How to increase the brightness on Xiaomi watches: all the ways for Mi Band, Redmi Watch and Amazfit

Xiaomi smartwatches are some of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, but poor screen visibility in direct sunlight or in the dark can be a serious problem. Many users of the Mi Band 7/8, Redmi Watch 3/4 or Amazfit GTS/GTR face is not readable even at maximum brightness. In this article, we will examine all the available ways to increase brightness, from basic settings in the application to hidden features and hardware limitations.

It’s important to understand that the brightness on Xiaomi watches is not only software-controlled, but also depends on the screen model (AMOLED or TFT), the firmware version and even the ambient temperature. For example, the Mi Band 8 automatically reduces the backlight when battery power is low, and the Amazfit Bip 5 has adaptive brightness that can get lost. We will tell you how to get around these limitations and achieve comfortable display in any conditions.

If you've tried to change your settings in Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, but the result didn't work, don't rush to give up the gadget. In this article, you'll find alternative methods, including manually calibrating the light sensor, resetting the screen settings, and even modifying the firmware for advanced users, and in the end, answers to frequent questions, such as why the brightness itself decreases or how to return factory settings.

1. Basic brightness settings through the official appendix

The easiest way to change the brightness is to use Xiaomi’s branded apps. Different programs are suitable for different watch models:

• 📱 Mi Fitness - for Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8, Redmi Watch 2/3
• 🌐 Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit) – for Amazfit Bip, GTS, GTR, T-Rex
• ⚙️ Xiaomi Wear – for new models (for example, Watch 2 Pro)

Consider the process using the example of Mi Fitness (relevant to most Mi Band bracelets):

1. Open the app and connect the watch to the phone.
2. Go to the Profile section → My devices. → [The name of your watch].
3. Select the screen settings or display.
4. Move the Brightness slider to the right to the stop (usually 5-10 levels are available).
5. Activate the option of Auto Brightness if you want the watch to adjust to the lighting itself.

In Zepp Life, the path is a little different: Device → Display settings → Screen brightness. Here you can also turn on the Wrist Raising to turn on so that the screen lights up when you move your hand, making it easier to check the time without pressing buttons.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Mi Band 6) have a maximum brightness limit of 80% of the actual screen potential, this is done to save battery life. To unlock 100%, you will need to use alternative firmware (more on this below).

2. Manual brightness setting right on the clock

Not everyone knows, but many Xiaomi smartwatches allow you to change the brightness directly from the screen of the gadget without going to the app.

Instructions for most models:

1. Swipe your finger from top to bottom across the watch screen (in some models, from bottom to top).
2. In the menu that appears, find the icon ☀️ sun or 🔆 Brightness.
3. Touch the icon and move the slider to the right to increase the backlight.
4. On some watches (such as the Amazfit GTR 4), you can press and hold the brightness icon for fine tuning.

If there is no menu, try another way:

• 🔧 Go to Settings on the clock (cog icon).
• 📱 Find the Display or Screen section.
• 🔆 Select Brightness and adjust the value.

The Redmi Watch 3 and the Amazfit Bip U Pro have a quick menu that opens with a swipe from left to right, and can also have a brightness adjustment.

Check the swipe menu down/up

Find the Sun icon on the quick menu

Go to Settings → Display on the clock

Use the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app

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3.Why the brightness itself decreases and how to fix it

Many users complain that the brightness on Xiaomi watches automatically decreases after a while.

The most common problem is that the light sensor is not working properly, so if the watch dims even in bright light, try:

1. Turn off Auto Brightness in the settings and set a fixed value.
2. Wipe the sensor (usually located next to the screen) from dust and sweat.
3. Reset the clock (press and hold the 10-15 second button).

The Mi Band 7/8 and Redmi Watch 4 have a hidden sensor calibration feature:

Settings → System → Reset → Calibration of sensors

After calibration, the brightness should stabilize.

4.Alternative firmware for maximum brightness

If the standard settings don't give you enough brightness, you can install custom firmware. This is true for the Mi Band 5/6/7, where the manufacturer artificially limits the maximum lighting.

Popular firmware to unlock brightness:

• 🔧 Amazfit Mod – adds 100% brightness and new dials.
• 🌟 Mi Band Master – allows you to fine-tune the screen and vibration.
• 🛠️ Notify & Fitness for Mi Band – Advanced Settings for Android.

Instructions for installation of Amazfit Mod:

1. Download the archive with firmware from the official website AmazfitMod.ru.
2. Unpack the archive and install it. APK-phone-file.
3. Connect the watch to your phone via Bluetooth.
4. In the Amazfit Mod app, select Install firmware and follow the instructions.
5. After restarting the clock, go to Settings → Display and set the brightness to maximum.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware resets all data from the clock (steps, pulse, settings). Before the procedure, synchronize the data with the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life application. There is also a risk of losing warranty if the manufacturer detects a modification.

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If after installing an alternative firmware, the screen began to flicker, try rolling it back through Mi Fitness → Software Update → Restore the factory firmware.

5 Hardware restrictions: what to do if the brightness does not increase

Sometimes the problem is not the settings, but the hardware limitations of the watch, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔋 Weak battery – when the battery wears off, the watch automatically reduces brightness to save energy.
• 💡 Burnout AMOLED-screen – over time, pixels lose their brightness (especially on older models).
• 🔌 Bad contact of the plume – if the clock fell, the backlight plume could be damaged.
• 🌡️ Overheating or hypothermia – the screen dims in extreme temperatures.

How to diagnose the problem:

1. Check battery life. If the watch runs out in 1-2 days, the battery is probably worn out.
2. Light the flashlight on the screen at an angle, and if you can see it more clearly, the problem is the backlight.
3. Try resetting your watch to factory settings, and if the brightness doesn't come back, it's the iron.

Solutions for hardware problems:

If the watch is warranty, contact the official service center Xiaomi. mi.com/ru/service. For self-repair will require special tools (for example, a suction cup for the screen and soldering station), so without experience it is better not to risk.

6. Additional Tips to Improve Screen Visibility

In addition to increasing the brightness, you can improve the visibility of the screen in other ways:

• 🎨 Use contrasting dials – black backgrounds with white numerals (e.g. Digital Classic) read better than colored ones.
• ⏱️ Increase screen activity time – set 10-15 seconds instead of the standard 5 in the display settings.
• 🔄 Turn off the Always-On Display (AOD) — constant lighting reduces maximum brightness.
• 🧴 Apply anti-reflective coating – special films reduce reflections (suitable for Amazfit) GTR 4 and Redmi Watch 3).

For models with Always-On Display (such as the Amazfit GTR 3), you can adjust the individual brightness to continuously display:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Always-On.
2. Choose a dial style with minimal elements (e.g., time only).
3. Set the brightness of AOD to 30-50% of the maximum, so as not to put the battery down.

If you wear a watch while you're exercising, look at sports modes, which often automatically increase brightness and backlighting times, such as Running or Bicycle mode, which keeps the screen on longer.

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For maximum visibility in the sun, combine high brightness, contrasting dial and increased screen activity time.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the brightness on Xiaomi watches