The first turn on wearable electronics often seems like a simple process that can take only a couple of minutes, but owners of Xiaomi gadgets often face unexpected difficulties at the start. Activating the device requires not just pressing a button, but also the right sequence of actions, pairing with the application and adjusting the system parameters of the smartphone. If you miss at least one step, the bracelet may not be determined by the system or work incorrectly, giving synchronization errors.
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness trackers due to its functionality and affordable price, but its software has its own features. Unlike earlier versions, the fourth generation requires the use of an official application to initial setup and register the device in the user account.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step needed to successfully launch your tracker, learn how to prepare your smartphone, install the right software, pair with Bluetooth, and what to do if a standard procedure fails. It is important to read each item carefully, as small details, such as the version of the phone's operating system or the availability of access rights, can be a decisive factor.
Preparation of the smartphone and installation of the application
Before removing the tracker from the package, you need to prepare the software environment on your mobile device. The main management tool is the Mi Fit application (or its newer version, Mi Fitness, depending on the region and firmware version), which acts as a bridge between the bracelet and Xiaomi cloud services. Without this software, activation is impossible, since it is through this that the initial identification of the device occurs.
Download the installation file should be exclusively from official sources to avoid malicious code or non-working modifications. For Android users, this is the Google Play store, and for iOS owners, the App Store. Once you install the application, you will need to create a Mi Account account or log into an existing one by specifying a phone number or email. This is a prerequisite, without which the login to the program interface will be blocked.
⚠️ Note: When registering for an account, be sure to choose the right region. If you are in Russia or CIS countries, the region must be set to “Russia” or the corresponding country in the application settings, otherwise the servers may not find your device when searching for your device.
In parallel with the installation of the software, you should check the Bluetooth settings on the smartphone. The wireless module should be activated, and the list of available devices should not contain old records of previous attempts to connect the same bracelet. If you previously tried to connect the tracker and the process was interrupted, you need to go to the Bluetooth settings of the phone, find a device called Mi Band 4 and select the option “Forget the device” or “Untie” to clear the cache of connections.
Primary on and charging of the device
New Xiaomi Mi Band 4 devices often come with a partially discharged battery to save its life during long-term storage in stock. So the first physical action after removing the capsule from the strap should be to install it in the charger. Even if the screen catches fire immediately, it is recommended to leave the tracker on charge for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure a stable level of energy for the initial setup process.
The charging process is simple: remove the tracker from the silicone belt, insert it into a special charger connector so that the metal contacts match, and connect it. USB-The battery animation and the current percentage of charge should appear on the screen. The contacts on the back of the capsule and on the charger should be clean; if the device does not respond, wipe them with dry soft cloth.
Once the device signals a charge, you can proceed to the activation step. In most cases, the Mi Band 4 activates automatically when you connect to a charge or the first touch of the touchpad. If the screen remains black, try briefly pressing the touch area or shaking the wrist if the wrist lifting function is already active by default. In rare cases, you need to pinch the touchpad for 3-5 seconds to force it to turn on.
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If the bracelet does not respond to charging for more than 30 minutes, try using another bracelet. USB-port or cable, as the current of 0.1A may not be sufficient to "pump" a deeply discharged battery.
The process of pairing through the Mi Fit application
The main activation step takes place directly in the Mi Fit application interface. After authorization in the account, you need to go to the Profile tab (usually the lower right icon) and select the Add Device option. In the opened list of gadgets, you should find and click on the Mi Band 4 image. The application will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation - both permissions are required for correct operation.
Then you start scanning the surrounding space, and you have to hold the bracelet as close to your smartphone as you can, literally putting them together, and you can have a vibration on your tracker screen and a Bluetooth icon that signals you to search. If you have a confirmation pop-up on your screen, make sure that the numbers on your phone and the bracelet match, and you can confirm the action.
☑️ Checklist of successful pairing
When you connect, the app can suggest you update the tracker firmware. The update is a critical step, because the factory version of the software may contain bugs that prevent stable operation. Do not interrupt the upgrade process and keep the smartphone screen on until the progress bar reaches 100%. After a successful update, the device will restart, and you will see a welcome screen with a suggestion to configure the dial.
| Parameter | Requirement/Significance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | Android 4.4 and higher | Recommended Android 7.0+ |
| iOS version | iOS 10.0 and higher | For iPhone 5s and newer |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 BLE | There must be a BLE. |
| Screen resolution | 120 x 240 pixels | AMOLED display |
| Sensors. | PPG, Accelerometer | 3-axis gyroscope |
Setting up a user profile and parameters
Once paired successfully, the system will suggest that you fill out a user questionnaire, which is necessary to correctly calculate calories, steps and analyze sleep phases, enter your exact weight, height, date of birth and gender. Mistakes at this stage can lead to incorrect training statistics and step goals not matching your physical abilities.
You can then set up notifications. You can select which smartphone notifications will be duplicated on the wristband screen. You can activate the display of calls, SMS, messaging (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) and calendar events. You can set the vibration for each type of notification or leave it off so that Mi Band 4 doesn’t bother you at the wrong time.
⚠️ Note: For notifications to work in Android, you need to give the Mi Fit app constant access to notifications and allow work in the background. If the system “kills” the application process, new messages will stop coming to the bracelet until the next program opens.
Also at this stage, it is recommended to set activity targets. By default, the system sets a goal of 10,000 steps, but you can change this value depending on your lifestyle. In addition, you should activate the function "Raise the wrist to turn on the screen", which allows you to see the time and notifications with a simple rotation of the hand, which greatly improves the usability of the gadget in everyday life.
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Solution: if the bracelet is not activated
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter situations where activation is not successful.One of the most common problems is the message "Device not found" during the scan. In this case, make sure that the bracelet is not tied to another Mi Account. If the device has been previously used, the previous owner must untie it in his application, otherwise the new user will not be able to activate it.
Another common mistake is when updating the firmware, if the process is suspended or interrupted, the bracelet may go into recovery mode or stop reacting, in which case you need to put the bracelet on charging, wait for the logo to appear and try to repeat the pairing procedure, if this does not help, you will need a complete reset to the factory settings through the menu of the tracker itself (paragraph “Reset” or “Factory Reset”).
Connection problems can also be caused by a crowded list of Bluetooth devices in your smartphone. Clear the list of paired devices by removing all old and unnecessary gadgets. It is also worth checking whether the antivirus or built-in energy saving system blocks the Mi Fit application. The “No Limits” mode should be selected in the smartphone battery settings for Mi Fit.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to flash the bracelet with third-party utilities during activation unless you are an experienced user.This can lead to locking the bootloader and turning the device into a brick».
Additional Opportunities and Customization
Once activation is complete, you have a lot of customization options. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 supports third-party dials that can be downloaded through the app. You can choose an analog style, a digital watch with a stopwatch or a minimalist design, changing them at least every day depending on mood or clothing.
The important function is to monitor health, and the bracelet can automatically track the pulse in the background, analyze sleep quality (REM-Phase, deep sleep, and even measure stress levels (PAI). To activate these functions, you need to wear the device constantly and allow background data collection, and there is also a function of inactivity reminder, which vibrates if you sit still for a long time.
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Full activation is completed only after setting up all use cases and checking the operation of all sensors in real conditions.
Also, keep in mind data security, because you can set a pin to unlock your bracelet when you remove it from your hand so that outsiders can't access your statistics, and that regular cloud-based synchronization will keep your history of achievement even if your device is lost or broken.