Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to a smartphone: full instruction with solutions to problems

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 It remains one of the most popular fitness trackers even years after its release, due to its balance of price, functionality and reliability, but many users have difficulty connecting the bracelet to their phone for the first time. In this article we will analyze not only the standard pairing procedure, but also the nuances of working with different versions. Android/iOS, and ways to eliminate typical errors.

It is important to understand that the process of connecting the Mi Band 4 is different from newer models (for example, Mi Band 6/7) – it uses an outdated version of the Mi Fit application (now Mi Fitness), and the bracelet itself does not support modern Bluetooth LE Audio protocols. If you bought a used device or after prolonged storage, you may need to reset to factory settings – this also will be discussed below.

1. Preparation for connection: what will be needed

Before you start pairing, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ (iPhone will require a version not lower than iPhone 5s).
• 🔋 Charged Mi Band 4 (minimum 20% battery – otherwise the bracelet may turn off during setup).
• 📲 Free space on the phone to install the Mi Fitness app (about 150 MB).
• 🔄 Stable Internet connection (for downloading the application and synchronizing data).

Pay special attention to your phone's Bluetooth version.The Mi Band 4 works with Bluetooth 4.2, but some budget smartphones (especially the release before 2018) may have connection issues.If your phone is older than the Samsung Galaxy S6 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, we recommend checking compatibility first.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used a different brand of bracelet (such as Huawei Band or Honor Band), remove the corresponding apps (Huawei Health, Zepp, etc.) that can block Mi Fitness from accessing the phone’s Bluetooth module.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Mi Band 4 management app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit).

• 🤖 For Android: Google Play or AppGallery (for Huawei devices).
• 🍎 For iOS: App Store.

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open the application and select the language (we recommend Russian or English).
2. Accept the terms of the user agreement and the privacy policy.
3. Sign up or sign in via your Xiaomi, Google, Facebook or Apple ID (for iOS) account.
4. In the main menu, click Profile → Add device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.

If the Mi Band 4 is not on the device list, upgrade to the latest version or try to reset the bracelet (instructions in section 5). Some phone firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5+) may require additional permission to access geodata - provide it, otherwise synchronization steps will not work.

3. Step-by-step connection of Mi Band 4 to the phone

When the application is ready, proceed to pairing:

1. Activate Bluetooth on your phone and place the bracelet next to you (no more than 10 cm away).
2. In the Mi Fitness app, click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 4.
3. The bracelet will have a vibration and a connection request – confirm it by touching the touch button.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 2 minutes).
5. After successful connection, set up the basic parameters: 🕒 Time zone (must coincide with the phone). 📏 Units of measurement (metres/kilometers or feet/miles). 🔕 Notifications (select applications from which notifications will be duplicated on the bracelet).

Critical detail: if the bracelet does not respond to touch during connection, try resetting it to factory settings (press the touch button for 10 seconds before vibration occurs).

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If the bracelet is plugged in but the data isn't synced, try rebooting the phone. On Android, cleaning the Mi Fitness app's cache (in the phone's settings) will also help.

4. Set up notifications and additional functions

After successful connection, we recommend configuring the following settings for maximum convenience:

• 🔔 Notifications: Enable alerts for calls, SMS Set the vibration: short/long/repeat. Turn off unnecessary notifications (e.g. from games or social media) so as not to waste the bracelet charge.
• 🏃 Activity tracking: Set your goal by step (recommended 8000-10,000 per day); enable automatic activity recognition (walking, running, cycling); set up sedentary reminders (e.g., every 60 minutes of sitting).
• 🌙 Sleep mode: Activate automatic sleep monitoring (the bracelet will analyze the phases of deep / light sleep). Set the alarm with a "smart awakening" (vibration 30 minutes before the set time in the light sleep phase).

For Android users, the optional "Unlock Phone" feature is available, so the bracelet can unlock the smartphone without entering a password if it's nearby, to activate it:

1. Go to Mi Fitness → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Unlock the phone
2. Follow the instructions on the screen (Permission to access Special Features is required).
3. Test the function – hold the bracelet to the phone and touch the screen.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking feature doesn't work on all phones.Samsung devices with One UI 3.0+ and Xiaomi MIUI 12+ There may be conflicts with system security services, in which case, disable it to avoid accidental unlocking.

5.Reset Mi Band 4 to factory settings

If the bracelet is unstable (it doesn’t sync data, doesn’t respond to notifications or is permanently disabled), a reset may be required.This is also useful before selling the device or transferring it to another user.

There are two ways to discharge:

1. Through the bracelet: Unplug the bracelet from the strap. Find the reset button (a small hole next to the charging contacts) on the back of the bracelet. Put a clip or toothpick into the hole and hold it for 5-7 seconds until it vibrates.
2. Through the app: Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Untie the device. Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete.

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

• 📊 Activity statistics (steps, calories, exercise).
• ⏰ Alerts and reminders settings.
• 🔑 Telephone interface data.

To recover information, sync the bracelet with your Xiaomi account after reconnecting. If sync is not working, check if Auto Sync is enabled in the app settings.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, Mi Band 4 users face common errors, and consider the most common ones and solutions:

If the bracelet stopped connecting after upgrading the phone (for example, to Android 13 or iOS 16), the problem may be changing the Bluetooth access policy.

1. Go to the phone settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Permissions.
2. Make sure you turn on: Access to geodata (to track activity), Permit to work in the background, Access to notifications.

Reboot the phone and reconnect.

For iPhone users, the problem with a communication breakdown after locking the screen is relevant, and this is due to the optimization of power consumption in iOS.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find the Mi Band 4 in the device list and click on the "i" icon next to it.
3. Turn off the option to Disconnect when blocked (if available).

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If none of these methods worked, try connecting the bracelet to another phone, and if the problem persists, it may be a malfunction in the device itself, need repair or replacement.

7.Alternative applications for Mi Band 4

The official Mi Fitness app doesn’t always suit users because of limited functionality or synchronization issues, and you can use third-party software to:

• 📊 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android): Supports advanced notification settings (e.g., keyword filtering); Adds widgets to the home screen with health data; Allows you to customize the bracelet interface (dials, menu order).
• 🔄 Mi Band Master (Android/iOS): Automatic data sync with Google Fit and Apple Health. Advanced sleep statistics with phase graphs. Gesture settings (e.g., shake up your phone search bracelet).
• 🛠️ Tools & Mi Band (Android): Anti-Pottoms feature - the bracelet vibrates if the phone is moving away a long distance. Manual pedometer calibration to improve accuracy. Data export in format CSV for analysis in Excel.

When using third-party applications, consider:

• Some features may require root access (on Android) or jailbreak (on iOS).
• Sync with the official Mi Fitness may not work properly – choose one main application.
• Updates to the firmware bracelet are possible only through official software.

Alternative firmware (such as Custom Firmware with new dials) will require special software like Mi Band 4 Tools, but this is risky – unofficial firmware can lead to loss of warranty or breakage of the bracelet.

8.Tips to extend the life of the bracelet

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is not a “perpetual” device, but with proper care can last 3-4 years.

• 🔋 Charging: Use only the original cable (voltage) 5V, current 0.5A). Do not leave the bracelet on charge for more than 2 hours - this reduces the battery life. Charge at a temperature of 10-35°C (avoid direct sunlight).
• 💦 Waterproof: Bracelet has protection of 5 ATM, But it's not designed to swim in chlorinated or salt water, and after contact with water, rinse the bracelet with fresh water and dry it.
• 🛠️ Clean: Clean the strap and body with a soft cloth soaked in an alcohol solution (do not use abrasives.
• 📵 Storage: Remove the bracelet before bedtime unless you use sleep monitoring. Store in a dry place, avoiding dust on the contacts.

If the bracelet is rapidly discharged (less than 3 days of operation), check:

• Background activity in Mi Fitness (disable unnecessary notifications)
• Battery status – if it swells, stop using immediately!
• Availability of firmware updates (sometimes new versions optimize power consumption).

The average battery life of the Mi Band 4 is 2-3 years with heavy use. When the battery life is reduced to 1 day, consider replacing the battery at the service center (cost ~500-800 rubles).

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To check battery wear, install the AccuBattery app (Android) and analyze discharge charts. If the capacity has dropped below 60% of the nominal, it is time to change the battery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 4