Changing the dial is the first step to personalizing any wearable device. Owners of Xiaomi Mi Band trackers and Xiaomi Watch smartwatches often underestimate the capabilities of their gadgets using the standard design set by default. However, changing the visual shell can not only improve the aesthetics, but also increase the information content of the interface.
The process of replacing the design depends on the specific model of your device and the version of the operating system it runs. Modern models require the use of proprietary companion applications such as Zepp Life or Mi Fitness. It is through these software centers that you control the appearance of your accessory.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions for different generations of devices, you will learn to find new designs, install them and even create your own unique design options to make your gadget always look relevant.
Definition of model and compatible application
The first critical step is to correctly define the model of your device.The Xiaomi ecosystem includes many gadgets that are divided into groups by the type of software used. Mistake in choosing an application will lead to the fact that you simply do not see your tracker in the list of available devices.
Older fitness bracelet models like the Mi Band 4, 5, 6 and early versions of the watch are traditionally controlled through the Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit).
New devices, including the Mi Band 7, 8, 9 and the Xiaomi Watch S1, S3, Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro series, are moving to the Mi Fitness platform (formerly Xiaomi Wear). The interface here is different, but the logic remains similar. It is important to understand that switching from Zepp Life to Mi Fitness for new devices is a must, as older applications may not support the functionality of the latest models.
- 📱 Zepp Life: Perfect for Mi Band 3-6, Amazfit Bip, Huami.
- ⌚ Mi Fitness: Required for Mi Band 7/8/9, Xiaomi Watch, Redmi Watch.
- 🔄 Amazfit: A separate app for Amazfit brand devices that are also part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem.
Don't try to connect the device to both apps at the same time without breaking the connection.This can cause conflicts of synchronization of health data and steps.Select one primary style and notification management app.
Installation of dials through Zepp Life
If your primary tool is Zepp Life, the customization process is as simple as possible by developers. After connecting the bracelet to your smartphone via Bluetooth, you need to go to the Profile tab in the bottom menu of the application.
Next, select your device from a list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 6). From the menu that opens, look for Dials or Store, which opens up an online store that offers thousands of options.
To install the new style, just click on the picture you like and select the "Install" button. The download process takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on the speed of the Internet connection. Once the image on the tracker screen is successfully installed, the image will change automatically.
⚠️ Warning: Keep the bracelet next to your smartphone while loading the dial. Breaking Bluetooth will cause an installation error and you will have to start the process again.
And the app also has a custom design feature, so you can pick a background image from the phone gallery, add step or pulse widgets, and change the color of the font, so you can make the device really unique.
Working with a theme store in Mi Fitness
The new device owners will have to master the Mi Fitness interface, where the theme search logic has changed a little bit, but has become more structured. After you log in, go to Devices and select your gadget.
Click on Dials, and you'll see the Recommended tab for popular works, and the Categories tab for filtering styles by type (analog, digital, minimalism). To download a new theme, click on the image and then click on the download button.
☑️ Checking before setting the topic
Importantly, Mi Fitness also has a "Your Dial" feature that allows you to customize the display of data on the home screen by selecting the location of complications and background. Some complex dials may require updating the firmware of the device itself.
If the theme store doesn't load or shows an error, try changing the region in the app settings or checking the stability of the company's internet connection.The company's servers are located around the world, and there may be delays sometimes.
Third-party sources and custom dials
Official app stores offer thousands of options, but sometimes you want something special. For those cases, there are third-party resources and enthusiastic communities. Popular sites like AmazfitWatchFaces provide access to exclusive user-generated designs.
To install such files, you often need to download them in.bin or.watchface format and open them through a companion application. In Zepp Life, for example, you can add a dial from a local file by selecting the appropriate option in the bracelet management menu.
⚠️ Note: Download dial files only from trusted resources. Files from unknown sources may contain malicious code or be incompatible with your firmware version, which will cause the device to freeze.
Using custom themes allows you to access functions that are not in the standard sets, for example, you can adjust the mapping of the phases of the moon, a detailed sleep schedule or a stopwatch with milliseconds.
Where to look for rare dials?
Compatibility and function table
To make it easier for you to navigate the capabilities of different models, we have prepared a summary table that will help you understand what to expect from your device in terms of customization.
| Model of the device | Annex | Supporting your photos | Animated dials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 4/5 | Zepp Life | No (only background) | No. |
| Mi Band 6/7 | Zepp Life / Mi Fitness | Yes. | Partially. |
| Mi Band 8/9 | Mi Fitness | Yeah (video) | Yes. |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 | Mi Fitness | Yes. | Yes. |
As you can see from the table, the new models offer a lot more features, the support of video wallpaper and complex animations makes the interface lively different, but it's worth remembering that active animation consumes battery power faster.
💡
To save battery life, use static black and white dials, especially if you are on a trip and can’t charge the device.
Solving installation problems
Sometimes the change of style can be a technical problem, the most common problem is that the dial is not installed or the installation is frozen by 99%, in which case you need to check the free space in the memory of the device.
Old, unused dials can take up valuable space. Go to the bracelet settings in the app and remove unnecessary themes. Also, rebooting the tracker itself through the settings menu or by disconnecting from charging helps.
If the problem is in the app, try clearing the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness cache in your Android settings. Go to Settings → Apps → Mi Fitness → Storage → Clear the cache. This won’t delete your data, but will fix possible errors in temporary files.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to reset the bracelet to factory settings for every unsuccessful attempt to install the theme.This is an extreme measure that will result in the loss of accumulated training data for the current day.
In rare cases, the problem may be related to the Bluetooth version. Make sure that the smartphone is enabled geolocation, as in modern versions of Android it is a mandatory requirement for the Bluetooth peripheral to work.