How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet: a complete guide from connectivity to fine-tuning

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release, thanks to the optimal combination of price, functionality and reliability. However, many users face difficulties when first connecting or setting up the device. In this article, we will analyze all the steps from pairing with the phone to fine-tuning the screen and notifications.

Unlike the newer models (Mi Band 5/6/7), the fourth version has its own features: a different interface of the Mi Fit application, limited firmware support and specific bugs when syncing with Android 12+ or iOS 16+.

If you have just unpacked your device or decided to reconnect it after reset, this guide will help you avoid typical errors – for example, incorrect display of time or the absence of notifications from messengers.

1.Preparation for the first connection

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ (iPhone will require Bluetooth 4.0)
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum 20% battery – otherwise synchronization may be interrupted)
• 📲 Installed Mi Fit app (you can download it from Google Play or App Store)
• 🔄 Xiaomi account (if not, register in advance)

Pay special attention to the firmware version of the bracelet. Outdated versions (1.0.7.14 and below) may not work correctly with modern smartphones. You can update the software later through the application, but if the bracelet does not respond to touch after connecting, first check its firmware manually (instruction in section 5).

⚠️ Note: If you use an iPhone, turn off the Bluetooth Interruption feature in the iOS settings. Otherwise, the bracelet will turn off every 10-15 minutes.

2. Step-by-step instructions for connecting to the phone

The process of pairing the Mi Band 4 with the phone takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow the algorithm:

1. Turn on the bracelet. Press the touch button below the screen and hold for 2-3 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
2. Start Mi Fit. In the main menu of the application, tap the "Add device" icon (the "+" icon in the upper right corner).
3. In the list of devices, find the Mi Smart Band 4 (not to be confused with the Mi Band 5/6!).

Once successfully connected, the bracelet automatically synchronizes time, steps, and other data. If that doesn't happen, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Sync data.

Check if Bluetooth is on on your phone |

Make sure the bracelet is charged (the indicator should burn when connected to the charge)|

Reboot the Mi Fit| app

Try connecting from another phone (to diagnose the problem)|

Update the bracelet firmware through Mi Fit (section "Firmware")-->

3. Set up the main parameters

After connecting, you need to configure the basic functions of the bracelet so that it works correctly:

3.1 Time and date

The bracelet automatically syncs the time with the phone, but if the clock is stray:

1. Open Mi Fit → Select your Mi Band 4.
2. Go to Device Settings → Additional → Time Synchronization.
3. Press "Sync."

Notifications

To make the bracelet vibrate when calling and texting:

1. In Mi Fit, select Notifications → Notification Management.
2. Turn on the "Notification" switch.
3. Select the apps you want to receive alerts from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, VK).
4. Set up the display style: only vibration, text on the screen, or both.

Important: On Android 10+, you will need to additionally allow Mi Fit to access notifications in your system settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Notifications).

Monitoring of sleep and activity

By default, the bracelet tracks sleep automatically, but you can adjust the sensitivity:

• 🌙 Settings → Sleep monitoring → Sensitivity: Choose High if the bracelet does not detect awakenings.
• 🏃 Settings → Heart monitoring: turn on "Continuous" for round-the-clock pulse measurement (increases battery consumption!).
• 🚶 Settings → Goals: Set a daily goal by steps (recommended value of 8,000–10,000).

💡

If the bracelet counts steps incorrectly (for example, fixes them while driving), calibrate it: walk 20 steps with your phone in your hand, then confirm the data in Mi Fit (Profile → Mi Band 4 → Calibration of steps).

4. Personalization of screen and dials

The Mi Band 4 supports interchangeable dials, but the installation has nuances. Unlike the new models, there is no official theme store here - you will have to use third-party solutions.

Installation of standard dials

The Mi Fit app has 5 built-in themes:

1. Open Profile. → Mi Smart Band 4 → Dial.
2. Select your favorite theme and click "Install".
3. Wait 10-20 seconds – the bracelet will reset and the theme will apply.

Installation of custom dials

The establishment of informal themes would require:

1. Download the dial file in.bin format (for example, from the AmazonFit website).
2. Place the file in the Mi Fit/WatchFace folder on your phone.
3. In Mi Fit, select Dial → Add dial and find the downloaded file.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial dials may contain viruses or disrupt the bracelet.Install themes only from trusted sources!

If after installing the custom dial, the bracelet has ceased to respond to touch, reset to factory settings (instructions in section 6).

5. Update firmware and problem solving

Outdated firmware is a common cause of bugs: bad character displays, no notifications, or quick battery drains.

Update via Mi Fit

1. Connect the bracelet to charging and make sure the charge is not below 50%.
2. Open Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

Manual firmware through utility

If the automatic update doesn’t work (for example, due to regional restrictions), use the Mi Band 4 Tools utility:

1. Download the utility from GitHub.
2. Connect the bracelet to your PC via Bluetooth (you will need a Bluetooth 4.0+ adapter).
3. Select the firmware file (.fw) and follow the program instructions.

6. Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If the Mi Band 4 is unstable (unsynced, unresponsive to touch, incorrect time), perform a complete reset. This will delete all data from the device, including settings and statistics!

Resetting through the bracelet

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → More → Reset (scroll the screen with swipes up / down).
2. Confirm the action by clicking the tick.
3. After the reboot, the bracelet will be as new as new – you will need to reconnect via Mi Fit.

6.2.Dumping via Mi Fit

If the bracelet does not respond to touch:

1. Open Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Disable the device
2. Confirm the blackout.
3. Hold the button on the bracelet for 10 seconds until it vibrates.
4. Reconnect the bracelet (as in the first run).

⚠️ Warning: After reset, the bracelet may stop syncing data from the past days.To avoid losing statistics, export the history to Mi Fit before resetting. → Profile → Export of data.

7. Optimization of battery consumption

The average lifetime of the Mi Band 4 on a single charge is 15-20 days, but when used actively (continuous pulse, notifications) it is reduced to 7-10 days.

• 🔋 Turn off Continuous Heart Monitoring (leave only Auto or Dreaming").
• 📵 Reduce the number of apps that notify you.
• 🌓 Set Power Saving Mode in Bracelet Settings (Settings) → Screen. → Brightness → select "Low").
• 🚫 Turn off the Hand Raising to activate the screen if you are not using this feature.

If the bracelet is discharged in 1-2 days, check:

• Are there unofficial dials installed – they may contain hidden processes?
• Is the Developer Mode enabled (if yes, turn it off in Settings → About the phone).
• Is the battery damaged (signs: the bracelet turns off at 30-40% charge).

💡

The most effective way to save charge is to turn off continuous heart rate monitoring, which extends the bracelet by 30 to 50 percent!

8 Additional functions and life hacks

The Mi Band 4 has more than just counting steps. Here are some useful tips:

8.1 Music management

The bracelet can switch tracks on the phone:

1. Turn on the player on your phone (like Spotify or YouTube Music).
2. On the bracelet, swipe up to open the control menu.
3. Use the buttons "▶", "⏸" and "⏭" play-control.

8.2 Phone search

If you lose your smartphone, the bracelet will help you find it:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → More. → Find the phone.
2. The phone will begin to vibrate and make sound (even if it is in silent mode).

Alarm clock 8.3

You can set up to 10 alarm clocks right on the bracelet:

1. Go to Settings → More Alarms →
2. Press the + to add a new one.
3. Set the time and days of the week.

The bracelet will vibrate at a given time even if the phone is turned off.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 4