ESPHome on the Cheap Yellow Display: Ultimate Step Tracker (Part 1)

Published at : 23 Dec 2025

ESPHome on the Cheap Yellow Display: Ultimate Step Tracker (Part 1)
Want to build your own daily step counter using just your phone, smartwatch, and a cheap ESP32 display? In Part 1, we walk through everything from getting step data out of your mobile device to flashing the ESPHome display and showing your real-time steps — including a clever workaround for the “steps since reboot” problem.

👉 Part 2 – 3D Printing & Assembly:
https://youtu.be/-Jx554oW4lc

#lazytechgeek #homeassistant #smarthome #esp32 #esphome #cheapyellowdisplay

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
00:58 – Enable Step Sensor from Mobile Phone
02:24 – Enable Step Sensor from Smartwatch
03:43 – Adjusting Sensor Update Frequency
06:28 – Workaround for “Steps Since Last Reboot”
07:34 – Workaround Continued: Create Input Number
10:18 – Workaround Continued: Create Template Sensor
12:12 – Workaround Continued: Create Automation
13:14 – Finding Your Step Sensor's Entity ID
13:14 – Download & Add Custom Font
14:25 – Create the Device in ESPHome
21:20 – Flash the ESP32 Device
25:21 – Post-Flash Check: Step Count, Display Brightness & LEDs
29:17 – Add Step Count & Buttons to Dashboard
32:11 – Outro

📦 Downloadable Files

🖨️ STL Files on Thingiverse:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7041744

Printable Step Monitor Cover Template:
A4:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/Step_Monitor_Cover_Template_A4.pdf

Letter:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/Step_Monitor_Cover_Template_Letter.pdf

Font:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/PixeloidSans.ttf

Main ESPHome YAML:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/esphome_step_monitor.yaml

Step Count Workaround Code:
Input Numbers:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/input_number_steps_at_midnight.yaml

https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/input_number_steps_at_midnight_split.yaml

Template Sensor:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/template_mobile_daily_steps_sensor.yaml

https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/template_mobile_daily_steps_sensor_split.yaml

Automation:
https://github.com/LazyTechGeek/ESPHome-Lazy-Step-Monitor/blob/main/automation_step_count_at_midnight.yaml

🎵 MUSIC USED IN THIS VIDEO
Intro Track: Powerful Action Rock Trailer
🎤 Artist: RocknStock
🎧 Source: Pixabay
🔗 Link: https://pixabay.com/users/rocknstock-28545072/

💬 Got questions or stuck on a step?
Leave a comment below or join the Lazy Tech Geek Discord for help!
🔗 https://discord.gg/jEaremqDJd

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