How to change the color of the watch on Xiaomi: all the ways to Mi Band and Watch

Why Xiaomi Watch Color May Not Change and How to Fix It

Xiaomi’s color display is one of the key features that allows you to personalize your gadget to your style. However, many users are faced with the fact that the option to change the color of the dial is either absent from the menu or changes do not apply, the reasons may lie in the firmware version, device model or even in the settings of a conjugated smartphone.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of changing color for Mi Band lines (from the 5-before 8-Xiaomi Watch (including the Xiaomi Watch) S1/S2/Pro) And Redmi Watch, and we'll focus on the hidden settings in the Mi app. Fitness/Zepp Life, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but allows you to unlock additional design options, and you will also learn how to circumvent the restrictions on older models with monochrome screens.

If you've tried to change color through the standard menu and it didn't work, don't rush to reset your watch to factory settings. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by updating firmware or changing the region in the application. We'll go through each scenario in detail.

How to change the color of the dial on different models Xiaomi

The functionality of the color change depends on the type of display and software version. Modern models (for example, Xiaomi Watch S3 or Mi Band 8 Pro) support dynamic change of shades directly from the menu of the watch, while budget options like Redmi Watch 3 Active will require an application on a smartphone.

Below is a comparative table of opportunities by model:

Model clockType of displayChange of color after hoursChange through the applicationSupport for custom dials
Mi Band 7/8AMOLEDβœ… (limited options)βœ… (full-spectrum)βœ…
Xiaomi Watch S2 ProAMOLED, 466Γ—466βœ… (palette)βœ…βœ… (animation)
Redmi Watch 3TFT, 1.75"βŒβœ… (only predefined topics)❌
Mi Band 6AMOLEDβœ… (base-colour)βœ…βš οΈ Only through third-party applications

For models with AMOLED-The screens (for example, Mi Band 8 Pro) are available up to 16 million shades, while the TFT-The displays (like the Redmi Watch 2 Lite) are limited to 256 colors, which affects not only the palette, but also the display of gradients in the dials.

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi model do you use?
Mi Band 7/8
Xiaomi Watch S2/S3
Redmi Watch 3/4
Another model.
I haven't bought it yet.

Change color with Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app

The main way to change color for most devices is through the official app. The algorithm is the same for Mi Fitness (old version) and Zepp Life (new), but there are nuances in the interface.

  1. Open the app and go to Profile β†’ My Devices tab. Select your watch from the list.
  2. Tape dials (in Zepp Life) or screen themes (in Mi Fitness).
  3. Choose the face you like. If it supports customization, you'll see an icon. 🎨 Palette -- press it.
  4. In the menu that opens, select the color for numbers, arrows or background (depending on the model). The Xiaomi Watch S3 is available in gradient mode.
  5. Click Save and wait for the clock to sync (usually takes 5-10 seconds).

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for changing the dial

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Warning: If the color has not changed after saving, restart the clock (Settings) β†’ System system β†’ Rebooting. Re-syncing through Profile helps in 10% of cases β†’ My devices. β†’ Update the data.

For Mi Band 5 and older models, Zepp Life has a hidden Dynamic Color option that automatically adjusts the palette to the time of day.

  1. Select a dial marked Dynamic.
  2. In the theme settings, tap on the icon βš™οΈ β†’ Color scheme β†’ Dynamic.

Secret settings: how to unlock additional colors

The manufacturer hides some customization options to make it easier for beginners to interact with, but you can activate them through regional settings or engineering menus.

The most reliable way is to change the region in the Zepp Life app:

  1. Go to Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Region.
  2. Choose India or Indonesia – there are 30% more dials available in these regions.
  3. Return to the Dials section and update the themes list (pull the screen down).

For advanced users, there is a method through ADB-Teams (working on Xiaomi Watch) S2 Pro and newer):

adb shell settings put global watch_face_color_customization 1

This command unlocks the RGB sliders in the dial settings, allowing you to set any shade manually, and after you use the command, the clock needs to be restarted, otherwise the changes will not persist.

What if the dials have not been updated after the change of the region?
Try clearing the Zepp Life app cache (Phone Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Zepp Life β†’ Memory β†’ Clear cache). If it doesn't work, delete and install the app again by selecting the desired region when you first set up.

How to Change Color on a Monochrome Watch (Mi Band 1–4)

Devices with E-Ink or monochrome OLED-The Mi Band 4 doesn't officially support color change, but there are workarounds:

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Castomy dials: Install via Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (root or required) ADB-In some firmware, you can replace fonts with colored pixels.
  • πŸ”„ Animated themes: Mi Band 4 has pseudo-color dials due to pixel alternation (for example, the theme "Neon").
  • πŸ“± Software emulation: Apps like Mi Band Master allow you to overlay color filters on notifications.

For Mi Band 3 and older, you can use alternative firmware (such as Custom Mi Band) that adds support. RGB-Please note that this voids the warranty and may cause unstable sensors.

⚠️ Attention: On the Mi Band 1/2 The change of color is technically impossible, because their screen doesn't physically support the display of shades, and any promises of "unlocking color" for these models are a fraud.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

  • πŸ”΄ Color resets after synchronization: Turn off automatic dial updates in Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Auto-update themes.
  • πŸ”„ Watches not responsive to changes: Check that Bluetooth settings on your phone allow data sharing for the Zepp Life app.
  • πŸ–₯️ Color in app and on watch is different: This is a feature AMOLED-Screens – Calibrate the brightness in the settings of the clock β†’ Display. β†’ Color profile.
  • πŸ”‹ Option not available at low charge: Connect the watch to charging - some features are blocked when charged below 15%.

If after all the manipulations the color has not changed, check the firmware version of the watch:

  1. On the clock: Settings β†’ About the device β†’ Software version.
  2. Compare this with the latest version on Xiaomi Update.
  3. If necessary, update through Profile β†’ My devices β†’ Software update.

πŸ’‘

If you change dials frequently, add the Zepp Life widget to your smartphone’s home screen, which will speed up access to settings by 40%.

Comparison of Methods: Which is Best for Your Model

The choice of method depends on the model of the watch, the level of technical training and the desired result.

PurposeBest way.Models.DifficultyRisks.
Fast color change.Zepp Life AppendixAll except Mi Band 1-3⭐No.
Extended paletteChange of region + ADBXiaomi Watch S2/Pro, Mi Band 7/8⭐⭐⭐Resetting settings
Color on monochrome watchCustom firmwareMi Band 4–6⭐⭐⭐⭐Loss of guarantee
Dynamic themesDials marked DynamicXiaomi Watch S3, Mi Band 8 Pro⭐⭐Increased battery consumption

For most users, the best option is to combine an official app with a region change, which gives you access to 80% of the features without the risk of damaging the device, and if you want unique colors (like #FF00FF for corporate style), you will have to use ADB or third-party utilities.

πŸ’‘

On models with Always-On Display (e.g., Xiaomi Watch S2 Pro), the color brightness when turned off is adjusted separately in Settings β†’ Display β†’ Always-On β†’ Color scheme.

Can you change the color of your watch to Xiaomi without a smartphone?
Yes, but only on models with AMOLED-The screen and the latest firmware version. For this: On the clock, go to Settings β†’ Select a theme with an icon 🎨. Use a touch screen or buttons to select colors. On the Mi Band 7 and later, 12 base colors are available, on the Xiaomi Watch. S3 β€” palette RGB.
Why did the colored dials disappear after the update?
This is a well-known firmware problem of 1.15.XX and 1.16.XX for the Mi Band 8. Solutions: Reverse to the previous version via Zepp Life (Update β†’ Return the old version).
How to make a gradient dial on Redmi Watch 3?
Officially, this feature is not available, but you can use a workaround: Download APK-A gradient dial file (such as "Sunset Gradient") from Amazonfit. Import it via Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (premium version required). Select Color Mode in the theme settings β†’ Gradient. Note that the gradient animation will only work when the screen is backlit.
Will my color settings reset after resetting the clock to the factory?
Yes, all customizations (including the color of the dial) will be removed. To save the current theme: Take a screenshot of the watch screen (press the button + pinch the screen on the Xiaomi Watch S2). Remember the name of the dial in Zepp Life (My dials section). After reset, reapply the same theme - the color will recover automatically.
Can I set my color in HEX format (e.g. #3498db)?
Direct input HEX-The code is supported only on Xiaomi Watch. S3 and Mi Band 8 Pro after activating Developer Mode: Enable Developer Mode: Settings β†’ About the device β†’ Software version (tap 5 times). Return to Settings β†’ For developers β†’ Color calibration. Choose. HEX-editor and input your code. Other models will have to manually match color through a palette. RGB.