How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 4: the full guide

Modern wearables have long since ceased to be just toys for enthusiasts, becoming full-fledged digital assistants. Xiaomi fitness bracelet has become one of the most popular devices in its class due to its excellent combination of price and functionality. However, to achieve its full potential, it must be properly configured immediately after unpacking.

The initial initialization process doesn’t take long, but it requires attention to detail. Incorrect configuration can lead to a quick battery drain or miss important notifications from your smartphone. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at each step needed to comfortably operate your Mi Band 4.

Before you start syncing, make sure your bracelet is sufficiently charged.Although the device is sold with a partial charge, it is better to put it on charge for 30-40 minutes.This will eliminate the risk of sudden shutdown during a firmware update or pairing.

Preparation for the first launch and installation of the application

The foundation of the entire Xiaomi ecosystem is the mobile application. To work with the fourth generation bracelet, you will need to install the official Mi Fit app (or its newer counterpart Zepp Life, since the services have been renamed), It is through this software that all the functions of the tracker are controlled.

Download the app from Google Play for Android or the App Store for iOS. Once installed, you need to create an account or log in to an existing one. It is important that the region in the app settings matches your actual location, otherwise some features may not work properly.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect the bracelet directly through the Bluetooth settings in your phone. The pairing must be done strictly through the application interface, otherwise the device will not transmit health data.

When you register, you should have the right anthropometrics, height, weight, and date of birth, which are critical for algorithms that calculate calorie expenditure and stride length, and if you skip this step or type in the wrong numbers, the exercise statistics are far from real.

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Use your Xiaomi account to sign in, this will sync your data with all the brand devices, if you have them.

The process of pairing the bracelet with a smartphone

After you log in, add a new device to the app. Go to your profile and select "Add device." In the list of available gadgets, find the Mi Band 4 and click on it.

Then turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and put the bracelet next to your phone (no more than 1 meter away). The app will start searching for the device. When the bracelet displays vibration and requests for confirmation of pairing, click on the touch button on the tracker.

The process can take anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds, during which time a request for permission to access notifications, geolocation and background work may appear on the smartphone screen. Allow all requests, otherwise the Android or iOS system may force the application to close, and communication with the bracelet will be interrupted.

• 📱 Make sure Bluetooth is activated and visible to other devices.
• 🔋 The bracelet must be above 10% to start synchronization.
• 📶 A stable Internet connection is necessary to download dials.

If the search for the device is delayed, try to restart the smartphone or turn off and turn on Bluetooth. Sometimes it helps to reset the bracelet to factory settings through the menu of the tracker itself, if it has already been used.

Set up notifications and calls

One of the main reasons for buying a tracker is the ability to receive notifications without taking your phone out of your pocket. In the app, go to Profile -> Mi Band 4 -> Application Notifications, where you can choose which programs will duplicate messages on your wrist.

To work properly, the app needs to be allowed to access notifications in the smartphone settings. Without this, the Mi Band 4 simply won’t be able to “see” incoming messages. On Android, this often requires enabling the app to auto-run in the battery settings.

You can choose whether to display the caller's name or only the number, and you can also use Do Not Disturb, which turns off vibrations when incoming calls at a given time.

Note that long text messages can be cropped due to the small screen size. For comfortable reading, use the short wording in the settings of messengers.

Personalization of dials and interface

The visuals are what make it fun to use. The Mi Band 4 supports custom dials. In the app, go to Dials (or Dial Store), where you can find a huge selection of free and paid options.

You can choose a finished design from the cloud or upload your own photo. To set a photo dial, select the appropriate option, crop the image and send it to the bracelet. The transfer process takes about a minute and requires a stable connection.

You can also change the time format (12 or 24 hours), date and distance units (kilometers or miles) to adjust the brightness of the screen and the time it glows after lifting your wrist.

• 🎨 Choose dials with black background to save energy AMOLED-screen.
• ⏱ Optimal lighting time — 5-10 seconds.
• 👆 Enable the “Wrist Lift to Turn on Screen” function for convenience.

Health monitoring and sports regimes

The main function of the device is to track physical activity, and in the activity settings, you can set a daily goal by step, and by default, it's 10,000, but you can change that value depending on your training.

The pulsemeter in the fourth version of the bracelet is automatic. You can adjust the frequency of the measurements from 1 minute to 30 minutes. The more often you measure, the more accurate the statistics, but the faster the battery goes down.

⚠️ Attention: To accurately measure your pulse during exercise, the bracelet must fit tightly to your skin. A weakened strap will cause data distortion or loss of signal.

There are various sports modes available: running, cycling, swimming, walking, etc. Before starting your workout, select the appropriate mode in the bracelet menu, which allows the tracker to use specific algorithms to count calories and pace.

Remember the sleep monitoring function, which works automatically at night, and to improve accuracy, wear the wristband tightly but not squeezing your wrist so that the sensor doesn't leave any traces on your skin.

Working with alarm clocks and timers

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4’s built-in alarm clocks work independently of the smartphone, which means that the vibration will work even if the phone is turned off or discharged. The app can set up to 10 alarm clocks with a repeat on the days of the week.

A quiet alarm clock is also available that wakes the bracelet owner without disturbing others, which is especially useful in hotels or when living together, and a countdown timer can help control the time of training or cooking.

To set up, go to the alarm in your device profile, set the time, select the days of repetition, and save. Changes will apply immediately after synchronization.

• ⏰ The alarm will work even in the air mode of the phone.
• 🔇 The alarm clock is powerful enough to wake you up, but not frightening.
• 🔄 You can set several alarm clocks with different repetition intervals.

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Autonomous operation of alarm clocks is a key advantage of the tracker, allowing you not to depend on the charge of the smartphone at critical moments of awakening.

Firmware removal and update

Periodically, the manufacturer releases software updates that correct errors and add new features. You can check for updates in the device profile in the application. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

When you update your firmware, you should absolutely not interrupt the connection or discharge the devices. Keep the bracelet next to your phone and stay in the application until the process is complete. This usually takes 2-5 minutes.

If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch or is not synchronized, try resetting to factory settings through the device menu or app. At the very least, binding to another smartphone will help.