Modern Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in pedometer that works without additional accessories — it’s easy to carry your phone with you. However, many users face a problem: the application does not display data, the counter suddenly resets or fails to find this feature in the menu, the reason often lies in the wrong settings of the system, disabled resolutions or features of a particular model.
In this article, we will analyze where exactly the pedometer is hidden in the firmware MIUI (version 12–14), How to activate it on the lock screen, why data may diverge from the fitness bracelet Mi Band, and what to do if the meter stopped working after the update, POCO and flagships of the Xiaomi series 13/14, where the location of the function may differ.
If you use a Xiaomi fitness bracelet (such as the Mi Band 7/8 or Smart Band Pro), the pedometer data can be duplicated or conflicted. We explain how to synchronize the metrics between devices and why sometimes the smartphone shows more steps than the bracelet - this is not a bug, but a feature of the calculation algorithms.
To start, check if your model supports a built-in pedometer. Virtually all Xiaomi smartphones since the Redmi 5 (2017) have an accelerometer sensor that is responsible for calculating steps. Except for some budget models of the POCO C series and older devices on MIUI 9 and below.
Where is the pedometer in the standard Health app
The main place where the pedometer data is displayed is the Mi Health app** (formerly Health) and can be found by searching the system or in the Google → Health folder (on some firmware). If the icon is not on the home screen, follow the following steps:
1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. enter Health or Health in the search box.
3. If the application is disabled, click Enable.
After you start Mi Health, go to the Stats tab (graph icon) and here at the top of the screen you will see the Steps block with daily, weekly and monthly statistics. Click on it to open a detailed report.
Make sure the Health app is updated to the latest version|Check the sensor access permissions (see next section)|Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it resets the counter errors|Turn off the energy saving mode for the Health app»-->
On models with MIUI 14 and later, the interface may be different: instead of the Statistics tab, the pedometer data is transferred to the Fitness section. If you can't see the step block, try swiping the screen to the left - sometimes the statistics are hidden behind additional tabs.
How to bring a pedometer to the lock screen Xiaomi
One of the most convenient features of MIUI is the ability to display the number of steps directly on the lock screen.
1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Information on the lock screen (or Widgets on older versions).
3. Activate the switch next to Steps or Fitness.
4. Click Set to select the position of the widget (left, right, or center).
If the option is not on the menu, your model does not support this feature, and the alternative is to use the widget on the home screen:
1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2.Tap Widgets → Find Health or Mi Health.
3. Drag the Steps widget onto the screen.
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On some firmware, the pedometer widget only appears after the first walk with your phone. Walk 50-100 steps, then check the lock screen again.
The POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite may require additional setup: go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management and disable optimization for Mi Health. Otherwise, the system will pause the counting of steps in the background.
Why the pedometer on Xiaomi shows inaccurate data
Many users complain that the steps counter on Xiaomi’s smartphone overstates or understates the real numbers.
1. Algorithms of calculation: A smartphone uses data from an accelerometer that records any movement, even driving or working at a desk. Fitness bracelets (such as the Mi Band) are equipped with more accurate sensors and take into account the pulse, so their performance is usually closer to reality.
Phone position: If you carry your smartphone in your pants pocket or bag, the sensors will record fewer steps than if you wear it in your hand or on your belt, and the best option is to keep the phone in the front pocket of your jacket.
3.App conflict: If you have third-party fitness trackers installed (like Google Fit or S Health), they can block Mi Health's access to sensors.
Energy saving: In aggressive energy saving mode (Ultra mode or Supersaving), the system shuts down the background activity of the sensors.
How to check the accuracy of the pedometer
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Stepper shows 0 steps | No permission to access sensors | Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Health → Permits and enable access to Physical Activity and Motion Sensors |
| Data is reset after rebooting | Mi Health app cache error | Clear the cache: Settings → Apps → Mi Health → Storage → Clean the cache |
| Steps are only considered when the screen is unlocked. | Limitations of background activity | Turn off battery optimization for Mi Health in power settings |
| Different indicators on the smartphone and Mi Band | Different calculation algorithms | Use one device to monitor or sync data through Mi Fitness |
On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the pedometer can temporarily shut down when the CPU is under intense load (games, video rendering), this is due to the allocation of system resources, the solution is to add Mi Health to the list of high-priority applications in battery settings.
How to sync Xiaomi pedometer with Mi Band
If you use a Xiaomi fitness bracelet, you can combine the pedometer data to make a more accurate record.
1. Install the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) from Google Play.
2. Connect the bracelet via Bluetooth and log in to one Xiaomi account on both devices.
3. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Settings → Data Sync and enable the option to Combine Data with Mi Health.
Now, the steps you take with your phone and your bracelet will add up, but keep in mind that if you're both sitting next to each other (like the bracelet on your hand and the phone in your pocket), you might be counting again.
• Turn off the pedometer on one of the devices (for example, in Mi Band go to Settings → Stepmer → Turn off).
Or use only a bracelet for counting, and on the phone turn off background monitoring in Mi Health.
In my pants pocket|In the bag/backpack|In my hand.|On the belt/clip|Other-->
On MIUI 13 and later, we have Smart Synchronization, which automatically selects a more accurate step counting device to activate it:
1. Open Mi Health → Profile → Device settings.
2. Select the connected Mi Band.
3. Enable the Priority bracelet option.
Pedometer settings for specific Xiaomi models
The location of the function and its capabilities may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI. Let's consider the features for popular devices:
Xiaomi 12/13/14 series:
- 📊 Data is exported to Google Fit automatically.
Redmi Note 10/11/12:
POCO F3/F4/F5:
- 📱 The default stepmer is disabled - activate it in Settings → Special facilities → Sensors. → Stepper.
- 🔋 The Mi Health app could be called POCO Health (functional identical).
- 📈 To display the lock screen, you need to install an additional widget through POCO Launcher.
On the Xiaomi Civi 3 and Redmi K50, the pedometer is integrated into the Mi Home app (if the device is connected to the Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem). To see the statistics, go to Mi Home → Profile → Health.
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On smartphones with a MediaTek chip (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro), the pedometer may work less accurately due to the processing of accelerometer data, the solution being to use an external fitness tracker or to calibrate the sensors manually.
What to do if the pedometer stopped working after the update
MIUI updates often cause pedometer malfunctions, typical symptoms:
- ❌ Mi Health app doesn't display new data, though steps continue to be considered.
- 🔄 The meter is reset every day at midnight or after rebooting.
- ⚠️ Notification appears No access to sensors.
To restore work, perform the following actions:
1. Reset the application settings:
Settings → Applications → Mi Health → Storage → Clear data and cacheAttention!
2. Reinstall the annex:
- Remove Mi Health through Settings → Apps.
- Download the latest version from Google Play.
3. Check system permissions:
Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Access to motion sensorsMake sure that Mi Health has access.
4. roll back the MIUI update (if the problem has occurred after the update):
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner → Update Pack → Delete the latest update.
⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) rollback of the update may result in the device being locked.Before the procedure, back up to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
If the problem persists, check if the pedometer conflicts with other apps. For example, Google Fit or Samsung Health can block access to sensors. Go to Settings → Apps → App Rights → Physical activity and leave a tick just opposite Mi Health.
Alternative apps for calculating steps on Xiaomi
If the built-in pedometer is unstable, consider third-party apps. They often offer advanced statistics and better accuracy:
1. Google Fit
2. Accupedo
- 🔹 Algorithms for adjusting data to account for user height and weight.
- 🔹 Possibility of exporting statistics to CSV.
- 🔹 It works in the background without significant battery consumption.
3. Pedometer (by ITO Technologies)
- 🔹 Support for Android Wear for smart watches.
- 🔹 Customizable goals (e.g. 10,000 steps) + 30 minutes of activity).
- 🔹 Calories and distance based on steps.
Before installing an alternative app, disable the built-in pedometer in Mi Health to avoid conflict.
- Open up Mi Health. → Profile → Settings.
- Select Data Management → Stepper.
- Turn off the automatic step counting option.
⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Samsung’s S Health) may not work properly on Xiaomi smartphones due to conflict with the company’s S Health system. MIUI. Before installing, check user reviews of your model.