The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release, thanks to a combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, iPhone 6 owners (released in 2014) often face difficulties in trying to sync devices, and the problem lies not only in the outdated version of iOS, but also in the features of the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol, which the Mi Band 4 uses in a modified form to save energy.
In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide to everything from choosing the right version of the Mi Fit app to manually resetting the bracelet if you have a connection error. We will also look at alternative synchronization methods (for example, through Notify & Fitness for Mi Band) if the standard method does not work, and we will focus on solutions for iOS 12.5.7, the latest supported version for the iPhone 6, where conflicts often arise with new versions of Xiaomi’s proprietary software.
1. Compatibility Check: Does the Mi Band 4 work with the iPhone 6?
Before you start connecting, make sure your iPhone 6 meets the minimum requirements:
- 📱 iOS version: no lower than 9.0 (optimally 12.5.7, the last for the iPhone 6.
- 🔋 Bluetooth: Should support Bluetooth BLE 4.0 (iPhone 6 is built-in, but may not work smoothly due to hardware constraints).
- 📲 Memory: at least 500 MB of free space for installing the application and the bracelet data cache.
Xiaomi officially announces support for Mi Band 4 on iOS 10+, but in practice, iPhone 6 users face two key challenges:
- No Mi Fit Updates – The latest version of the app in the App Store requires iOS 13+, but only Mi Fit 4.6.0 is available for the iPhone 6 (2020).
- The “failed to connect” error is caused by a conflict between the BLE protocols between the bracelet and the outdated iPhone 6 chip (model A8).
If your iPhone 6 is upgraded to iOS 12.5.7, the chances of a successful connection are ~80%; on iOS 10–11, the probability drops to 50%, and on iOS 9, the probability is almost zero.
2.Preparing iPhone 6 for connection
Before synchronization, perform the mandatory settings on your smartphone:
Disable VPN and proxy in Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) near the network
Remove old versions of Mi Fit (if any)
Reboot your phone (hold Home + Power until the logo appears)
Turn Bluetooth on to Settings → Bluetooth and leave the screen unlocked
Make sure the bracelet is charged at least 20 times%-->
Critical: On the iPhone 6, you need to turn off the Low Power Consumption feature (Settings → Battery) in which the system restricts Bluetooth operation, which leads to a breakdown of the connection to the Mi Band 4 1-2 minutes after connecting.
Also check if In-Air mode is active, which blocks all wireless modules, including Bluetooth. If the aircraft indicator is displayed in the status bar, move the slider to Settings → Flight mode.
⚠️ Warning: If you have previously connected the Mi Band 4 to another smartphone (such as Android), reset the bracelet to factory settings. otherwise the iPhone will not be able to detect it. → Reset → Confirm (you need to hold the button for 10 seconds).
3. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application
The official Mi Fit app is the only way to fully sync the Mi Band 4 with the iPhone, but the App Store only has the current version, which requires iOS 13+. iPhone 6 owners will have to install the old version manually:
- Download the 4.6.0 IPA file (the latest one with iOS 12 support) from a trusted source (e.g., the App Store via iTunes on PC or Archive.org archive).
- Install it via iTunes or AltStore: 1. Connect your iPhone to a PC/Mac. 2. Open iTunes → Devices → Programs. 3. Drag the IPA file to the app list. 4. Sync the device.
- Run Mi Fit and resolve all requests (notifications, Bluetooth, geolocation).
After installation:
- 🌍 Select China (in some versions, this solves the connection problem).
- 📧 Register with Mi Account or sign in through Google/Facebook (if maintained).
- 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware (if offered) – this will fix compatibility bugs.
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If Mi Fit doesn’t open after installation, check the date and time on your iPhone.Incorrect settings (for example, January 1, 2016) block the app from launching.
4. Step-by-step instructions for connecting Mi Band 4
Follow the algorithm precisely – the order of action is important!
- Activate the bracelet: Press the Mi Band 4 touch button before the Mi logo appears.
- Start Mi Fit and tap "Add Device" → "Breasure" → "Mi Smart Band 4".
- Allow Bluetooth access (click "Allow" in the pop-up window).
- Wait for detection – the bracelet should appear in the list as "MI Band 4_XXXX" (where XXXX — unique ID).
- Confirm the connection on the bracelet (on the screen will appear a request – touch the tick).
If the process is suspended during the "Connection" stage:
- 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the 15 seconds button until vibration).
- 📱 Restart Bluetooth on iPhone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off/On).
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-Bracelet charging port (a discharged battery can block the connection).
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is not detectable. | Conflict with other BLE devices | Disconnect all other gadgets (earphones, speakers) from the iPhone |
| The "failed to connect" error | Outdated bracelet firmware | Update your firmware through Mi Fit or manually (Section 6) |
| The application will fly out when synchronized | Lack of RAM | Close all background applications (Double tap Home → swipe up) |
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If Mi Band 4 is connected but the data is not synchronized (steps, pulse), check the notification settings in Mi Fit: Profile → Notifications → Enable synchronization.
5. Alternative apps for iPhone 6
If Mi Fit refuses to work, try third-party software that doesn’t support all features (e.g. Mi Pay payments), but allows you to:
- 📊 Read data from sensors (steps, pulse, sleep).
- 🔔 Receive notifications of calls and messages.
- ⚡ Set alarms and reminders.
Best alternatives:
| Annex | Compatibility with iOS | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Notify & Fitness for Mi Band | iOS 11+ | Notification support, screen customization, data export to Apple Health |
| Mi Band Master | iOS 12+ | Advanced vibration settings, music control |
| Tools & Mi Band | iOS 10+ | Simple synchronization without registration, but limited functionality |
To install alternative applications:
- Remove Mi Fit (if installed).
- Download the selected application from the App Store.
- In the application settings, select the Mi Band 4 model.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to confirm the connection on the bracelet).
How to transfer data from Mi Fit to an alternative application?
6. Update firmware Mi Band 4 on iPhone 6
Outdated bracelet firmware is a common reason for unstable work with the iPhone 6. You can update it in two ways:
Method 1: Mi Fit (if the connection is possible)
- Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Firmware Update.
- Connect the bracelet to charge (the battery must be charged by 50%+).
- Click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).
Method 2: Manually via Android device
If the iPhone update does not go through:
- Take any smartphone on Android 6.0+.
- Install Mi Fit and connect the bracelet.
- Update the firmware through the bracelet menu in the app.
- Reset the bracelet to factory settings and plug back into the iPhone.
⚠️ Attention: Do not interrupt the firmware update process! If the bracelet turns off during the boot phase, it may stop responding to charging. In this case, hardware reset will be required (disassembly of the case and closing of contacts - not recommended for beginners).
The latest stable firmware for the Mi Band 4 is 1.0.9.54 (2021) and fixes bugs that connect to older Apple devices. Check the current version at Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → About the device.
7. Solving common mistakes
Even after a successful connection, iPhone 6 users face typical problems:
- 🔴 "The bracelet is off" - arises from the energy-saving iOS mode. Solution: disable Settings. → Battery. → Low energy consumption and add Mi Fit to exceptions (Settings) → Battery. → Battery status → Mi Fit → Background activity → On.).
- 🔄 "Data is not synchronized" - check if synchronization is enabled in Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Synchronize data. Also clear the app cache (iPhone settings) → Mi Fit → Clear the cache).
- 🔔 "Not Notifications Come – in iPhone Settings → Notifications → Mi Fit Enable the "Sounds", "Banners" and "Banners" Options".
If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch:
- Check the charge (plug it into the charger for 30 minutes).
- Reset: Hold the button for 20 seconds until it vibrates twice.
- Update the firmware (section 6).
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If the bracelet stopped connecting after the iOS update, try rolling back the Mi Fit version. To do this, uninstall the application, download the old version's IPA (for example, 4.5.0) and install it through AltStore or Sideloadly.