Changing the visual style of a wearable gadget is the first thing new owners turn to after unpacking. Standard settings often seem boring, and the desire to personalize the Mi Band or Redmi Watch comes almost immediately. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem provides ample opportunities for customization, allowing you to turn a utilitarian tracker into a stylish accessory.
The process of color change depends on the specific model of the device and the version of the operating system on which it runs. In most cases, it is not about physically repainting the case, but about replacing the software dial or the background of the screen, which allows you to instantly change the mood of the gadget for any outfit or situation.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the personalization techniques available, from the standard features of the Zepp Life app to the advanced settings in Amazfit and Mi Fitness. You’ll learn how to upload unique images, where to find rare themes, and what to do if the standard gallery doesn’t offer the desired option.
Preparation of the device and pairing with a smartphone
Before you start changing visual parameters, you need to make sure that the connection between the wristband and the phone is stable. Without an active Bluetooth connection and an app running, you can't control the look of the watch. Make sure your device is at least 20% charged, as installing heavy graphics themes can require energy.
The main control tool for most models is the Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit) or the new Mi Fitness. For the Amazfit brand watches, which often come bundled with Xiaomi, the Amazfit app of the same name is used. The interface of these programs may differ, but the logic of the work remains similar.
☑️ Checking before setting up
If you’ve just updated your device’s firmware, it’s recommended that you reboot both devices, which will clear the cache and prevent possible synchronization errors for new dials, and sometimes old configuration files may conflict with new themes.
Change the dial through the official Zepp Life app
The most common way to change the color and style of display time is to use the built-in dial store. In the Zepp Life app, this section is in your device profile. Click on the bracelet image to enter the control menu and select dial settings or dial store.
Here's a vast catalog of free and paid options, and you can filter them by style: analog, digital, pedometer or minimalist. When you select a theme, you'll see a preview on your smartphone screen, and when you click "Install" you'll sync with your device.
⚠️ Attention: Installing too complex animated dials can significantly reduce the battery life of the bracelet. If you appreciate battery life, choose static images with minimal detail.
For models with Always On Display, special simplified themes are available, they use a monochrome palette and a minimum number of pixels to save energy, and standard bright themes on such screens may not display correctly or look faded.
Using the Amazfit app for enhanced features
Owners of devices that are compatible with the Amazfit ecosystem have access to more advanced editing tools. Unlike the basic Zepp Life, it often has a custom design feature available. Go to Profile → My Devices → Dials and find a new theme creation button.
The system will suggest selecting a background image from your smartphone gallery, you can upload a family photo, a landscape or an abstract pattern, and then you will need to adjust the position of the elements: change the time font, select the second hand color, and add widgets (pulse, date, charge level).
Once you've finished editing, click Save and Install. The theme file will be compiled on the server and sent to the clock. This process takes longer than installing the finished template, but the result is completely unique.
The Secret Possibilities of the Editor
If you change your design frequently, old unused files may accumulate. Periodically check the list of installed dials and delete those that are no longer relevant.
Installation of third-party dials and custom themes
Official directories sometimes limit the user's imagination, with third-party developers creating thousands of unique dials that can be found on specialized forums and Telegram channels, and files of such themes usually have the extension.watchface or.bin.
These files often require modified versions of apps or special downloaders to install. For example, Notify for Mi Band (for Android) allows you to download dial files directly from your phone's memory. After connecting your device to the program menu, select Setup dial from the file.
| Source of the subject | File type | Complexity of installation | Risk to the device |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official store | Automatic. | Low. | Absent. |
| Third-party forums | .bin /.watchface | Medium | Minimum |
| Modified applications | different | Tall. | Medium. |
| Online designers | Reference/File | Low. | Absent. |
When downloading files from unverified sources, be careful. Although the risk of viral infection of the bracelet itself is minimal, you can download malware to your smartphone. Always check the files with antivirus before installing them through third-party apps.
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Using third-party dials is the only way to get a truly unique design that is not available in official Xiaomi directories.
Customization of background color and interface elements
Some advanced models, such as the Redmi Watch or Mi Watch with color AMOLED-It's not just the dial that allows you to change the color of the individual interface elements, but it can also include the color of the menu, the notifications and the control buttons.
To access these settings, go to Settings → Display. → Color scheme (if available for your model), where you can choose between a light and dark theme, and in some cases, to specify an accent color. OLED-screens where black means off pixel.
Also worth paying attention to adjusting brightness and raising the wrist. Improper calibration of the light sensor can distort colors, making them pale or too saturated. Adjust the brightness slider to your preferences so that the colors are displayed correctly.
⚠️ Attention: Constantly setting maximum brightness on color screens leads to rapid die-out and residual image (burn-in). Use auto-brightness to extend the life of the screen.
If you set a theme with a transparent background, the color will depend on what is "below" the numbers, and in some designers, this can be replaced with a solid color or gradient, which will make reading time more comfortable in bright sunlight.
Solving Display and Synchronization Problems
Often users are faced with a situation where a new dial is not installed or displayed with errors (black screen, no arrows). The first step should always be to check the firmware version of the device.
Try to do full data synchronization. In the app, go to the device profile and press Sync or pull the screen down for updates. If that doesn't work, remove the problematic dial from the wristband memory through the app and try to install it again.
Sequence of action in case of failure:
1. Delete the dial in the annex.
2. Reset the bracelet (Settings → System → Reboot).
3. Clear the app cache on the smartphone.
4. Repeat installation.In rare cases, the problem lies in the device's overcrowded memory.Remove a few old, unused dials to make room.The built-in memory of Xiaomi wearable gadgets is usually limited, and storing dozens of heavy themes can lead to unstable work.
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If the dial flies off and returns to normal after rebooting, try to set up a different theme and then return the one you want, which helps update the startup configuration file.