Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to a smartphone: a complete guide with secrets

Why you need to connect Mi Band 4 correctly and what synchronization gives

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity even years after its release. But many users face problems already at the first connection stage - the device does not find the phone, the application gives out errors, or the data is incorrectly synchronized. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of connecting (including hidden ones), talk about typical errors and give exclusive tips for optimizing the bracelet.

Synchronization with the phone gives you access to advanced features: notifications from messengers, music control, detailed sleep statistics and even contactless payments (in some regions), without the right connection, the Mi Band 4 turns into a regular pedometer with an alarm clock. But this gadget can do much more - for example, track SpO₂ (Blood oxygen levels or automatically recognize 6 types of exercise.

Important: instructions for Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 4 NFC identical, but the owners of the version with NFC You will need to adjust the payment function (this is discussed in a separate section), and note that the bracelet only supports Bluetooth 4.2, so on phones with Bluetooth 5.0.+ There may be problems with connection – we will also consider their solution.

Preparing for connection: what to do before synchronization

Before you start pairing devices, follow a few mandatory steps that will save you 90% of the typical errors:

• 📱 Update your phone's firmware. On Android, check the version's up-to-date in Settings → System system → Update on iOS - in Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to at least 50%. At low charge, the Mi Band 4 can interrupt synchronization.
• 📲 Remove old versions of apps. If you previously had Mi Fit or Zepp Life installed, delete them and download the latest version (links in the next section).
• 🔄 Enable Bluetooth and geolocation. On Android, also activate the exact location permission for the app.

Pay special attention to the choice of the application for synchronization. Since 2023, Xiaomi has officially transferred all bracelets to the Zepp Life platform (formerly Amazfit), but Mi Fit still works for older devices. We recommend using Zepp Life - it is more stable and supports more features. However, if you have Mi Band 4 firmware below 1.0.7.14, you will have to temporarily install Mi Fit for the first connection.

Step-by-step: how to connect Mi Band 4 to Android

The process of synchronization with an Android smartphone takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow the algorithm:

1. Download Zepp Life from Google Play. Avoid clones — check the developer name (Huami Inc.).

If you have a “failed to connect” error during the device search phase, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/turn on notification curtain).
• 📱 Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → Zepp Life → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Reset the bracelet to factory settings (press the 10 seconds button until vibration appears).

Download Zepp Life from the official store

Register an account (do not use guest mode)

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation with high accuracy

Allow all application requests during installation

Charge the bracelet to at least 30%

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After a successful connection, be sure to check:

• 🔔 Notifications: in Zepp Life go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications and enable alerts for the desired applications.
• ⏱️ Autosynchronization: in Settings → Set the time interval of 30 minutes to save battery.
• 🏃 Activity Tracking: Activate automatic walking/running recognition in Profile → Sport → Auto-tracking.

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If the bracelet doesn't vibrate when you're notified, check the power saving settings on your phone. Xiaomi/Redmi Add Zepp Life to the AutoRun list and disable Battery Optimization for the app.

Synchronization with iPhone: features and limitations

Connecting Mi Band 4 to the iPhone has a number of nuances due to the limitations of iOS. The main difference is that there is no support for notifications from third-party messengers (except for calls and calls). SMS). It is also impossible to configure on the iPhone:

• 🎵 Controlling music from a bracelet.
• 🔍 Automatic recognition of workouts (manual start only).
• 📊 Detailed sleep statistics (only basic data are displayed).

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

1. Download Zepp Life from the App Store.
2. Sign up (we recommend using Xiaomi Account to sync with other devices in the ecosystem).
3. Turn on Bluetooth and allow Zepp Life to use geolocation (Settings) → Confidentiality → Geolocation services).
4. In the app, select Add Device → Mi Smart Band 4.
5. Hold the bracelet to the phone at a distance of < 10 cm and wait for the vibration.

If the connection was suspended during the "Device Search" stage:

⚠️ Note: On iPhone 12 and later, the connection lock may be triggered due to the Private Address feature in Bluetooth. → Bluetooth → (i) next to the Mi Band 4 → Disable private address.

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On the iPhone, Mi Band 4 is running in a stripped-down mode due to Apple's limitations.If notifications and advanced features are important to you, use an Android smartphone or consider switching to the Mi Band 7+ with improved iOS support.

Setting up NFC Mi Band 4 NFC: How to tie a card and pay

Bracelet version with NFC Supports contactless payments via Mi Pay (in Russia - SberPay or Mir Pay).However, the functionality is available only in supported countries and requires separate configuration:

1. Make sure your bracelet is a Xiaomi Mi Band 4 model NFC (on the box and in the settings should be marked NFC).
2. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → NFC payment.
3. Choose a payment system (Mi Pay, SberPay or Google Pay for Android).
4. Follow the instructions of the application for linking a bank card (confirmation will be required via SMS).
5. After successful binding, assign a PIN code to the bracelet for payments (4-6 figure).

Important limitations:

• 💳 Payment limit: up to 1000₽ without PIN (in Russia), up to 5000₽ — pin.
• 📍 Geography: only in countries where Mi Pay is supported (full list - here).
• 🔄 Reset: when resetting the bracelet, the tied cards are removed - they need to be reconfigured.

The following banks are relevant for Russia, supporting payments through Mi Band 4 NFC:

Common bugs and their solutions: why Mi Band 4 is not connected

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users face problems, and we have collected TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:

1.The bracelet is not in the appendix.

The reason: Bluetooth connection conflict or outdated bracelet firmware.

Decision:

• 🔄 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, restart it and turn it on again.
• 📱 In Zepp Life, remove the bracelet from the list of devices and add again.
• 🔧 Update the bracelet firmware manually (instructions in the next section).

2. The connection is permanently broken

The reason: the phone’s energy saving block the background work of Zepp Life.

Decision:

• 🔋 On Android: Add the app to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Zepp Life → Not optimize).
• 📵 On iPhone: Turn off Low Power Mode.

3.No notifications are coming.

Reason: Lack of permissions or conflict with other applications.

Decision:

• 🔔 Check notification settings in Zepp Life (Profile) → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications).
• 🚫 Remove duplicate apps (e.g. Notify for Mi Band or Tools & Mi Band).
• 🔄 Reboot the bracelet and phone.

4.The bracelet doesn't vibrate when ringing

Reason: The alarm clock in the bracelet settings is turned off.

Solution: In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Alarm clock and reminders → Vibration when calling and turn on the option.

5. "Failure to update firmware" error

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet shows when updating the firmware 0% And it freezes, don't turn it off the charger, don't press the button. 10-15 minutes, the process may take up to 20 If you're on a slow Internet, interrupting the update will cause the device to "brick!

If none of these methods worked, do a complete reset of the bracelet:

1. Disable the bracelet from your Zepp Life account.
2. Press the touch button for 10 seconds until you feel the vibration.
3. Reconnect as if to a new device.

Firmware Update: How to Install the Latest Version Manually

Automatic firmware updates via Zepp Life don’t always work well. If your Mi Band 4 is hanging or not working properly, try updating the software manually. The latest official firmware today is 1.0.9.58 (for the international version).

Manual update instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your version of the bracelet: 🌍 International version (1.0.9.58) 🇨🇳 Chinese version (1.0.9.56)

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Zepp Life

Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Firmware update → Local Update

Select the downloaded file and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

After the update, check:

• 🔋 Charge level: the update can discharge the bracelet on 20-30%.
• 📊 Synchronize data: in Zepp Life, click Synchronize manually.
• 🔄 The operation of sensors: test the measurement of the pulse and SpO₂.

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If the bracelet starts to discharge quickly after the upgrade, reset it to the factory settings and reconnect it, which helps 80% of the time.

Mi Band 4: What the bracelet does, what you didn’t know

In addition to the standard features, the Mi Band 4 hides a few useful chips that are not advertised in the official instructions:

• 🔍 Phone search: Twice tap the bracelet screen – the phone will emit a loud signal (even if there is a silent mode).
• 🎵 Camera Control: In Zepp Life, turn on Camera Control – you can now take a selfie by pressing your bracelet.
• 🌙 Do Not Disturb: Press the screen for 2 seconds to turn off all notifications for 1 hour (useful in meetings or while sleeping).
• 🏊 Water resistance 5 ATM: The bracelet can withstand a 50-meter dive, but you can not press the button under water (risk of damage to the microphone).
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off automatic pulse measurement (Profile) → Heart → Frequency of measurements → Manually – this will increase the working time from 15 to 25 days.

Another little-known possibility is gesture tuning, and in Zepp Life, you can assign actions to:

• 👆 Raising your hand - turning on the screen.
• 🙌 Double touch – moving to the next screen.
• 🖐️ Palm closing – turning off the screen (saves charge).

For fans of customization: you can download custom dials into the bracelet through the AmazfitWatchFaces service.

1. Download your favorite dial in.bin format.
2. Place the file in the Mi Band 4 folder on your phone.
3. In Zepp Life, select a Profile. → Mi Smart Band 4 → Dials → Local.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Band 4