How to change the picture on Xiaomi Mi Band 5: the complete guide

Personalization of wearable devices has long ceased to be just a whim and has become a standard procedure for every owner of the gadget. When you wonder how to change the picture on Xiaomi Mi Band 5, you are looking for a way to make your tracker unique and more convenient for reading information. AMOLED-screen of the fifth model allows you to display juicy colors and detailed images, which opens up wide opportunities for customizing the appearance of the bracelet.

Changing the dial or setting your own photo to the background requires the use of a smartphone, since it is impossible to download an arbitrary image directly through the touch buttons of the fitness bracelet. Synchronization with the mobile device occurs through the official application, which acts as a bridge between the phone's file system and the tracker's memory. It is important to understand that the built-in memory of the gadget is limited, so the number of user dials stored simultaneously can vary.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to replace graphics, from using the built-in store to manually uploading photos from the gallery. You will learn about the nuances of the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) application, which are often overlooked by beginners. Proper image preparation and knowledge of technical limitations will help you avoid disappointment and get exactly the result you expect from your device.

Preparation for the installation of new dials

Before you start directly replacing an image, you need to make sure that your hardware is ready to work with multimedia content. The version of the tracker firmware plays a critical role: older versions of the software may not support new dial formats or have limitations on the size of the downloadable file. You can check the relevance of the software in the application settings, where the system itself will suggest updating if a new version is found.

The second important aspect is the stability of the connection. The Bluetooth channel should work smoothly, because the transmission of graphic data requires a constant communication channel. If the image is interrupted during the download, an artifact or a standard screensaver may appear on the bracelet screen, which will require a repetition of the procedure. Make sure that the phone and the bracelet are not more than one meter apart.

It is also worth preparing the source materials in advance. If you plan to use your own photo, it should be of high quality and preferably cropped to the proportions of the screen. The Mi Band 5 display resolution is 126 by 294 pixels, but it is not always necessary to download an image of this size, since the application often conducts automatic zooming. However, pre-processing in the photo editor will help to avoid losing important details of the frame.

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Use of the built-in dial store

The easiest and fastest way to change the look of a tracker is to use the catalog built into the app. This method does not require searching for files on the Internet and ensures that the picture will be perfectly displayed on the screen. The store features both free options and paid designs from professional artists who often have complex animations or display additional health indicators.

To access the catalog, you need to open the app, go to the device profile, and select the dial store (or dials) section. Here, all options are sorted by categories: sports, classic, minimalist, etc. You can view the preview of each option to assess how the arrows and numbers will look against the selected background. After selecting, just click the "Install" button and the download process will begin.

⚠️ Note: Mobile traffic is consumed when installing dials from an online catalog, so it is recommended to use a Wi-Fi connection, especially if you are downloading several heavy animation options.

Once installed successfully, the new dial will automatically apply to the bracelet. If that doesn't happen, check the "My Dials" list in the app - sometimes you need to manually press the activation button for a particular option. The built-in store is updated regularly, so it's worth checking in periodically for fresh ideas for decoration.

πŸ“Š Which type of dials do you like more?
Strict classic with arrows
Sports with big numbers
Bright animated pictures
Minimalism with minimal detail

Installation of your own photo in the background

The personal photo setup feature allows you to make the device truly personal. You can put a picture of your favorite pet, a landscape from a vacation or a photo of loved ones in the background. To change the picture to the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in this way, you need to find the Dials section in the application and scroll through the list to the end or find the + / Add button.

When you select a photo, you'll see an editor where you can crop the image, and the screen is narrow and elongated, so you'll have to cut the standard horizontal photo, and you'll lose some of the frame, and the app allows you to move the framing frame, picking the most important part of the shot, and you can also choose from a few pre-made templates for displaying time and date on top of your photo.

It is important to consider the color gamut of the original image. Too dark or, conversely, illuminated photos can be difficult to read on the image. AMOLED-The contrast of dial elements (time, steps) depends on the background, so it is better to choose pictures with a clear separation of the foreground and background. After the selection confirmation, synchronization will begin, which will take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the file size.

Why does the photo look blurry?
If your photo seems fuzzy after installation, it may be due to the compression algorithms the app uses to transfer data quickly, and the pixel density on the small screen is high, and small details can float.

Set up third-party dials

Official tools are sometimes limited, and third-party resources come to the rescue, and enthusiasts create thousands of unique designs that can be found on specialized forums and sites, often with custom fonts, rare color schemes, or unique arrangement of items that are not available in the official store.

The process of installing a third-party file is usually as follows: you download a dial file (often with the.watchface extension or archive) to your phone, open the application and select the option of importing or adding from the file. In some cases, you may need to use a third-party bootloader, but for Mi Band 5, the standard application functionality is often enough if the file is obtained from a trusted source.

Type of dialSourceComplexity of installationRisks.
OfficialBuilt-in storeLow.Absent.
Photo dialTelephone galleryMediumPoor quality photo
Third-party (mode)Forums, sitesTall.Version incompatibility

Using unofficial dials, you take responsibility for their performance. Some modified dials can consume more power or cause micro-hangs in the bracelet interface. If after installing the strange dial, the tracker begins to behave incorrectly, just return the standard design through the app, and the problem will likely disappear.

Technical limitations and file formats

Understanding the specifications of Xiaomi Mi Band 5 will help avoid errors in the choice of image: screen resolution is 126x294 pixels at a diagonal of 1.1 inches. The pixel density here is very high, which provides clarity of the image, but imposes restrictions on detail. Images with fine text or thin lines can look unreadable.

The device's memory is limited for custom dials. You can't download tens of two heavy photo dials at once. The system will alert you to a shortage of space or automatically delete old user dials when you add new ones. Optimization (space) is key to comfortable use.

As for formats, the application accepts standard graphics formats such as JPG and PNG. However, when loading PNG with transparency (alpha channel), the background can turn black or white, since the tracker does not always correctly process transparency in user photos.

πŸ’‘

For better photo dial quality, pre-cut the image in a ratio of 9:16 or 1:2 in any editor on your phone before downloading to the application.

Removal and resetting of settings

Sometimes the process of changing the picture may not go according to plan: the image is not installed, the bracelet freezes or the black screen is displayed. In such cases, the first thing to check the battery power, if the charge level is critically low, the system can block energy-intensive operations, such as transmitting graphics over Bluetooth.

If the battery isn't the problem, try rebooting both devices. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, turn it on again, and reboot the bracelet through the settings menu (if available), or just wait for it to turn off. Often, removing the problematic dial from the "Mine" list in the app and trying to install it again helps.

As a last resort, if the bracelet interface stopped responding to touch after changing the picture, a complete reset may be required, which will return the device to the factory settings. Don't be afraid of this procedure, your workout data and health will be stored in the cloud or application if the synchronization has been successful before.

⚠️ Warning: Full Reset will remove all user settings and break (mating) with the phone. After reset, you will need to re-enter the procedure of pairing the bracelet with your smartphone.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a live wallpaper on the Mi Band 5?
No, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 doesn’t support video playback as live wallpaper on the home screen, it works in static mode to save energy, only static pictures or pre-rendered animation frames in official dials are available.
Why does the app say β€œInstallation failed”?
Most often this is due to an unstable Bluetooth connection or the fact that the bracelet ran out of free memory. Try to remove one of the old user dials in the application and bring the bracelet closer to the phone (close) during boot.
Does a complex picture affect battery consumption?
Yes, it does, but it's a little bit. AMOLED-However, if the dial is constantly updating data (for example, the pulse every second) or has complex animations when lifting the arm, the consumption can increase by a few seconds. 5-10% day-to-day.
How to return a standard dial if you don’t like it?
In the app, go to the Dials (or Store) section, find the Recommended or Classics section, and select any of the standard options. Click On Install, and it will replace the current default image.