How to change the design of the watch on Xiaomi: from standard themes to custom dials

Xiaomi smartwatches are not only a functional gadget for tracking health, but also a stylish accessory that can be adapted to any image. However, many users face the problem: how to change a boring standard dial to something more original? In this article, we will discuss all possible ways - from official topics in the Mi app. Fit/Zepp Life before installing custom designs through third-party services.

It is important to understand that the process differs depending on the model: for the Mi Band. 5/6/7 Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 We'll go into each case in detail, and we'll also reveal hidden features that aren't written about in the official instructions, like how to return a remote dial or synchronize themes between multiple devices.

If you want to do more than just change the background, but create a unique design with personal photos or animations, we have instructions for that, and at the end of this article you will find answers to common questions, including solving problems with synchronization errors and gray dials.

1. Official ways: how to change the dial through Mi Fit or Zepp Life

The easiest and safest method is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary apps.The process is almost identical across all models, but there are nuances depending on the firmware and region.

First, make sure your watch is connected to your smartphone via Mi Fit (for Mi Band) or Zepp Life (for Xiaomi Watch).If the app doesn't see the device, check:

• 📱 Bluetooth Version: Android should be at least 5.0, iOS 4.0+.
• 🔄 Firmware updates: Outdated software can block new themes from loading.
• 🌍 Account Region: Some dials are only available in China or Europe.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open Mi. Fit/Zepp Life and select your device at the top of the screen.
2. Go to the Dials section (in Zepp Life it can be called the Display).
3. Scroll through the list of available themes. Free options are marked with a green tick, paid ones are marked with a price tag.
4. Click on your favorite design and confirm the installation. Synchronization will take 10 to 30 seconds.

Synchronize data with the clock|Check the battery charge (minimum 20%)|Connect to Wi-Fi for quick download|Close the background apps on your phone-->

Note that Mi Fit has a hidden option called My Dials, which stores previously installed designs, and if the theme is gone after the update, try to restore it from there.

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In Zepp Life, you can save up to 5 favorite dials to your favorites by tapping the heart next to the theme, which will speed up access to them in the future.

2. Secret dials: How to get hidden themes from Xiaomi

Few people know, but Xiaomi periodically adds hidden dials to the firmware that do not appear in the main directory.

For Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch S1 next trick:

1. Open the clock menu dials (swipe up the screen and select the icon with the clock).
2. Quickly touch the screen in the center 5 times in a row. The hidden partition should appear.
3. Choose your favorite theme and sync it with your phone.

For older models (Mi Band) 5/6) can be used ADB-Teams (requires the developer mode on the clock):

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "miui://watchface/hidden"

There are also regional hidden themes, such as the Chinese firmware Xiaomi Watch. S2 We have exclusive dials with traditional holiday motifs:

• 📲 Change the region of your Mi Account to China (in your profile settings).
• 🔄 Reboot the Zepp Life app.
• 🎨 Check the dials section - new options should appear.

3. Castom dials: installation of third-party themes

If official options are not enough, you can install custom dials from third-party developers, a method suitable for advanced users, as it requires manual download of files.

The most popular sources of custom topics:

• 🌐 WatchFace Market (watchface.market) – the largest database with support for Xiaomi.
• 📱 Telegram channels (e.g, @MiBandMods or @XiaomiWatchThemes).
• 💾 Forums XDA Developers (part of Xiaomi Wearables).

Installation instructions:

1. Download the dial file in.bin or.wfz format (for Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch, respectively).
2. Connect the watch to the PC via the Mi Fit Tool (utility for the computer). Windows/macOS).
3. In the program, select Install Watchface and specify the path to the downloaded file.
4. Wait for the installation to be completed and restart the clock.

Official Xiaomi Store|Third-party websites (WatchFace Market)|Telegram channels|I'm making it in editors.|Not installing.-->

Important: not all custom themes are optimized for specific models. If the dial is displayed incorrectly after installation (downed hours, missing items), delete it through Settings. → Display. → Remove the dial.

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Before installing third-party themes, always check other users’ reviews – some files may contain malicious code or work with sensors incorrectly.

4. Creation of a personal dial: photos, gifs, own designs

One of the key benefits of Xiaomi’s smartwatch is the ability to use personal photos as the background of the dial.This works on most models, starting with the Mi Band 6 and Xiaomi Watch. S1.

How to add your photo:

1. Open Zepp Life and go to the Dials section → My pictures.
2. Select an image from the phone gallery (recommended size — 390×390 pixels for the Mi Band or 454×454 Xiaomi Watch).
3. Cut the picture from the template and confirm the installation.

For more complex designs (with animation or interactive elements), you can use specialized editors:

If you want to add a gif as a dial, consider the following limitations:

• 🎞️ Maximum duration of animation - 3 seconds.
• 🖼️ Permission shall not exceed 240×240 pixels (for Mi Band).
• 🔋 Animated themes drain the battery faster (10-15% per day).

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To create a dial with a transparent background, use the.png format with an alpha channel. This will allow you to put a clock over the wallpaper on the lock screen of your smartphone (works only on the Xiaomi Watch). S2 s MIUI 14+).

5. Problem Solving: synchronization errors, "gray" dials, failures

When changing the design of a watch, users often face technical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The dial is not set ("Sync Error")

• 📵 Check Bluetooth connection: sometimes it helps to reconnect your device.
• 🔄 Update Mi. Fit/Zepp Life to the latest version.
• 📱 Restart your smartphone and watch.

Problem 2: The dial is displayed in gray (inactive)

This means that the theme is not compatible with your watch model or firmware version.

• 🔍 Check if your device supports this dial (the information is usually given in the description of the topic).
• 📥 Install an alternative firmware (e.g. Modified Mi Fit for Mi Band).
• 📧 Contact the theme developer – sometimes they will post updated versions.

Problem 3: After the update, all the dials were lost

This is a famous error of the firmware Xiaomi Watch S1 1.0.45 and 1.0.47 to restore themes:

1. Make a backup of your data through Zepp Life.
2. Reset the clock to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
3. Restore the data from the backup (the dials must return).

If none of the methods worked, contact Xiaomi with error logs. These can be obtained from Zepp Life through Profile. → Reviews → Book of errors.

6. Battery Optimization: How to Reduce Charge Consumption from Animated Dials

Bright animated themes and constant-light dials significantly reduce the clock’s running time. S2 The difference between static and animated designs can be as high as 40% of battery consumption.

Optimization tips:

• 🔋 Turn it off. AOD, If not needed: Settings → Display. → Always-On.
• ⚡ Use dark themes: AMOLED-The Xiaomi Watch (Xiaomi Watch) S1 Pro) they save energy.
• ⏱️ Set a lighting timer: Settings → Display. → Lighting time (optimum - 5 seconds).
• 📉 Avoid GIFs in favor of static images with minimal animation (e.g., only the second hand).

For advanced users, there is a way to manually optimize firmware:

1. Download modified firmware with disabled extra animations (for example, NoAnim Mi Band 7).
2. Install it with Mi Fit Tool or Notify & Fitness.
3. Set up energy saving mode in Settings → Battery.

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On the Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch S2 There's a hidden option called Economy Mode, which turns off the background animation of the dials. Activated through Settings. → System system → Power regimen → Economical.

If even after optimizing the battery goes down too quickly, check the background processes. Some dials (especially with weather widgets) are constantly synchronized with the phone, which increases consumption.

7 Exclusive themes: where to find rare and premium dials

Apart from standard and custom themes, there are exclusive designs that can only be obtained for a limited time or through special promotions.

Where to find them:

• 🎁 Gifts for Activity: Zepp Life sometimes gives out premium themes for completing goals (e.g. 10,000 steps a day).
• 🏆 Competitive Programs: Participate in Xiaomi Challenges (information comes in app notifications).
• 🛍️ Official Store: in Dials → Premium sometimes appears exclusive collections (for example, in honor of Chinese New Year).
• 🤝 Partner collaborations: Xiaomi collaborates with brands (such as Marvel or Star Wars) and releases limited themes.

How to get a theme from the collaboration:

1. Follow the announcements in the official social networks Xiaomi (Twitter, Facebook).
2. Participate in the drawings – sometimes the topics are handed out to the first 1,000 participants.
3. Check the promo codes in Zepp Life: they can be entered into the Profile → Promo codes.

Some of the themes are regionally related, for example, in 2023, Europe had an exclusive collection of football club dials that didn't appear in other countries.

1. Change the region in your Mi Account (in your profile settings).
2. Use it. VPN servers in the country where the theme is available.
3. Ask friends from other regions to share the topic through the Send dial (available in Zepp Life).

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Zepp Life has a hidden folder with archival themes, and to open it, search for the dials for #hidden (not working on all firmware).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions