Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to a smartphone: from pairing to fine-tuning

Why Mi Band 4 is important for data accuracy

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet, released in 2019, is still one of the most popular trackers due to its combination of price and functionality. However, many users face problems when connecting for the first time: the device is not detected by the phone, synchronization is interrupted, or step data is displayed incorrectly, the reason most often lies not in the bracelet, but in the wrong sequence of actions or an outdated version of the application.

In this article, we will examine not only basic pairing via Bluetooth, but also hidden settings that Xiaomi does not advertise in the official instructions – for example, how to tie the bracelet to two phones at the same time or restore the connection after resetting settings. We will pay special attention to the typical errors on Android 12+ iOS 16+, where the rules of working with background processes have changed.

If you've just unpacked the bracelet, don't press the button on it. First, check out three key points:

📱 Mi Band 4 officially supports Android 5.0+ iOS 10.0+, But for stable operation better Android 8.0+ iOS 13+.
🔄 App updates: Mi Fit (old version) or Zepp Life (new) must be up to date. Market/App Store check the date of the last update.
🔋 Bracelet Charge: If the indicator flashes red or doesn’t burn at all, connect the Mi Band 4 to charge for 30–60 minutes before setting up.

📊 What OS is using your smartphone?

Android

iOS

Other (specify in the comments)

I don't know.

Step 1: Install and configure Mi Fit or Zepp Life

Xiaomi is gradually moving all devices from Mi Fit to Zepp Life, but Mi Band 4 is supported by both apps.

📲 Mi Fit: Classic interface, more customization for Mi Band, but less modern design.
🌟 Zepp Life: Renewed UI, integration with other devices Xiaomi/Amazfit, But some functions (such as the lab) are hidden deeper.

To avoid conflicts, don’t install both apps at the same time. If you used Mi Fit before and now want to switch to Zepp Life, untie the bracelet in the old app first (Profile → My devices → Mi Band 4 → Disable).

Remove old versions of Mi Fit/Zepp Life (if any)

Download the current version from the official store (not from the official store) APK-webpage)

Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Charge the bracelet to 50% or more

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After installation of the annex:

Sign up or sign in via your Xiaomi/Zepp account (you can use Google/Apple ID).
Click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 4 from the list.
Allow all requests for the app: notifications, access to contacts (for calls), physical activity (for steps).

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If the app doesn’t find the bracelet, reboot Bluetooth on your phone: turn off and turn on the module in the settings, then repeat the search.

Step 2: Connecting the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth

When the application is ready to search, an instruction will appear on the screen asking you to click on the touch button Mi Band 4.

Activate the bracelet: short tap the touch area below the screen. QR-pairing.
Hold your phone: the distance between the devices should not be more than 10 cm, otherwise the Bluetooth 5.0 signal may be interrupted.
Confirm the connection: the phone will be asked to pair – click Connect or Pair.

If the bracelet does not respond to pressing:

🔋 Check the charge: the indicator should flash green when connected to the charge.
🔄 Reset the bracelet: connect to charging, hold the button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
📱 Make sure there are no active phones on the phone. VPN or charge saving modes that block Bluetooth.

What if the bracelet has already been connected to another phone?

If the Mi Band 4 has been used with another device before, it must be reset. 1. Connect the bracelet to charge. 2. Hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until the vibration and the Reset letter appears. 3. Once reset, the bracelet will be ready for a new pairing.

Problem.	Probable cause	Decision
Bracelet not defined	Bluetooth disabled or occupied by another device	Reboot the phone's Bluetooth module
The conjugation is interrupted.	Weak signal or interference	Make sure there are no other Bluetooth devices (headphones, speakers) nearby.
The application freezes at the "Connection" stage	The Mi Fit/Zepp Life version is now available.	Update the app or clear its cache (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Memory → Clear the cache)
The bracelet is connected, but the data is not synchronized	No access to notifications	Check the permissions in your phone settings (Settings → Notifications → Mi Fit/Zepp Life)

Step 3: Set up notifications and calls

Once you have successfully connected the Mi Band 4, you can configure notifications from your phone.

In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications.
Turn on the Notification switch from your phone.
Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).

For calls:

📞 Enable Incoming Calls in the same section.
🔕 Set up call deflection with double-pressing of the bracelet (works only for Android).
📵 iPhone may require additional permission in Settings → Bluetooth → Mi Band 4 → Allow notices.

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On iOS, notifications can come with a delay of up to 5 minutes – this is the limitation of the operating system, not the bracelet.

An important nuance for Android owners: if notifications stopped coming after the OS update, check the Adaptive Battery settings (Settings) → Battery. → Adaptive battery → All applications → Mi Fit/Zepp Life → Turn off optimization).

Step 4: Update the bracelet firmware

Xiaomi regularly releases firmware updates for the Mi Band 4, which correct synchronization errors and add new features (such as support for new dials).

Connect the Mi Band 4 to charge and make sure it is at least 50% charge.
Open the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Firmware Update.
If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the bracelet from charging!).

Warning about interruption of update:

⚠️ If the update process is interrupted (for example, disable the bracelet from charging or close the application), Mi Band 4 may stop turning on. In this case, you will need a forced reset: hold the button for 30 seconds until the Mi logo appears, then repeat the update.

The latest stable firmware version for the Mi Band 4 is 1.0.9.54 (at 2026).To check the current version, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → About the device.

How to roll back the firmware if the update caused errors?

The firmware rollback on Mi Band 4 is not officially supported, but you can try: 1. Remove the bracelet from the application. 2. Reset it to factory settings (hold the 20 seconds button). 3. Connect again - the application will offer to install the current version of the software. If the problem persists, contact Xiaomi with error logs (Profile → Reviews → Send log).

Step 5: Additional settings and hidden features

Many users are unaware that the Mi Band 4 supports:

🔒 Phone screen lock: in bracelet settings, enable Phone unlock (requires Android 6.0)+). Now, when you remove the bracelet from the phone, the screen will be locked automatically.
🌙 Do Not Disturb: Set a schedule in your Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Don’t disturb to turn off notifications at night.
🏃 Activity Autodetection: Enable Autodetection for running, walking or swimming (more precisely, it works when synchronized with Google). Fit/Apple Health).
🎨 Customization of dials: upload additional themes through Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Display. → Dials (some require purchase).

For advanced users:

🔧 Use the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (available in the Play Market) to adjust the vibration for specific contacts or change the order of notifications.
📊 Export Sleep and Activity Data to Google Tables via Mi Fit → Data export (.csv file).

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To save the bracelet, turn off the Raising of the Hand to activate the screen in the display settings. This will increase the autonomy from 15 to 20 days.

Step 6: Troubleshooting and Frequent Errors

If the Mi Band 4 is connected but is not running smoothly, check out the following points:

Symptoms.	Reason.	Decision
The bracelet is off in 5-10 minutes.	Limiting background activity of Mi Fit on Android	Add the app to battery optimization exceptions
Steps are not synchronized	Conflict with Google Fit or Apple Health	Turn off sync in Mi Fit → Settings → Data Sync, then turn on again
The bracelet screen does not respond to touch	Moisture ingestion or sensor contamination	Rub the screen with an alcohol napkin, reload the bracelet
Vibration works chaotically	Firmware failure or notification conflict	Reset the bracelet and update the firmware

A critical error on iOS 16+:

⚠️ On the new versions of iOS Mi Band 4 may lose connection due to Bluetooth Privacy restrictions. To fix this, go to Settings → Confidentiality → Location. → Mi Fit/Zepp Life and Select Always (even if the app doesn't use geolocation directly).

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative app:

Mi Band Master (for Android) - Advanced notification settings.
Tools & Mi Band – customization of vibration and screens.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Mi Band 4

Can I connect Mi Band 4 to two phones at the same time?

Officially, no. The bracelet only supports binding to one device. However, you can manually switch: Untie the bracelet from the first phone in Mi Fit. Connect to the second phone via Add Device. The data will be stored in the Xiaomi account, but sync only with the current phone.

Why does the bracelet show the wrong time?

It's because of this: 🕒 Unsynchronized time zone in phone and bracelet (check in Settings) → Date and time). 🔄 Synchronization failure (reset the bracelet and update the data in Mi Fit) If the problem persists, reset the bracelet and reconnect the bracelet.

How to reset Mi Band 4 to factory settings without a phone?

To do this: Connect the bracelet to charge. Hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until the vibration and the Reset sign appear. Once the bracelet is rebooted, it will be ready for the new connection. ⚠️ All data (steps, sleep, settings) will be deleted!

Does the Mi Band 4 support a swimming pool?

Yes, the bracelet has 5 ATM protection, which allows you to use it in a pool at a depth of 50 meters. To activate swimming mode: In the application, select Training → Swimming. The bracelet will appear on the corresponding screen with a timer and counting of pool paths. After training, the data is automatically synchronized with the application.

Can I replace the band with the Mi Band 4?

Yes, the strap is removable. The standard size is 22 mm. The bands from Mi Band 3/5 (similar to the zip), third-party straps (like Amazfit or universal silicone) will fit. To remove the strap, pull the bracelet away from the zip with a little effort.