Modern Xiaomi smartphones have built-in accelerometers that automatically track your physical activity. However, many users find that the step counter does not appear on the lock screen or in the notification curtain by default.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate activity monitoring: you will learn how to configure native applications from Xiaomi, connect Google services for more accurate analytics and display data on the home screen. Correct calibration of sensors will allow you to obtain reliable statistics about the distance traveled.
Enabling the feature does not require complex manipulation of root rights or third-party launchers. It is enough to perform several actions consistently in the system settings menu and installed by default applications. MIUI and the new HyperOS shell provide flexible tools to personalize this process.
Use of the built-in Mi Fitness app
The main tool for tracking activity in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the Mi Fitness app (formerly known as Mi Wear or Zepp Life depending on the region), which collects data from the accelerometer and gyroscope, forming final reports.
Go to your smartphone settings and find the app management section, you need to provide access to location and physical activity data, without which the background service will not be able to correctly calculate steps when the screen is off.
⚠️ Note: If you use energy saving mode, the system may force the Mi Fitness app to close, add it to the battery exclusion list so that the statistics are not interrupted.
Once you have all the permissions, open the app and go to the Sports or Health tab, and this shows your current progress. If the counter is zero, try taking a few steps with the screen on to start syncing the sensors.
- 📱 Open your phone settings and go to the Apps section».
- 🏃 Find the list of “Mi Fitness” or “Health».
- 🔋 In the Battery menu, select the "No Limits" mode».
- ✅ Check if access to the “Physical Activity” is activated in the access rights.
💡
For maximum accuracy, carry the phone in your trouser pocket or hand rather than in your bag, as the position of the device affects the sensitivity of the accelerometer.
Setup of the step widget on the desktop
The most convenient way to always see your progress is to display the pedometer widget directly on the home screen. In Xiaomi shells, this is done through the desktop editing menu. You don't have to open apps to check if you've reached the 10,000-step daily norm.
Make a pinch with two fingers on an empty desktop space or hold your finger on a free area. In the menu that appears, select "Widgets" (or "Add"). In the list of available widgets, find a category related to health or the Mi Fitness app.
Pick the right meter design and drag it into a vacant space. Some widgets only show numbers, others show weekly activity charts. The interactive element allows you to quickly transition to detailed statistics with a single touch.
If the widget is not updated in real time, try removing it and adding it again. Sometimes the system cache requires cleaning to correctly display dynamic data on the desktop.
Google Fit and Health Connect integration
For users who prefer the Google ecosystem, data synchronization is a pressing issue: Google Fit (and now the Health Connect platform) allows data to be combined from different devices, and in order for steps with Xiaomi to be transmitted to Google, you need to configure a bunch of applications.
First, install or update the Google Fit app on your device. Then open Mi Fitness and look for the “Related Apps” or “Third Parties” section in the settings, and select Google Fit and log in to your account.
It is important to set the sync direction correctly. Data must be transferred from Mi Fitness to Google Fit. Otherwise, you may see double counting or no data in the Google profile. Health Connect acts as an intermediary, simplifying this process in new versions of Android.
| Parameter | Mi Fitness | Google Fit | Health Connect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source of data | Phone accelerometer | Synchronization | Aggregator |
| precision | Tall. | Depends on the source. | Tall. |
| Autonomy | Medium | Tall. | Tall. |
| Export of data | Limited. | Complete. | Complete. |
☑️ Verification of synchronization
Lock screen and sports widget
One of Xiaomi's signature features is the ability to display the number of steps right on the lock screen, which allows you to see statistics without unlocking your smartphone, a feature that is especially useful when walking or training when the phone is in your hands.
To activate this option, go to the lock screen settings. The path may vary depending on the software version, but it is usually in the Settings → Lock screen → Widgets. You need to activate the Steps or Mi Fitness switch.
Some design themes may hide this widget. If the counter doesn't appear after you turn on the setting, try changing the theme to a standard one or a theme from the official Xiaomi designer. Third-party launchers can also block the system lock widgets from working.
⚠️ Warning: Constant display of the widget on the lock screen can slightly increase battery consumption, as the system often has to poll motion sensors.
Also check the settings of the Always On Screen» (AOD). If you AMOLED-display, you can adjust the display of steps even in sleep mode by selecting the appropriate dial.
Solving the Problems of Counting Steps
There are times when steps are not counted or the meter is stuck on a certain value, most often the problem lies in the settings of energy saving or application conflict. Android aggressively manages background processes, which can interfere with the pedometer.
The first thing you need to do is reboot the device, and it'll reset the sensors, and if that doesn't work, check if you have multiple stepping apps installed at the same time, and they may be in conflict over access to the sensor.
In rare cases, you need to calibrate the sensors through the engineering menu. To do this, type the code ##64663##. In the testing menu that opens, select Sensor or Accelometer and follow the instructions on the screen for reset and calibration.
What if the steps are not reset at midnight?
If the problem persists after all the manipulations, the accelerometer itself may have been damaged, which often happens after the phone falls, and then the software won't help, and you'll need to have a diagnosis at the service center.
Use of third-party applications
If Xiaomi's regular tools don't suit you, there are plenty of alternatives available in the Play Market, apps like Pedometer Step Counter or StepsApp offering more beautiful design and advanced statistics, and they also use an embedded sensor, but they process data using their own algorithms.
When installing third-party software, be sure to give permission to "Sun Run" and work in the background. In MIUI, this is critical, otherwise the system will "kill" the process a few minutes after turning off the screen.
Many users choose Xiaomi + Google Fit + MyFitnessPal for power control, in which case steps are a key metric for calculating calorie intake, and integration works steadily if access rights are configured correctly.
💡
Third-party applications can provide more detailed analytics, but consume more battery resources due to less optimized code compared to system solutions.
When choosing an alternative, pay attention to the reviews and installs. Popular apps are regularly updated and support new versions of Android, which ensures compatibility with your Xiaomi smartphones.