How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 4 after resetting to factory settings: the full guide

Why Mi Band 4 Requires Resetting After Resetting and Where to Start

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to factory settings is a necessary measure when selling a device, fixing software failures or preparing for a new firmware. However, after this procedure, the bracelet becomes a “clean sheet”: all data about steps, sleep, notifications and even binding to the Mi Account are erased. Without the right setup, the device will not be able to sync with the smartphone, display incoming calls or track the pulse.

The main mistake users make is trying to configure the bracelet through the menu on its screen. In fact, all critical parameters (including time, notifications and user profile) are configured exclusively through the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app. Without it, the Mi Band 4 will remain deaf: it will not vibrate when calls, will not save the training history and will not update the firmware. In this article, a step-by-step algorithm for restoring the bracelet’s performance taking into account the nuances of 2026 (including problems with Xiaomi servers and new versions of the software).

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+ with Mi Fit (version 4.6.0 and higher) or Zepp Life installed.
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum 20% battery – otherwise synchronization will be interrupted).
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) for downloading firmware.
• 📝 Login and password from Xiaomi account (if previously tied bracelet).

Step 1: Preparing your smartphone and installing your application

Without the right software on the phone, the Mi Band 4 is not possible to set up. Xiaomi officially supports two apps: Mi Fit (universal for all bracelets) and Zepp Life (more modern, with advanced sleep analytics).

Install the selected application from official sources:

• 🤖 For Android: Mi Fit on Google Play or Zepp Life.
• 🍎 For iOS: Mi Fit in the App Store or Zepp Life.

After installation:

1. Open the app and log in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one if you haven’t used it before).
2. Turn on Bluetooth and allow access to geodata, notifications and fitness data (otherwise, the bracelet will not be able to track activity).
3. Go to Profile → Devices → Add the device.

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If the app doesn't see the bracelet, reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone and repeat the search. On iPhone, sometimes turning off Charge Savings mode helps.

Step 2: Synchronize the bracelet with a smartphone

After resetting, the Mi Band 4 does not appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices - it needs to be "waked up" to connect.

1. On the bracelet, swipe your finger up the screen to unlock it.
2. Go to the Settings menu → Connect the device (smartphone icon).
3. On a smartphone in the Mi app Fit/Zepp Select the Mi Smart Band 4 list.
4. Bring the bracelet to the phone at a distance of less than 10 cm - this will speed up the search.

If the bracelet is not present:

• ⚡ Check that it displays a Bluetooth icon (if not, charge the device).
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet: Press the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
• 📵 Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another phone (in the Settings menu). → Bluetooth bracelet should not have active connections).

Bracelet loaded (>20%)|Bluetooth is on on the phone|Application Mi Fit/Zepp Life updated|The bracelet is not connected to another device-->

Once you've successfully connected, the app will offer to update the firmware. Don't refuse to update, because without the current version of the software, you may not work:

• 📊 Display notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🩺 Monitoring SpO₂ (oxygenation).
• 🏃‍♂️ Recognition of new activities (swimming, cycling).

Step 3: Set up the basic parameters

Once synchronized, the bracelet is ready to go, but most of the functions are disabled by default.

1.Time and date

The bracelet automatically syncs time with the smartphone, but sometimes there are failures (for example, when changing time zones).

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Settings of the device → Time and date.
2. Activate the autosynchronization option.
3. If time is lost, turn off and turn on this option again.

Notifications

By default, the bracelet only vibrates when incoming calls, to turn on alerts from messengers and social networks:

1. In the application, select Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications.
2. Activate the Notification Switch.
3. In the Applications section, tick the necessary services (WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS etc.).
4. Set up the Notification Style: Vibration only or with text displayed on the screen.

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For Android notifications to work correctly, you must allow Mi Fit to access notifications in your system settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications).

Monitoring of activity

Mi Band 4 tracks steps, calories burned and activity times, but you have to calibrate that data.

• 👟 Indicate your height, weight and gender in your application profile (Profile) → Personal information).
• 📏 In the section Device settings → Select a stepmer to wear on the hand (left or right) – this affects the accuracy of the calculation of steps.
• 🏃‍♂️ Enable Activity Auto-Detection to Recognize Walking, Running, and Cycling.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet overstates the number of steps (for example, counts hand movements per walk), calibrate it. To do this, take exactly 50 steps, then select Device Settings in the app. → Stepper → Calibration and follow the instructions.

Step 4: Personalize the screen and interface

Mi Band 4 supports interchangeable dials, brightness settings and menu display order to adapt the bracelet to suit itself:

Installation of dials

The standard dials in the bracelet are limited to 5 options, but you can download additional ones through the application.

1. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Dials.
2. Select a category (e.g. Sports, Minimalism).
3. Click on your favorite dial and confirm the installation.

The dials that are downloaded take up the memory of the bracelet, and if there are too many, the device can slow down, and the optimal number is 3-5 pieces.

2. Brightness and locking adjustment

The Mi Band 4 screen AMOLED, So at maximum brightness, the battery goes down quickly:

• 🔦 Brightness: 2-3 divisions out of 5 (enough for the street, but saves charge).
• 🔒 Autolock: 5-10 seconds (in Settings) → Screen).
• 🌙 Night mode: activate in Settings → Display for automatic dimming of the screen from 22:00 to 7:00.

3. Order of the menu

By default, the bracelet menu displays: Status, Steps, Pulse, Training, etc. You can rearrange items or hide unnecessary ones:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Settings of the device → Order of the menu.
2. Press the menu item icon and drag it to the right place.
3. Uncheck unnecessary options (for example, weather if you do not use it).

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To quickly open the desired section on the bracelet, add it to Favorites. To do this, in the bracelet menu, hold your finger at point 2 seconds until the asterisk appears.

Step 5: Adjusting Health Functions

Mi Band 4 can track heart rate, sleep quality and blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), But these functions require a separate activation, and without them, the bracelet would work like a pedometer.

1. Heart rate monitoring

By default, the pulse is measured every 30 minutes, but you can adjust more frequent measurements or turn on high/low pulse notifications:

1. Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Monitoring of heart rate.
2. Select a mode: 🩺 Auto - Measurements every 30 minutes. 📊 Manual - only upon request from the bracelet. ⚠️ Warnings - alerts when the pulse is out of normal (configured in Settings) → Heart rate warnings).

2. Sleep tracking

The bracelet automatically recognizes the phases of sleep (deep, light, REM), but:

• 🛏️ Specify the time of going to bed in the profile → Son → Sleep schedule.
• 📵 Activate Do not disturb on the bracelet before bedtime (Menu More) → Don't disturb).
• 📊 Check the next day’s reports in the app for sleep quality and recommendations.

3.Measurement SpO₂ (oxygenation)

The feature is only available in the latest firmware versions, to enable it:

1. Update the bracelet firmware (see Step 2).
2. In the bracelet menu, select More → SpO₂.
3. Press Start and do not move your hand for 1-2 minutes.

Normal levels are 95-100%. If the values are below 90%, see your doctor.

⚠️ Warning: Mi Band 4 measurements are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. SpO₂ Use a pulse oximeter.

Step 6: Optimizing battery consumption

When used actively, the Mi Band 4 holds a charge of 7-10 days, but incorrect settings can reduce this time to 2-3 days.

• 🔋 Frequent pulse measurements (every 5-10 minutes).
• 📱 Constant synchronization of notifications.
• 🌡️ Active monitoring of sleep and SpO₂.
• 🔦 Maximum brightness of the screen.

Recommended settings for savings:

Additional advice:

• 🔌 Charge the bracelet to 100% and do not keep it on charging for more than 2 hours – this will prolong the battery life.
• 📴 Turn off the Hand Raising to activate the screen (in Settings) → Screens, if they often work by accident.
• 🔄 Once a month, reload the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button) to reset the cache.

Step 7: Solving Common Problems

Even after you set up the Mi Band 4 correctly, it can malfunction. Here are the typical problems and solutions:

1.The bracelet is not synchronized

Causes and means of elimination:

• 📵 Bluetooth is disabled: check the settings of the smartphone.
• 🔋 Low Bracelet Charge: Charge to 30% and Up.
• 📱 Conflict with another device: Remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth list on all previously connected phones.
• 🔄 App crash: Reinstall Mi Fit or Zepp Life.

2. no notifications are coming.

Checklist for diagnosis:

1. Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications → Insert notifications.
2. On your smartphone: Allow Mi Fit to access notifications (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications).
3. For Android: In the battery settings, turn off optimization for Mi Fit.
4. For iOS: in Settings → Notifications → Mi Fit activate Allow notifications and sounds.

3. Miscalculating steps

If the bracelet overstates or understates the data:

• 👟 Recalibrate the pedometer (see Step 3).
• 📏 Check that the profile shows the correct height and length of the step.
• 🚶 Wear the bracelet on the non-dominant hand (for right-handed - left, for left-handed - right-handed).

4. The bracelet doesn't vibrate.

Possible causes:

• 🔕 Do not disturb on (check the bracelet menu).
• 🔊 Notifications for a specific type of alerts are disabled in the application.
• 🔧 Firmware failure: update the bracelet.

⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations the bracelet does not turn on or does not respond to touch, perform a hard reset: connect it to charging, then hold the button for 20 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Mi Band 4