Xiaomi Mi Band 4: full instructions for setting up and using

Preparation for work: what you need to know before setting up

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality, compactness and affordable price. Even years after its release, it remains relevant — especially for those looking for a reliable activity tracker without unnecessary bells and whistles. But before you start setting up, there are a few key points to consider.

First, the bracelet is not a standalone device — to work properly, it requires a smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ with the Mi Fit app installed (or alternatives like Zepp Life). Without it, you can only see the time, steps and pulse, but you will lose access to notifications, detailed statistics and settings. Second, Mi Band 4 does not support independent connection to Wi-Fi or mobile networks — all data synchronization occurs via Bluetooth.

Also note the bracelet version: there are models with and without NFC (for contactless payments) and if you plan to use the payment feature, make sure that your instance supports this option - information can be found on the box or in the device settings after you connect.

Step 1: Charging the bracelet before first switching on

Before setting up the Mi Band 4, you need to make sure it's charged. Despite a modest 135mAh battery, the device can last up to 20 days on standby, but initial charging is critical. In the kit comes a special charging cable with a magnetic connector - it must be connected to the USB-port (for example, from charging a smartphone or computer).

The charging process takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and the green indicator on the bracelet screen signals completion.

⚠️ Note: Do not use damaged cables or adapters with higher voltages. 5V/1A. This can cause the battery to overheat and the device to fail.The original cable is labeled MDY-08-EM.

• 🔋 Connect the magnetic connector to the contacts on the back of the bracelet (they are located closer to the strap).
• 📱 Make sure the charging indicator is lit red, which means the process has started.
• ⏳ Do not interrupt charging until the green light appears – partial charging can lead to incorrect operation of sensors.

Step 2: Install and configure the Mi Fit application

Managing the Mi Band 4 requires the official Mi Fit app, available on Google Play and the App Store. The alternative is Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit), which offers advanced sleep and exercise analysis features.

1. Create a Xiaomi account (or log in through an existing one).
2. Confirm the country of residence – the available functions depend on this (for example, NFC-Payments are not available in all regions).
3. Grant permissions to access notifications, geolocation and physical activity (required for the tracker to function properly).

Once logged in, click on the + icon in the upper right corner and select "Add device." In the list, find the Mi Smart Band 4 and confirm the selection. The app will automatically start searching for the bracelet - make sure it is on and near the smartphone (no more than 10 meters away).

Step 3: Synchronize the bracelet with the smartphone

The process of connecting the Mi Band 4 to the phone usually goes automatically, but sometimes errors can occur.

1. Reboot the bracelet by holding the touch button for 3-5 seconds before the Mi logo appears.
2. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone again.
3. Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another device (e.g. a tablet).

After successful synchronization, the application will offer to update the bracelet firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process or turn off Bluetooth. If the firmware flies, the bracelet may stop responding to touch - in this case, you will need to reset to factory settings (hold the 10 seconds button).

Step 4: Personalize screen and dials

One of the key advantages of the Mi Band 4 is the ability to change dials. 5 standard themes are available by default, but through the Mi Fit app or third-party services (for example, Amazfit Watch Faces), you can install custom options.

1. Open the section "Profile" → "Mi Smart Band 4" → "Dials".
2. Choose your favorite option and click "Sync".
3. Wait for confirmation on the bracelet (vibration and the inscription "Success").

Some dials support displaying additional information such as weather, charge levels, steps, but keep in mind that too bright or animated themes can drain the battery faster (up to 15-20% per day instead of the usual 5-7%).

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To return the standard dial, go to Settings → Display → Reset the dial on the bracelet.

Step 5: Set up notifications and calls

Mi Band 4 can display notifications from instant messengers, social networks and even incoming calls to activate this feature:

1. In the Mi Fit app, go to "Notifications".
2. Turn on the "Show notifications" switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).

For incoming calls, the bracelet will vibrate and show the subscriber number. You can reject the call by clicking on the screen, but you can only answer it via your phone.

• 📞 Missed Call Notifications are only displayed if the bracelet was connected to the phone at the time of the call.
• 🔕 On iPhone may require additional permissions settings → Notifications → Mi Fit.
• 📵 If notifications do not arrive, check if the "Do Not Disturb" mode on your smartphone is turned on.

Step 6: Activate additional functions (pulse, sleep, exercise)

Mi Band 4 is equipped with an optical heart rate sensor PPG, accelerometer and gyroscope, which allows you to track:

• ❤️ Pulse in real time (with intervals from 1 minute to 30 minutes).
• 😴 Sleep phases (deep, light, REM) and awakening.
• 🏃‍♂️ Activities: walking, running, cycling, swimming (bracelet waterproof up to 50 meters).

To set up automatic monitoring:

1. In Mi Fit, go to Device Profile → Heart Rate Monitoring.
2. Choose the measurement interval (recommended 10 minutes for balance of accuracy and charge savings).
3. Activate Smart Sleep Monitoring to automatically detect phases.

To manually start the workout, swipe down on the bracelet screen and select the desired mode. The data will be synchronized with the application after the session is over.

⚠️ Warning: When swimming, turn off notifications – vibration in the water can cause discomfort and the touch screen will be locked to prevent accidental taps.

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To accurately track sleep, wear a bracelet on a non-dominant hand (for right-handers - on the left) and tighten the strap so that the sensor is snugly attached to the wrist, but does not transmit blood vessels.

Step 7: Optimizing battery consumption

Despite the 20 days of battery life claimed, real time depends on the intensity of use.

• 🔄 Reduce your pulse rate to 30 minutes (unless continuous monitoring is required).
• 📴 Disable notifications from unnecessary applications.
• 🌙 Use dark dials — AMOLED-Mi Band 4 screen consumes less power when displaying black.
• ⚡ Turn off the "Raise your hand to activate the screen" if you check the time button frequently.

It is also useful to calibrate the battery every 2-3 months: completely discharge the bracelet before turning off, then charge to 100% without interruption.

Solving common problems

Even after setting up correctly, the Mi Band 4 can malfunction.

• 🔄 Bracelet not synced: Reboot both devices, remove the bracelet from Mi Fit and reconnect.
• 💤 Untraceable sleep: Check if the sensor fits tightly to the skin. Tighten the strap if necessary.
• 📵 Notices not coming: In settings Android/iOS Allow Mi Fit to access notifications and disable battery optimization for the app.
• 🔋 Quickly discharges: Turn off background Bluetooth scanning in phone settings.

If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch, try resetting it to factory settings: hold the touch button for 10 seconds until the logo appears.

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If the bracelet is not working properly after the firmware update, the rollback to the previous version is possible only through informal tools (for example, Mi Band 4 Tools).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 4