How to set up the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 watch: step-by-step instructions

Modern fitness trackers have become an integral part of the smart home ecosystem, and Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is at the forefront of this, thanks to its optimal price-to-function ratio. Proper initial configuration is critical to the stable operation of all sensors and the correct display of notifications in Russian. Many users face difficulties in their first attempt at synchronization, especially if the gadget is purchased in China.

The activation process requires attention to detail, such as choosing the right app and firmware version. Mistakes at the initial stage can lead to the bracelet not transmitting data about your pulse or steps to the cloud. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to turn your tracker into a full-fledged digital assistant.

It's worth noting that the software is updated regularly, adding new dials and improving the motion recognition algorithms, so it's important not just to plug it in, but to adjust it in a timely manner. Let's start looking at all the steps of the setup in detail.

Preparation for first on and charging

Before you try to connect the tracker to your smartphone, you need to make sure that the device battery has enough charge. Often new gadgets are stored in warehouses for a long time, and the energy level in them can be critically low. Connect the capsule to the charger, which usually comes with a charger, and wait for the battery icon to appear on the screen.

Note that the contacts on the back of the capsule should be clean and dry. If you notice oxidation or contamination, gently wipe them with a soft cloth. Charging should last at least 30-40 minutes before first turning on, even if the indicator caught fire immediately.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use quick charge power supplies from smartphones (Quick Charge), as high voltage can damage the power controller of the bracelet. USB-port of the computer or block of 1A.

Once the device is turned on, the screen should appear QR-It's a signal that the hardware is good and ready to be programmed. If the screen doesn't light up, try to gently remove the capsule from the strap and wipe the contacts again.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application

The main tool for managing the tracker is the Mi Fit app (or its newer version of Zepp Life), which should be downloaded exclusively from official Google Play or App Stores to avoid malicious code.

When you register, it's important to have the right data, height, weight, and date of birth, which algorithms use to calculate calorie expenditure and stride length, and if you type in the wrong data, the exercise statistics will be incorrect, which will reduce the efficiency of the gadget.

πŸ“Š What app do you use for Mi Band?
Mi Fit (Zepp Life)
Mi Fitness
Notify for Mi Band
Other

When you first run the app, you'll ask for permissions to access geolocation and Bluetooth. Without GPS on your phone, it can take much longer or not to find the device at all. Make sure that the smartphone settings for the app have access to the location in the background.

Interconnection of the bracelet with a smartphone

The pairing process in the Mi Band 4 differs from previous models by the lack of a physical button. All control is through the touch screen and the application. Open the Profile tab in the bottom menu and click Add Device. Select from the list of "Mi Band 4".

When the app starts searching, the tracker will have a vibration signal on its screen and you'll be asked to confirm the pairing by touching, you'll need to quickly tap the touch area to activate the connection, and if you don't have time, you'll have to start the process again.

  • πŸ“± Make sure Bluetooth on your smartphone is on and visible for other devices.
  • πŸ”‹ Check that the bracelet is charged at least 20% for stable data transfer.
  • πŸ“Ά Be less than 1 meter away from your phone during the setup.

Sometimes the system may offer to update the firmware immediately after you connect. It is strongly recommended to agree to the update, since it is in new versions of firmware that support for the Russian language interface appears. The process can take several minutes, while holding the phone next to the bracelet.

Language and regional settings

One of the main features of the global version of the Mi Band 4 is support for many languages, including Russian. If the interface is left in English or Chinese, check the settings in the application. Go to the device profile and find the item "Language" or "Language".

In the list of available options, select "Russian" or "Russian". The tracker interface should reboot and display the menu in the selected language. If the desired language is not in the list, this means that the firmware version is outdated or is Chinese (CN Version).

How to distinguish the Chinese version from the Chinese version?
The global version is labeled β€œGlobal” on the package and supports many languages out of the box.The Chinese version often requires flashing through third-party utilities to get Russian, which can be risky.

Besides the menu language, it's important to set up a time zone, which is usually pulled up automatically from a smartphone, but when traveling to other time zones, you may need to manually adjust, which affects the time of alarm clocks and the display of time on the screen.

ParameterGlobal versionChinese versionRegional version (RF)
LanguageMultilingualChinese, EnglishRussian, English
NotificationsCyrillic maintainedOnly Latin (sometimes)Cyrillic maintained
NFC frequencyDepends on the region.CN standardRU standard
GuaranteeInternationalOnly in China.In the country of purchase

Configuration of notifications and calls

Notifications are what users love about smart wristbands, and Mi Fit allows you to choose which apps you want to receive messages from, which can be calls, SMS, messaging, or social media.

For this feature to work properly, you need to provide the application with advanced permissions. In Android, this often requires enabling access to Notifications in the system settings and adding Mi Fit to the battery exceptions (so that the system does not β€œkill” the process).

β˜‘οΈ Access rights verification

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You can also set time intervals when the bracelet will not vibrate when incoming calls, which is especially convenient for setting up night mode so that the glowing screen and vibration do not wake you up in the middle of the night.

⚠️ Warning: If notifications are late or not coming at all, check if the phone is running a power saving mode.

Sensor calibration and health monitoring

The pedometer and pulsemeter require a first calibration to work precisely, and walk a known distance (e.g., 100 meters) with GPS on your phone and running tracking in the app, which will help the algorithms understand your step length.

Sleep and heart rate monitoring works automatically, but you can adjust your heart rate, like every 10 minutes or only during exercise, and more frequent measurements increase battery consumption, but give you more detailed statistics.

πŸ’‘

For maximum accuracy GPS-Tracking while jogging, wait for the satellites to appear on the smartphone screen before the start, even if the bracelet has already started recording.

In the health section, you can also set goals by step and motion reminders, and if you're sedentary, the bracelet will vibrate gently to remind you to stretch, and these settings are individual and depend on your fitness level.

Personalization of dials and interface

The visual component of the Mi Band 4 allows you to change the dials (watch faces), there are many free and paid options available in the app store, you can choose from a classic analog style, digital with seconds or minimalist design.

Some dials allow you to display additional information, such as current weather, moon phase or step progress, making the interface more informative and useful in everyday life.

πŸ’‘

Changing the dial is the easiest way to change the way you see the device, and update them regularly so that the interface doesn't get squat.

You can also change the order of the cards (menu) in the settings, you can remove unnecessary features like Weather or Breathing if you don't use them, and highlight Pulse or Sport, and you can swipe up and down, and you can swipe left and right.

Solution and resetting of settings

In the process of operation, there can be situations when the bracelet stops responding or loses communication. The first step should always be to restart the device through the settings menu or by connecting to a charger, often solving 90% of software errors.

If the problem persists, you can perform a full reset. In the bracelet menu, find Reset or More -> Unbind. After that, the device will return to the factory settings, and it can be re-tied as new.

  • πŸ”„ If the bracelet is getting stuck, plug it into the charger - this often causes a reboot.
  • πŸ“‘ If you have Bluetooth issues, remove the device from the list of conjugated devices in your phone settings.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Complete deletion of the account from the application is required only in extreme cases.

Remember that the Mi Band 4 hardware has no hot water and steam protection, so remove the tracker before going to the sauna or hot shower to avoid condensation inside the case, which can knock out the electronics.

Why can't the bracelet see the pedometer?
Check the strap density, if the sensor on the back doesn't touch the skin, it won't be able to read your movements and heart rate correctly, and make sure that the app has activity tracking enabled.
Can I swim with the Mi Band 4?
Yes, the device is marked 5 ATM, which means protection against immersion to a depth of 50 meters, but it is not recommended to press the buttons (touching) under water and swim in hot water or salty sea water without rinsing fresh water.
How to increase the brightness of the screen?
From the bracelet menu, go to More -> Screen -> Brightness, and you can set the backlight timeout and turn on the wrist lift to activate the screen. There is no automatic brightness adjustment in this model.
How much does the Mi Band 4 battery hold?
In standard use (notifications are included, pulse once in a while) 10 minutes, wrist lift active) battery capacity 135 mAh holds the charge around 14-20 days, with active use GPS Continuous monitoring of the work time is reduced to 7-9 days.