Personalization of wearables has become the standard for users looking to stand out or simply make the interface more user-friendly. Owners of trackers and smartwatches from the Chinese giant often wonder how to change the look of a watch on Xiaomi to make the device as fit as much as possible their style and functional needs. Fortunately, the Mi Wearables ecosystem offers ample customization options that go far beyond just choosing a picture.
The process of changing the watch face can vary depending on the specific device model and version of the companion app used. Modern models such as the Xiaomi Watch S1 or Mi Band 7 support thousands of graphics designs, many of which dynamically update weather, pulse or step data. It is important to understand that the standard settings of the bracelet itself are often limited, and the main toolkit is in the smartphone.
In this article, we will take a look at all the personalization options available, from built-in libraries to third-party resources. You will learn how to install live wallpaper, reposition widgets, and even create your own design from scratch. Follow the step-by-step instructions to turn your gadget into a unique accessory.
Use of the built-in dial store
The easiest and safest way to change the look of a device is to use the built-in directory in the app. Once you pair the watch with your phone via Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, you can access a vast design database, and these dials are optimized by developers, ensuring that all sensors work correctly and battery life is minimal.
To access the catalog, you need to open the app on your smartphone and go to the device management section, and here you'll see the current dial and the dial store or the covers button. In this section, designs are often sorted into categories: sports, classic, anime, minimalism, many of them free, but there are premium options.
When you select a new design, the system will offer a preview view, where you can evaluate how the data will look on the screen. Once you click the "Install" button, the file will be downloaded to the phone and transmitted to the clock over Bluetooth, the process takes from 10 seconds to a minute, depending on the complexity of the graphics and the speed of the connection.
It is worth noting that some dials support Always On Display, which adds premium but increases power consumption. The dial description usually indicates whether it supports this feature and whether it needs a separate setting.
Installation of dials through third-party applications
If you don't have a standard range, third-party aggregator apps come to the rescue. Platforms like Watchfaces or dedicated forums offer thousands of custom designs that are often more creative than the official ones. It's a great way to find something unique to your Mi Band or Amazfit model.
The installation process is slightly different from the standard one. You will need to download a dial file (usually the.bin or.watchface extension) and open it through the appropriate application or file manager, which will redirect you to the main clock management interface. Some aggregator applications have a built-in direct transfer function to the device.
When using third-party sources, it is important to be careful: files from unverified authors may contain errors in the code, which will lead to incorrect display of data or, in rare cases, to a device freeze. Always check the author's rating and comments of other users before downloading.
⚠️ Warning: Installing modified dials from unreliable sources can cause the device to operate unstable.If the watch stops responding after installing a new design, reboot or reset to factory settings.
Also, third-party dials may not optimize energy consumption as efficiently as the original. AMOLED screens, typical of many Xiaomi models, are sensitive to static bright elements, so opt for black background designs for charge savings.
Configuring widgets and data layout
Changing the look is not just replacing the picture, it's also changing the information blocks. Many modern models allow you to customize what data will be displayed on the dial, you can choose whether you show steps, pulse, blood oxygen levels or notifications from messengers.
In the companion app, find the dial settings or editing section, and there's often a grid where you can drag and drop widgets or turn them on/off, and this allows you to create an interface that's tailored to your needs: for sports, pulse and pace, for the office, calendar and weather.
Some complex dials have multiple screens or pages swiped, and setting them requires careful attention, because the location of the data can be fixed by the designer, and in such cases, you can only change the presence of certain metrics, not their position.
☑️ Checklist for setting up widgets
Also worth mentioning is the "Raise the Wrist" feature, which activates the screen and shows the dial you choose, so you can choose which screen will light up during this action, the main one, or, for example, the screen with a stopwatch if you are in exercise mode.
Creating your own watch design
For advanced users and designers, it is possible to create your own dial from scratch. Xiaomi’s official Watch Face Builder tool (or similar utilities for Amazfit) allows you to upload your own images, customize fonts and attach sensor data to specific graphic elements.
The process of creating requires a PC and basic graphics editor skills, you will need to prepare a background image, masks for numbers and icons for indicators, then in the editor you specify what data (time, date, battery) will be displayed in the specified coordinates.
Once completed, the project is compiled into a firmware file on the dial, which can be installed on your watch for testing or published in the official store by moderation, a great way to monetize your design skills, as popular authors are rewarded for downloads.
Schedule requirements for creating dials
When designing, remember to read. Too small fonts or low contrast will make the watch useless on a sunny day. Use contrasting colors and check the layout on different backgrounds before finalizing the project.
Comparison of watch management applications
Choosing a Xiaomi watch management app may not be obvious, as the company uses different platforms for different product lines. Understanding the differences between Mi Fitness, Zepp Life and Amazfit will help avoid confusion when looking for new dials.
Mi Fitness (formerly Xiaomi Wear) is the new standard app for most modern devices, including the Mi Band 6, 7, 8 and Watch S1. It offers an updated interface and access to a new dial store. Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) is still used for older models and some devices of the Huami ecosystem.
Below is a table to help you decide on the choice of application and available personalization features:
| Annex | Supported devices | Dial shop | Interface complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Fitness | Mi Band 6/7/8, Watch S1/S3 | Updated, big selection | Medium |
| Zepp Life | Mi Band 1-5, old Amazfit | Classic, stable. | Low. |
| Amazfit | Amazfit brand (GTR, GTS) | Premium, lots of animation. | Tall. |
| Notify for Mi Band | All models (Android) | Third-party, flexible settings | Very high. |
There's also a powerful third-party app called Notify for Mi Band that unlocks the hidden power of devices, which allows you to set almost any dial, change menu order, and even dictate responses to messages, but it's a paid solution that requires careful tuning.
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When you switch from Zepp Life to Mi Fitness, your health data may not automatically sync, use the data export/import function, or link both accounts via Mi Account to save your history.
Solutions and optimization of work
When experimenting with the look of the watch, users often encounter technical difficulties, such as not setting the dial, flying off after a while, or causing a battery to run high, and understanding the causes of these problems will help to quickly eliminate them.
A common cause of failure is the interruption of Bluetooth connection during file transfer. If the installation is frozen, do not immediately try to repeat the process. Better to cancel the operation in the application, restart the clock (if they react), and only then try again. Connectivity stability is critical for transferring heavy graphics files.
Another problem is resolution incompatibility: Trying to set the dial created for the Mi Band 5 on the Mi Band 7 model will result in image distortion or failure to install. Always check which model the file is intended for.
⚠️ Warning: If the watch starts to run out quickly after installing a new dial, return the standard design. Complex animations and constant updates to widgets can increase energy consumption up to 30%.
To optimize work, it is recommended to regularly clean the cache of the companion application. Accumulated temporary files from dozens of dials viewed can slow down the operation of the smartphone interface and the synchronization process.
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The main secret of stable operation of custom dials is the use of proven sources and installation of firmware updates of the watch itself before changing the design.