New fitness bracelet owners often face a cluttered software name, and the name of the Xiaomi 4 app is a question that comes to mind for anyone who buys a new Xiaomi 4 watch for the first time, compounded by the fact that the company’s ecosystem has changed dramatically in recent years and that the same device could be serviced by different software programs.
The main confusion is due to rebranding and sharing of functionality between different services. If you have just unpacked Mi Band 4, you need to clearly understand what software is required for initial activation and further synchronization. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of choosing the right tool to manage your tracker.
Modern wearables require a stable connection to a smartphone to transmit health, notifications and activity data. The wrong choice of app can cause the bracelet to not see the phone or lose some of its features. Let's get into the mazes of branded software.
Main app: evolution from Mi Fit to Zepp Life
For a long time, the de facto standard for all Xiaomi trackers was the Mi Fit app, which provided full control over the device, allowed you to customize dials and analyze training statistics. However, in 2021, Huami (the manufacturer of bracelets) rebranded and Mi Fit app became Zepp Life.
For Mi Band 4 owners, this means that the old name is no longer relevant in app stores, although the functionality remains the same. Zepp Life is a direct continuation of Mi Fit, designed specifically for work with wearable electronics Xiaomi and Amazfit.
It's important to note that the upgrade is automatically upgraded, but user data is saved, and if you've used the old software before, your account and activity history will remain in place after you reinstall the new name, so that millions of users can migrate.
It is also worth mentioning that for some regions or firmware versions, the system may recommend using alternative solutions, but for the Mi Band 4, the classic and most stable option is the Zepp Life line. For full compatibility of all the functions of the fourth series, it is recommended to use Zepp Life, not Mi Fitness.
Alternative from Xiaomi: Mi Fitness app
In parallel with the development of Zepp Life, Xiaomi itself has begun promoting its own solution called Mi Fitness (known in China as Xiaomi Wear), which is designed to unify the management of the entire ecosystem of smart homes and wearables of the brand.
The answer is yes, but with reservations. Mi Fitness does support the fourth version of the bracelet, but the interface and logic of the work here are different from the usual Zepp Life. The new application has a more modern design, but can work less stable with older models of trackers.
Users note that sync in Mi Fitness takes longer and some specific dial settings may not be available, but if you plan to buy newer devices like the Mi Band 7 or Mi Watch in the future, it makes sense to get used to the new environment.
What is the difference between Zepp Life and Mi Fitness?
When choosing between the two main options, you should be guided by priorities: stability and data detail (Zepp Life) or a single interface for all gadgets (Mi Fitness).
Instructions for installation and first connection
The bracelet setting process requires care, as skipping one step can lead to pairing errors.Be sure to turn on Bluetooth and geolocation (GPS) on your smartphone before you start, as without permission to access the location of Android devices, fitness trackers often do not see.
First, you need to download the selected application from the official store. After installation, start the program and register by creating a new account or logging in through an existing one (for example, Google or Apple ID).
☑️ Checklist of connection
In the app menu, click the add-on button. The system will prompt you to scan. QR-You can either choose a code or select a model from a list. Mi Band 4 often requires you to manually run a search. When the bracelet appears in the list, confirm the pairing by pressing the vibrating capsule of the tracker.
Once the connection is successful, the app will suggest updating the firmware of the device, a step that is critical, because the factory version of the software may contain errors that affect sensors and autonomy. Don't interrupt the upgrade process, keep the bracelet near the phone.
| Parameter | Zepp Life | Mi Fitness | Notify for Mi Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official status | Official (Huami) | Official (Xiaomi) | Away. |
| Support for Mi Band 4 | Complete. | Basic | Expanded |
| Russian | There is. | There is. | There is. |
| Interface complexity | Medium | Low. | Tall. |
Next Next post: Notify for Mi Band
For advanced users who lack the functionality of official programs, there is a powerful third-party application Notify for Mi Band (formerly known as Tools & Mi Band), which allows you to unlock the hidden potential of the bracelet, which is not available in standard settings.
With this software, you can change the menu interface on the wristband, customize complex notification scenarios, display the weather in any format, and even control the playback of music more flexibly. However, it is worth remembering that this is not an official product, and the developer Xiaomi is not responsible for its work.
⚠️ Attention: Using third-party apps can lead to increased battery consumption of the bracelet and smartphone due to constant background processes.
Installing Notify for Mi Band requires pre-configuring the main application (Zepp Life), as third-party software often uses it as a “bridge” to get data. The setup process may seem difficult for a beginner, but the result is worth it.
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For advanced features in Notify for Mi Band, root access on Android or the use of special Bluetooth debugging modes is often required.
If you decide to experiment with advanced functionality, be sure to back up your data in the cloud before connecting third-party utilities, which will allow you to restore the settings in the event of a reset or conflict of programs.
Solving Connection Problems
Even with the right app, users may find it difficult to connect, lose communication or not display notifications, and most often the problem lies in the power saving settings of the smartphone, which “kills” the background process of the application.
You have to go to your phone's settings, find the Apps section, select Zepp Life or Mi Fitness, and prevent the system from restricting them, and check the permissions: access to Bluetooth, location, contacts, and notifications must be allowed in full.
Sometimes it helps to completely reset the bracelet to factory settings through the menu of the tracker itself (More -> Factory Reset), after which you need to remove the device from the Bluetooth list in the phone settings and re-conduct the pairing procedure through the application.
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90% of connection problems are solved by removing the app completely, clearing the Bluetooth cache and reinstalling from scratch.
If the bracelet is visible on the system but not connected, try forgetting the device in the Bluetooth menu, turning off and on Bluetooth on the phone, and then running the search in the app again.