Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets due to its combination of affordable price, long autonomy and wide functionality. However, even with such a proven time of the gadget, the first connection process raises questions for beginners. Unlike modern models with NFC or color screens, the Mi Band 4 requires a clear follow-up to the synchronization algorithm - especially if it is a question of changing a smartphone or recovering from a reset.
In this article, we will not only discuss the basic steps of connecting through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), but also the nuances that are not covered in standard instructions, such as why the bracelet may not be detected on an iPhone after an iOS update, how to reset settings before selling, or what to do if the Mi Band 4 constantly disconnects from the phone, and special attention will be paid to alternative methods of connecting for users who can not log in through a Xiaomi account.
Preparation for connection: what to check before synchronization
Before you start pairing your bracelet with your smartphone, make sure all the prerequisites are met. Experience shows that more than 60% of the problems with connecting the Mi Band 4 arise from ignoring basic requirements - a discharged battery, outdated software or conflicts with other gadgets.
Here are the key points that should be monitored:
- 🔋 Bracelet charge: Battery level should be at least 20%. With less charge, the Mi Band 4 can interrupt the synchronization process. Connect the bracelet to charge for 10-15 minutes if the indicator shows red.
- 📱 Version of the smartphone OS: Android requires version 5.0 and higher, iOS – 10.0+. On Android 4.4 or older devices, Mi Fitness will not be installed.
- 🌐 Internet connection: The application downloads proprietary bracelet software (about 10-15 MB), so without stable Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, synchronization is impossible.
- 🔄 Disconnect other gadgets: If another fitness bracelet is already connected to the phone (for example, Honor Band or Huawei Band), temporarily turn it off via Bluetooth settings.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously used the Mi Band 3 or another Xiaomi model, remove it from the list of devices in the Mi Fitness app.
Regional restrictions are also worth considering: In some countries (such as India or China), Mi Fitness may request additional permissions or offer alternative versions with limited functionality, and if you are traveling, temporarily disable VPNs, which will speed up the authorization process.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit)
The official Mi Band 4 management app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), which can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store. APK-files, as they may contain viruses or outdated versions of the software.
After installation, follow the following steps:
- Open the app and select the region of Russia (or your country), which affects the display of metric units (km/h instead of miles) and the available features.
- Sign in via Xiaomi, Google or Apple ID. If you do not have an account, register it directly in the application (you will need an email or phone number).
- In the main menu, click Profile → Add device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.
- Allow the app to access geolocation, notifications, and Bluetooth, and without these permissions, the bracelet won't be able to sync steps or show incoming calls.
If you have an error “I failed to log in to your account” during authorization, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and bracelet.
- 📧 Use a different email (sometimes business emails are blocked by Xiaomi).
- 🌍 Change the region in your phone settings to China, log in, then return back.
Install the Mi Fitness | Charge the bracelet to 20%+| Disable VPN/proxy | Allow Bluetooth and notifications | Remove old Xiaomi devices from your account-->
How to connect Mi Band 4 to your phone
When the app is installed and the bracelet is charged, we move to pairing. The whole process takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow the algorithm:
- Bluetooth activation: Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and make sure the bracelet is within 1 meter radius of the phone.
- Device Search: In the Mi Fitness app, click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 4 from the list. If the bracelet doesn't show, click Update List.
- Confirmation on the bracelet: On the Mi Band 4 screen, a connection request will appear – tap the sensor (buttons below the screen) for confirmation.
- Firmware Update: After pairing, the app will suggest updating the bracelet software. Don't interrupt the process, it can cause a failure. The update takes 2-3 minutes.
- Profile setting: Specify your gender, age, weight and activity goal (e.g. 10,000 steps per day) to help you count your calories correctly.
If at the stage of updating the firmware there is an error "Can not update", try:
- 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charge (even if the battery is not discharged).
- 📶 Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile internet or vice versa.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Mi Fitness app in your phone settings.
⚠️ Note: If you connect the Mi Band 4 to a new phone, first reset the bracelet to the factory settings. → Reset → Confirm (touch the sensor 3-4 times required).
What if the bracelet is not visible in the list of devices?
Configure notifications and additional functions
Once successfully connected, the Mi Band 4 can be customized to suit your needs. The basic functions (stepmeter, pulsemeter) work by default, but fine tuning is required to be fully used.
How to enable notifications:
- In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications.
- Activate the Call Notification and Notifications from the apps switch.
- Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
- Set up the Vibration and Screenlighting at notifications.
Additional features that should be included:
| Function | How to turn it on | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm clock | Profile → Alarm clocks → Add | Vibration on the arm will wake you up without sound |
| Phone search | Profile → Phone search | The bracelet will signal if the phone is lost. |
| Sleep control | Profile → Sleep → Auto-tracking | Analysis of sleep phases (deep, light, awakening) |
| Managing music | Profile → Managing music | Switch tracks straight from the bracelet |
There's a limitation for iPhone users: Mi Band 4 can't show text notifications (only the sender's name) That's a restriction on Apple, not the bracelet. There's no such problem on Android.
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If notifications come with a delay, in your phone settings, turn off battery optimization for the Mi Fitness app. On Xiaomi, this is done in Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Even when you set it up properly, users are faced with errors, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
- 🔴 Bracelet not visible in Bluetooth: Make sure Mi Band 4 is not connected to another device. reset the bracelet (clamp the sensor for 10 seconds) and repeat the search.
- 🔄 Permanent Shutdowns: Turn off Bluetooth power saving mode in your phone settings. On Android, also check if antivirus is blocking the connection.
- ⚠️ Error "Failed to update the firmware": Check if there is enough space on the phone (required) ~50MB of free space, try upgrading to another Wi-Fi.
- 📵 No notifications: In your phone settings, give Mi Fitness permission to Autostart and Display on top of other windows.
If the bracelet is plugged in but does not sync the data (steps, pulse), try:
- In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Sync data.
- Turn off and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.
- Reinstall the Mi Fitness app by saving your account details.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet has stopped responding to touches after the firmware update, force it to reboot: plug it into charging and press the sensor for 20 seconds.
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Most of the problems with connecting Mi Band 4 are solved by resetting the bracelet and reinstalling the application. If the error persists, check your smartphone's compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 protocol (required for stable operation).
Alternative ways to connect (without Mi Fitness)
If the official Mi Fitness app doesn’t work (for example, due to account lock or regional restrictions), you can use third-party programs.
- 📱 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android): Supports all of the features of Mi Band 4, including custom dials and advanced notifications.
- 🍎 Mi Band Master (iOS/Android): Allows you to adjust vibrations, alarms and even control the camera of the phone from the bracelet.
- 💻 Gadgetbridge (Android, open source): For advanced users who want full control of data (without the Xiaomi cloud).
When using third-party applications, consider:
- Contactless payment (if supported by your version of Mi Band 4 NFC) will not be available – it only works through official software.
- Some branded dials may be displayed incorrectly.
- Data synchronization with health (Google Fit, Apple Health) may require additional settings.
To connect via Gadgetbridge:
- Download the app from the official website (not from Google Play).
- Turn on the Developer Mode on the bracelet (in Mi Fitness go to Profile → About the program and 5 times click on the software version).
- In Gadgetbridge, select Mi Band 4 and follow the instructions on the screen.
Optimization of the bracelet after connection
To ensure that the Mi Band 4 is stable and cost-effective, follow these tips:
- 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off continuous heart rate monitoring (only during exercise) and increase autonomy from 5 to 10-12 days.
- 📶 Data synchronization: Set up automatic sync every 30 minutes instead of constant.This will reduce the Bluetooth load.
- 🌙 Do Not Disturb: Activate it overnight so the bracelet doesn't vibrate from nighttime notifications.
- 🔄 Firmware updates: Install them only through stable Wi-Fi. Newer versions often fix bugs with connection.
For athletes, it is useful to set up autodetermination of training:
- In the app, go to Profile → Training → Autodetermination.
- Choose activities (walking, running, cycling).
- Set a minimum duration (e.g. 10 minutes) to avoid false positives.
If the bracelet starts to discharge quickly, check:
- Is there a constant pulse in the background?
- Is the data updated too often (optimally every 30-60 minutes).
- Are there any third-party dials with animation (they consume more energy) installed?
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For maximum autonomy, turn off unnecessary notifications and reduce the synchronization frequency. The optimal balance is to check data every 2 hours.