How to change the dial on Xiaomi smart watches: Instructions

Personalization of wearables begins with choosing a visual style that reflects your personality or current mood. Owners of Xiaomi devices, whether popular fitness trackers of the Mi Band series or advanced Watches, often face the desire to replace the standard image on the screen immediately after purchase, a process that is not complex, but requires understanding the logic of the interfaced applications and the features of the WearOS operating system or proprietary tracker software.

Changing the dial is not just an aesthetic whim, but also a way to improve readability in different lighting conditions. Modern interfaces allow you to display dozens of indicators, from pulse to blood oxygen, and choosing the right layout helps you read this information in a split second. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to install new dials, including hidden third-party applications and manual file installation.

Note that the methods may vary slightly depending on your device model and the version of the installed software. For example, the display management on the Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch S1 is based on different principles of interaction with the sensor and buttons. Below are universal steps that cover most current use cases.

Apps: Mi Fitness and Zepp Life

The main tool to manage the look of your gadget is official mobile apps. For new models such as the Mi Band 6, 7, 8 and Xiaomi Watch series, the Mi Fitness app (formerly Xiaomi Wear) is used. Older models of trackers, including the Mi Band 4, 5 and some versions of Amazfit, are controlled through the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit). It is important to correctly determine which app is right for your device, since cross-compatibility of dials between them is limited.

Once you install the app and successfully pair the watch with your smartphone via Bluetooth, you need to go to the device management section, which is usually located on the main tab or accessible through the profile icon. This is where all the display settings are concentrated, including the dial library. The application automatically checks the model of the connected gadget and offers only compatible design options.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure that Bluetooth and geolocation are enabled on your smartphone, otherwise the app may not see the watch or be able to download new data to the device.

Inside the dial, you'll find two main tabs: "Recommended" (or "Online") and "Mys": the first tab stores dials that you can download from the cloud, and the second tab stores options you've already installed or saved. The online catalogue is huge and constantly updated by developers, allowing you to find designs for any style of clothing or sports activity.

Step-by-step instructions for installation via smartphone

The process of uploading a new image to the watch screen takes only a few minutes if you follow a certain algorithm of actions. First, open the application on your smartphone and find the menu item responsible for the appearance of the screen. In the Mi Fitness app, this is the Device tab → Dial settings, and in Zepp Life, Profile → My Devices → Dial settings.

Then you need to select the option you like from the directory. When you click on the preview of the dial, you will open a detailed description that indicates the supported functions (for example, displaying steps or weather) and compatibility with specific models. Once you confirm the choice, the process of downloading data via Bluetooth connection will begin.

It is critical that you do not interrupt the connection or close the application when you transfer the file. If the process is stalled, try to bring the phone closer to the clock or reboot the Bluetooth module on your smartphone. Once you successfully install the new dial will appear on the screen of the gadget automatically or after changing the lock screen.

Control directly from the watch screen

Many users are unaware that modern Xiaomi models support fast dial change without using a smartphone. This is especially convenient when the phone is far away or discharged. To activate this feature, you need to unlock the watch screen and pinch the dial area with your finger for 2-3 seconds until the screen goes into editing mode.

In this swipe mode, you can swipe left or right over previously installed dials. If you want to add a new one, usually at the end of the list (right) is a "+" button or a "Shop" icon, and clicking on it will open a list of downloadable options right on the small screen of the watch, if the device model supports standalone work with the store.

• 📱 Press the screen on the main page to enter the editing mode.
• 🔄 Swipe left/right to select from the options set.
• ➕ Press «+» to go to the clock shop.
• 💾 Choose the right option and wait for the download to be completed.

It is worth noting that the download through the interface of the watch itself can be slower than through a smartphone, due to the bandwidth limitations of the Bluetooth protocol in the background. In addition, not all models, such as the basic versions of the Mi Band, have a full-fledged store on board and require the presence of a phone for initial installation.

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For quick navigation on the watch menu, use a short click on the side button (if any) or swipe up/down on the main widgets.

Third-party applications and custom dials

The official directory may not satisfy the needs of advanced users who want to see unique data or a specific design. For such cases, there are third-party applications such as Notify for Mi Band or Amazfit & Mi Band Tools. These tools allow you to download custom dials created by the community, and even edit existing ones, adding your images to it or changing fonts.

Using third-party software requires caution, and applications often request advanced permissions to access notifications and systems, which may raise privacy concerns, but the functionality they provide often outperforms the stockware, allowing for weeks of calendar or detailed training statistics, for example.

⚠️ Note: When installing dials from unknown sources through third-party applications, there is a risk of getting an error file, which can cause a cyclic clock reboot or a device to “brick.

The process of installing a custom dial is usually like this: you download a dial file (often with the.bin or.watchface extension) from a trusted source, open it through a third-party application that forwards the file to the watch. Some applications even have built-in editors where you can assemble a dial from individual elements: background, fonts, metrics icons.

Table of compatibility and features of models

Not all dials are universal. The differences in screen resolution, display shape (round or rectangular), and firmware versions dictate their rules. Below is a table that helps you navigate the compatibility of popular models with dials.

Pay attention to the support of the function AOD (Always On Display is a mode where the screen does not go out completely, but instead goes into energy-saving black and white or monochrome time display mode. AOD-layer, and if you choose a complex animated dial without optimization, the watch can automatically turn off the constant lighting to save battery life.

Also worth mentioning is that screen resolution plays a key role: Trying to set the dial created for the Mi Band 7 on the Mi Band 5 will result in image distortion or installation error, as the pixel density and physical size of the matrix are different for these devices. Always check the dial description before downloading.

Solving loading and synchronization problems

Sometimes the dial installation process can be interrupted or ended in error. The most common reason is an unstable Bluetooth connection or the background operation of the power saving system on the smartphone, which kills the data transfer process. If the download freezes by 99%, try not to close the application, but just wait 1-2 minutes.

If the problem is repeated, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone.

2. Make sure the application has all the necessary permissions (especially access to location and files).

3. Reboot the watch itself through the settings menu or by disconnecting from charging (if they are discharged).

⚠️ Attention: If after a failed set of the dial, the watch stopped responding to touch, try rebooting them by connecting to the charger. In extreme cases, a full reset to factory settings through the application will help.

Another reason may be the overcrowded memory of the watch. Although the dials take up a little space, their excessive number (hundreds of pieces) can slow down the file system of the tracker. Periodically delete unused options through the application, leaving only the current ones.

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The stability of the dials depends on the firmware version of the watch. If you encounter bugs, check for software updates in the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)