Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where familiar system utilities change their location or name after another update to the MIUI shell. In particular, users of the popular Redmi Note 8 model may find that the standard shortcut for tracking activity has disappeared from the desktop or moved to the depths of the menu. This is a legitimate concern, since control of steps and sleep is an important part of the operation of the device.
It should be understood that in modern versions of firmware, the company often integrates health functions into a single ecosystem or renames the application to harmonize with global standards. Instead of the usual "Health", you may encounter Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, which perform similar but more advanced functions. Finding the right solution requires careful study of system settings and understanding the logic of the shell.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where exactly to look for the desired program on your Redmi Note 8, how to restore the deleted shortcut and what to do if the standard application was replaced by a system update.
Search through system search and application menu
The fastest way to find any Android program is to use a built-in search engine. On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell, search is very convenient and indexes not only files, but also hidden settings. To begin, just swipe your desktop from top to bottom or click on the search bar in the widget.
Type "Health," "Fitness," or "Mi Fit" into the box. The system will instantly suggest options. If the app is installed but hidden, it should still show up in the results. Notice the icon: it can look like a green heart or the Mi Wear logo.
If the search didn't work, go to the full menu of all apps, usually a button with a few squares icon or a swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and here the programs are sorted alphabetically. Look for a folder called Tools or Services, where Xiaomi often hides the system software by default.
- 🔍 Use the Google Assistant or Xiao voice assistant AI, Saying the phrase "Open the Health App".
- 📂 Check the Google folder, as sometimes tracking functions are transferred to the services of the search engine.
- ⚙️ Go to the settings and in the search bar write “Stepher” to find related services.
⚠️ Note: If the search results but the application does not open, cache files may be damaged.
It is important to consider that different regional versions of firmware (Global, EU, China) may have different names. In Chinese, it may be Mi Fitness, in global, visual icon search is often more effective than text.
Mi Fitness and Zepp Life on Redmi Note 8
Owners of the Redmi Note 8 should be aware that Xiaomi’s activity tracker ecosystem has undergone significant changes.The previously dominant app was Mi Fit, which later transformed into Zepp Life. However, newer versions of MIUI increasingly pre-installed Mi Fitness. These are two different products with different architectures of operation.
Mi Fitness (formerly known as Xiaomi Wear) is a more modern solution that is more deeply integrated into Android and MIUI. It requires less permissions for background work and better syncs with system widgets. If you are looking for a native app, it is likely that this is the one you are talking about.
On the other hand, Zepp Life remains popular with older Mi Band fitness bracelet models (versions 1-4).If you have a new tracker or smartwatch, the system may strongly recommend switching to Mi Fitness.The confusion arises because both apps can claim to be the primary health data collector.
To determine what is installed on your Redmi Note 8, go to Bluetooth settings. Find the connected device and see which app is recommended for pairing. This will indicate the right path to find the right software in the menu.
Recovery of a Remote or Hidden Application
Often users accidentally delete the shortcut or even the app itself, considering it unnecessary. On Xiaomi, removing the system application is sometimes possible, but it is easy to return it. If you do not find the icon on the desktop, check if the mode of "Hidden applications" is turned on.
To do this, open the Security app (green shield), scroll down to the Hidden Apps section and enter the unlock password. If Health is there, just turn off the switchboard in front of it, and then the icon will return to the general menu.
If the program has been removed completely, you need to download it again. Don't rush to search for installation files on third-party resources. The official and safe way is to use the GetApps store (Mi App Store) or Google Play.
In the app store, search for "Mi Fitness" or "Zepp Life." Make sure that the developer is Xiaomi Inc. or Anhui Huami Information Technology. Once installed, the system automatically prompts you to configure access rights and sync.
Configure access rights and permissions
Once you have found or installed an app, it is critical to properly configure its resolutions. Without this, the pedometer will not work in the background, and sleep data may not be stored. MIUI is known for its aggressive energy savings, which can "kill" the processes of the tracker.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find your health app (e.g. Mi Fitness) on the list. Go to Permits. Make sure access to:
- 📍 Geolocation (necessary for jogging routes).
- 🏃♂️ Physical activity sensors (the basis of pedometer operation).
- 🔔 Notifications (for vibrations upon achievement).
Then go to the "Start" section and turn it on for this app. Also, in the "Battery" menu, select "No Limits" mode. This will prevent data collection from stopping when the Redmi Note 8 screen is turned off.
⚠️ Warning: Without a background permit, the phone will only count steps when the screen is on and the app is open.
It’s also worth checking sync with your Mi Account, which will keep your activity history even when you change your device, and upload the data to the cloud and become available instantly after you sign in.
Use of widgets on the desktop
For convenience, many users prefer to display statistics directly to the home screen. On the Redmi Note 8, this is implemented through a widget system, which eliminates the need to open the application every time to see the number of steps taken.
To add a widget, make a long tap on an empty desktop space or pinch the screen with two fingers. In the bottom menu, select "Widgets." In the list, find the section associated with your health application.
There are a few options: a simple step counter, a weekly activity schedule, or a pulse widget. Drag the item to your desktop. You can resize it by pulling the edges so it fits harmoniously into your wallpaper design.
Some widgets require constant internet connection to update data, others work locally. Check the settings of a particular widget by clicking on it or through the editing menu to select the options displayed.
Table: Comparison of health data sources
Understanding where the app is coming from helps troubleshoot problems. There are several levels of data collection on Xiaomi. Below is a table explaining the difference between a system meter and third-party apps.
| Source of data | precision | Battery consumption | Dependence |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI System Service | Tall. | Low. | Doesn't require the Internet. |
| Mi Fitness (annex) | Medium | Medium. | Requires synchronization |
| Google Fit | Tall. | Medium. | Data aggregator |
| Third-party trackers | Different. | High-pitched | Often require GPS |
As you can see from the table, MIUI is the most energy-efficient way to count steps. Aggregation applications like Google Fit only collect data from the system source. So if you lose an application, the basic step count in lock widgets often keeps working.
If you use third-party applications, they may conflict with system applications, in which case it is recommended to leave only one main source of data to avoid double counting or errors in statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did the MIUI update disappear?
Can I uninstall the Health app on the Redmi Note 8?
How to sync data with Google Fit?
Why does the pedometer not work when the phone is in your pocket?
In conclusion, finding the Health app on the Redmi Note 8 is a challenge that is solved by understanding the structure of MIUI. Whether it's renaming it Mi Fitness or hiding it in system folders, all your activity data remains available. Follow the instructions above to take back control of your health.