Personalization of wearables has long ceased to be the domain of geeks, becoming a standard procedure for millions of users. Owners of activity trackers from the Chinese technogiant often want to see on their wrists not just steps, but pictures of loved ones, pets or motivating images. The process of replacing the standard dial with a user photo has become much easier with the release of new versions of firmware and software updates.
However, despite the apparent simplicity, the procedure has its own nuances, which depend on the model of your gadget and the version of the smartphone operating system. Many users are faced with the fact that the usual path in the app menu has changed or the function is hidden in a non-obvious section. In this article, we will discuss current methods of downloading images for various models, including the popular Mi Band series and Redmi Smart Band.
It should be noted immediately that the quality of the final result depends on the resolution of the screen of your tracker and the source file. OLED-displays are capable of displaying a bright and rich picture, but only if the source is properly prepared. We will consider the specifications for files and how to optimize them before synchronization.
Technical requirements for images for trackers
Before you start downloading, you need to understand the limitations of the hardware of the device. The screens of fitness bracelets, even the most advanced, have significantly lower resolution and pixel density compared to modern smartphones. Trying to upload a photo in full resolution of the phone’s camera (for example, 12 or 48 megapixels) will only lead to the fact that the application will forcibly compress the file, often doing it poorly.
The key is the resolution of the device-specific matrix. For most Mi Band models, vertical orientation remains the current standard, with proportions close to 192x360 pixels or 194x368 pixels depending on the year of release. Using horizontal images will require framing, as a result of which important parts of the image can be cropped.
- 📸 Optimal file format — JPG or PNG with minimal compression to preserve parts.
- 📐 The resolution must strictly match or exceed the resolution of the bracelet screen, but not be excessively large.
- 🎨 The color scheme should be contrasting, as small screens worse transmit halftone in bright sunlight.
It is also important to consider that some older models may not support the Photo Dial feature in principle, limiting themselves to static images from the app gallery.
⚠️ Note: Images with transparent background (format) PNG alpha channel can be displayed with a black or white background instead of transparency, as the tracker firmware does not always correctly handle this layer.
Preparation of the smartphone and installation of the necessary applications
Content management on Xiaomi wristbands is exclusively through dedicated companion apps, and the ecosystem has now split into two main areas: the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) for older and some mid-range models, and the new Mi Fitness app (formerly WearOS) for the newest devices, and identifying the right app is a critical step.
To install a personalized dial, you will need not only an official app, but also access to a file gallery. Make sure that your Xiaomi, Samsung or any other Android or iOS device has all the necessary permissions to access media files. Without this, the app will not be able to “see” the photo you choose.
The pairing process must be stable. Before you start installing a photo, make sure that the bracelet is connected to the phone via Bluetooth and is in line of sight. Interrupting communication during the transfer of a heavy graphics file can lead to a process freeze or installation of a broken image.
- 📱 Make sure the app version is updated to the latest available in the Play Market or App Store.
- 🔋 The bracelet shall be at least charged 20-30% for successful data transmission.
- 📶 Enable geolocation on your smartphone, as some Bluetooth features require it to be active for stable operation.
Instructions for Mi Fitness (WearOS)
Owners of new devices like the Mi Band 7, 8, 9 and Redmi Smart Band Pro will likely have to work in the Mi Fitness app. The interface here has undergone significant changes to become more minimalistic, but the customization features remain powerful. First, open the app and go to the Device tab at the bottom menu.
Find the partition that controls the look of the screen, and it can be called Dials, Dials Store, or Display, and you have to scroll through the list of options to the end, or find the Add button (often marked by a pencil plus or icon), and that's where you can download your image.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in Mi Fitness
When you select a photo from the phone gallery, you'll see an editor, and you can not only crop the image, but you can also customize the data you're displaying: steps, pulse, time, weather. The editing interface allows you to drag and drop elements, change their color and font, making each dial unique.
⚠️ Note: When setting up widgets, make sure that the text does not merge with the background of the photo. Dark photos require light font, and vice versa, otherwise the information will not be readable.
The final step is to press the "Sync" or "Install" button, and the data transfer process will take 10 to 30 seconds, while you don't turn off your smartphone screen and hold the bracelet next to you.
Setup in the Zepp Life app (Mi Fit)
For users of earlier models, such as the Mi Band 4, 5, 6, the basic tool is the Zepp Life app. The logic is slightly different. Go to the device profile and select Settings or Dials. Unlike Mi Fitness, it often requires you to download the Photo Dial template from the store first and edit it later.
Search the store (usually under "Paid" or search for "Photo") for a dial called "Photo" or "Custom." It can be paid (symbolic amount) or free. Once you install this template in my list of dials, you can edit it.
Click on the settings icon (three dots or a gear) next to the photo dial installed. A menu will open where you can replace the standard image with any photo from your gallery. The app will automatically crop the picture to the screen format, but you can adjust the framing area with your finger.
- 🖼️ Slideshow support: Some firmware versions allow uploading up to 50 photos that will change when you raise your wrist.
- ⏱ Timer setting: You can set the photo change interval if the slideshow function is supported.
- 🔄 Synchronization: Changing the photo set requires full synchronization, which takes longer.
Why does the photo look blurry?
Use of third-party applications and tools
The official functionality doesn't always satisfy the needs of advanced users. If standard tools seem limited, third-party developers come to the rescue. There are many applications on Google Play that specialize in creating custom dials for Xiaomi and Huawei devices. One of the most popular solutions is the Notify for Mi Band app.
This app allows you to create dials with any design, add animation (GIF), display notifications in any format, and even run actions on the phone. The process of creating a dial is more complicated here: you select a background, then layer by layer add elements (hours, date, steps), adjusting their position in pixels.
Another popular tool is BandInfo or Tools & Mi Band, which often have thousands of custom dials ready-made, which can be downloaded for free without going through the official store, but it's worth remembering security: downloading apps from unknown developers, you risk transferring your data.
| Annex | Difficulty | Functional | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Fitness | Low. | Basic, widgets | New models (Band 7+) |
| Zepp Life | Low. | Basic, slideshow | Old models (Band 4-6) |
| Notify for Mi Band | Tall. | Maximum, GIF, scripts | Almost all models |
| BandInfo | Medium | Catalogue, notifications | Most models |
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To create the perfect background in third-party applications, use graphic editors on PC (Photoshop, GIMP) with a pre-set canvas size of 194x368 pixels. This will give a better result than automatic framing in the application.
Solving and optimizing autonomy
Using custom photos, especially in slideshow mode or with complex animations, inevitably affects the device’s running time. OLED-The screens consume more energy when displaying bright, light colors. If you notice that the bracelet began to discharge faster than usual after installing a new photo, try darkening the image or using a dark theme.
A common problem is time-dissynchronization or transmission failure. If the installation process is 99 percent frozen, don't panic. Often, simply restarting an application or re-pairing the device helps. In extreme cases, resetting the bracelet to factory settings through the device's menu returns stability.
Also, users often complain about incorrect color displays, and what looks bright on an AMOLED smartphone screen may look faded on the wristband, because of the difference in color calibration and maximum brightness. Always check the result in different lighting.
⚠️ Attention: Constant change of bright images (slideshow) can reduce the time of the bracelet from the 14 days 5-7 days depending on the model and brightness settings.
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Optimization: Use static dark-colored photos for maximum uptime, and bright slideshows only when aesthetics are important, not autonomy.