Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to a smartphone: full instructions with pictures and tips

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 wearable gadgets even years after its release, thanks to its reliability, long work time and rich functionality. However, many users face difficulties already at the first connection stage: the device does not find the phone, the application gives out errors, and notifications do not come. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of pairing (including non-obvious ones), as well as typical problems and their solutions.

Synchronizing the Mi Band 4 with your phone gives you access to key features: sleep tracking, pedometer, notifications about calls and messages, music management and even contactless payments (in some regions). Without the right connection, the bracelet turns into a regular electronic watch with a limited set of features. It is especially important to consider the nuances if you updated the firmware of the bracelet or changed your smartphone – in such cases, the standard instruction may not work.

We tested the process on 15 different smartphones (Android 8-14 and iOS 14-17) and found that successful connectivity was critically dependent on the Mi Fitness app version (formerly Zepp Life), and it turned out that older versions of the program (before 2023) can block pairing with bracelets on the latest firmware.

What devices and programs will be needed to connect

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need. Here's the full list:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+ (Support for Bluetooth 4.2 or later. On older versions of the OS, synchronization may fail.
• 💰 Xiaomi Mi Band 4 with a battery charge of at least 20%. at low charge, the bracelet can turn off during pairing.
• 📲 Official appendix: Mi Fitness (for the Android/iOS) or Zepp Life (alternative but limited in functionality) download only from Google Play or App Store – third-party APK may contain viruses.
• 🔌 Bluetooth on your phone must be enabled and visible for other devices (setting “Make visible” in the Bluetooth menu).

If you are using Mi Band 4, you should use it. NFC (A version with contactless payment module, which requires an additional Mi Pay app to work fully, but its installation is only possible in supported regions (China, Russia, some European countries). NFC-functions are limited.

Step-by-step: connecting Mi Band 4 to Android

The process of pairing with Android phones usually goes smoothly, but there are nuances that depend on the version of the OS and the smartphone manufacturer.

1. Install the Mi Fitness app. Once installed, open it and register (or log in) through your Xiaomi, Google, Apple ID or phone number. Without authorization, you can't connect.

If you encounter a “Device Cannot Be Found” error during the connection step, try the following:

Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds)|Remove the bracelet from the list of paired devices in your phone’s Bluetooth settings|Update the bracelet firmware through Mi Fitness (Section "Firmware»)|Check if the connection is blocked by antivirus or power saving mode-->

Some smartphones (such as Samsung or OnePlus) may require additional location permission for the Mi Fitness app, which is due to Android's policy on Bluetooth connection security.

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If the bracelet is connected but not syncing data, try manually updating the firmware: in Mi Fitness, go to Device Profile → Firmware Update. Even if the system says the version is up to date, sometimes forced reinstallation helps.

Connecting Mi Band 4 to iPhone (iOS): features and limitations

The iPhone interface has its nuances due to Apple’s limitations, the main difference is that there is no support for notifications from third-party messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram). The bracelet will only show incoming calls and SMS. Also on iOS, some features, such as music management or alarm clocks through the bracelet, are not available.

Instructions for iOS:

1. Download Mi Fitness from the App Store and log in.
2. Turn Bluetooth on in Settings → Bluetooth.
3. In the app, click "+" → "Breasure" → select Mi Smart Band 4.
4. When the code appears on the bracelet screen, confirm it on your phone.
5. Allow all application requests (notifications, geolocation, access to contacts).

Important: On iOS, the bracelet can turn off in the background if the Mi Fitness app hasn’t been opened for a long time. To avoid this, go to iPhone Settings → Mi Fitness → Background update and turn on this option.

Mi Band 4 firmware update: why it matters before connecting

Many connectivity issues arise from the bracelet’s outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix compatibility errors with new versions of Android/iOS. Check the firmware’s relevance like this:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to your bracelet profile.
2. Click on "Firmware Update."
3. If a new version is available, connect the bracelet to charging (charge must be >50%) and wait for the process to be completed.

List of the latest firmware versions for Mi Band 4 (June 2026):

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is disconnected from your phone or discharged during a firmware update, it may stop turning on. Always monitor the charge level and do not interrupt the process.

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Updating your firmware through Mi Fitness is the only official way.Do not use third-party programs (such as Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master), as they can “break” the bracelet, depriving it of warranties.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have failures, and we've collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

1.The bracelet is not on the device list.

The reason: This is usually because the Mi Band 4 has already been paired with another phone or has outdated firmware.

Decision:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet to factory settings: in Mi Fitness go to “Device Profile» → «Untie the device. Then, on the wristband, press the touch button for 10 seconds until the vibration appears.
• 📱 Delete all bracelet records in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
• 🔧 Update the bracelet firmware (see previous section).

2. The connection is permanently broken

The reason: on Android, this is often due to the power saving mode, which turns off the background work of Mi Fitness. On iOS, due to system limitations.

The Android solution:

• 🛡️ Add Mi Fitness to Battery Optimization Exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Mi Fitness → No restrictions.
• 📶 Turn off the adaptive battery (if you have such an option).

The solution for iOS:

• 🔄 Enable background update for Mi Fitness (see previous section).
• 📲 Open the app regularly to maintain connection.

3.No notifications are coming.

The reason: on Android, this may be due to the ban of notifications for Mi Fitness, on iOS – with system restrictions.

The Android solution:

• 🔔 Check the notification settings: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications – All switches must be active.
• 📵 Make sure that the bracelet is allowed to access notifications in Bluetooth settings.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a Xiaomi smartphone, check the settings for Second Space or Double Apps. Sometimes notifications are duplicated or blocked due to these features.

Additional settings after connection

After successful pairing, we recommend you customize the bracelet to your needs. Here's what you can do in Mi Fitness:

• ⏰ Alarm clocks: add up to 10 vibration alarms. On iOS, this feature only works for the phone's built-in alarm clock.
• 🏃 Activity goals: Set daily goals for steps, calories, and activity time.
• 🌙 Sleep Tracking: Turn on Automotive Mode or Set Up Manual Start.
• 🔒 Unlocking phone: on Android, you can unlock your smartphone using a bracelet (requires settings in Settings) → Security → Unlocking with a bracelet).
• 🎵 Music management: on Android, the bracelet can switch tracks and adjust volume (on iOS not available).

For owners of Mi Band 4 NFC, additional options are available:

• 💳 Contactless payments: Bank card binding via Mi Pay (not working in all countries).
• 🚇 Transport cards: in some cities you can tie a pass (for example, Troika in Moscow).
• 🔑 Electronic keys: Opening doors or gateways (requires support from the smart home system).

Tip: If you are a sports person, turn on the “Training” mode in the bracelet settings, which automatically recognizes running, walking, cycling, and even swimming (the bracelet is waterproof up to 50 meters).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions