Xiaomi Mi Band 4: Detailed Guide to Setup and Use

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release — and for good reason. This compact gadget can track sleep, pulse, steps, smartphone notifications, and even control music. But to unlock the full potential of the device, you need to set it up properly and understand the nuances of the work.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for connecting the Mi Band 4 to your phone, a breakdown of all the main functions (including hidden ones), tips for increasing battery life and solving typical problems. We have taken into account all the current firmware updates for 2026 - so the information will be useful for both beginners and experienced users who want to learn something new about their bracelet.

1. Connection Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to the smartphone: step-by-step instructions

The first thing to do after buying is to sync the bracelet to your phone, which requires the official Mi Fit app (or its Zepp Life alternative for new firmware versions), and it's important: the bracelet supports Bluetooth 4.2, so make sure your smartphone is compatible.

Download the app from Google Play or the App Store, register (you can use Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple ID) and follow the instructions:

• 📱 Open Mi Fit and click "Add Device" (Profile) → Add device).
• 🔍 Choose from the list of Mi Smart Band 4 (Not to be confused with Mi Band 5/6/7!).
• 🔄 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait until the bracelet appears in the list of available devices.
• 🔗 Click on the name of the bracelet in the application - synchronization will begin.
• ✅ After successful connection, a notification will appear “Device added».

If the bracelet is not present, try:

1. Reboot the Mi Band 4 (press the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears).
2. Make sure that the phone is enabled geolocation service (sometimes required for initial setup).
3. Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version.

2. Basic functions and management of the bracelet

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is controlled through a touch button (the only physical key under the screen) and gestures.

• 🔙 Back: Swipe to the right on the main screen.
• 📄 Scroll the menu: swipe up/down.
• 🏠 Return to the main screen: press the touch button once.
• 🔄 Reboot: Hold the 10 button+ seconds.

The main screen displays the time, date, battery charge, weather (if synchronized) and steps. To open the feature menu, swipe up:

Important: for the pulse meter to work properly, the bracelet must fit tightly to the wrist (1-2 fingers above the bone), a weak fit leads to false indicators.

Sync with Mi Fit| Set target by steps | Set up automatic sleep tracking |Enable notifications for important applications |Update firmware (if available)

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3. Hidden functions you didn't know about

In addition to the standard features, the Mi Band 4 hides a few useful features:

• 🎵 Music Management: Swipe left on the home screen → You can pause, you can switch tracks (works with Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music).
• 🔍 Phone search: the bracelet menu has a “Find phone” function – the bracelet will make the phone emit a loud signal (even if it is in silent mode).
• 🚫 Do Not Disturb: Disables all notifications for a given time (useful in meetings or while sleeping) Activated via Mi Fit → Mi Band 4 → Don't disturb.
• 🔋 Saving charge: if you turn off the constant pulse and auto-light, the bracelet will work up to 20 days instead of the standard 10-14.

Another little-known feature is changing the dial, with over 50 free themes (including analog watches, minimalist designs, and even character themes from games) available on Mi Fit to install:

1. Open Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Band 4 → Display
2. Select your favorite dial and press Sync.
3. Wait for the update on the bracelet (can take up to 1 minute).

4. Set up notifications and synchronize with applications

By default, Mi Band 4 shows notifications only about calls and SMS. To add alerts from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) or social networks:

1. Open Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Band 4 → Notifications
2. Activate the “Application Notifications” switch.
3. Select the desired applications from the list (maximum 10).
4. Set up the alert style: 📳 Vibration only (by default). 🔊 Vibration. + sound (if the bracelet is connected to the headphones). 📵 Disable for individual applications.

If notifications do not arrive:

• Check if alerts are allowed for Mi Fit in your phone settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Notifications).
• Make sure that Bluetooth does not turn off in the background (on Android: Settings → Bluetooth → Additional → Allow background work).
• Reconnect the bracelet (forget the device in Mi Fit and sync again).

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If the bracelet vibrates too weakly, check the density of the arm. You can also increase the vibration intensity in Mi Fit → Mi Band 4 → Screen settings → Vibration (not available in all firmware).

5. Health monitoring: pulse, sleep and activity

The Mi Band 4 is equipped with an optical pulse sensor, PPG, which measures heart rate with an accuracy of ±5%.

• 🩺 Wear a bracelet 2-3 fingers above the wrist bone.
• 🚫 Avoid movement during measurement (better sit or stand still).
• ☀️ Bright sunlight and wrist tattoos can distort data.

Automatic sleep monitoring only works when you wear a bracelet.

• 💤 Deep sleep (recovery of the body).
• 😴 Light sleep (frequent awakenings).
• 👁️ REM-sleep).
• ⏰ Wake up (if you get up at night).

To improve accuracy:

⚠️ Note: if you sleep less than 4 hours, the bracelet may not register your sleep as "full sleep.

Activity tracking includes:

• 🏃‍♂️ Steps (taking into account the length of the step, which can be adjusted in Mi Fit) → Profile → Physical data).
• 🚶 Distance traveled (calculated automatically).
• 🔥 Calories burned (based on weight, height and activity level).

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For accurate calorie counting, make sure to include your real weight, height and date of birth in Mi Fit, and without that data, the error can be as high as 30%.

6 Problems and their solutions: the bracelet does not synchronize, does not vibrate, discharges quickly

Even the reliable Mi Band 4 sometimes fails, and let's look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:

If the bracelet doesn't vibrate:

1. Check if the "Do Not Disturb" mode is activated.
2. Make sure the vibration is not turned off in the settings (Mi Fit → Mi Band 4 → Screen settings).
3. Restart the device (hold the 10 seconds button).

If the Mi Band 4 is not charged:

• 🔌 Check the cable and adapter (use the original magnetic connector cable).
• 🧹 Clean the bracelet contacts from dust/sweat with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is dead and does not respond to charging, leave it connected to the network for 30 to 60 minutes».

7. Comparison with new models: should we update?

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 was released in 2019, but still remains relevant due to the balance of price and functionality, but new models (Mi Band 7, Mi Band 8) offer additional features:

It is worth updating if you need:

• 📊 More detailed health analytics (such as stress levels or breathing exercises).
• 🏊‍♂️ Swimming Tracking (Mi Band 4 has no water resistance for swimming pools).
• 🎨 Greater selection of dials and animations.

If you’re comfortable with basic activity tracking, notifications, and sleep monitoring, the Mi Band 4 is still a great choice, especially when it comes to price.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 4