Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Xiaomi’s Mi Band 8—also called the Xiaomi Smart Band 8—was reported to receive HyperOS firmware 1.6.222 in a gradual rollout beginning July 24, 2024. The update was said to add focus notifications, paid watch-face support and bug fixes. That is a historical rollout, not a newly confirmed 2026 release: the version and feature list come from secondary reporting, and Xiaomi’s support pages do not independently identify those features as additions in 1.6.222.
For owners, the practical takeaway is to install an update if Mi Fitness offers one, but not to expect the old rollout to be available to every band today. Notification delivery still depends on the phone, app permissions and Bluetooth connection; paid watch-face availability can vary by region and account.
What the reported update changes
| Change reported | What owners should know |
|---|---|
| Focus notifications | The phrase appears to refer to progress or ongoing application notifications. Its exact meaning is not documented clearly enough to equate it with Android Focus Mode, Do Not Disturb or Apple Focus. |
| Paid watch faces | The report says the band gained support for purchasing additional designs. It does not establish a universal catalogue, price, payment model or regional availability. |
| Bug fixes and stability | These were also reported, but no detailed Xiaomi changelog for version 1.6.222 was located in the cited material. |
Xiaomi’s official Smart Band 8 support FAQ confirms broader notification and device functions, while its watch-face guidance describes the existing catalogue. Those pages do not show which capabilities were introduced specifically by this firmware release.
What “focus notifications” might mean
The original report describes a way to keep informed about the progress of application information without repeatedly checking the phone. That points toward ongoing or progress notifications from compatible apps, but the wording is too vague to promise a particular implementation. It should not be read as a system-wide mode that blocks distractions or manages which notifications you receive.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning images, smooth touch: Immerse yourself in brilliant clarity with the large 1.72-inch AMOLED display.Vacuum filling sealing technology enables symmetrical 2.0mm ultra-thin bezels, expanding screen-to-body ratio from 66% to 73%. Enjoy incredibly smooth and seamless interaction with crisp, color-accurate images, right on your wrist.
- Fast charging, longer adventures: Say goodbye to daily charging hassles! Enjoy an exceptional 21 days of battery life on a single charge. And when you need more power, it only takes an hour to fully recharge the device with fast charging. Freedom without limits!
- Revolutionize your swimming and training sessions: The Xiaomi smartwatch is equipped with a new high-precision electronic compass that tracks swimming direction like never before, delivering unparalleled accuracy for pool sessions. Plus, gain detailed insights through professional analysis of your workouts to optimize each session.
- Master your nighttime recovery: Discover the secrets of your sleep with comprehensive and enhanced sleep monitoring. Get comprehensive insights into your sleep stages and quality, helping you wake up refreshed and optimize your well-being.
- 1500 nits HBM brightness,Glanceable in any light:25% brighter than before, the display achieves a remarkable 1500 nits HBM brightness, making every message readable even in direct sunlight.
The band mirrors notifications delivered by the paired phone; it is not an independent cellular notification device. Whether a progress alert appears may depend on the app generating a compatible notification, phone operating-system behavior, Mi Fitness permissions, Bluetooth and the app’s ability to keep running in the background.
For ordinary app alerts, Xiaomi’s documented setup is Mi Fitness → Device → App notifications, then choose which apps may send notifications. Also grant notification access in the phone’s settings. Xiaomi says the band can wake its screen for incoming notifications, and it can retain up to 20 recent notifications in its history; older items are displaced as new ones arrive. See Xiaomi’s guidance on app notifications, waking the screen and the device FAQ. Waking the display may be more convenient, but it can use more battery.
Rank #2
Paid watch faces: what is and is not confirmed
The report says 1.6.222 added support for paid designs. Xiaomi’s support material says the band comes with seven preset displays and that more than 200 displays can be downloaded through Mi Fitness. The catalogue can change, and Xiaomi’s figure does not mean that every downloadable face is free or available in every market.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Watch faces are managed in Mi Fitness. Xiaomi also supports custom photo faces, with instructions for replacing and managing faces and setting up photo faces. No current universal price list or subscription requirement is established by the cited sources. Paid options, if shown, may depend on the Mi Fitness account region, app version and local store. Do not assume a purchase or catalogue in one region will carry over to another.
Rank #3
- Stunning images, smooth touch: Immerse yourself in brilliant clarity with the large 1.72-inch AMOLED display.Vacuum filling sealing technology enables symmetrical 2.0mm ultra-thin bezels, expanding screen-to-body ratio from 66% to 73%. Enjoy incredibly smooth and seamless interaction with crisp, color-accurate images, right on your wrist.
If a photo face fails to load or sync, Xiaomi recommends updating the band and app, then deleting and redownloading the photo face. Preset faces cannot be deleted; for details, see Xiaomi’s band-display FAQ.
How to check for an update
The 1.6.222 rollout was reported as gradual, so an update may not have appeared for all owners at once. Xiaomi’s documentation confirms that firmware updates require the band to remain connected to Mi Fitness; it does not establish that version 1.6.222 remains available or is the latest firmware in 2026. Menu names can also vary by app version and region.
Rank #4
- Stunning images, smooth touch: Immerse yourself in brilliant clarity with the large 1.72-inch AMOLED display.Vacuum filling sealing technology enables symmetrical 2.0mm ultra-thin bezels, expanding screen-to-body ratio from 66% to 73%. Enjoy incredibly smooth and seamless interaction with crisp, color-accurate images, right on your wrist.
- Charge the band and phone sufficiently before starting.
- Update and open Mi Fitness, turn on Bluetooth, and keep the band near the phone.
- Allow Mi Fitness to run in the background; restrictive battery settings can interrupt its connection.
- In the connected band’s device page, look for the software or firmware update control and follow the app’s prompts if an update is offered.
- Let the band restart and reconnect before checking that it has synchronized.
To check the installed software version, use Settings → About on the band. Xiaomi also lists App → Device → About Device in Mi Fitness as a place to view the software version. Its FAQ is the reference for update and connection details.
If notifications or faces do not work
- No notifications arrive: Confirm Bluetooth is connected, enable the desired apps in Mi Fitness, and grant notification permissions both in Mi Fitness and in the phone’s settings.
- Alerts stop when Mi Fitness is in the background: Permit background activity and remove restrictive battery optimization for Mi Fitness. Some Android phones also offer an option to lock an app in the recent-apps screen.
- Using an iPhone: Check Bluetooth connection and the phone’s notification-sharing permission for the band.
- Alerts are delayed or incomplete: Delivery relies on the phone and app connection. Long messages may need scrolling, and apps differ in what notification content they expose.
- Some reminders are absent: Sleep-related states or other band modes can suppress alerts. A missing progress notification may also mean the app did not create a compatible ongoing notification.
- A face is missing: Check that the band and Mi Fitness are updated and that the face is available to your account region. For a broken photo face, delete and download it again.
The Smart Band 8 uses Mi Fitness, supports Android 6.0 or newer and iOS 12.0 or newer, and does not support pairing through Zepp Life, according to Xiaomi’s compatibility guidance. A phone meeting those minimum requirements still needs the relevant permissions and a working Bluetooth connection.
Best Value
Is the update worth it?
If you already own the band: Install a firmware update offered through Mi Fitness when you are ready, especially if you want its reported fixes or the added customization. But the update cannot overcome phone notification restrictions or make region-limited paid faces appear. Since Xiaomi already documents a sizeable downloadable face catalogue, paying for designs is optional rather than a reason on its own to keep or replace the band.
If you are considering buying one: The update may add useful polish, but it is not evidence of guaranteed long-term software support, and it does not turn the band into a full smartwatch. The Smart Band 8 is a better fit for people who want basic fitness tracking, mirrored phone alerts and a compact wearable. Consider a smartwatch if you need richer apps, message replies, calls or more independent features; consider a newer band if longer support or newer sensors matter. No current price comparison is established here.
Do not confuse the Smart Band 8 with the Mi Band 8 Pro: they are separate products, and a report about one should not be treated as confirmation for the other.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
