Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users are faced with the problem: where is the pedometer hidden in it? Unlike flagship models, there is no separate Health app or Mi Fit by default.
In this article, we’ll explore all the possible ways to find and activate a pedometer on Redmi 9, including hidden MIUI settings, alternative applications, and sensor nuances, and you’ll also learn why the meter might not work and how to fix it without root rights.
Why is Redmi 9 not a separate Stepmer app?
Unlike more expensive Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 10 or Redmi Note 11), Redmi 9 does not have a pre-installed Mi Fit or Zepp Life app, which is due to memory optimization and reduced "extra" services in the budget line, but the step counting functionality is still available through:
- 📱 Google Fit system application** (if synced with Google account)
- 🔄 Built-in motion sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) from which data is processed MIUI
- 📊 Health widget** on the home screen (hidden by default)
- 🔧 Security settings (Yes, that's where!)
Xiaomi is also actively promoting its own Mi Band ecosystem, so the pedometer is often hidden in budget smartphones so that users buy fitness bracelets.
Where to look for a pedometer in standard MIUI settings
The easiest way to find the step counter is through the Health widget on the home screen, but it's turned off by default.
- Press and hold your finger on the empty spot of the main screen.
- Select Widgets from the bottom menu.
- Scroll down to the Tools or Health section.
- Drag the Steps or Activity widget to the home screen.
If the widget is missing, try an alternative path:
- Open Settings → Applications folder → Application management.
- In the search, enter Health or Health.
- If the app is found, turn it on (it may be disabled by default).
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If the Step widget doesn't display data, try walking for 10 to 15 minutes with GPS on. Sometimes the sensors need to "warm up."
Another hidden way is through security settings:
- Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privileged Settings.
- Find the item Motion Sensors or Fitness Data.
- Activate the option to collect step data.
How to turn on a pedometer through Google Fit
If the system step counter doesn't work or it doesn't, you can use Google Fit, a standard Google application that automatically counts steps through the sensors of your smartphone.
- Install Google Fit from the Play Market (if not installed).
- Open the app and log in to your Google account.
- Go to the Journal section → Activity.
- Click on the icon ⚙️ → Settings → Data Sources.
- Make sure that the list includes Xiaomi Redmi 9 (motion sensors).
If Redmi 9 is not displayed in the data sources, follow these steps:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
- 📱 Check permissions for Google Fit in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Physical activity.
- 🔧 Update Google Play services to Settings → Apps → Google Play Services.
Install/update Google Fit|
Enable physical activity authorization |
Add a Google account in your smartphone settings |
Check the data synchronization in the Google Fit settings-->
Alternative applications for calculating steps
If the built-in pedometer in the Redmi 9 does not suit accuracy or functionality, you can install third-party applications. Here is the top-3 of the tested versions:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Fit (Zepp Life) | Official from Xiaomi, synchronization with Mi Band, low power consumption | Requires registration, may not show steps without bracelet | Download |
| Google Fit | Integration with other Google services, automatic synchronization | Sometimes understates the number of steps | Download |
| Accupedo | High accuracy, growth calibration, widgets | Advertising in the free version | Download |
| Pacer | Social features, challenges, GPS support | High energy consumption | Download |
Important: Third-party pedometers may conflict with the built-in MIUI counter, causing data to be duplicated or reset. To avoid this, disable the system pedometer in the security settings (see section above).
How to calibrate a pedometer for accuracy?
Why is the Redmi 9 pedometer not working or lying?
If the step counter shows incorrect data or does not record activity at all, the reasons may be as follows:
- 🔋 Battery Optimization: MIUI aggressively closes the background processes. Add a stepmer app to exceptions: Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Select an app → Unlimited
- 📵 Lack of sensor permission: Check in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Body sensors.
- 🔄 Application Conflict: You may have multiple pedometers installed (e.g., Google Fit + Mi Fit).
- 📱 Hardware problem: The motion sensor (accelerometer) may be damaged, and you can check it through a test application like Sensor Test.
Also, the Redmi 9 doesn’t have a pedometer chip (like the Mi Band), which is calculated using an accelerometer, which is less accurate, especially:
- 🚶 When walking with your phone in your pocket (vibrations distort data).
- 🏃 When running (can fix "extra" steps).
- 🚗 In transport (constant fluctuations knock the meter down).
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For maximum accuracy, wear your smartphone on your belt or in your hand. In your pocket, a pedometer can be 20 to 30 percent wrong.
How to reset pedometer data or transfer it to a new phone
If you want to reset the step counter or transfer the story to another device, use these instructions:
Data resetting
For the MIUI system counter:
- Remove the Steps widget from the main screen.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Health or Health Service, click Warehouse → Clear Data.
For Google Fit:
- Open the application, go to Profile → Settings → Data Management.
- Select Delete Activity Data and specify the period.
Transfer the story to another phone
If you change your smartphone, the pedometer data can be transferred through:
- 🔄 Google Account: Google Fit automatically syncs data to the cloud. Just log in to the same account on the new device.
- 📤 Manual Export: In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Settings → Data Export (not available in all regions).
- 📊 Third-party services: Apps like Strava or Apple Health (for iOS) can import data from Google Fit.
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Before resetting your phone to factory settings, be sure to export the pedometer data! It will be impossible to restore them after resetting.
Comparison of accuracy: Redmi 9 vs fitness bracelet vs smart watch
Many users are asking themselves, how accurate is the pedometer in Redmi 9 compared to dedicated devices?
| The device | Accuracy (1000 steps) | Energy consumption | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9 (built-in pedometer) | ±150-200 steps | Low (works through sensors) | Just steps, no pulse, no sleep. |
| Mi Band 5 | ±20-50 steps | Very low. | Pulse, sleep, notifications, exercise |
| Apple Watch SE | ±10-30 steps | Average. | GPS, pulse, ECG, exercise. |
| Redmi 9 + Google Fit | ±100-150 steps | Average (depending on background processes) | Integration with Google Services |
As you can see from the table, the Redmi 9 is less accurate than specialized devices, but it's good for basic activity tracking. If you're interested in accuracy, consider buying the Mi Band, which is inexpensive and syncs with your smartphone.
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For running or professional training, it is better to use a fitness bracelet or smart watch. The built-in pedometer of the smartphone is only suitable for everyday monitoring.
FAQ: Frequent questions about pedometer in Redmi 9
Can you make a pedometer work without the Internet?
Why does the pedometer show the steps when I'm driving in the car?
How to make the pedometer count in the background?
Can I transfer the pedometer data from Redmi 9 to iPhone?
Why did the pedometer stop working after the MIUI update?
Now you know all about the pedometer in Xiaomi Redmi 9 — where to look for it, how to set it up and what to do if it doesn't work. If your smartphone doesn't record steps even after all the manipulations, there may be a hardware problem (damaged accelerometer), in which case, contact the service center or use an external fitness bracelet.