How to turn on and configure a pedometer on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is equipped with a built-in accelerometer that allows you to track the number of steps without additional gadgets. However, many users face the problem: the pedometer either does not work or shows inaccurate data. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate the function, from standard MIUI settings to integration with Google Fit and third-party applications.

It’s important to understand that the pedometer accuracy on a smartphone depends on several factors: the position of the phone (in your pocket, bag or hand), the firmware version, and even the individual gait features. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 9 with the latest stable version of MIUI 14 (Android 12) and prepared a checklist for quick customization.

If you’ve never used a pedometer on a smartphone, start with the standard pedometer in MIUI section, which is the easiest way to do it. For those who want more analytics (graphics, calories, distance), alternative solutions like Google Fit or Mi Fitness are suitable.

Standard pedometer in MIUI: where is it and how to turn it on

In MIUI, the pedometer is built into the Health app (formerly Mi Health), which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, but can be hidden in the Tools folder or on the second menu screen.

To activate step tracking:

1. Open the Health app (an icon with a green cross on a white background).
2. When you first start up, accept the terms of use and allow access to physical activity and geodata.
3. Go to the Steps tab (the shoe icon in the bottom menu).
4. Click on the gear in the upper right corner and make sure the Track Steps slider is active.

On the Redmi Note 9, the pedometer only works when the energy saving for the Health app is turned on. If the smartphone optimizes background activity, the data can be reset. To avoid this, add the app to the exceptions:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 📱 Find Health in the list and select Without Limits.
• 🔄 Restart your phone to apply changes.

If after these actions the pedometer still does not count the steps, check:

• 📱 Firmware version: on MIUI 12.5 and below can be bugs with sensors. Update your smartphone in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Sensor settings: go to Settings → Special facilities → Sensors and make sure the accelerometer is not turned off.
• 📲 Conflicting apps: Some fitness trackers (e.g. S Health) may block sensor access.

Setup pedometer through Google Fit: synchronization and calibration

Google Fit is an alternative activity tracking solution that often works more accurately than the standard MIUI pedometer, which uses Google’s algorithms to analyze movements and can sync with other services (such as Strava or MyFitnessPal).

To connect Google Fit:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open Google Fit and log in to your Google account.
3. Go to profile (icon in the upper right corner) → Settings → Manage connected applications.
4. Find Health (MIUI) and allow data sharing.

To improve accuracy:

• 📏 Specify your height and weight in your Google Fit profile (this affects your distance calculation).
• 👟 Calibrate the pedometer: walk 50 steps with your phone in your hand, then check the data in the app. If the difference is greater than 10%, calibrate manually in the settings.
• 📊 Include activity history to track day/week dynamics.

An important caveat: Google Fit can conflict with the built-in MIUI pedometer by duplicating data. To avoid this, disable step tracking in the standard Health app if you use Google Fit as your primary tool.

⚠️ Note: If after connecting Google Fit pedometer began to show inflated values (for example, 10,000 steps per hour), reset the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Google Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache. It helps 80 percent of the time.

Third-party applications for pedometer: TOP-3 alternatives

If the standard solutions don't work, consider third-party apps that offer advanced analytics, smartwatch integration, and more accurate scoring algorithms, and we tested 10 apps and selected the top three for the Redmi Note 9:

When choosing an application, pay attention to:

• 🔋 Energy consumption: some pedometers discharge the battery by 15-20% per day. → Battery.
• 📊 Accuracy: Test the app at a distance of 100–200 meters (e.g., measure 100 steps and compare it to the program data).
• 🔒 Privacy: read permissions when installing. Some applications request access to contacts or SMS reasonlessly.

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If the pedometer in the third-party app shows inflated values, try moving the phone from your pocket to your hand or backpack. Sensors can trigger vibrations in vehicles or from random movements.

Why the pedometer on the Redmi Note 9 lies: 5 reasons and solutions

Redmi Note 9 users often complain about inaccurate pedometer data. In our experience, 90% of the time, the problem is solved by settings or software updates.

1. Shagomer's incorrect calibration calculates the default step length (usually 70 cm for men and 60 cm for women). If your step is longer or shorter, the data will be inaccurate. Solution: measure your step length (walk 10 meters and divide by the number of steps) and enter the value in the app settings.
2. If multiple fitness apps are installed on a phone (like Google Fit + Mi Fitness), they can block each other's access to the accelerometer. Solution: Leave one main app and disable the others.
3. The MIUI energy saving aggressively optimizes background activity, which can cause the pedometer to "fall asleep." Solution: add the app to battery exclusions (see section 1) and turn off Ultra-Economic mode.
4. On MIUI versions below 12.5, there were motion sensor bugs. Solution: Update your smartphone to the latest stable firmware in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
5. Physical interference: If the phone is in a bag or backpack, sensors can detect false movements (such as from shaking in a vehicle) Solution: carry your smartphone in your pants pocket or jacket closer to your body.

If none of the solutions worked, reset the sensor settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset App Settings (does not delete files!).
3. After the reboot, re-set the pedometer.

How to Reset Pedometer Data and Start Again

If the pedometer shows unrealistic values (e.g. 50,000 steps per day) or you want to start tracking from scratch, reset the statistics.

For the standard MIUI pedometer:

1. Open the Health app.
2. Go to the Steps tab.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Reset data.
4. Confirm the action (the data will be deleted irrevocably!).

For Google Fit:

1. Open Google Fit and go to profile.
2. Select Settings → Data management.
3. Find the Activity section and click Delete.
4. Specify the date range (e.g., “All the time”) and confirm.

Important: After the data reset, you may need to recalibrate the pedometer. Walk 100-200 steps with your phone in your hand so that the app “remembers” your walking style.

⚠️ Note: If you use a smartwatch or fitness bracelet (such as the Mi Band), the data reset on your phone will not affect the statistics on the gadget).

Synchronization of pedometer with Mi Band and other gadgets

If you have a Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelet (of any model), it can be paired with a smartphone for more accurate activity tracking.

1. Install the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) from Google Play.
2. Connect the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth.
3. In the application settings, find the Data Sync section and activate the Google Fit Sharing option (if necessary).

Advantages of this approach:

• 📊 Data from the bracelet is more accurate than from a smartphone (specialized motion sensors).
• 🔋 Saving phone charge (stepmer works on bracelet, not on Redmi Note 9).
• 🌙 Sleep and pulse tracking (additional health metrics).

If the bracelet is not synchronized:

• 🔄 Reboot both the bracelet and the phone.
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth device list and reconnect.
• 🔧 Update the bracelet firmware through the Mi Fitness app.

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For maximum accuracy, use a bracelet + smartphone: the bracelet tracks steps during the day, and the phone when you forget to wear the gadget.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the pedometer on the Redmi Note 9