How to change the screensaver on the smart watch Xiaomi Watch 4: all ways and life hacks

The Xiaomi Watch 4 is not only a functional health-tracking gadget, but also a stylish accessory that can be adapted to any image. One of the easiest ways to personalize is to change the dial (saverscener), but not all users know how to do it correctly, especially if it is a first setup or non-standard dials from third-party sources.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the screensaver on Xiaomi Watch 4, including official methods through the Mi Fitness and Zepp Life apps, as well as alternative options for advanced users. You will learn how to download new dials, install them on the watch and solve typical problems, for example, when the screensaver does not change or resets after a reboot.

What are the face plates that Xiaomi Watch 4 supports?

Before you change the screensaver, it is important to understand what types of dials are compatible with your model. Xiaomi Watch 4 runs on the basis of the RTOS operating system (unlike the Watch 2 Pro on Wear OS), which imposes certain restrictions:

  • πŸ”Ή Standard dials are pre-installed in firmware, and you can select them directly on the watch or through the official app.
  • πŸ”Ή Custom dials – downloaded from Zepp Store or third-party sources (e.g. WatchFace for Amazfit) Require synchronization via Zepp Life.
  • πŸ”Ή Animated dials are supported, but they can drain the battery faster. There are few of them in the official store, most of them are searched on forums.
  • πŸ”Ή Dials with widgets -- display weather, pulse, footsteps, and other metrics, some requiring additional permission in the app.

Important: Xiaomi Watch 4 Does not support the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch – their format (.watchface) is incompatible with the firmware Mi Band/Zepp. You can also not install dials from older models (Mi Band). 5/6), Because they have different screen resolution (1.75" vs 1.97" watch 4).

πŸ“Š What kind of screensaver do you prefer on a smart watch?
Classic arrows
Digital watches
Animated themes
Minimalist design
Photos of themselves

Method 1: Change the dial directly on the clock

The fastest method is to change the screensaver directly to the Xiaomi Watch 4 without connecting the smartphone, which is suitable for standard dials that are already loaded into the device’s memory.

Instructions:

  1. Unlock the clock by swiping your finger up the screen (if installed) PIN-code).
  2. Tap and hold the current dial for 2-3 seconds until the selection menu appears.
  3. Swipe through the available options with swipes left/right.
  4. Click on your favorite dial to apply it.

Limitations of the method:

  • 🚫 Only pre-installed screensavers are available (usually 5-10 pieces).
  • 🚫 You can’t add new dials, just choose from existing ones.
  • 🚫 Some animated screensavers may not appear in this menu.

πŸ’‘

If you don't see a menu when you press it long, check if the power saving mode (Settings β†’ Battery) is on, and some of the functions are turned off in this mode.

Method 2: Install the dial through the Mi Fitness application

The official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) not only synchronizes data from the watch, but also manages its appearance, and more dials are available, including themed collections (for example, for holidays or sports events).

Step-by-step:

  1. Open Mi Fitness on your smartphone and connect to the watch (they should be within Bluetooth range).
  2. Go to Profile β†’ Xiaomi Watch 4 β†’ Dials.
  3. View the available categories: "Recommended", "Sports", "Classic" and others.
  4. Select the face you like and click Set. Wait for sync (it can take up to 30 seconds).
  5. Once installed, the dial will automatically apply to the watch. If this does not happen, restart the gadget (Settings β†’ System β†’ Reboot).

Important nuances:

  • πŸ”„ The Mi Fitness dials don't stick to the watch after you reset them.
  • πŸ“± Some screensavers require the latest version of the app. Update Mi Fitness on Google Play or App Store.
  • πŸ”‹ Installation of the dial consumes up to 5-10% of the battery charge of the watch.

Update the application to the latest version|Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone|Charge of the clock - at least 30%|Make sure the watch is connected to Mi Fitness-->

Method 3: Using the Zepp Life app for enhanced features

The Zepp Life app (formerly Amazfit) offers a wider range of dials than Mi Fitness, including custom designs from the community.This is the best option if you need unique screensavers or additional widgets (such as displaying moon phases or stress levels).

How to install a dial through Zepp Life:

  1. Download and install Zepp Life from the official store. Sign in with the same account as Mi Fitness (if you use Xiaomi ID).
  2. Connect Xiaomi Watch 4 to the app: Profile β†’ Add device β†’ Xiaomi Watch 4.
  3. Go to the dials section (the icon of the clock in the lower menu).
  4. Select a category (for example, "Popular" or "Fitness") and tap on your favorite screensaver.
  5. Click Download and then Set. Confirm the sync on the clock (notification will appear).

The benefits of Zepp Life:

FunctionMi FitnessZepp Life
Number of dials~50~500+
Customized designs❌ No.βœ… Yes (via Zepp Store)
Widgets on the dialBasic (time, steps)Extended (weather, SpOβ‚‚, stress)
Synchronization speed~30 sec.~10-15 sec.
Animation supportLimitedly.Complete.

Important: If you've only used Mi Fitness before, the first time you connect to Zepp Life, the watch can reboot. That's normal, because that's how you sync your device profile.

Method 4: Install custom dials from third-party sources

For those who want to go beyond the official stores, there are third-party platforms with unique designs, such as WatchFace or AmazfitWatchFaces, where you can find faces from independent designers.

  • ⚠️ Incompatibility – Files may be designed for other models (Amazfit) GTR 4, Huawei Watch).
  • ⚠️ Viruses – only download from verified sources (e.g, XDA Developers).
  • ⚠️ Violation of the license – some dials are paid, their free distribution is illegal.

How to set a custom dial:

  1. Download the dial file in.bin or.wfz format (for example, custom_watchface.bin).
  2. Connect the watch to your PC via Zepp Life (enable developer mode: Settings β†’ About the watch β†’ Press 5 times on Software Version).
  3. Use the Amazfit WatchFace Tool or Notify & Fitness utility to download the file to the watch.
  4. Reboot the gadget and select a new dial in the menu on the clock.
How to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi Watch 4?
1. Open on the watch Settings β†’ About the clock. 2. Tap 5 times in a row on the item Software Version. 3. will appear notification Developer Mode enabled. 4. Now in Settings will be a new section for developers where you can enable debugging over Bluetooth.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial dials can cause clock failures, including freezes or accelerated battery discharge.Before experimenting, back up your data via Zepp Life. β†’ Backup).

Why does the dial not change or reset?

Sometimes users have problems changing the screensaver, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
No dial to be setWeak Bluetooth connectionReconnect the clock to the phone, turn on the plane mode for 10 seconds
The screensaver is reset after rebootingNot enough memory on the clockRemove unnecessary dials in Zepp Life (Dials β†’ Mine)
The dial is displayed incorrectlyThe file is intended for another model.Check compatibility on the site where the screensaver was downloaded
There is no way to choose the dial on the clockInstalled beta version of the firmwareGet back to the stable version with Zepp Life

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the clock to factory settings:

  1. Open the Settings on the clock β†’ System β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Confirm the action (may be required) PIN-code).
  3. After restarting, reconnect the watch to the app and set the dial again.

πŸ’‘

Before resetting, be sure to sync your data with Zepp Life or Mi Fitness, otherwise your activity history will be lost.

How to create your own face for Xiaomi Watch 4?

If you don't find the right screensaver, you can create it yourself with specialized tools.

  • 🎨 Graphic editor (such as Photoshop or free) GIMP).
  • πŸ“ Template for Xiaomi Watch 4 (screen-response 454Γ—454 pixels, round display).
  • πŸ› οΈ Converting software (e.g., Watch Face Generator).

Step-by-step:

  1. Download the template for Xiaomi Watch 4 from the AmazfitWatchFaces or XDA website.
  2. In the graphic editor, draw a design, considering:

PNG

Watch Face Generator

.bin

.wfz

Zepp Life

Notify & Fitness

⚠️ Note: Homemade dials may not be checked in official stores (Zepp Store or Mi Fitness.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the dial to Xiaomi Watch 4

Can I put my picture on the dial?
Yes, but not directly. You need to: Edit a photo at 454Γ—454 (round trimming); use third-party tools (like Facer or WatchMaker) to create a face based on the image; export the result to.bin and upload to the watch; the official Mi Fitness and Zepp Life apps don't support uploading personal photos like a dial.
How many dials can be stored in the memory of Xiaomi Watch 4?
The clock can hold up to 10 custom dials (plus standard ones) at a time, and if the limit is reached, you have to remove one of the ones you have installed to add a new one. You can do this in Zepp Life: Dials β†’ Mine β†’ Delete.
Why did the dial drop after the firmware update?
When you update the firmware Xiaomi Watch 4 resets all user settings, including dials. RTOS. To return the old screensaver: Open Zepp Life or Mi Fitness. Go to the Dials section β†’ Find the dial you installed before and press Reinstall. If the screensaver isn't on the list, you'll have to re-download it.
Can I install a face with an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch?
No, it’s impossible. The Xiaomi Watch 4 faces have a unique file format (.bin or.wfz) that’s incompatible with other platforms. Moreover, even the faces from other Xiaomi/Amazfit devices (such as Mi Band 7 or GTR 3) may not work due to differences in screen resolution and firmware.
How to return a standard dial if the clock hung after installing the custom?
If the watch has stopped responding to touch or the dial is not displayed correctly: Perform a forced reset: press the physical button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out and turns on again. If that doesn't help, reset to factory settings (Settings β†’ System β†’ Resetting). Once reset, the standard dial will recover automatically. In the future, avoid setting dials from unverified sources.