Changing the face on a smartwatch is the first step to personalizing a device that allows you to adapt the gadget to your lifestyle and mood. Owners of Xiaomi devices, whether it is a budget Mi Band or advanced Watch S, often underestimate the possibility of customizing the interface, limiting themselves to standard options. However, the ecosystem of Zepp Life and Mi Fitness provides access to thousands of designs, from minimalist handhelds to complex sports panels.
The process of changing the appearance of the dial does not require deep technical knowledge, but has its own nuances depending on the model of the wearable device and the version of the smartphone operating system. The interface can differ on Android and iOS, which sometimes causes confusion among users. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to replace the dial, including hidden features and installing third-party resources.
It’s worth noting that choosing the right design affects not only aesthetics, but also energy consumption. Animated constantly burning screen (AOD) dials can significantly reduce battery life, while static images are more economical. Understanding these features will help you find a balance between beauty and usability.
Official applications for clock management
Xiaomi’s signature apps are the main tool for managing the look of the watch. For most activity trackers, such as the Mi Smart Band 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the main application remains Zepp Life (formerly known as Mi Fit). For newer models, including the Mi Watch and Redmi Watch, the company is actively promoting the Mi Fitness app (formerly Xiaomi Wear), which is through these programs, data synchronization and loading of new dials.
Inside the apps, there's a built-in dial store, which is divided into categories: Recommended, Sports, Analog, Digital, and others. The user can filter the list by color or type of information displayed. Free options are often as good as paid-for details.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure Bluetooth on your smartphone is on and the watch is no more than a distance away 1-2 When you set a new dial, interrupting data transmission can cause the watch to remain with a black screen until it is re-synchronized.
The process of installing a standard dial takes only a few seconds. Once you select the design you like in the app gallery, you need to click "Install" or "Download." The application will automatically transfer the file to the clock, and the interface will update instantly. If the download freezes, try to close the application completely and start it again.
Step-by-step instruction for changing the dial
To successfully replace the design, you need to follow the algorithm of actions clearly, since the application interface may not be obvious to beginners. First, open the application on your smartphone and go to the "Profile" or "Device" tab, where the connected gadget is displayed. Select "Dial settings" or "Dial Store" to open a catalog of available options.
Then there's the selection and download phase, and you can flip through the sentence feed, view the full-size preview, and read the feature description. Once you've made the selection, click the download button, and at that point, a confirmation request or progress indicator may appear on the watch screen.
☑️ Algorithm of setting the dial
Once installed successfully, the new dial will become active by default, and you can go back to the device menu in the app to see a thumbnail of the installed design. If you don't like the result, you can repeat the procedure by selecting another option from the list or returning the standard factory dial, which is always available at the top of the list.
Use of third-party dials
Official directories are often limited in choice, so many users turn to third-party resources. There are many sites and forums where enthusiasts create unique designs for the Mi Band and Mi Watch. To install such files, you usually need to download a file with the.bin or.watchface extension on your smartphone.
To set a third-party dial, you need to save the downloaded file in the phone's memory. Then in the Zepp Life app, you need to select the "Add" option (often indicated by a plus in a circle) and indicate the path to the saved file. The application will check the file's compatibility with your watch model and, if everything is correct, prompt you to install it.
| Type of source | File format | Complexity of installation | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official store | Automatic. | Low. | Tall. |
| Third-party sites | .bin /.watchface | Medium | Medium |
| Design applications | Project files | Tall. | Depends on the software. |
Using unverified sources carries certain risks. The file may be damaged or not match the screen resolution of your device, which will lead to incorrect display of items. Always check the comments of other users before downloading a file from an unfamiliar resource.
Where to look for safe dials?
Creating your own watch design
For those who want complete uniqueness, there are special dial design programs. The most popular tool is AmazFaces for PC, which allows you to create dials for devices compatible with the ecosystem of Amazfit and Xiaomi. This software provides a powerful editor where you can customize the position of each element, fonts, colors and even animations.
The process of creating starts with choosing a basic template or a blank canvas. The user can upload their own photo, adjust the display of steps, pulse, date and time. Once completed, the project is compiled into a file ready to be installed on the watch through the app on the smartphone. It takes time and perseverance, but the result is worth it.
Creating a complex dial with many elements can negatively affect the performance of the clock processor. If the interface begins to slow down when switching screens or updating data, it is worth simplifying the design by removing unnecessary graphics or animation.
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When creating your dial, use contrasting colors for important data (time, steps) to make it readable in bright sunlight.
Configuring the displayed information
Many modern dials support Complications, which allows you to display various useful information on the screen besides time, such as the number of steps taken, battery level, current weather, air quality index or missed calls, and these elements are often customized directly in the application after the dial is installed.
In some watch models, such as the Mi Watch Lite or Redmi Watch, you can edit the location of the widgets. By holding your finger on the watch screen (if the model supports touch control of the dial) or through the settings menu in the application, the user can choose what data will be displayed in specific areas of the dial, which makes the interface as functional as possible for your needs.
However, not all dials support flexible settings. In simple models, the display data set is fixed by the design designer. If it is critical for you to see a certain parameter (e.g., blood oxygen level), make sure that the dial you select supports the output of this metric before you set it.
⚠️ Attention: Constant updates to the data (especially the weather and pulse) on the dial increase energy consumption.If you plan a long trip without charging, it is better to switch to a minimalist dial without active widgets.
Solution and synchronization
Often users are faced with a situation where a new dial is not installed or displayed incorrectly.The most common reason is to desynchronize the time and date between the phone and the clock. Before installing, make sure that the application displays the current time, or perform manual sync by pulling the list of devices down for an update.
Another problem can be a crowded clock memory: if the device has too many user dials, the new one may not boot, in which case you need to go to the device settings in the application, find a list of installed dials and delete unused options to free up space.
If the watch stops responding after the dial is installed, try restarting the device. For most Mi Band models, this is done through an app in the device control menu. In extreme cases, it helps to completely reset the watch to factory settings, after which it will be available for pairing again.
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The stable operation of dials depends not only on the design file, but also on the relevance of the firmware version of the watch itself and the application on the smartphone.