Owning wearable electronics from the Chinese giant often confronts the user with the fact that on a box or in the device interface, the name may not coincide with the marketing name known in the global sale. Xiaomi’s ecosystem is so extensive that dozens of gadgets produced by various subcontractors are produced under one brand. Understanding how to identify a particular device is necessary not only for the selection of accessories, but also for the correct pairing with a mobile application.
Often, users confuse brands with the idea that Amazfit, Haylou, or Huami are just Xiaomi line names. These are separate legal entities, although they may share a common software base. Model identification becomes critical when looking for firmware, straps, or when trying to reset to factory settings. In this article, we will examine all available methods for determining the exact marking of your gadget using software and physical features.
Ignorance of the exact model can lead to the installation of incompatible software, which sometimes blocks the functionality of the tracker. So before you start any manipulation of the gadget, you should make sure that you are working with the device specified in the manual.
Search for information on the back of the case
The most reliable and quickest way to know what's on your hand is to physically inspect the device. Virtually all models, whether it's the budget Mi Band or the more advanced Mi Watch, have an engraved or printed on the back, usually around an optical pulse sensor or on a metal charging contact.
You'll need to take a close look at the bottom of the case, perhaps using a magnifier or a smartphone camera with macro mode. Look for fine text, which often includes a model, serial number and certification marks. Model marking usually looks like a combination of letters and numbers, such as XMSH or BHR. This code is the key to finding information on the Internet.
- 🔍 Note the fine print around the sensor (pulsemeter), there is often an exact model number.
- 📱 Take a photo of the back cover and enlarge the image on the computer screen to read the inscriptions that have erased over time.
- 💡 Look for the “Mi” or “Amazfit” logo next to the Model label, which will point to a specific manufacturer within the ecosystem.
Consider that international versions of gadgets may have different labeling than Chinese counterparts, and if you purchased a device on marketplaces like AliExpress, there is a good chance that the physical labeling will contain Chinese characters or specific codes, in which case the code will be checked against the database to determine the global analogue.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to scrape dirt from the back with sharp objects to read the text.You may damage the optical sensor or disrupt the tightness of the case, which will deprive the device of protection against water.
If you wear it completely, it becomes useless, and you have to use software to diagnose it, but 90 percent of the time, the factory markings are still readable even after years of use.
Identification through the Mi Fit (Zepp Life) application
The software often provides more detailed information than a physical inspection. The main tool for most activity trackers is the Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit). Once the device pairs with a smartphone, the system automatically reads the gadget's internal identifiers.
To get data, you need to go to the device profile. Open the application, select the "Profile" tab in the bottom menu, then click on the image of your device. In the list that opens, find the "Device Information" or "Device Information" section. The exact model number, firmware version and MAC-address.
Inside the app, information is often presented in a more understandable way than the dry codes on the case. For example, instead of the BHR4266GL code, you can see the name "Mi Smart Band 7." This makes it easier to find accessories in stores. In addition, the app shows a version of Bluetooth, which is important for understanding compatibility with other gadgets.
- 📲 Go to the Profile section and select your device from the list of connected devices.
- ℹ️ Click on the "Device Information" line to view technical details.
- 🔢 Copy the model number (Model) for search on the Internet or technical support.
Sometimes, an app shows a device as a "Unknown" or generic name, which may indicate driver issues or that the gadget is too new for the current version of the app, and in such cases, it is recommended to update Zepp Life to the latest version through the official app store.
Definition of model in the application Xiaomi Wear (Mi Home)
For more advanced models, such as the Mi Watch or Redmi Watch, the Xiaomi Wear app or the main hub of the Mi Home smart home is often used. These platforms have deeper integration with the watch operating system, allowing you to see not only the model but also the region of the device.
In the Mi Home app, you click on the device icon, then select three dots in the upper right corner to enter the settings. General settings or About device displays the full name. It is important to note that regional anchoring (China, Global, European) is also listed here, which is critical for changing the interface language.
Why is the region of the device important?
Xiaomi Wear also provides access to a dial store that is specific to each model. If you see a limited choice of dials, it may be that the app misidentified the model or that you are using an incompatible version of the software.
Unlike Zepp Life, Mi Home often requires you to select a region when you first sign in. Make sure you select the right region (such as Russia or China), as the list of display devices depends on this. If the gadget is not automatically located, try changing the region in the app settings.
Use of system settings on the clock screen
If you have a full-screen and touch-sensitive model, you can find information directly on the device, without a smartphone. The WearOS interface, or MIUI for Watch's proprietary shell, has a settings section similar to the computer, which is especially useful if the phone is lost or discharged.
You need to unlock the clock and scroll through the menu to the Settings icon (cogs). Next, you should find the Device, System, or Device item. This section will show the model, operating system version, build number, and MAC-Wi-Fi address module. Navigation on the menu may vary depending on the firmware version.
☑️ Where to find information on the menu of the clock
On some models, like the Mi Band without a screen, this method is not available, but for a display watch it is the fastest, and you can see the amount of free memory and battery charge in percentages with high accuracy, and it's useful for diagnosing autonomy problems.
| Model of the device | The way is on the menu | Location of data |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Watch Lite | Settings → System → About the device | Down the list |
| Redmi Watch 2 | Settings → About the device | First screen |
| Mi Band 6/7/8 | More. → Settings → About the device | In the section “O” |
| Amazfit GTS | Settings → System → About the clock | At the end of the list |
If you bought a watch with your hands and the menu displays a strange set of characters or the wrong name, it may have been overfilmed by unofficial software.
Analysis MAC-addresses and Bluetooth names
Each network device has a unique identifier — MAC-The first few symbols of that address (OUI — Organizationally Unique Identifier is assigned to a specific manufacturer, which allows you to identify the brand with a high probability, even if there are no signs on the body.
You can see it. MAC-The address in your smartphone's Bluetooth settings when searching for devices or in the companion app itself, looks like a sequence of 12 hexadecimal characters separated by colons, such as, 04:3E:7B:XX:XX:XX. The first three bytes (up to the third pair of digits) indicate the vendor.
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Use online search services by MAC-address (MAC Vendor Lookup, entering the first 6 characters of the address, will instantly show a registered manufacturer, for example, Xiaomi or Huami Technology.
Also worth paying attention to is the Bluetooth name when pairing. Often, devices are called "Mi Band", "Amazfit" by default, or have code that starts with specific letters. For example, Huami devices often have prefixes that distinguish them from pure Xiaomi. A Bluetooth ID is the first step to understanding who made the gadget.
- 📡 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and find the device in the list of available.
- 🔢 Write down the first 6 characters MAC-addresses (e.g. addresses, A4:C1:38).
- 🌐 Enter the code into the database IEEE OUI manufacturer's inspection.
This method is especially useful for unnamed copies or devices purchased without a box, but be careful: modern devices can allow you to change your Bluetooth name, which can confuse the user. MAC-The address is more difficult to change software, so it is more reliable.
⚠️ Warning: Don't connect to suspicious Bluetooth devices with unknown names in public places.Attackers can use similar names for attacks like Bluejacking.
Differences between Xiaomi ecosystem brands
Understanding the difference between brands is key. Xiaomi doesn't make all devices on its own.The main partner is Huami (now Zepp Health), which makes trackers under the Amazfit brand and for Xiaomi (Mi Band). OEM-factory.
For example, if you see the Amazon logo, it's a product of the Xiaomi ecosystem, but not under the Mi brand. The software they have can be different: the Amazfit often requires the Zepp app, and the Mi Band requires Zepp Life or Mi Fitness. The confusion here leads to the fact that users can not activate the device.
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The rule of thumb is, if you have the Amazfit logo on your device, download the Zepp app. If you have the Mi logo, try Zepp Life or Mi Fitness. If Redmi is Mi Fitness or Xiaomi Wear.
There are also sub-brands like Haylou and Imilab. They are also part of the ecosystem and often use similar design and functionality, but require separate applications or have their own nuances in operation. The unique identifier for Xiaomi watches is often the prefix of the XMSH model or XIAOMI in system files, while Amazfit uses A.
The manufacturer's knowledge helps in finding parts. The straps for the Mi Band 4, 5, 6 and 7 are often interchangeable, as the body and mount manufacturer is the same factory. However, for the Watch watch line, the mounts may differ even within the same model range depending on the year of production.