Modern wearables have become an integral part of the lives of millions of users who want to monitor their health. Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 deservedly earned the title of one of the most popular fitness trackers in the world due to its excellent balance of price and functionality. However, immediately after unpacking, the device is not ready to work – it must be properly synchronized with a smartphone. The setup process can seem confusing for beginners, especially given the specifics of the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at how to pair a bracelet with Android and iOS phones, learn about the nuances of the Mi Fit app (now renamed Zepp Life) and Mi Fitness, and how to avoid typical errors when you first start. A competent initial configuration will ensure that notifications work consistently, accurate step counting and proper sleep monitoring.
Before you start the software part, it's important to make sure that the tracker itself is ready to go. Often users try to search for the device in Bluetooth right away, forgetting about the basic things. Make sure that the contact group on the back of the capsule has removed the protective film, if it was there. It is also critical that the device has enough battery power to carry out the activation procedure.
Preparation for first on and charging
The first step in the activation process is to power your new gadget. The Mi Band 4 comes with a minimum charge that can only be turned on, but not fully set up. To charge, you use a special cable dock that comes with the kit, or its analogue with a connector from two contacts. You need to remove the tracker from the silicone strap, pressing on the convex part on one side and pushing the capsule into the opposite one.
Once you remove the module, find two metal contacts on the bottom of the module, which may be covered with a protective film that you must remove, otherwise the charging will not work. Put the cable to the contacts: the magnets will attract themselves in the right position. If there is no vibration and the screen does not light up, try turning the cable over or wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin.
⚠️ Note: Do not use fast charging (Quick Charge, Power Delivery) power units higher than 1 High voltage can damage the tracker's power controller. USB-cable to the computer port or use the old power supply 5V/1And.
The charging process takes about 1-2 hours, the indicator is the image of the battery on the screen, which should show the movement of energy. If the screen does not respond after 10 minutes on charging, it may be completely discharged ("zero"), in which case leave it on the cable for at least 30-40 minutes before trying to turn it on.
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If the bracelet has been in storage for a long time and is completely discharged, it may not turn on immediately. Leave it on charge for 1-2 hours, even if the screen does not light up.
When the full battery icon appears on the screen or the charge percentage exceeds 20%, you can move to the software part. It is important to understand that Bluetooth itself on the bracelet does not control the initial setup process - all commands come through a special application.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit (Zepp Life) application
The Mi Smart Band 4 requires specialized software to manage. For a long time, the main application was Mi Fit, which was later renamed Zepp Life. There is also the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Wear), which also supports this model. The choice of application depends on your preferences and region, but Zepp Life is considered more stable for older tracker models.
You should only download the app from official sources to avoid malware. For Android users, this is the Google Play store, and for iPhone owners, the App Store. In the store search box, type "Zepp Life" or "Mi Fit." Pay attention to the developer - it should be Anhui Huami Information Technology or Xiaomi.
- 📱 Open an app store on your smartphone.
- 🔍 Type “Zepp Life” in search and select the correct application.
- ⬇️ Click the "Install" button and wait for the download to complete.
- 📝 Launch the application and accept the user agreement.
Once installed, you'll need to create a Mi Account or log in through an existing one. This is a requirement to synchronize data to the cloud. When registering, specify the correct date of birth, weight and height — these are the data used by algorithms to calculate calories and pulse zones. Incorrect anthropometric data will lead to incorrect statistics.
When you first run the app will ask for a number of permissions. For the Mi Band 4 to work properly, Bluetooth access permissions, geolocation (for Android), notifications and background work are critical. Without geolocation permission, Android smartphones often don't see the device when searching. Allow all the requested items to avoid connection problems in the future.
The process of pairing the bracelet with a smartphone
The most critical step is to connect devices directly, and many users make the mistake of trying to connect the tracker through the standard Bluetooth menu of the phone's settings, which is absolutely impossible. The pairing should be done exclusively through the Zepp Life interface.
To start, make sure that Bluetooth is on your phone. Open the app and go to the Profile tab (or "My"). At the top of the screen, click on the Add Device button or the Plus icon. From the list of available devices, select Mi Smart Band 4. The app will start searching and, upon finding the tracker, will issue a pairing request.
☑️ Checklist before pairing
The tracker screen and the smartphone screen should have digital confirmation codes. Compare them. If the codes match, tap the tick on the bracelet screen (or touch the touch button if required by the firmware version). The phone also confirm the pairing. The process takes 10 to 30 seconds.
If the device list in the Mi Band 4 app doesn't show up but is visible in the phone's Bluetooth menu, it means that you've previously tried a failed pairing attempt, in which case you need to go to the phone's Bluetooth settings, find the Mi Band there, click "Forget the device" or "Unpair." After that, restart the Bluetooth on the phone and re-search the application.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet was previously linked to another Mi Account, the app will require you to break this connection. Without access to the old account, you will not be able to unlock the device - this is protection against theft.
Update of firmware and basic settings
Once the app is successfully connected, it will prompt you to update the tracker software. The Mi Band 4 firmware is regularly updated, fixing bugs and adding new dials or features. It is not recommended to ignore this step, since older versions of the software may contain bugs that affect the stability of the connection.
To update, go to the device profile in the app and select "Update." The firmware file will be downloaded to the phone and then transmitted to the bracelet. During this process, the tracker screen will glow, showing the percentage of execution. It is strictly forbidden to interrupt the process - this can lead to "bricking" of the device.
What to do if the update is suspended?
After the update, you should adjust the basic parameters. In the "Bracelet settings" menu, you can activate the wrist lift to turn on the screen, adjust the time format (12/24 hours) and select the measurement system (metric / imperial), and here you can set the goal by steps, which the tracker will track daily.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist lifting | Turning on the screen when raising your hand | VL (for convenience) |
| Vibration. | Tactical response to notifications | VC/Medium |
| Sleep monitoring | Automatic tracking of sleep phases | VL (assists in analysis) |
| Sitting down. | Warm-up reminder | If you wish, |
Pay special attention to setting up notifications. In the "Application Notifications" section, you can choose which programs you want to receive messages on your wrist. Importantly, for notifications to work, the Zepp Life application must have permission to access notifications on Android or iOS. Without this permission, the bracelet will be silent even if the application is ticked.
Set up notifications and synchronization
The Mi Band 4 functionality is largely revealed through notifications, you can receive messages from WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, SMS and even calls. To properly work this feature on Android, you need to give the application special rights, since the system often “kills” background processes to save battery.
In the phone settings, look for Apps -> Zepp Life (or Mi Fit). In Battery or Power, select No Limits or Background Start mode. You also need to lock the app into memory (usually swipe down on the list of running apps and press the lock) to prevent the connection from breaking.
- 🔔 Enable the display of the desired applications in the Zepp Life menu.
- 🛡️ Give permission to read notifications in system settings.
- 🔋 Turn off energy savings for the Mi Fit app.
- 🔒 Block the application in the phone’s RAM.
On iOS devices (iPhone), the situation is easier due to a more rigorous but predictable operation of background processes -> Zepp Life -> However, if you close the application completely (swipe up), the sync may stop until the next opening.
If notifications are late or not coming at all, check to see if the bracelet is not on Do Not Disturb mode (moon icon). Also make sure that the phone itself for specific applications (such as WhatsApp) allows notifications in the curtain. If the message does not appear in the curtain of the phone, the bracelet will not receive it.
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Notifications are 90% stable depending on the phone's power saving settings, not the bracelet itself. Don't let the system kill the Mi Fit app.
Solution: Bracelet not connected
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often face problems, and the most common situation is that the phone sees the device in Bluetooth, but the application says "Device failed to find" or "Device occupied." This means that the communication is already installed at the system level, but not authorized in the application.
The solution is to completely clear the pairing history. Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find Mi Band 4 and select "Forget" or "Delete." Then remove the device from the Bluetooth list if it's still there. After that, restart the smartphone. Only after you fully restart the phone, launch the app and search for the bracelet again.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to connect the bracelet to two phones at once. Mi Band 4 communicates with only one active device. To switch to another phone, you must first untie it in the app on your old phone.
Another problem is the constant disconnection of communication. If the bracelet is plugged in and out, check the distance. Bluetooth is about 10 meters in range, but walls and metal obstacles reduce it, and it can also be an outdated version of Bluetooth on the phone or conflicting applications (for example, third-party Bluetooth managers).
In rare cases, a complete reset to factory settings helps. On the tracker itself, swipe to the "Additional" menu, find "Factory Reset" and confirm, and then the bracelet will return to the "out of the box" state, and it can be tied again.
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Connecting Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 is straightforward, following the manufacturer’s logic: first the app, then the search, then the confirmation. Ignoring the order of action or system resolutions leads to most problems. A properly configured tracker will be a reliable assistant that will motivate you to move more and monitor your health, requiring only periodic recharging every two to three weeks.