How to set up a fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4: a complete guide with pictures and life hacks

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release, due to the balance of price, functionality and reliability. However, many users face problems when first setting up: the device does not connect to the phone, does not display notifications or quickly discharges. In this article, we will break down the step-by-step setting from scratch, including hidden features, battery optimization and solving typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 4 works with two official apps – Mi Fit (obsolete) and Zepp Life (recommended by Xiaomi since 2023), the instructions for both will be different, so we’ll point out the key points for each, as well as how to get around the limitations of iOS, customize dials, and even use a bracelet without a smartphone in “standalone tracker” mode.

If you bought a used device or it was idle for a long time, be sure to check the firmware version - outdated versions can conflict with modern smartphones. At the end of the article, we collected answers to frequent questions, including iPhone compatibility, factory resets and recovery from the brick.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before turning on the bracelet

Before you turn on the Mi Band 4, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ (Zepp Life requires iOS 13+).
• 🔋 Voltage charger 5V/1A (Use the original cable or certified analogue).
• 📲 Free space in the phone's memory (Zepp Life app weighs in) ~150MB, plus cash).
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection (for downloading firmware and synchronizing data).

Pay special attention to charging the bracelet. Mi Band 4 comes discharged - if the indicator does not light up when connected to the device. USB, try:

1. Clean the contacts on the bracelet and charger with an alcohol napkin.
2. Connect to another USB-port (better on the back of the PC or charge from the phone).
3. Hold the cable inserted for 10-15 seconds – sometimes it takes time to initialize.

⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers with higher voltage 5V (This can damage the bracelet battery, reducing its lifespan to 3-6 months.

If the bracelet is not charging anyway, check the integrity of the contacts on the back of the case. A common problem with used devices is oxidation or mechanical damage to the contact sites. ~300-500 rubles in service centers).

Installation and configuration of the application: Mi Fit vs Zepp Life

From 2023, Xiaomi officially recommends using Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit) instead of Mi Fit. However, both apps remain functional.

To install Zepp Life:

1. Download the app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
2. Register an account via email, phone number or Xiaomi/Google/Apple account.
3. Enable in the phone settings permissions for the application: Geolocation, Notifications, Contacts (to identify calls).

If you choose Mi Fit, note that iOS only has version up to 4.6.0 — new updates are not supported. For Android, the latest version (4.7.0) may conflict with the bracelet on old firmware.

Connecting the bracelet to the phone: step-by-step instructions

After installing the application and charging the bracelet to 100% (recommended for the first setup), start pairing:

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone |

Close other applications using Bluetooth (earphones, games)|

Place the bracelet next to the phone (no more than 1 meter)|

Make sure the bracelet has a green light (meaning it’s in search mode)

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In Zepp Life:

1. Open the app and click Profile → Add the device.
2. Choose a bracelet. → Mi Smart Band 4.
3. Click Hide and confirm access to contacts/notifications.
4. Wait for the 4-digit code to appear on the bracelet screen and enter it into the application.

In Mi Fit:

1. Press. + → Bracelet → Mi Band 4.
2. Choose your device from the list of found (the name will be) MI Band 4_XXXX).
3. Confirm the pairing on the phone and bracelet (click on the touch button of the bracelet).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is not located, try: Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (disable/enable in settings). Reset the bracelet to factory settings (press the touch button). 10 Delete the Zepp app cache Life/Mi Fit in the phone settings.

Critical error when connecting to iPhone: if the bracelet permanently disconnects after 5-10 seconds, turn off the function "Low power Bluetooth" in the iOS settings (Point "Bluetooth" → device-info → switch off).

Basic setting: time, notifications and pedometer

After a successful connection, the application will offer to update the bracelet firmware - do not miss this step.The current firmware fixes synchronization errors and adds new features (for example, support). SpO₂ — oxygenation).

Next, set up the main parameters:

• ⏰ Time and Date: Sync automatically, but if it shows the wrong time, check the time zone in your phone settings.
• 🔔 Notifications: Enable Call Notifications and Notifications from Apps. iOS requires additional settings in Settings → Notifications → Zepp Life → Allow notices.
• 👟 Stepper: Set your goal by step (recommended value is 8000-10,000 per day). Calibrate the length of the step to Profile for accuracy. → Bracelet settings → Length of step.
• 💤 Sleep monitoring: Turn on automatic sleep and nap tracking. For accuracy, manually specify the time to go to bed.

Pay special attention to the notification settings. By default, the bracelet vibrates when incoming calls and SMS, But for instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) is required:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Notification settings.
2. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet.
3. On Android, additionally enable Show the contents of notifications in the settings of each messenger.

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To ensure that notifications are displayed correctly on the iPhone, after setting up in Zepp Life, restart the phone.This will reset the Bluetooth cache and prevent long messages from being “trimmed”.

Extended functions: pulse, SpO₂ training

The Mi Band 4 can track your heart rate in real time, but by default, this feature is disabled to save battery life.

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Bracelet settings → Monitoring of heart rate.
2. Select mode: Auto to measure every 30 minutes (average battery consumption); Schedule to adjust intervals (e.g. 8:00 to 22:00); Manual to measure only on request (maximum savings).

For measurement SpO₂ (oxygenation):

1. Update your bracelet firmware to 1.0.9.54 or later.
2. In the application, select Profile → SpO₂ and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. Keep your hand still during the measurement (20–30 seconds).

To start training:

1. Flick the bracelet screen to the Training point (the icon with the running man).
2. Select the activity type and click on the touch button.
3. Once completed, press the button again to save the data.

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For accurate tracking of running or cycling, turn on GPS You can take it with you on your phone. GPS-module, but can use data from the smartphone to build a route.

Castomy dials and hidden functions

One of the key advantages of the Mi Band 4 is the support of custom dials. Zepp Life has more than 100 official options, but you can install third-party through special utilities.

To set the official dial:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Dials.
2. Choose your favorite design and click Install.
3. Confirm the synchronization on the bracelet (it vibrates after successful installation).

To install unofficial dials (e.g. with animation or additional widgets):

• Download the.bin dial file from sites like AmazfitWatchFaces.
• Use Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android) or Tools & Mi Band (iOS) to download.
• Follow the instructions in the synchronization application.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial dials may contain errors that cause the bracelet to freeze. Before installing, check for reviews about a specific design and back up your data in Zepp Life. → Backup).

Among the hidden features of Mi Band 4:

• 🔍 Phone search: Flick the bracelet menu to the phone icon and press the button – the phone will emit an audible signal (even if it is in silent mode).
• 🔋 Power Saving Mode: Disables all functions except time and pedometer. → Battery → Energy conservation.
• 🌙 Night mode: Disables screen backlight from 22:00 to 6:00. Configured in the app.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization: By default, the data is synced every 30 minutes. To save battery, increase the interval to 1-2 hours.

Battery Optimization: How to Extend Your Life to 20 Days

The standard operating time of the Mi Band 4 is 14-20 days, but with active use (constant pulse, notifications), it is reduced to 5-7 days.

Additional advice:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic training detection (if not used) and this feature constantly scans movements, consuming charge.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating or hypothermia of the bracelet (optimal temperature - from 0)° 40°C. Extreme temperatures reduce battery capacity.
• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to 80-90%, not 100%. This extends the life of the lithium polymer battery.

If the battery is discharged faster than 5 days, check:

1. Firmware version (outdated versions may contain errors that consume charge).
2. Battery status in Zepp Life (Profile) → Battery status: If the capacity is below 80%, consider replacing it.
3. Having background apps on the phone that are constantly synced to the bracelet (like Google Fit).

Problem Solving: The bracelet doesn’t synchronize, vibrate, or charge

Even with the right setup, the Mi Band 4 can malfunction, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to solve them:

1.The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone

• 📱 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in settings).
• 🔄 In the Zepp Life app, remove the bracelet (Profile) → Remove the device) and reconnect.
• 📲 On Android, clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Zepp Life → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Update the bracelet firmware and app to the latest version.

2.The bracelet does not vibrate at notifications

• 🔔 Check notification settings in Zepp Life (Profile) → Notification settings).
• 📵 Make sure the phone does not turn on "Do Not Disturb" or "No Sound" mode".
• 🔋 Check the charge level – when the discharge is below 10%, the vibration turns off.
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet settings to factory (press the button 10 seconds).

3. The bracelet is not charged

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port.
• 🧹 Clean the contacts on the bracelet and charger with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔋 Check if the charge indicator is on. If not, maybe the cable or power controller is damaged.
• 🔧 If the bracelet does not respond at all, perform a hardware reset: connect to the charger and press the button for 20 seconds.

4. Incorrect pulse or step readings

• 👕 Make sure the bracelet fits tightly to the wrist (the distance between the sensor and the skin should be no more than 1-2 mm).
• 🏃 Calibrate the pedometer: walk 100 steps, then enter the real number in the Profile → Bracelet settings → Calibration of steps.
• 🩺 For accurate pulse measurement, do not move your hand during measurement.
• 🔄 Update the firmware – in the old versions there were errors in the measurement algorithms.

If none of these methods worked, contact the Xiaomi service center. In 80% of cases, the problems are solved software, but sometimes you need to replace the Bluetooth module or battery (cost from 800 to 1500 rubles).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions