Xiaomi smartwatches have long ceased to be just an accessory for tracking time — they have become a stylish element of the image that can be adapted to any outfit or mood. However, not all users know that you can change the dial to Xiaomi Watch or Mi Band in just a few clicks, not only among the standard options, but also using custom designs. This feature is especially relevant for owners of models Watch S3, Watch 2 Pro and Mi Band 8, where the choice of themes reaches hundreds of options.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your dial, from official methods through the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app to installing third-party themes through.bin or.wfz files. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes (such as losing functionality after installing unofficial dials on the Watch S3 with firmware below 1.0.85), which models support animated themes, and where to download secure custom designs. And for those who like experimentation, a bonus section on creating their own dial from scratch.
1. Official ways to change the dial through Mi Fitness/Zepp Life
The easiest and safest method is to use Mi Fitness (for Mi Band) or Zepp Life (for Xiaomi Watch), which offers dozens of free themes that are updated regularly.
- 📱 For Mi Band (all models): Open Mi Fitness, select your device → Dials → Scroll through the list of available themes. Click on your favorite and confirm the installation.
- ⌚ For the Xiaomi Watch (S3, Watch 2 Pro et al.: In Zepp Life, go to Profile → My devices. → Dials. Here, the topics are divided into categories: "Classic", "Sport", "Minimalism", etc.
- 🔄 Collection update: Every 1-2 weeks, new themes appear in apps. To see them, pull the screen down in the dials section.
Important: Some models (such as the Mi Band 7) may need to reboot the device after changing the dial - just remove and put on the bracelet again. AMOLED-screens (Watch) S3, Watch 2 Pro and newer).
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Watch S1 Watch Color 2, when changing the dial through Zepp Life, sometimes resets the notification settings. Before installing a new theme, check if the notifications are enabled in the Profile section → Notifications.
2. How to install a custom dial: step-by-step instructions
If you get bored with standard themes, you can install a custom dial from third-party developers, which is suitable for most Xiaomi Watch models (except the Mi Band – for which custom themes are set differently, more about this below).
- Download the dial file in.bin or.wfz format (for example, from AmoledWatchFaces or WatchFaces.be sites).
- Install the Amazfit Watchfaces app (for the Watch S3/Watch 2 Pro) or Notify & Fitness (for older models).
- Connect the watch to the application and download the dial file through the menu Set a new dial.
The process takes 2-3 minutes, and once installed, the dial will appear in the list of available themes in the Zepp Life app.
| Model clock | Supported formats | Max. File size. | Do you need unlocking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Watch S3 | .bin, .wfz | 5MB | No. |
| Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | .bin | 3MB | No. |
| Mi Watch (1st generation) | .wfz | 2 MBB | Yes (for some firmware only) |
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Watch S3 With firmware below 1.0.85, installing custom dials may result in the loss of the Always-On Display function. → About the device.
Download the.bin/.wfz file from a trusted source
Install Amazfit Watchfaces or Notify & Fitness
Connect the watch to the app via Bluetooth
Backup your current dial (in Zepp Life)
Check the firmware version of the watch-->
3. Change of dial to Mi Band: features and limitations
On the Mi Band fitness bracelets (from the 5th to the 8th model), the process of changing the dial is different from the watch. There is no support for custom themes in.bin format, but you can install official and informal designs through the Mi Fitness app or third-party utilities like Mi Band Master.
For the installation of informal dials:
- Download the theme file in.mbw format (for example, with MiBandMods).
- Install the Mi Band Master (available on 4PDA)
- In the app, select Dials → Import and specify the path to the.mbw file.
Limitations:
- 🔋 On the Mi Band. 6/7 Custom dials can drain the battery faster (on the 10–15% day-by-day).
- 🎨 Animated themes are supported only on Mi Band 8.
- 🔒 Some informal dials block access to standard functions (e.g., pulsemeters).
💡
Before you install a custom dial on the Mi Band, check for feedback on a specific topic on the forums. Some.mbw files contain hidden ads that will be displayed on the bracelet screen.
4.Where to download safe custom dials for Xiaomi
Not all sites with Xiaomi dials check files for viruses or compatibility.
- 🌐 AmoledWatchFaces is the largest theme database for Xiaomi Watch and Amazfit.
- 🎨 WatchFaces.be is a European site with unique designs, including animated watch faces. S3.
- 📱 4PDA (Xiaomi Watch section – Russian-speaking community where users share their experiences.
- 🛡️ GitHub (repositories) – open collections of dials with source codes for modification.
Before downloading, pay attention to:
- 📌 Firmware version: Some themes only work on the latest updates (for example, the Watch 2 Pro requires firmware 2.1.+).
- 🔍 If the topic has a low rating or there are complaints about bugs, it is better to abandon its installation.
- 📏 Screen resolution: Dial for the Watch S3 (466×466 pixels are not suitable for Mi Watch Lite (320×320).
How to check the dial for viruses?
5. Problems after changing the dial and their solution
Sometimes, after installing a new dial, you get a failure, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The clock doesn't respond to touch | Incompatible format of the dial | Set a standard theme through Zepp Life and restart the device |
| Quick battery discharge | Animated dial with high FPS | Select a static theme or reduce the brightness of the screen |
| Distorted time-representation | Incorrect resolution of the dial | Download a theme that fits your model |
| Resetting settings after update | Conflict with new firmware | Update the dial to the latest version |
If the Xiaomi Watch S3 or Watch 2 Pro started to overheat after changing the dial, this may indicate an overload of the processor due to complex animations.
- Go back to the standard topic.
- Check the temperature of the device in the Settings → System state section.
- If the heat continues, reset the clock to factory settings.
💡
Before installing a custom dial, always keep a backup of your current theme in Zepp Life or Mi Fitness, which will quickly restore the clock to work if it crashes.
6.Creating your own dial for Xiaomi Watch
For those who want a unique design, you can create a face yourself.
- 🖥️ Watch Face Designer Program (for the Windows/macOS).
- 📐 Template for your model (you can download it on AmoledWatchFaces).
- 🎨 Skills with graphic editors (for example, Photoshop or GIMP).
Step-by-step process:
- Open the template in Watch Face Designer and select the items you want to change (digits, background, arrows).
- Import your images (the resolution should match your watch screen).
- Set up animations (if needed) and export the project to.bin or.wfz format.
- Set the created dial through Amazfit Watchfaces.
Example: For Xiaomi Watch S3 You can create a weather widget dial that displays real-time temperature and humidity, and you can add variables to the template, {weather_temp} and {weather_humidity}).
⚠️ Note: When creating a dial for Xiaomi Watch 2 Do not use elements with transparency more 50% — It can cause artifacts on the screen: PNG-24 permittingly 466×466 pixel.