm uses them to calculate the length of your step, so you should not give approximate values if you want to get accurate statistics.
To start tracking, follow the following steps:
- 🏃 Open the Mi Fitness app and go to the Sports or Training tab».
- 📲 Click the Start button or select Walk mode to start GPS-tracking.
- ⚙️ Check that the profile settings indicate the correct growth, as the calculation of the step length depends on this.
- 🔒 Allow geolocation access in Always mode if you want the route to be maintained even when the screen is off.
⚠️ Note: If you are using custom firmware build or global version from a Chinese board, the Mi Fitness app may not work properly without installing additional service plugins.
It’s important to understand that the background step count in Mi Fitness works separately from training tracker.You can not run the Walk mode, but simply carry your phone in your pocket – data will accumulate automatically if the application has the appropriate rights in the system.
Configure access rights and permissions in MIUI
The most common reason why a pedometer on Xiaomi stops counting steps or shows zero after unlocking the screen is an aggressive energy saving policy. The MIUI system by default “freezes” background processes, considering them unnecessary energy consumption. In order for the pedometer to work constantly, you need to manually change the priority of the application.
Go to your phone's settings and look for the Apps section. Search for Mi Fitness (or Sport) in the list. Here you are interested in "Activity Control" or "Energy Saving"; by default, there is a restriction that kills the process 10 minutes after you turn off the screen. You need to select "No restrictions" option.
It is also critical to check the permits:
- 📂 Permit to access “Physical Activity” must be included by force.
- 📍 Access to the location should be allowed, especially if you want to see a route map.
- 🔔 Notifications should be activated so you can see intermediate results while driving.
- 🚀 Auto-start must be allowed to allow the application to run alongside the system after restarting.
Without these settings, the operating system will periodically stop the step counter, and data for phone downtime will be lost. This is not a bug, but a feature of the shell, aimed at increasing battery life.
Once the rights are set, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect. Check the sensor's performance by going through a few dozen steps - the meter should respond almost instantly.
Adding a pedometer widget to the desktop
For quick access to statistics without running applications, the best way to display a pedometer widget is to directly display it on the desktop or lock screen. In the HyperOS shell and the latest versions of MIUI, this interface element looks stylish and informative. It shows not only the number of steps, but also the progress bar of the daily norm.
To add a widget, swipe to the right of the first screen to get into the widget tape, or pinch an empty space on the desktop. In the menu that opens, select Add widgets. Find the Mi Fitness app or the standard Activity widget in the list.
Various display formats are available:
- 📊 Compact widget 1x1, numerical.
- 📈 Extended widget 2x1 weekly.
- 🔵 A circular indicator showing the percentage of daily goal.
- 🏆 Widget with achievements and medals for activity.
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If the widget shows slashes instead of numbers, try removing it and adding it again, pre-opening the Mi Fitness app to update the data.
The widget may not appear on the lock screen for privacy or energy saving reasons. OLED-To activate it there, go to the Lock Screen settings and make sure that the lock style supports widgets. In some themes, this feature may be hidden, so try changing the theme to the standard one for checking.
Calibration of sensors and increase accuracy
Sometimes users notice that the pedometer on Xiaomi greatly underestimates or overstates the number of steps compared to reality, this can be due to the desynchronization of the accelerometer or incorrect input anthropometric data. Embedded sensors require periodic calibration for accurate operation.
First, check your physical parameters in your profile. Step length is calculated automatically based on height, but it's different for all people. If you're tall or have a specific gait, automatic calculation can give an error of up to 15%.
The manual calibration process looks like this:
- Find a marked track or use a GPS app to measure the exact distance (e.g. 100 meters).
- Walk this distance at your usual pace, counting the steps.
- Divide the distance traveled by the number of steps to get your actual step length.
- Make adjustments to your profile settings or use third-party calibrators from Google Play if standard settings don’t allow you to enter an exact value.
Why does a pedometer lie when walking on the spot?
Also, it's worth considering that carrying a phone in different pockets affects accuracy, and in the back pocket of jeans, the sensor captures steps better than in a free bag or in the inner pocket of a jacket, where the amplitude of the vibrations is extinguished.
Comparison of embedded solutions and third-party applications
Users often wonder whether to trust the built-in pedometer or install a specialized application? Xiaomi’s standard solution is optimized for hardware devices and consumes minimal power, but is functionally limited. Third-party applications can offer more detailed analytics, but put the battery down faster.
Below is a table comparing popular activity tracking solutions:
| Parameter | Mi Fitness (System) | Google Fit | Pacer / StepBet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery consumption | Minimum | Medium. | High-pitched |
| Accuracy of steps | High (native) | Tall. | Depends on the settings. |
| Integration with MIUI | Full (widgets, lock screen) | Partial | Absent. |
| Social functions | Basic | Good ones. | Great. |
For most users, a native app is the best choice: it is deeply integrated into the system, does not require additional permissions to work in the background (after initial setup), and works steadily even when there is a lack of RAM.
However, if you’re a professional runner or are preparing for a marathon, a bundle of Mi Fitness+ specialized app (like Strava or Nike Run Club) will give more detailed pulse and pace statistics using the same phone sensors.
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Xiaomi’s built-in pedometer is preferred for daily wear due to its minimal impact on autonomy, while third-party apps are better suited to analyzing specific workouts.
Solution: Pedometer does not work or resets
Despite the reliability of the system, sometimes there are failures in which the step counter resets after rebooting or stops responding to movements, most often the problem lies in the cleaning of memory by the Cleaner, who kills the Mi Fitness process, believing it to be inactive.
To exclude the application from cleaning:
- 🧹 Open the Security app» → «Cleaning up memory».
- 🔒 Click on the lock icon or gear in the corner.
- ✅ Find Mi Fitness in the list and add it to the exceptions (whitelist).
Another reason could be time-date dissynchronization: If the phone misidentifies a time zone or date, the daily norm algorithms may not work correctly, believing that the day has not yet arrived or has already passed.
⚠️ Note: If the pedometer stopped working after the firmware update, try clearing the Mi Fitness app cache through the Apps menu, but don’t delete user data to avoid losing your history.
In rare cases, resetting the accelerometer settings through the engineering menu helps, but this requires caution: enter the code ##6484## in the call, select CIT (or Single Item Test), find Accelometer and follow the instructions on the screen for calibration. Do not change other parameters in the engineering menu if you are not sure of your actions.