Xiaomi Mi Band 4 setup: from connectivity to hidden features

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release. Its combination of price, functionality and reliability makes the device relevant for beginners and experienced users. However, many people face difficulties in the first setup: the app does not see the bracelet, notifications do not come, steps are considered incorrect. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of settings, from basic connection to subtle parameters like night mode or hydration reminders.

It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 4 runs through the official Mi Fit or Zepp Life apps (formerly Amazfit) and their interfaces are different. We’ll look at both options, and we’ll also bypass common bugs, such as when the bracelet isn’t detected on an iPhone after the iOS 17+ update. If you bought a used device, a separate section will help you reset it to factory settings without losing functionality.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting

Before you start synchronization, make sure that three key conditions are met:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+. Older versions of the OS may not support the latest version of Mi Fit.
• 🔋 The bracelet is at least 20% charged. At low charge, the Mi Band 4 can turn off during setup.
• 📲 The official app is Mi Fit (for basic functionality) or Zepp Life (for advanced sleep and exercise metrics).

Special attention to iPhone owners: Settings → Bluetooth requires manually allowing connection to Mi Band 4. Automatic pairing via Mi Fit often works incorrectly. Also check that Settings → Privacy → Geolocation Services for the application is set to “Always” – otherwise the pedometer will work with errors.

If you're upgrading your Mi Band 3 firmware, consider that the Mi Band 4 uses a different type of charging cable (USB-Type A instead of microUSB). Adapters from older models won't work! Also, there's no power supply - only cable, so you'll have to charge from a computer or charge a smartphone.

How to connect Mi Band 4 to your phone

The synchronization process takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow a clear algorithm, and we'll go through both of these options, Mi Fit and Zepp Life, because they offer different set of functions.

Method 1: Connect via Mi Fit (Basic)

1. Install the Mi Fit app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in via your Xiaomi/Google/Apple ID account.
3. Click "Add device" → "Breasure" → "Mi Smart Band 4".
4. Allow access to notifications, geolocation and Bluetooth (required!).
5. On the bracelet, press the touch button before vibration appears - this is a signal of readiness for pairing.
6. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (a tick will appear on the bracelet screen).

Method 2: Connect via Zepp Life (Extended)

Zepp Life offers more detailed sleep and workout analytics, but may conflict with Mi Fit.If both apps are installed, turn off autosynchronization in one.

Remove Mi Band 4 from Mi Fit (if you have previously connected)|

Open Zepp Life and select Add Device |

Select "Mi Smart Band 4" from the list|

Allow all requests for access to data |

Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds)-->

Once successfully connected, Zepp Life will have a Status tab with charge, step and pulse data, and you can set up automatic recognition for workouts (running, walking, swimming) and activity goals.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is not detected, try resetting it (press the button 20 seconds before vibration) and reconnect. VPN — It can block the connection to Xiaomi servers.

Set up notifications: calls, SMS and messengers

One of the main features of the Mi Band 4 is to alert you to incoming calls and messages, but only basic notifications are enabled by default to customize them to your needs:

1. Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life.
2. Go to "Device Profile" → "Notifications".
3. Turn on the "Incoming Calls" and "Messages" switch.
4. In the "Applications" section, select messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.), notifications from which you want to see.
5. Set up “Inactivity Time” – how many minutes after the last action on the phone, notifications will be duplicated on the bracelet.

Important nuance: on Android, for the correct operation of notifications, you need to disable battery optimization for Mi Fit/Zepp Life. You can do this in your phone settings. → Annexes → Mi Fit → Battery → No restrictions.

On iPhone, notifications may be delayed due to iOS restrictions. To reduce lag, in iPhone → Bluetooth Settings, find Mi Band 4 and enable the option to “Share System Notifications.”

💡

If notifications are duplicated (come to both the phone and the bracelet), turn them off in the settings of the messenger itself. For example, in Telegram: Settings → Notifications → Disable on the clock.

Screen personalization: dials, brightness and lock

Mi Band 4 supports interchangeable dials, but their installation has nuances. Mi Fit only has 5-6 standard options, while Zepp Life has more than 50, including animated ones.

1. Open the application and go to "Device Profile" → "Display".
2. Select your favorite dial and click "Install".
3. Wait 10-15 seconds – the bracelet vibrates after a successful change.

To install custom dials (for example, from AliExpress or specialized sites) you will need:

1. Download the dial file in.bin format.
2. Use the Notify & Fitness app (Android only).
3. Manually upload the file via "Dial Management".

⚠️ Attention: Insufficient installation of custom dials can cause the bracelet firmware to fail. Before experimenting, back up your data in Mi Fit ("Profile") → Backup").

You can also use the screen settings:

• 🌓 Adjust brightness (5 levels) and lighting time (5-15 seconds).
• 🔒 Turn on screen lock (protection against accidental taps during sleep or exercise).
• 🔄 Set up a screen autoturn (useful for left-handed people).

Firmware Update: How to Check and Install the Latest Version

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new dials, and improve sensor accuracy, and you need to check the relevance of the software every 2-3 months.

Method 1: Automatic update via application

1. Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life.
2. Go to "Device Profile" → "Firmware Update".
3. If a new version is available, click "Update".
4. Wait until the bracelet is completed (reboot automatically).

Method 2: Manual installation of firmware (for experienced)

If the automatic update does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can install the firmware manually:

1. Download the latest firmware version for Mi Band 4 from the official source (.fw file).
2. Place the file in the root folder of the phone.
3. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Update → Manual Update and select the downloaded file.

The current firmware version for the Mi Band 4 (June 2026): 1.0.9.54.It fixes errors with the calculation of steps when swimming and adds notification support for Viber.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process! If the bracelet has been getting stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes, reset (press the button for 30 seconds). If this does not help, contact Xiaomi with the bracelet model (XMSH08HM global version).

Mi Band 4: what does the bracelet, but not everyone knows

In addition to standard features like pedometer and pulsemeter, Mi Band 4 hides a few useful features:

• 🎵 Music control: you can switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the bracelet (works with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music). → Music.
• 🔦 Flashlight: Double-pressing the screen in the dark turns on the backlight (only works at a sufficient charge level).
• 💧 Water reminder: bracelet vibrates every 2 hours, reminiscent of drinking a glass of water. tweaks in Zepp Life → Reminders.
• 😴 Smart alarm clock: analyzes the phase of sleep and wakes at the optimal time 30 minutes before the set time.
• 🏊 Swimming mode: automatically determines the style (brass, crawl) and counts the circles in the pool.

Another little-known feature is the weather forecast on the dial, and Mi Fit uses this to:

1. Enable geolocation for the application.
2. In the bracelet settings, activate the "Weather" option.
3. Select a dial with widget support (e.g., "Info Max").

For Android users, the Quick Answers feature is available, and you can configure up to 5 template responses (such as “I’ll answer later” or “I’m on my way”) that will be sent directly from the bracelet.

💡

The Mi Band 4 can automatically recognize 6 activities: walking, running, cycling, swimming, elliptical trainer and rowing. To accurately count calories before training, enter your weight in the application profile.

Resetting settings and solving typical problems

If the bracelet starts to glitches (not synchronizes, does not count steps, constantly reboots), resetting to factory settings will help.

1. Software reset (via app): Open Mi Fit → Device Profile → Untie device. Confirm action and wait for the bracelet to vibrate.
2. Hardware reset (if the bracelet does not respond): Charge the device at least 50%. Press the touch button for 20-30 seconds until double vibration. After rebooting, reconnect the bracelet.

Common problems and their solutions:

If the bracelet does not turn on after reset (the screen remains black), try:

1. Put it on charge for 1-2 hours (even if the indicator does not burn).
2. Press and hold the 1 minute button – sometimes it takes longer to reset.
3. Connect to another phone (possibly a Bluetooth problem in your device).

💡

If the bracelet starts to lag after the firmware update, reset it and reconnect it, often solving problems with the interface brakes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 4