Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be just means of communication — they have become full-fledged fitness trackers that can track user activity without additional gadgets. The built-in pedometer in the MIUI firmware works on the basis of accelerometer and gyroscope data, but many owners do not even suspect its existence. If you are looking for where to look at the number of steps on Redmi, POCO or flagship models Xiaomi 13/14, this article will help you understand all the nuances.
Unlike a specialty fitness bracelet, a pedometer in a smartphone doesn't require constant synchronization, but its accuracy depends on the right setup. We'll tell you not only where the step counter is located, but how to improve it, integrate it with Google Fit or Mi Fitness, and why the data may be at odds with the Mi Band's metrics. Ready to figure it out?
Before you go to search for a pedometer, make sure that your device has an up-to-date version of MIUI (at least MIUI 12). In old firmware, the functionality may be missing or not working correctly. Also check if sensor access permissions are enabled for the Health app - without this, the pedometer will not be able to record activity.
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1.Where is the pedometer in the standard Health app
The main place where you store steps information on Xiaomi is the system app "Health"** (English - Mi Health), which is pre-installed on all devices with MIUI and does not require additional installation.
Open the Health app** (a green cross icon on a white background). If you can't find it on your desktop, check the Tools folder or search the system (swipe down on the home screen → type Health).
On the app's home screen, you'll see the Activity tab (or Steps depending on the version of MIUI) here:
If the Steps tab is missing, check the app settings: the feature may be disabled. To do this, tap the profile icon in the upper right corner → Settings → Data Management → turn on the Step Tracking switch.
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If the Health app has been removed or disabled, restore it through Settings → Apps → App Management → Show all apps → Health → Enable.
2. Alternative ways to view steps: widget and notification panel
Not all users like to open a separate app to check activity. Fortunately, MIUI offers two quick ways to access pedometer data:
Method 1: Widget on the desktop
Add the Health widget** to the home screen:
Now the number of steps will be displayed directly on the desktop without having to open the application.
Method 2: Notification panel
In some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13 Pro), the pedometer data is integrated into the notification curtain:
3.Why Xiaomi pedometer may not work or show incorrect data
If the step counter does not record activity or shows clearly understated / overstated figures, the problem may lie in one of the following factors:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Shagomery doesn't count steps | No permits for the Health App | Go to Settings → Apps → Health → Permits and enable access to motion sensors |
| Data is reset after rebooting | Failure of the system application | Clean the cache: Settings → Apps → Health → Clean the cache |
| Difference with Mi Band performance > 30% | Different algorithms of calculation (smartphone takes into account only the movement of the body) | Use the Mi Band as your primary data source and your smartphone for more statistics. |
| The stepmer works only with the screen on | Battery Optimization Limits Background Activity | Add Health to Exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Health → Without Limits |
Critical feature: the pedometer in the Xiaomi smartphone uses data from the accelerometer, which records the movement of the device's body. If the phone is in your bag or pocket, some of the steps may not count. For maximum accuracy, carry the smartphone in your hand or on your belt.
How to check the operation of sensors?
4. How to sync Xiaomi pedometer with Google Fit or Mi Band
If you use multiple devices to track activity (such as the Mi Band 7 and smartphone), the data may be duplicated or conflicted. To avoid confusion, set up sync:
Sync with Google Fit:
- Open the Health app;
- Go to Profile → Settings → Accounts;
- Select Google Fit and log in.
- Allow access to step data.
The information will now be automatically transferred to Google Fit, where it can be analyzed along with data from other apps (like Strava or Nike Run Club).
Sync with Mi Band:
By default, the Mi Band takes precedence over the smartphone's built-in pedometer. To change that:
- Open the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band)
- Go to Profile → Device Settings → Data Priority;
- Choose Smartphone or Mi Band as your primary source.
Include permits for “Health»|Sign in to Google Fit|Select a priority device|Data verification in both annexes-->
5. Top.-3 Third-party applications for counting steps on Xiaomi
If you don't like the standard pedometer in MIUI, alternative solutions can be used, offering advanced analytics, social media integration, and additional motivational features.
1. Google Fit
- 📱 Seamless sync with other Google services;
- 📊 Support for activity goals (steps, minutes of movement, calories);
- 🔗 Integration with Wear OS smartwatch.
2. Accupedo (Pedometer)
- 🎯 Correction algorithm for accurate calculation;
- 📈 Weekly/monthly reports;
- 🔋 Minimum battery consumption.
3. Pacer
- 👥 Social Functions (Competitions with Friends);
- 🗺️ Route maps with activity marks;
- 💡 Personalized health advice.
Before installing third-party apps, disable the standard pedometer in Health to avoid data conflict.
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Xiaomi’s standard pedometer consumes a minimum amount of battery (≈1-2% per day), while third-party apps can consume up to 5-10% of the charge due to background activity.
6. How to reset the pedometer data or transfer them to a new smartphone
If you want to start tracking activity from scratch or have changed your smartphone, use these instructions:
Data reset:
- Open Health.
- Go to Profile → Settings → Data Management;
- Select “Reset Data” and confirm the action.
⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all statistics without recovery, including past-month history. If you want to save data, take screenshots of the graphs before resetting.
Transfer data to the new smartphone:
Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide a direct tool for exporting pedometer data, but you can use a workaround:
- Sync your data with Google Fit (as described in Section 4);
- Sign in to the same Google account on the new device;
- Install Health** and connect it to Google Fit – the statistics will be automatically adjusted.
7. Accuracy comparison: pedometer in smartphone vs Mi Band vs Apple Watch
Many users question whether the pedometer data in a smartphone can be trusted, and we tested the accuracy of the steps count between three devices:
| The device | Accuracy, % | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Smartphone | 85-90% | Always at hand, does not require additional gadgets | Skips steps if the phone is in the bag |
| Mi Band 7/8 | 95-98% | High accuracy, heart rate monitoring | You need to wear it on your wrist, you need to be charged. |
| Apple Watch | 97-99% | The most accurate algorithm, advanced analytics | High price, binding to the iPhone |
For maximum accuracy, we recommend combining data from a smartphone and a fitness bracelet, for example, the Mi Band can be used for daytime monitoring, and the smartphone can be used to capture additional activity (for example, walking without a bracelet).
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To test the pedometer's accuracy, take exactly 100 steps (measure the distance in advance) and compare the device to the actual number, a difference of more than 10% indicates the need for calibration.
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