Xiaomiβs modern smart scales are not just a weighing device, but a complex diagnostic tool that can analyze up to 13 different body parameters. However, many users face a situation where after buying a device, body composition data, in particular, percentage of fat tissue, simply does not appear in the application or show zero values, which is often puzzling, since the appearance of the device does not imply the presence of hidden settings for activation of functions.
The reason is because of the bioimpedance analysis technology that the Xiaomi Mi Body Composition Scale and its newer versions use. To work properly, the algorithms need to collect primary anthropometric data that cannot be obtained without being linked to a mobile application, without which the scales operate in the mode of a conventional household appliance, showing only body weight.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the synchronization process, user profile settings, and data interpretation, and learn why it is important to choose the right device model in an app and how to avoid common mistakes when you first start a health monitoring system.
The principle of operation of bioimpedance analysis
The fundamental basis for measuring fat percentage is bioimpedansometry, which is that the scales pass through the human body a weak, completely safe electric current. Because muscle tissue contains a lot of water and electrolytes, it conducts current well, whereas adipose tissue has a high resistance. By analyzing the speed of the signal, the processor calculates the ratio of tissues.
To make the calculations accurate, the BIA algorithm uses not only the resistance of the body, but also the data you input: height, age, gender. Which is why without creating a profile in the application, calculating the percentage of fat is technically impossible. Libras themselves do not know whether it is a child or an adult man.
β οΈ Note: Measurements may be incorrect if your feet are wet or if you are standing on a carpet.
It's important to understand that impedance is a variable that depends on the hydration of the body, that the water in the body is higher in the morning after sleep, which can give slightly different results than the evening weighing. To track the dynamics, it's important to weigh yourself at the same time of day.
Why can't you feel the current?
Preparation for the first launch and installation of software
The first step is to install the right software. Xiaomiβs ecosystem currently uses two main applications: Mi Fit (now renamed Zepp Life) and Mi Home. For the Mi Body Composition Scale 1 and 2 series, Zepp Life is the most functional and recommended weight, as it is tailored to activity trackers and detailed health statistics.
After installing the application, you must register an account or log in through an existing one (Google, Apple). ID, WeChat! without authorization, access to cloud storage and analytics will be closed. Make sure your smartphone is enabled with Bluetooth and geolocation, as current versions of Android require location permission to search. BLE-device.
Then you have to prepare the scales. Put the batteries (usually 4xAA) in, remove the protective film from the contacts, if any, put the scales on a hard, flat surface. Don't put them on the carpet, linoleum with pile or soft tiles - this critically affects the accuracy of pressure sensors.
The process of pairing weights with an annex
Launch the Zepp Life app and go to Profile or click on the plus-plus to add the device. From the list of available gadgets, select Mi Body Composition Scale 2 (or your model). It is important to choose the version that matches your device, since the data protocols of the two versions differ.
Stand on the scale barefoot. The screen should light up, and the smartphone will request pairing. Confirm the action. At this point, there is an exchange of encryption keys and initial calibration. If the scales are not located, try to exit the add-on menu, turn off and turn on Bluetooth on the phone, and then repeat the procedure.
βοΈ Checklist of successful connection
Once the connection is successful, the app will request anthropometric input, which is the most important step in calculating fat percentage. Enter current height, date of birth, and select gender. If multiple people use the scale, everyone will need to create a profile in the app, but the weights are tied to the account once.
Setting up a user profile for accurate calculations
In order for the scales to show the percentage of fat, they need to know who owns the data entered. In the Zepp Life app, go to Profile -> Profile settings. Here you need to specify not only height and age, but also physical activity level, and this parameter determines the basic metabolism and interpretation of the results.
For adults, the algorithm works automatically. However, if a child or adolescent uses a scale, standard formulas can give an error. In some versions of the software, there is a special "Infant Weighing Mode" or "Beaming Mode" that disables body composition analysis and leaves only weight so as not to mislead the user with incorrect data about fat.
| Parameter | Effects on fat calculation | Where to change |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | Critical for indexing mass | User profile |
| Paul | Different formulas for men and women | User profile |
| Age. | Affects metabolic rate | User profile |
| Type of body build | Adjustment of targets | Profile settings |
Note that the change in profile growth does not rewrite the history of past weightings. The new fat percentage data will be calculated based on the updated parameters, which can cause a sharp jump or drop in the chart.
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If you use scales with the whole family, create separate profiles in the app or use guest mode to keep statistics from mixing. For children under 16, body composition data may be less accurate.
How to view results and decrypt data
After each weigh, the data is synced to your smartphone. To see fat percentage, open the Zepp Life app, go to the Weight tab and click on the last weigh card, and a detailed page will open, which will include, among other things, "Body Fat Percentage."
The value is displayed as a percentage. For men, the range is 10-20%, for women - 18-28%, but these figures are strongly dependent on age and athletic fitness. The app will evaluate the result and write whether it is within the normal range using a color indication (green - the norm, red - the deviation).
β οΈ Warning: Don't panic if the percentage of fat has changed dramatically in one day, often due to a change in water balance, rather than actual burning or fatty tissue setup.
In addition, the app provides a graph of the dynamics, you need to weigh yourself daily for at least two weeks to get a statistically significant trend, and single measurements are less informative because of the natural fluctuations in the weight of water in the body.
Solving common problems and errors
A common problem is that the scales show weight but don't show fat percentage, and 90 percent of the time, that means that the scales didn't recognize the user or couldn't send the full data to the app, check if you're logged in and Bluetooth is on at the time of the weigh.
Another reason is the "Err" on the scale screen or the lack of synchronization, which can happen when the batteries are discharged. Bioimpedance requires more energy to work than just weighing. Replace the batteries with new, preferably alkaline, rather than salt.
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The key to displaying fat percentage is to successfully transfer the full weighting data to the Zepp Life app. Without cloud synchronization, calculation is impossible.
If the scales show "LO" or "O-Ld," it means overload or underload. Make sure the user's weight is in the range of 5 to 150 kg. Also the problem may be dirty electrodes - wipe the metal surface on the feet of the scales with dry cloth.