The first pairing of a smart accessory with a new smartphone always raises many questions among users, especially if we are talking about a popular ecosystem product from Xiaomi. Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness trackers due to its functionality and availability, but the process of its initial activation requires care. Errors at this stage can lead to the fact that the device will not synchronize data or work unstable in the future.
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phone owners are in the best position to be able to do so because MIUI or HyperOS has deep integration with the brand’s wearable electronics. However, even here, there are nuances related to permissions, versions of the Android operating system and the right management app. It’s not just about finding the device, it’s about setting it up properly with the notification system.
In this article, we will discuss a detailed algorithm of actions that will help you avoid typical errors when starting to use the gadget, you will learn how to properly prepare the phone, which application to choose for communication, and what to do if the tracker is not visible in the list of available devices.
Preparation of the smartphone and tracker for the first launch
Before you try to connect devices, you need to make sure that both gadgets are ready for communication. On the Mi Band 4 side, the main condition is that there is a charge in the battery. If the tracker has been in storage for a long time, its battery could run out of power. Connect the bracelet to the charger for 15-20 minutes until the charge indication or logo appears on the screen.
On the part of the Xiaomi smartphone, you need to turn on wireless communication modules. To work correctly, you need to activate Bluetooth and, critically, turn on geolocation (GPS). In modern versions of Android, scanning peripherals without geolocation enabled is often blocked by security.
☑️ Checking before connection
It is also worth checking your phone’s operating system version. For stable operation of the Mi Fit (or Zepp) app, it is advisable that the device be Android 5.0 or higher. Xiaomi owners are advised to update MIUI to the latest available version to eliminate software conflicts of Bluetooth drivers.
Selecting and installing the right application
The key element of the tracker management is specialized software. Mi Fit has long been the main application, but recently Huami (the manufacturer of the bracelet) has been actively promoting the Zepp platform. Both options are suitable for the Mi Band 4, but the interface and logic of the work in them are slightly different.
Xiaomi smartphone users are often more comfortable using the Mi Fit app because of its deep integration into MIUI system services. However, if you plan to upgrade to newer tracker models in the future, it makes sense to get used to the Zepp ecosystem right away. Both apps are available in the official Google Play Market store, which guarantees the security of the installation.
⚠️ Note: Never download modified versions of apps or APK-This may lead to the leakage of your personal data about health and location.
Once you install the app, you need to register an account, which is a must, because all your activity data will be stored in the cloud, you can use your phone number, email address or social media accounts for quick login, without logging in, you can't add a device.
What is the difference between Mi Fit and Zepp?
The process of pairing devices Step-by-step
The connection process itself is quite simple, if you follow the sequence of actions. Open the installed application and go to the Profile or Devices section. Click Add Device and select from the Mi Band 4 list. The application will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation - confirm all system requests.
When you select the model, you'll start searching, and at that point, you'll see a vibration or a pairing request on the tracker screen. QR-You can do this through the interface of the program, or you can do this manually.
| Phase | User action | System response |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Search. | Press "Add" | Scanning of etheric space |
| Identification | Choice of Mi Band 4 | Definition MAC-device-address |
| 3. Authorization | Screen confirmation | Exchange of encryption keys |
| 4. Synchronization | Waiting. | Loading dials and settings |
When the connection is established, the confirmation code will appear on the screen of the smartphone, which should also appear on the display of the bracelet. The coincidence of the codes ensures that you connect to your device, and not to the neighbor's tracker.
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Successful pairing is possible only with simultaneous activation of Bluetooth and GPS on the smartphone.
Configure access rights in the MIUI system
Xiaomi phone owners are facing an aggressive MIUI energy saving policy that can kill the background processes of a tracker app. To keep notifications steady and your step history intact, you need to manually configure access rights. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find Mi Fit or Zepp.
From the app menu, go to Autostart and turn it on, which will allow the program to start immediately after you turn on your phone. Then, under "Saving Charge," select "No Limits" mode, a critical step without which the bracelet will often lose touch with your phone.
- 🔔 Allow notifications: In the app settings, find the Notifications option and allow all types of messages to be displayed.
- 📍 Geolocation: Set the “Always” or “When Used” access mode to make jogging work correctly.
- 📂 Memory: Make sure the application is allowed to store data, otherwise the activity history may not be saved.
And you also need to stick the app in memory, open the list of running apps, find the Mi Fit window, press it, and press the lock icon, and this will prevent the program from accidentally closing when you clean up RAM.
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If notifications still don’t come, try finding your bracelet in Bluetooth settings, tap the gear and turn off the Notifications Only option if it’s active, and then turn it back on.
Update of firmware and calibration
Immediately after the first connection, the app will likely offer to update the tracker software.Mi Band 4 firmware is regularly updated, fixing errors and adding new dials or functions. This process is strictly impossible to interrupt, so make sure that the charge of the bracelet is at least 20-30%.
The update is automatic in the background, but it can take a few minutes.The tracker screen can go out and light up again - this is normal behavior. Once the installation is complete, the bracelet will reset and you will see a welcome screen.
In parallel with the update, it is recommended to calibrate the sensors, walk with your phone and bracelet a known distance (for example, 100 meters) in training mode, so that the system understands the length of your step, which will increase the accuracy of calculating the kilometers traveled in the future.
⚠️ Warning: During firmware updates, keep your phone and bracelet no more than 1 meter apart. Communication interruption may cause your device to break down.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Even with all the instructions, there are sometimes technical glitches. If a Xiaomi phone doesn't see the Mi Band 4, try first removing the device from the Bluetooth system settings list, and then searching again through the app. Often, a simple reboot of both gadgets helps.
Another common problem is Bluetooth version conflict: Make sure your phone doesn’t have Bluetooth power saving mode on, if it’s available in the developer’s advanced settings, and check if the bracelet is currently connected to another phone – it can only work with one device at a time.
- 🔄 Reset: There are contacts on the back of the bracelet to charge, but the software reset is done through the app (untie the device).
- 📡 Interference: Remove the phone from powerful radiation sources (routers, microwaves) during pairing.
- 🗑️ Cash: Clear the Mi Fit app cache in your phone’s settings if the process is hanging in the search phase.