Xiaomi Mi Band 4 setup: a complete guide to connecting

Modern wearables have become an integral part of many users’ lives, and the fitness tracker from the Chinese company Xiaomi occupies a leading position in the market due to its affordable price and functionality. Proper initial setup of the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is a critical step, on which the stability of the device, the accuracy of the health data collected and the correctness of incoming notifications depend. Many beginners face difficulties when trying to synchronize the bracelet with a smartphone, not understanding why the phone does not see the tracker or why messages do not come from messengers.

The process of pairing devices does not require deep technical knowledge, but it has its own characteristics for Android and iOS operating systems. Unlike a simple watch, this gadget is not controlled directly through the standard Bluetooth menu of a smartphone, which often causes confusion. Full operation requires the installation of specialized software that acts as a bridge between the wearable device and the phone operating system. In this article, we will discuss in detail each step necessary to activate and personalize your tracker.

It is important to note that the first turn on and pairing should be done strictly through the official application, not through the Bluetooth settings of the phone. Violation of this rule is the most common cause of errors when the gadget appears in the list of devices but refuses to work correctly. Following the recommendations below, you can avoid typical errors and immediately start using all the features of the device, including monitoring sleep, pulse and pedometer.

Preparation for synchronization and installation of the application

Before you try to connect devices, make sure your smartphone is fully ready to work with the new gadget.First check the battery level on the tracker itself; if it has been in stock for a long time, it may not even be enough to turn on the screen. Connect the charger to your computer or power adapter and wait for the battery icon to appear on the display. Also make sure that the phone is enabled Bluetooth and geolocation (GPS) modules, as the latter requirement is often ignored by Android users, which leads to search crashes.

The next step is to install management software: Xiaomi uses the Mi Fit platform (renamed Zepp Life in some regions) to manage its wearables, download the app from official Google Play or App Stores, open the program and create a Mi Account or log in through an existing profile, which is necessary to save your activity history in the cloud.

When you register or log in, the app will ask for a number of permissions to access your data, and you should not ignore these requests, because without them, the tracker will not be able to transmit information about your activity. Specifically, stable Android requires location permission, even if you don’t plan to use it. GPS-route-tracking.

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Make sure that the Bluetooth version on your smartphone is at least 4.0, otherwise a stable connection with the Mi Band 4 is impossible.

Once you have successfully logged in, we'll go to the main menu of the app, and here you'll see the add-on button, usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the user profile, and click on the plus or Add-Device button to start scanning the surrounding space.

The process of connecting the bracelet to the smartphone

When the app goes into search mode, you need to activate the tracker itself. If the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 screen is out, tap it or swipe it over the sensor to wake it up. The screen should show an image of the smartphone with a pulsating circle, which means that it is ready to pair, at which point the model name and a unique code will appear on the phone screen, which you need to confirm.

Click on the device you find in the app list. The tracker screen will show a vibration and a request for confirmation of connection, marked by the tick icon. Touch the touch button on the bracelet for confirmation. The process of establishing communication can take from 10 to 30 seconds. If the connection is interrupted, try to bring the phone closer to the wrist.

It is important at this point not to open the standard Bluetooth settings on the phone and not try to create a pair there. If you have already done this and the device appears in the list of paired, but the application does not see it, you need to remove the profile of the bracelet from the Bluetooth settings of the phone and restart the smartphone. Only after that, repeat the procedure through the Mi Fit application.

β˜‘οΈ Connection check

Done: 0 / 4

Once the connection is successful, the app will offer to update the device's firmware. The firmware is the internal tracker software that is regularly updated by the manufacturer to correct errors and add new dials. It is recommended to immediately update by connecting to the Wi-Fi network so that the process goes quickly and without losing battery power of the phone.

Set up notifications and calls

One of the main features of the smart bracelet is the ability to receive notifications about calls and messages directly on your wrist. To activate this feature, go to the device profile in the application and find the "Application Notifications" section. Here is a list of all the programs installed on your phone that can send push notifications.

Activate the switches in front of the desired applications: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, SMS and calls. Once the switch is turned on, the system can request special permission to access notifications, you will be prompted to go to the phone settings, where you need to find the corresponding application in the list and allow it to access usage data.

⚠️ Note: On some models of smartphones with aggressive energy saving system (for example, Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung), notifications may arrive with a delay or not at all if the Mi Fit application is β€œkilled” by the system. Add an app to the list of exceptions or permitted background processes.

For incoming calls, the functionality is even wider. You can not only see the caller's number or name, but also reject the call directly from the bracelet (the "Disclaim Call" function is available on Mi Band 4 and later). To do this, in the notification settings, make sure that the "Incoming Calls" option is enabled. You can also configure the contact name display: for this, the phone contacts must be synchronized with the Mi Account or available in the phone book.

In the app settings, you can choose whether to show previews of messages or only the name of the application, which will help to maintain privacy if you do not want the content of messages to be read by others.

Personalization of dials and interface

The visual component of the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 allows you to change the dials, which makes wearing the gadget more enjoyable. In the app, go to the section "Profile" -> "Screen settings" -> "Dials" There is a store with dozens of free and paid options.

Choose your favorite design and click "Install." The image will load onto the bracelet via Bluetooth. This process can take a while, so keep the phone and bracelet close by. Once installed, you can switch between the dials set, clamping the touch button on the tracker for a few seconds.

In addition to static images, dials are available that display various information: steps, pulse, date, phase of the moon. Some dials allow you to adjust the colors of the elements, which allows you to create a unique appearance of the device that matches your style or mood.

πŸ“Š What type of dial do you prefer?
Analog (with arrows)
Digital (large numbers)
Minimalist
Difficult (with health data)
With pictures/photos

You can also set the menu order in the interface settings, you can choose which features you can swipe left or right. The options available include weather, pulse, steps, alarm clock, timer, phone search and music control. Turn off those features you don't use to get to the screens faster.

Health monitoring and sports regimes

The fitness tracker is designed primarily to monitor physical activity. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is equipped with an optical pulse sensor that works automatically. In the application, you can adjust the frequency of measurements: for example, every 10, 30 or 60 minutes. The more often you measure, the higher the battery consumption, but more accurately statistics.

There are 6 main modes for sports: running outside, running indoors, walking, exercise bike, cycling and swimming. Before starting your workout, select the appropriate mode on the bracelet. During activity, the device will vibrate when you reach certain pulse rates, warning you to leave the target area.

The wearables are designed to automatically detect sleep phases: light, deep and REM-To function properly, you need to wear the device on your wrist at night, and the data is synchronized with your phone in the morning, providing a detailed report on rest quality.

FunctionDescriptionImpact on the battery
Pulse monitoringAutomatic measurement of heartbeatMean (depending on frequency)
NotificationsVibration of messagesLow.
ScreenlightingTurning on the screen by raising your handHigh.
GPS (via phone)Recording the route through a smartphoneHigh (consumes the battery of the phone)

Don’t forget that the built-in GPS-There's no module in this model. To record a jog or a bike ride on a map, you need to take a smartphone with the Mi Fit application running. The bracelet will use the phone's sensors to determine coordinates, and its sensors will use its sensors to measure pulse and pace.

Problem solving and maintenance

During operation, users may encounter situations where the bracelet stops syncing or data is not updated. The first thing you try to reboot both devices. Often the problem lies in the crowded cache of the Bluetooth app or the Mi Fit application itself. Clearing the cache in the phone settings can solve the problem.

If the bracelet shows the wrong time, check the time zone settings in the app. The time on the tracker is set automatically when synchronized with the smartphone. If the automatic timing on the phone is disabled, the bracelet will also display incorrect time.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the bracelet in a sauna or in very high temperatures. although it has water protection 5 ATM (immersion up to 50 meters, hot steam and temperature changes can damage the glue holding the screen, and disrupt the tightness.

Use soft cloth and water to clean the strap. Avoid using aggressive chemicals, soap or alcohol as they can irritate the skin or degrade the silicone material. Rub the back of the pulse sensor regularly, as sweat and dirt can impair the accuracy of measurements.

What to do if the bracelet is lost?
The Mi Fit app has a feature called "Find the bracelet," which when activated, the tracker starts to vibrate, which is useful if you lost it at home, and you can set up a communication break alert, and the phone will vibrate if you go too far from the bracelet.

Timely maintenance and proper setup will allow your Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to last a long time and delight with accurate data.Don’t ignore software updates, as they often contain improvements to the algorithms of the sensors.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Can I swim with the Xiaomi Mi Band 4?
Yes, the bracelet is 5 ATM certified, which means protection against immersion to a depth of 50 meters. However, it is not recommended to swim in hot water (bath, hot springs) or dive from high altitude, as steam pressure and impact load can damage the device.
Why does the bracelet not vibrate at notifications?
Check three things: whether the Do Not Disturb mode on the bracelet itself is enabled, whether notification permission is activated in the Mi Fit app, and whether the app is on the β€œsleep” list in your smartphone’s energy saving settings. Also make sure that the phone screen is not on at this point (on some Android smartphones, notifications are not duplicated for hours if the phone screen is active).
How to change the interface language on the bracelet?
The interface language of the bracelet depends on the language installed in the Mi Fit application. Go to the application profile, select Settings, and find Language. After changing the language in the application, the data will automatically be transmitted to the bracelet the next time you sync.
How much does the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 charge?
In standard use (notifications are enabled, pulse monitoring once in a while) 30 minutes, wrist lift is on) the bracelet works about 15-20 days, with active use GPS-tracking via phone and constant notifications, the working time may be reduced to 7-10 days.

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The main secret to long-lasting Mi Band 4 is to turn off the wrist lift function and increase the heart rate interval if you do not need constant monitoring in real time.