How to set up a fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4: a complete guide with photos and tips

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables even years after its release. Its compact design, long autonomy and wide functionality — from sleep monitoring to music control — make the gadget an indispensable assistant in everyday life. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: the bracelet does not connect to the phone, data is not synchronized or notifications do not work.

In this article, we’ll take the Mi Band 4 step-by-step setup from scratch, from unpacking to fine customization, learn how to properly install the Mi Fit app, sync your Android or iPhone bracelet, set up dials, notifications, and even hidden features like smartphone camera control, and also solve the typical problems that 80 percent of newcomers have.

Important: the instructions are relevant for Mi Band 4 firmware version 1.0.9.54 and later (check in the bracelet settings).If your gadget works on an older version, first update it through the official application.

Preparation for the setup: what will be needed

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

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ (iPhone 5s newer)
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum 20% battery, but better 50%)
• 📲 Mi Fit app (you can download it from Google Play or App Store)
• 🔌 Bluetooth 4.0 or later (check in your phone settings)

If you have a Chinese version of the Mi Band 4 (without the letter NFC in the model name), you will need to change the region in the application to China to work properly, otherwise some of the features (for example, payment via the bracelet) will not be available.

Also note compatibility with other Xiaomi devices. For example, if you have a smart scale Mi Body Composition Scale 2, the data from them will automatically sync with the bracelet through one application. and owners of Xiaomi Home will be able to control smart lamps directly from the Mi Band 4 screen (the feature is available after updating the firmware to 1.0.9.70).

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the bracelet from hand or on unofficial sites (such as AliExpress), check it for authenticity. Counterfeiters often mimic the Mi Band 4 but do not have the original software. To verify the originality, compare the serial number on the box and in the bracelet settings (Profile) → About the device).

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application

The official Mi Fit app is the only way to fully customize the Mi Band 4. Alternative programs (like Notify & Fitness or Tools & Mi Band) allow you to expand the functionality, but they are not suitable for initial configuration.

Download and install Mi Fit from the official store.

1. Select a region (Russia or China if you have a Chinese version of the bracelet).
2. Sign up via phone number, email or Xiaomi/Google/Apple ID account.
3. Confirm registration via SMS or mail.
4. Enable geolocation and notifications (the app will request permissions).

If you already have a Xiaomi account (such as from a smartphone or other gadget of the brand), use it - so all the data will be synchronized in one profile. The first time you log in, the system will prompt you to add a device. Click Add device and select Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.

Register with Mi Fit| Enable Bluetooth on your phone | Charge bracelet to 50% | Allow notifications for Mi Fit-->

If Mi Band 4 is not on the list, upgrade to the latest version of the app. Sometimes the problem is solved by restarting Mi Fit or cleaning the cache (Phone Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Memory → Clear the cache).

Synchronize Mi Band 4 with your phone

Now we're going to connect the bracelet to the smartphone.

1. Open Mi Fit and click Add Device (+ icon in the upper right corner).
2. Select the Mi Smart Band 4 from the list.
3. Press the bracelet screen to unlock it (if it is locked).
4. Hold the phone to the bracelet at a distance of 10-15 cm.
5. Wait for the vibration and the beep, which means that the devices have found each other.
6. Confirm the pairing on the phone and bracelet (on the screen of the Mi Band 4 will appear a tick).

If the bracelet is not present, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off./On.).
• 📱 Re-launch the Mi Fit app.
• 🔋 Recharge the bracelet (at low charge it may not appear in the list of devices).
• 🚫 Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another phone (reset it via Settings) → Reset).

Once you've successfully connected, the app will suggest you update the bracelet firmware. You'll agree that new versions fix bugs and add features. It'll take you 3-5 minutes to update, don't interrupt the process, or turn off Bluetooth.

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If the bracelet is connected but the data is not synced, open Phone Settings → Apps → Mi Fit → Permissions and enable access to contacts, phone and physical activity.

Basic setting: time, notifications, pedometer

After synchronization, we will start the basic setting. Open the Profile tab in Mi Fit → Mi Smart Band 4 and go through the key points:

Pay special attention to setting up notifications. By default, the bracelet vibrates when incoming calls and SMS, but you can add alerts from messengers:

1. Go to Notifications. → Annexes.
2. Select messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc.).
3. Turn on the switch next to each.
4. Set up the alert style (vibration only or with text).

For Android, you will need to allow Mi Fit to access notifications in your system settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Notifications → Allow). On iPhone, this step is not necessary – just turn on the option in the app itself.

Installation of dials and themes

One of the key benefits of the Mi Band 4 is that it supports customized dials, and you can choose from dozens of built-in options or download yours through third-party services (such as Amazfit Watchfaces).

To change the dial:

1. Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Dials.
2. Scroll through the list of built-in themes and choose your favorite.
3. Press Sync - a new dial will be installed on the bracelet.

To install user dials:

• 🎨 Download a file with the.bin extension (for example, from the Watch Faces Repository website).
• 📱 Put it in the Mi folder. Fit/Watch Faces on your phone (create it manually if you don’t).
• 🔄 Restart Mi Fit and update the dial list.

Some dials support extra widgets like weather, charge levels, heart rate, and even animation, but they can drain the battery faster, and static themes without animation are the best option for autonomy.

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Animated dials (like moving arrows or backgrounds) reduce the bracelet’s life by 20 to 30 percent. If autonomy is more important than design, choose simple themes.

Set up additional functions: music, alarm clock, phone search

Mi Band 4 has a lot more to do than count steps, and let’s look at some of the most useful features that many users don’t use:

• 🎵 Music Management: Enable the option in Bracelet Settings → Music control. Now you can skip tracks or adjust volume directly from the bracelet (works with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and the standard player).
• ⏰ Smart alarm clock: set to alarm clocks → Add an alarm clock. You can choose a smooth awakening (vibration 30 minutes before the time) or a repeating signal.
• 🔍 Phone Search: Activate in Bracelet Settings → If you lose your phone, double-press the bracelet, and the phone will make a loud signal (even if it's silent).
• 🏠 Smart home management: If you have Xiaomi Smart Home devices (lamp, socket, robot vacuum cleaner), they can be controlled through a bracelet.

The phone search feature is especially useful, because it works even if the smartphone is in silent mode or under the pillow, and a smart alarm clock with a smooth vibration helps you wake up without stress: the bracelet analyzes the sleep phase and wakes up at the optimal moment.

To control music, make sure the phone is running the player before using the bracelet. If the music doesn't switch, check the permissions for Mi Fit in your Android settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Additional → Media Management).

⚠️ Attention: Camera control function (Bracelet settings) → Camera management only works with the standard Camera app on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. For other smartphones (such as Samsung or iPhone) will require third-party software like Camera Remote.

Solving Typical Problems with Mi Band 4

Even after you set it up properly, users are faced with bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If the bracelet doesn’t turn on or respond to charging, try:

1. Clean the contacts of the charger with alcohol (sometimes oxidation interferes with charging).
2. Connect to the other one. USB-port or adapter (power must be used) 5V/1A).
3. Press and hold the bracelet button for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.

If nothing helps, reset to factory settings:

1. Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Untie the device.
2. On the bracelet, click Settings → Reset → Confirm (you will need to enter a PIN if it is installed).
3. Reconnect the bracelet as you did when you first set it up.

After resetting, all data (steps, sleep, workouts) will be deleted from the bracelet, but stored in the Mi Fit cloud if synchronization was enabled.

Tips for extending the life of the bracelet

The Mi Band 4 is known for its reliability, but if used incorrectly, it can quickly fail.

• 🚿 Avoid soap and shampoo, although the bracelet has 5 protections. ATM (It can withstand a dive of up to 50 meters, chemicals can damage seals.
• 🔥 Don't leave it in the sun. Overheating reduces battery capacity. Optimal operating temperature: from 0°C to 45°C.
• 🔋 Charge correctly. Use only the original cable. Don't let it run completely (charge at 20 to 30%).
• 🧼 Clean your bracelet and strap with a wet wipe once a week. You can use a soapy solution for a silicone strap.

If you exercise, remove the bracelet during strength exercises (such as with a barbell) - sweat and friction can damage the screen. Use a sports strap with additional fixation for running or swimming.

The average battery life of the Mi Band 4 is 1.5-2 years when used actively. If the bracelet is rapidly discharged (less than 3 days of autonomy), most likely, a battery replacement is required. In official Xiaomi service centers, this costs about 1,500-2000 rubles.

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To check the status of the battery, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Battery status. If the capacity has fallen below 60% of the original, it is time to think about replacing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 4