The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet has become a real bestseller among wearable electronics thanks to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, even such a popular device has situations when it needs to be completely turned off — whether it is preparing for long-term storage, fixing software failures or simply saving battery life. Unlike smartphones, where the power button is always at hand, with Xiaomi smartwatches, it is not all that obvious.
Many users are faced with the problem of how to turn off the Mi Band 4 when the manual describes this process very poorly? The fact is that the manufacturer did not provide a traditional on/off button, instead implemented several alternative methods. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to turn off the bracelet, including hidden features and nuances that are not discussed in the official manuals.
Why you should turn off Mi Band 4
At first glance, a fitness bracelet doesn't need to be turned off -- it consumes minimal energy and can run for months without recharging.
- 🔋 Long-term storage (over 3 months) – even in standby mode, the lithium polymer battery is slowly discharged, which can lead to deep discharge and failure.
- 🔄 Software glitches – if the bracelet has started to glitches (not synced, not showing notifications), a complete shutdown often helps to reset temporary errors.
- ✈️ Flight or transportation – some airlines require electronic devices to be turned off in luggage.
- 🛠️ Repair or replace the strap – to avoid accidental pressing during disassembly.
- 📱 Reset before sale – disabling and resetting to factory settings will delete all personal data.
It's important to understand that simply removing the bracelet from your hand or disconnecting it from the Mi Fit app is not the equivalent of turning it off. The device continues to operate in the background, consuming battery power. A complete power outage is the only way to completely stop all processes.
Method 1: Turn off through the bracelet menu
The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in menu, but not all users know where the option is hidden.
- Wake up the bracelet screen by touching the touch button below the display or raising your hand (if the Rise to Wake Up feature is enabled).
- Scroll the menu to the right until you find the item More (marked by three dots).
- In the list that opens, select Settings (cog icon).
- Scroll down to the option to Turn Off (some firmware may call Disable or Power Off).
- Confirm the action by clicking the tick or holding the touch button for 3 seconds.
If the option is not on the menu, this can mean two things: either you have an outdated version of the firmware (update via Mi Fit), or the bracelet is in power saving mode. In the latter case, try first to connect it to charging for 10-15 minutes - this will unlock access to all functions.
Remove the bracelet from your hand (avoid accidental pressing)
Check the level of charge (minimum 10%)
Disable Bluetooth in your smartphone (optional)
Remember the current settings (if you plan to reset)-->
Method 2: Forced button shutdown
The Mi Band 4 doesn't have a physical power button, but there's a hardware reset that simulates shutdown, which is useful if the bracelet is stuck and doesn't respond to the touch of the screen. Here's how to do this:
- Place the bracelet on a flat surface with the screen up.
- Find on the back of the device a small indentation next to the charging connector - this is the reset sensor.
- Take a paperclip or toothpick and gently press into this recess, holding for 10-15 seconds.
- The screen should go out, and after a few seconds the Mi logo will appear – this means that the bracelet is rebooted.
This method is not a full shutdown, but rather a hard reset. After such a reset, all settings will remain, but the background processes will be stopped. If your goal is to save charge, after rebooting, it is recommended to immediately turn off the bracelet through the menu (see Method 1).
⚠️ Warning: Do not use sharp metal objects to press the reset sensor - this can damage the case.
Method 3: Turning off via Mi Fit
The official Mi Fit app (or its Zepp Life alternative for newer versions) allows you to remotely control some of the bracelet's features, but there's no direct option to turn off.
- Open the Mi Fit and connect to the bracelet via Bluetooth.
- Go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 4.
- Select the device settings → Reset to factory.
- Confirm the reset - the bracelet will reboot and disconnect from the smartphone.
- Immediately after reset, turn it off via the menu (Method 1) until it connects back.
This method is suitable if you plan to completely flash or transfer the bracelet to another user, and note that the reset will remove all data from the device, including:
- 📊 Steps and sleep statistics for the last 7 days (cloud data will be saved).
- ⏰ Alerts and reminders settings.
- 🔒 Unblock password (if set).
💡
Before resetting, export data from Mi Fit to CSV: Profile → Settings → Data Export. This will keep your activity history even after you turn off the bracelet.
Method 4: Discharge the battery before automatic shutdown
If all of the above methods fail (e.g., the bracelet is completely frozen and does not respond to the sensor), the only radical way is to discharge the battery to zero, a process that can take anywhere from a few hours to a day, depending on the current level of charge.
To speed up the discharge:
- Activate all energy-intensive functions: 🔦 Constant screen lighting (Settings) → Display. → Backlight: Always). 📡 Continuous synchronization with the phone. 🏃♂️ Exercise mode (for example, Running or Bicycle).
Periodically press the screen to prevent the transition to sleep mode.
Heart rate notifications
When the charge reaches 0%, the bracelet will automatically shut down, but this method has a serious drawback: deep discharge of the lithium-polymer battery reduces its life by 10-15%. Use it only as a last resort!
| Method of shutdown | Implementation time | Data retention | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the wristband menu | 1-2 minutes | All data is stored. | Doesn't work when you're hanging. |
| Hardware reset (button) | 10-15 seconds | Preserve. | Not a complete shutdown |
| Reset via Mi Fit | 3-5 minutes | Removed | Requires a phone connection |
| Discharge to 0 per cent | 4-24 hours | Preserve. | Harm to the battery |
Method 5: Disconnect via the Engineering Menu (for advanced)
For power users, there is a hidden engineering menu that allows you to manage low-level bracelet settings, including forced shutdown, a method that requires caution, as incorrect actions can lead to loss of functionality of the device.
Instructions:
- Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
- Go to the main menu and quickly tap the screen 10 times in a row (with an interval of no more than 1 second).
- After the vibration, a hidden menu will appear with the inscription TEST MODE.
- Scroll down to Power Off (usually 7th or 8th).
- Hold the touch button for 5 seconds to confirm.
If the screen glows with dim light or periodically flashes, the bracelet is in deep sleep mode, but not turned off.