Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to your phone: full instruction with error solutions

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for monitoring activity despite the release of new models, its main advantages are affordable price, long autonomy and wide functionality from step count to sleep control. However, many users have difficulties with the first connection to a smartphone, especially if we are talking about Xiaomi phones with a branded shell MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of synchronization, possible errors and ways to fix them.

Mi Fit

Zepp Life

Amazfit

Mi Band 4

If you have just unpacked the bracelet or dropped it to factory settings, the first step is charging. Even if the indicator shows residual charge, it is recommended to connect the Mi Band 4 to the charger for 10-15 minutes. This will eliminate connection problems due to low battery level. While the bracelet is charging, prepare the phone: check the Android version (should be at least 5.0) and free up space for the application to install.

The MIUI shell is known for aggressive background optimization and limiting application auto-starts, which often leads to a breakdown in communication with the bracelet, and we will detail how to adjust these settings to avoid constant reconnection.

1. Which app to choose: Mi Fit or Zepp Life?

Until 2023, the only official app for the Mi Band 4 was Xiaomi’s Mi Fit, but after rebranding the wearables ecosystem, the company moved all of its wristbands and watches to the Zepp Life platform (formerly Amazfit), both of which are now available on Google Play and the App Gallery, but there are key differences:

Mi Fit:

• 🔹 Supports all Mi Band models, including Mi Band 4, but updates are less common.
• 🔹 The interface is in Russian, but some features (such as training) are less detailed.
• 🔹 Compatible with MIUI "Out of the box – fewer problems with permissions.

Zepp Life:

• 🔹 More modern design and advanced analytics (e.g. stress assessment, breathing).
• 🔹 Frequent updates, but possible bugs when working with outdated bracelets.
• 🔹 Requires additional permissions to sync with Google Fit.

For the Mi Band 4, we recommend starting with the Mi Fit, as it works more consistently with this model, and if you want advanced health metrics, you can try Zepp Life, but be prepared for possible failures.

2. Step-by-step connection instruction

Before you start, make sure that your Xiaomi phone is powered on:

• 📶 Bluetooth (in the notification panel or in Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth).
• 📱 Geodata (in Settings) → Confidentiality → geodata).
• 🔄 Auto-run for the selected application (more on this below).

Now we move on to synchronization:

1. Install the app: Download Mi Fit or Zepp Life from Google Play (for MIUI without Google services, use App Gallery or APKMirror). Avoid third-party sources - the risk of catching a virus!
2. Sign up for an account: When you first start up, the app will prompt you to sign in via Xiaomi Account, Google, Facebook or email. Choose a convenient way. If you already have a Xiaomi account (for example, for a phone), use it - this will make it easier to sync data.
3. Add the device: Press "+" or "Add device" → select the Mi Smart Band 4 from the list. If there is no model, update the app.
4. Bluetooth pairing: The bracelet must flash a white LED (meaning it is in search mode). In the app, confirm the connection to the device called the Mi Band. 4_XXXX.
5. Firmware Update: Once connected, the app will prompt you to update the bracelet firmware. Don't interrupt the process - this can cause a failure. If the update is suspended, restart the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds).

Charge the bracelet to 50%+

Install Mi Fit or Zepp Life

Enable Bluetooth and geodata

Registering a Xiaomi account

Update the bracelet firmware-->

If at the interface stage there is an error "Can not connect", try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone and bracelet.
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone.
• 🔧 In the application, click "Reconnect".

3. Set up notifications and calls

One of the key features of the Mi Band 4 is to display notifications from your phone, but by default, this option may be disabled or not work correctly, to configure it correctly:

In the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app, go to: Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Application Notifications

Here you will see a list of all the programs installed on the phone, we recommend you to include notifications for:

• 📞 Telephone (incoming calls).
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber).
• 📧 Mail (Gmail, Outlook).
• 📅 Calendar (reminders of events).

Please note:

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 12+ notifications may not come due to background activity limitations. To correct this, go to: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Fit/Zepp Life → Permits → Autostart and enable the option. Also add the app to Unlimited in Battery section → Optimizing the battery.

For incoming calls, the bracelet supports:

• 📞 Display of subscriber number or name.
• ❌ Deflection of the call (double pressing the button of the bracelet).
• 🔕 Silent mode (vibration instead of sound).

💡

If notifications are duplicated (come to the phone and the bracelet), disable them in the settings of a specific messenger on the phone, leaving only in Mi Fit.

4. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, Mi Band 4 users are faced with common errors, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:

If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch:

1. Check if the water is under the sensor (despite the 5 ATM water protection, condensate can disrupt the sensor).
2. Wipe the screen with a dry napkin.
3. Reset the bracelet (press the button for 10-15 seconds before vibration).

Critical error: if after updating the firmware bracelet got stuck on the Mi logo:

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to reset the settings through the app - this can make the problem worse. Instead: Connect the bracelet to charging. Press the touch button for 20 to 30 seconds until double vibration. Reconnect to the phone after rebooting. If that doesn’t work, contact Xiaomi for support – you may need to flash it through the Mi Fit Tool (instructions for power users).

5. Optimization of the bracelet with MIUI

The MIUI shell is known for aggressive background optimization, which often leads to a communication breakdown with the Mi Band 4. To avoid problems, follow the following settings:

1. Disabling battery optimization:

Go to: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization

Find Mi Fit or Zepp Life in the list and select No Limits.

Auto-start permit:

In Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Fit → Autorun, enable the option. Also add the application to Memory Cleanup Protection (if there is one).

Permits for geodata:

The bracelet uses geodata to accurately count steps and determine activity. Enable location access: Settings → Privacy → Geodata → App permissions → Mi Fit → Always

4. Set up notifications in MIUI:

In Settings → Notifications → Notifications Management, find Mi Fit and enable:

• 🔔 Pop-up notifications.
• 📌 Sound and vibration.
• 🔄 Display on the lock screen.

💡

For stable operation of the Mi Band 4 with MIUI, be sure to turn off battery optimization and enable auto-run for the companion app.

6 Additional functions: music, alarm clocks, training

In addition to the basic functionality, the Mi Band 4 supports several useful options, which many do not know about:

Music management:

The bracelet can switch tracks and adjust the volume on the phone.

1. Turn on the player on your phone (for example, Spotify or Yandex Music).
2. On the bracelet, swipe up the screen and select an icon. 🎵.
3. Use swipes to switch tracks, and pressing the button to pause/play.

Smart alarm clocks:

Unlike normal alarm clocks, Mi Band 4 can wake you up in light sleep.

In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Alarms → Smart alarm clock. Set a time and interval (for example, ±30 minutes) during which the bracelet will select the optimal moment to wake up.

Training regimens:

The bracelet supports 6 main modes:

• 🏃 Running (outside/treadmill).
• 🚴 Cycling.
• 🏊 Swimming (requires the mode to be enabled in the settings).
• 🏋 Gym room.
• 🧘 yoga.
• 🚶 Walking.

To start your workout, swipe right across the bracelet screen and select the desired mode, and your pulse, steps and calories will be synchronized with the app.

7.How to reset Mi Band 4 to factory settings

If the bracelet is starting to glitch, is not synchronizing, or you want to pass it to another user, do a reset. There are two ways:

Method 1: Through the application:

1. Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life.
2. Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 4 → Untie the device.
3. Confirm action. The bracelet will be reset and disconnected from the account.

Method 2: Hardware reset (if the application does not work):

1. Charge the bracelet at least 50%.
2. Press the touch button for 10-15 seconds before the Mi logo appears.
3. After vibration, release the button - the bracelet will reboot in factory condition.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all data on the bracelet (steps, sleep, exercise) will be deleted. If it is not synchronized with the application, it will be impossible to restore it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 4