Why Xiaomi’s pedometer can be hidden from view
You bought a Xiaomi smartphone or fitness bracelet, but you can't find out where the pedometer is? This problem is familiar to many users, especially those who have switched from other brands. The fact is that in the Xiaomi ecosystem, step counting is not as obvious as the competition. Depending on the model (be it Mi Band 7, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro), the pedometer can be hidden in different sections of the menu, and sometimes even requires the installation of additional applications.
Moreover, the pedometer in Xiaomi works differently on smartphones and wearables. In the Mi Smart Band bracelets, it activates automatically when you first turn it on, whereas in smartphones it often needs to be turned on manually through Settings → Google → Fitness or the Mi Fitness app. And if you use POCO Launcher, the pedometer icon may not be on the home screen at all – you will have to look for it in the list of all applications.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible places where the pedometer hides in Xiaomi devices, including hidden settings, alternative apps, and ways to solve typical problems (for example, when the pedometer shows the wrong number of steps or does not work at all), you’ll learn how to configure step counting on Redmi, POCO, Mi Band, and even on Xiaomi Watch smartwatches.
Where to look for a pedometer on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones
On Xiaomi smartphones, the pedometer can be integrated into multiple locations at once, depending on the version of the MIUI firmware and the apps installed.
- 📱 The Health app (formerly "Mi Health") is the standard solution for most models, and look for it in the app menu or search the system (Swipe down the home screen). → enter "Health").
- 🏃 Google Fit – if your smartphone has Google services installed, the pedometer can work through this app. → Google → fitness → Counting steps.
- 🔄 Widget on the main screen - some versions MIUI You can add a pedometer widget, so you can hold your finger in the free space of the screen. → Widgets → Health.
- ⚙️ Hidden settings – on older models (e.g. Redmi) 5/6) The pedometer can be hidden in the settings → Additionally. → accelerometer.
If you didn't find a pedometer in any of these places, it might have been turned off at the system level.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Health or Mi Fitness in the list and make sure the app isn’t disabled.
- Check Permits: The application should have access to Physical Activity, Body Sensors and Geodata.
Stepmer in fitness bracelets Mi Band: where to watch and how to set up
In the Mi Band bracelets (from Mi Band 4 to Mi Band 8), the pedometer works by default, but many users do not know where to look at the statistics.
- 📊 Bracelet screen -- swipe up the home screen to open the steps statistics. 7/8 You can add a step widget to the main screen through the Mi Fitness app.
- 📱 Mi Fitness app – open the Statistical tab → Steps. You can see daily, weekly and monthly activity here.
- 🔗 Synchronization with Google Fit/Apple Health – if you have a Google or Apple account, your steps will be automatically transferred to those services.
If the pedometer on the Mi Band does not work or shows incorrect data, follow the following steps:
Check the density of the bracelet to the wrist
Update the bracelet firmware through Mi Fitness
Reset your bracelet settings (Settings → Reset)
Calibrate the pedometer (walk 20 steps with a bracelet in your hand)-->
Note that Xiaomi bracelets only count steps when walking. If you are driving in a vehicle or sitting still, but wave your hand, steps will not count — unlike some smartphones, where sensors can mistakenly record movement.
Why does the Mi Band show fewer steps than a smartphone?
How to turn on the pedometer on the Xiaomi Watch smart watch
Xiaomi Watch smartwatches (including the S1, S2 and Watch 2 Pro models) have a built-in pedometer, but its setting is different from bracelets. Here's how to find it:
- On the main screen of the watch, swipe to the right to open the app menu.
- Find the Step icon (usually it looks like a shoe or activity chart).
- Click on it to see the current statistics. On the Xiaomi Watch S2, you can add a step widget to the dial through the Mi Fitness app.
If the pedometer is not displayed, check:
- 🔋 Charge level of the clock (at low charge some functions are turned off).
- 📲 Firmware version (update via Mi Fitness) → Device profile → Update of the PO).
- 🔄 Sync with your phone (turn on Bluetooth and open Mi Fitness on your smartphone).
On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the pedometer is paired with GPS, which allows you to more accurately track outdoor activity. However, this increases battery consumption - if you want autonomy, turn off GPS in the clock settings (Settings → Location → GPS Mode).
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If the pedometer on the Xiaomi Watch suddenly stopped working, try rebooting the watch. To do this, hold the side button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Comparison of pedometer accuracy on different Xiaomi devices
Not all Xiaomi devices count steps equally accurately, and we tested several models and made a table with the results:
| The device | Accuracy (from the actual number of steps) | Features | Autonomy (hours of operation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 8 | 95-98% | Best accuracy among bracelets, but can underestimate steps when walking slowly | 16 days |
| Xiaomi Watch S2 | 92-96% | More precisely, bracelets due to additional sensors, but it sits faster | 7 days |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | 85-90% | He counts steps even in his pocket, but often overestimates the performance | — |
| POCO X5 Pro | 80-85% | Low accuracy due to optimization of sensors for gaming tasks | — |
The table shows that wearables (bracelets and watches) count steps more accurately than smartphones, which is because they record hand movements, whereas a smartphone in a pocket or bag can mistakenly count vibrations of vehicles or other fluctuations.
If you want maximum accuracy, use the Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch and wear it on a non-dominant hand (like your right hand if you're left-handed) to reduce the number of false positives you make when you gesture.
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For the most accurate step count, combine data from your wristband and smartphone. In the Mi Fitness app, you can synchronize both devices to get averages.
Frequent Pedometer Problems and How to Solve Them
Even if you find a pedometer in your Xiaomi device, it may not work properly. Here are the most common problems and solutions:
⚠️ Note: If the pedometer on the Mi Band shows "0 steps" after updating the firmware, this may be due to a reset, in which case you will have to reconfigure the user profile in Mi Fitness (weight, height, gender) - otherwise the calculation algorithms will not work correctly.
- 🚫 Stepmer not turned on – check if the motion sensor is turned off in the battery saving settings (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime → Disable restrictions for "Health").
- 🔄 Steps reset after rebooting - this is a bug of some versions MIUI. Solution: Update your firmware or use third-party apps (e.g. Google Fit).
- 📉 The stepmer shows too few steps - if you wear the Mi Band bracelet on your free hand or over your clothes, the sensors may not be picking up the movements.
- 📈 The stepmer overstates -- a typical smartphone problem. Try calibrating the sensors: go 100 steps, then enter the real value in the Health app settings.
If neither of these methods worked, there may be a hardware problem, like the Redmi 9 and the POCO M3, where the accelerometer sensor fails after the device falls, and you just have to go to the service center.
How to check if the motion sensor is working?
Third-party apps for counting steps on Xiaomi
If you don't like the built-in pedometer, you can use alternative apps. Here are the best options for Xiaomi devices:
- 📊 Google Fit is a universal solution that works on all smartphones with Google services.
- 🏃 Accupedo is a specialized pedometer with calibration capability, suitable for those who want maximum accuracy.
- 🔄 Pacer is an application with social functions (competitions, groups). POCO redmi.
- 📱 Mi Band Tools (Brecelets only) – Expands Mi Band features, including more detailed step statistics.
Before installing a third-party app, disable the built-in pedometer to avoid data duplication.
- Open the Settings → Apps → Health.
- Select Permits → Physical Activity and turn off access.
- Install a new application and give it all the necessary permissions.
Note that some apps (e.g. Accupedo) require constant running in the background, which can increase battery consumption. On POCO smartphones with aggressive battery optimization (MIUI 13/14) you will have to manually add the app to the exclusion list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Find your app → No restrictions).