How to connect Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to iPhone: full instructions with error solutions

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of affordable price and wide functionality. However, iPhone owners often face difficulties when connecting for the first time: the application does not see the bracelet, synchronization is interrupted, or there are firmware update errors. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step connection algorithm taking into account the features of iOS, and also solve typical problems that may arise in the process.

It is important to understand that the Mi Band 4 officially supports iPhone with iOS version 9.0 and higher, but for stable operation it is recommended to use iOS 12+. Also note: some features (for example, quick responses to notifications) may be limited due to Apple policy. If you upgraded the bracelet from Android to iPhone or vice versa, you will have to reset the device to factory settings, we will also talk about this.

1. Preparation before connection: what to check

Before you start syncing, make sure that all the preconditions are met, which will save you from most of the errors during the connection phase.

  • πŸ“± iOS Version: Update your iPhone to the latest version via Settings β†’ Mainstream β†’ Software Update: Minimum supported version is iOS 9.0, but for proper work it is better to use iOS 12+.
  • πŸ”‹ Bracelet charge: Mi Band 4 battery level should be at least 20%.When the charge is low, the device can turn off during synchronization.
  • πŸ“² Mi Fitness app: Remove old versions of the app (like Mi Fit) and install the current version of Mi Fitness from the App Store.
  • πŸ”„ Bluetooth and geolocation: Turn on Bluetooth and allow the app to use Geolocation Services (this is Apple’s requirement for working with wearables).

Attention! If you have previously used an Android bracelet, you must reset it to factory settings, otherwise the iPhone will not be able to connect. To reset, press and hold the touch button on the Mi Band 4 screen for 10 seconds until the vibration appears.

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If you already have Mi Fit installed, uninstall it before installing Mi Fitness, the two apps that are in conflict and can cause synchronization errors.

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

Now, to the process of connection, follow the instructions carefully, and skipping any step can cause a failure.

  1. Launch the Mi Fitness app and click Profile β†’ Add the device.
  2. Select a model: in the list, find the Mi Smart Band 4 and tap it.
  3. Allow access: πŸ“ Allow the use of geolocation services (select Allow when using the application). πŸ”΅ Allow access to Bluetooth. πŸ“± Allow notifications to be sent (this is necessary to display messages on the bracelet).

Synchronize the bracelet

Manually connect

Mi Band 4

Confirm the connection.

Update the firmware

Don't interrupt the process!

If you have a β€œCan’t Find the Device” error at the connection stage, try:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot iPhone and bracelet.
  • πŸ“΄ Turn off/enable Bluetooth at the Control Point.
  • 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of Bluetooth devices in the iPhone settings (Settings) β†’ Bluetooth and reconnect.

Installed application Mi Fitness|Bluetooth enabled on iPhone|The bracelet is charged at more than 20 times%|Geolocation access allowed|Bracelet reset to factory settings (if used with Android)-->

3. Set up notifications and basic functions

Once successfully connected, you need to configure notifications, alarms and other functions, without which the bracelet will work in minimal mode.

How to enable notifications:

  1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Notifications.
  2. Turn on the Notification switch.
  3. Select the apps you want to see notifications from on your bracelet (e.g. Messages, WhatsApp, Phone).
  4. In your iPhone settings, go to Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Mi Fitness and enable the Allow Notifications option.

iOS restrictions: Due to Apple's Mi Band 4 policy, you can't respond to messages with voice or keyboard (unlike Android) and you can only view notification text and reject calls.

FunctionSupported on iPhoneLimitations
Call notificationsβœ… Yes.You can only deflect the challenge.
Messages from messengersβœ… Yes.Impossible to answer from the bracelet
Controlling musicβœ… Yes.Only pause/play, no rewinding.
Payment for Mi Pay❌ No.Only on Android.
Voice assistant❌ No.Only on Android (via Google Assistant)

If the notifications don't come to the bracelet, check:

  • πŸ”” Is Notifications for Mi Fitness Included in iPhone Settings.
  • πŸ”„ Rebooted iPhone and bracelet after setting up.
  • πŸ“± Are there no restrictions in the mode of Do not disturb or focus.

4. Firmware Update: Why It’s Important and How to Avoid Errors

The Mi Band 4 firmware is regularly updated to fix bugs, add new features (such as training modes) and improve compatibility with iOS. However, updating through the iPhone can be accompanied by errors, especially if the version of the bracelet software is very outdated.

How to update firmware:

  1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Firmware Update.
  2. If a new version is available, click Update.
  3. Do not turn off Bluetooth or close the app until the process is complete (it can take up to 15 minutes).
  4. After the upgrade, the bracelet will reboot automatically.

Common update errors and their solutions:

  • 🚫 "Connection Error: Reboot your iPhone and bracelet, then try again. If it doesn't work, remove the bracelet from the app and reconnect.
  • ⏳ "Update hung 0%": This may be due to slow internet. connect to Wi-Fi and try again.
  • πŸ”‹ "Lack of charge: Charge the bracelet to 50% or more.
What to do if the update is interrupted?
If the firmware update process has been interrupted (e.g. due to bracelet discharge or Bluetooth failure), the bracelet may stop responding to touch. In this case: 1. Place the bracelet on charge for 30 minutes (even if it seems charged). 2. Reset it to factory settings (hold the touch button for 10 seconds). 3. Reconnect via Mi Fitness. If the bracelet doesn't turn on, contact Xiaomi Support.

πŸ“Š What is the Mi Band 4 feature you use most often?
Stepper
Notifications
Sleep control
pulsemeter
Alarm clock
Other

5. Problem Solving: Bracelet not plugged in or off

Even after a successful connection, iPhone users sometimes find that the Mi Band 4 periodically shuts down or stops syncing data.

Problem 1: The bracelet is plugged in, but shuts down after a few hours

  • πŸ”„ Solution: In the iPhone settings go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth, find Mi Band 4 in the list of devices and forget it. Then connect again via Mi Fitness.
  • πŸ“± Reason: iOS can automatically β€œforget” underutilized Bluetooth devices to save energy.

Problem 2: Data is not synchronized (steps, sleep, pulse)

  • πŸ”„ Solution 1: Open Mi Fitness, go to the bracelet profile and click Sync Data.
  • πŸ“΄ Solution 2: Turn off Low Power Mode in iPhone Settings (Settings) β†’ Battery).
  • πŸ”‹ Solution 3: Charge the bracelet to 100% – with a low charge, synchronization can be blocked.

Problem 3: The bracelet doesn't vibrate when notified

  • πŸ”” Solution: Check notification settings in Mi Fitness and on iPhone. Also make sure the bracelet doesn't turn on Do Not Disturb (check by swiping down the bracelet screen).

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If the bracelet is permanently disabled, try turning off the Automatic Bluetooth Switch function in the iPhone settings (Settings β†’ Bluetooth β†’ i (information) next to the Mi Band 4 β†’ Turn off Automatic Switching).

6. Additional settings: personalization of the bracelet

After successful connection, you can configure Mi Band 4 to your needs: change the dial, set alarm clocks, turn on sleep tracking, etc.

How to change the dial:

  1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Dials.
  2. Choose your favorite option from the ones offered or download a custom dial (available through third-party apps, such as Amazfit).
  3. Click Sync to apply the changes.

How to set your alarm clock:

  1. In the app, go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Alarm clocks.
  2. Click Add an alarm and specify the time, days of the week and type of vibration.
  3. Activate the Smart Alarm Switch so that the bracelet wakes you up in the light sleep phase.

How to turn on sleep tracking:

  • 😴 In Mi Fitness go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Son.
  • πŸ“Š Enable the options of Sleep Tracking and Dremote.
  • πŸ”„ Make sure the bracelet is worn on your hand while sleeping (otherwise the data will be inaccurate).

Attention! If you use custom dials, they can drain the bracelet battery faster than standard ones, and some dials may not display data correctly (such as weather or notifications).

7. Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If you decide to sell the bracelet, transfer it to another user, or just want to start setting up from scratch, you'll need to reset to factory settings, which also helps with serious device failures.

How to Reset Mi Band 4:

  1. Open the menu on the bracelet by swiping up the screen.
  2. Find the Settings (cog icon) and select it.
  3. Scroll down to Reset (circle arrow icon).
  4. Confirm the reset by touching the touch button. The bracelet vibrates and resets.

After the reset, all data from the bracelet will be deleted, including:

  • πŸ“Š Statistics of steps, sleep and training.
  • ⏰ Setted alarm clocks.
  • πŸ”” Notification parameters.

To save data before reset, sync it with the Mi Fitness app (they will stay in your Xiaomi account).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Mi Band 4 to iPhone

❓ Can I connect Mi Band 4 to an iPhone without the Mi Fitness app?
No, officially, the bracelet only works through Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), and alternative applications (such as Notify & Fitness) may provide limited functionality, but do not guarantee stable performance.
❓ Why Mi Band? 4 does not show notice of Viber/Telegram?
Check notification settings in Mi Fitness and on iPhone: In Mi Fitness, enable notifications for the apps you want. In your iPhone settings (Settings β†’ Notifications), make sure that Viber/Telegram has banners or alerts enabled. Reboot your iPhone and bracelet.
❓ How to transfer data from Mi Band 4 to new iPhone?
The data is stored in the Xiaomi account, so it is enough: Install Mi Fitness on the new iPhone and log in to the same account. Connect the bracelet through the application - all data is synchronized automatically. If you do not remember the password from the Xiaomi account, restore it through the official website.
❓ Why the bracelet discharges quickly when connected to the iPhone?
Possible causes: πŸ”‹ Frequent data synchronization (reduce the spacing in Mi Fitness settings). πŸ“Ά Always enabled Bluetooth on your iPhone (turn it off when you’re not using your bracelet). 🎨 Use custom dials (they consume more energy). πŸ”„ Outdated firmware (update the bracelet through Mi Fitness).
❓ Can you connect Mi Band 4 at the same time to iPhone and Android?
No, the bracelet can only be synced to one device, and if you connect it to another smartphone, the previous bracelet will be automatically removed.