The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, despite the release of new models, its main advantages are affordable price, long-term autonomy and wide functionality from heart rate monitoring to music management. However, iPhone owners often face nuances when setting up, because the Apple ecosystem has limitations for Android devices. In this article, we will discuss how to properly connect the Mi Band 4 to the iPhone, customize basic functions and avoid typical errors.
It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 4 officially supports iOS 10.0 and newer, but to work properly, you will need the Mi Fit app (or its alternatives like Notify & Fitness). Also note that some features available on Android on iPhones can work with restrictions, such as quick responses to notifications or camera control.
If you have just unpacked the bracelet or have problems after resetting your settings, this guide will help you set it up from scratch.
- 📱 Connecting Mi Band 4 to iPhone via Mi Fit
- ⚙️ Set up notifications, alarms and display data
- 🩺 Calibration of the pedometer and pulsometer for accurate readings
- ⚡ Optimizing battery consumption and solving common problems
1.Preparation for connection: what to do before setting up
Before you start syncing, make sure your iPhone and Mi Band 4 are ready to go.
- 📲 Update iOS: Check that the iPhone has the current version of the system (Settings) → Mainstream → Software Update: Mi Fit may not work properly on older versions.
- 🔋 Charging the bracelet: Mi Band 4 should be charged at least 20.
- 📱 Remove old profiles: If the bracelet was previously paired with another phone, reset it. To do this, press the touch button on the Mi Band 4 for 10 seconds until the vibration appears.
- 🌐 Bluetooth Settings: Turn Bluetooth on iPhone (Settings) → Bluetooth) and make sure the device is not connected to other gadgets.
Mi Fit also requires permission to access notifications, geolocation and health (to sync data with Apple Health).Without these permissions, some features will be blocked.+, You may need to confirm access to the settings. → Confidentiality and security.
⚠️ Note: If your iPhone has previously connected to another Xiaomi fitness bracelet (such as Mi Band 3 or 5), remove it from the device list in Mi Fit.
2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit app on iPhone
The official Mi Fit app is the only reliable way to connect the Mi Band 4 to an iPhone. Alternative programs (like Notify & Fitness) may offer advanced features, but often run unstable. Download Mi Fit from the App Store and follow the instructions:
- Account Registration: When you first start up, the application will offer to create a Xiaomi account or log in through the app Google/Facebook. Use the email to which your iPhone is linked.
- Selection of device: in the main menu tap Profile → Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.
- Bluetooth pairing: Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone and wait for the app to find the bracelet. Click on Mi Band 4 in the list.
- Confirmation on the bracelet: the code will appear on the Mi Band 4 screen – compare it with what appears in the app and confirm the pairing.
Once the app is successfully connected, it will offer to update the bracelet firmware, and upgrade to the latest version is a must — this will fix sync errors with iOS and add support for new features. The process will take 5-10 minutes, do not interrupt the connection with Bluetooth.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is not in Mi Fit | Bluetooth is turned off or the bracelet is discharged | Turn on Bluetooth, charge the Mi Band 4 to 50% |
| The "failed to connect" error | Conflict with another Xiaomi device in the memory of the iPhone | Remove all Mi devices in Settings → Bluetooth |
| The application freezes during the update stage | Unstable Internet connection | Connect to Wi-Fi and try again |
Charging Mi Band 4 > 20%|
Bluetooth on iPhone enabled |
Removed old Xiaomi devices from the phone memory|
Updated bracelet firmware (if available)-->
3. Customization of the main functions: pedometer, pulsemeter, notifications
After connecting Mi Band 4 to the iPhone, you can start customization. → Mi Smart Band 4 in the Mi Fit app:
📊 Stepper and activity
By default, the bracelet counts the steps automatically, but for accuracy it is recommended:
- 👟 Indicate height and weight in the Mi Fit profile (affects calorie calculation).
- 📏 Calibrate the pedometer: walk 20-30 steps with your phone in your hand, then check the data in the application. If you diverge more than 10%, calibrate to Settings. → Steps. → Sizing.
- 🏃 Enable autodetection of activity (running, walking, cycling) in Settings → Activity recognition.
❤️ pulsemeter
The Mi Band 4 is equipped with an optical heart rate sensor, but its accuracy depends on the correct setting:
- 🩺 Enable continuous monitoring in Settings → Heart rate → Measurement frequency (recommended every 30 minutes for balance of accuracy and autonomy).
- ⚠️ Turn off the measurement while sleeping if you want to save charge.
- 📊 To check the accuracy, compare the readings of the bracelet with the data of the pulsemeter in the gym or tonometer.
📱 Notifications
On iPhone, notifications from Mi Band 4 are sent from the Mi Fit app to configure them:
- B Settings → Call and Message Notifications Enable the Display Notifications Option.
- Select applications that will be duplicated on the bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Mail).
- Set up the vibration and screen lighting in Settings → Screen and sound.
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, notifications arrive with a 1–3 second delay due to iOS restrictions.If notifications don't show, check permissions for Mi Fit in Settings → Notifications.
💡
To keep the call notifications stable, add contacts to your favorites on your iPhone – the bracelet will vibrate longer when you call them in.
4 Additional functions: alarm clocks, weather, music control
Mi Band 4 supports a number of useful features that often go unnoticed.
⏰ Alarm clocks
The bracelet can vibrate to wake you up without sound.
- In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Alarms.
- Add an alarm clock and specify the time, days of the week and type of vibration.
- For a smart alarm clock (waking up in the light sleep phase), turn on the Smart alarm and set the interval (for example, 30 minutes before the main time).
🌤️ Weather.
The bracelet can show the weather forecast for 3 days.
- Enable geolocation for Mi Fit (iPhone settings) → Confidentiality → Geolocation services).
- In Mi Fit go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Weather and activate the option.
- Select units of measurement (Celcius/Fahrenheit) and update the data manually by pulling the bracelet screen down.
🎵 Managing music
On the iPhone, this feature is limited: the bracelet can only pause/resume playback to adjust it:
- Open the player on the iPhone (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.).
- Flick the Mi Band 4 screen to the right to the music control menu.
- Slip on the pause/play icon to control the tracks.
Unfortunately, switching tracks and adjusting volume from the bracelet to the iPhone are not available – this is a limitation of iOS.
How to reset Mi Band 4 to factory settings?
5. Optimizing autonomy: how to extend the life of the battery
The Mi Band 4, when used actively, can hold a charge of up to 10 to 14 days, but if set up incorrectly, it can discharge in 3 to 5 days.
- 🔋 Turn off continuous pulse monitoring: Set a measurement every 30 minutes or manually.
- 🌙 Reduce the brightness of the screen: in Settings → Screen and sound → Brightness select the minimum value.
- 🔔 Limit notifications: leave only important (calls, SMS, messengers).
- 🚫 Turn off activity autodetermination if you don’t use it.
- 🌡️ Turn off the weather if it is updated too often.
| Function | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous pulse | High (up to 30% charge per day) | Measure every 30 minutes |
| Call notifications | Average (5-10% per day) | Leave only for selected contacts |
| Lighting when raising your hand | Low (2-3% per day) | Turn it off if you don't have to. |
| Autodefinition of sleep | Average (10-15% per night) | Only on while you sleep. |
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet discharges in 1-2 days, check if the firmware update is running in the background. Open Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Update the firmware and pause the download if it goes.
💡
The most effective way to save charge is to turn off continuous pulse monitoring and limit notifications, which will extend autonomy to 15-20 days.
6. Solving common problems
Even after setting up correctly, the Mi Band 4 can run unstable, and here are the typical problems and solutions:
🔄 The bracelet is disconnected from the iPhone
If the connection is broken every few hours:
- 📱 Reboot your iPhone and bracelet.
- 🔄 In Mi Fit go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Disable the device, then reconnect.
- 📴 Remove the bracelet from the list of Bluetooth devices in the iPhone (Settings) → Bluetooth).
- 📲 Update Mi Fit and bracelet firmware.
❌ No notifications coming.
Check it out.
- 🔔 Permissions for Mi Fit in iPhone Settings → Notifications.
- 📵 Do Not Disturb on iPhone (turn it off at Control Point).
- 🔗 Synchronization of notifications in Mi Fit (Profile) → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications).
🩺 The pulsemeter shows incorrect data.
If the evidence is very different from the real one:
- 🧼 Wipe the sensor on the back of the bracelet (dirty or sweat interferes with measurements).
- 💪 Wear the bracelet tighter (should fit to the skin, but not crushed).
- 🩺 Compare the data with another pulsemeter and calibrate in Mi Fit.
💡
If the bracelet does not sync data with Apple Health, open Mi Fit, go to Profile → Settings → Apple Health and Enable Data Exports.
7.Alternative apps for Mi Band 4 on iPhone
If Mi Fit doesn’t suit you (for example, due to limited notifications or unstable work), you can try third-party apps.They offer advanced features, but may require a fee or have bugs.
| Annex | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Notify & Fitness | Quick responses to notifications, screen customization | Paid subscription, sometimes lagging |
| Mi Band Master | Advanced statistics, vibration settings | No official support for Xiaomi |
| Tools & Mi Band | Music control, weather, alarm clocks | Interface overload, advertising |
To connect the bracelet through an alternative application:
- Untie Mi Band 4 from Mi Fit (Profile) → Mi Smart Band 4 → Disable the device).
- Install a new app and follow its pairing instructions.
- Set up notifications and data synchronization manually.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps may not update the bracelet firmware, this can cause sensor errors, and we recommend that you periodically return to Mi Fit for updates.