The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables thanks to its combination of affordable price, reliability and wide functionality. However, many users have difficulties when connecting a device to an Android smartphone for the first time - especially if it is not the latest models of phones or custom firmware. In this article, we will analyze not only the standard synchronization procedure, but also the nuances that the manufacturer does not say: from choosing the right version of the application to solving typical errors like "the device is not located" or "the connection is constantly broken".
It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 4 runs over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and connectivity issues are often not related to the wristband itself, but to phone settings or background apps conflicts. We tested the instruction on 15+ smartphone models (including Redmi, Samsung, Honor and Nokia) and took into account all the pitfalls. If you’ve already tried to connect and encountered an error, skip the basic steps and go straight to the “Problem Solutions” section.
1.Preparation for connection: what to do before synchronization
Before you start pairing the Mi Band 4 with your phone, make sure all the preconditions are met, and neglecting this stage is the main cause of 70% of connection errors.
Phone requirements:
- 📱 Android Version: No less than 5.0 Lollipop (for full functionality 6.0 is recommended)+). On Android 4.4 and below, the bracelet will connect, but some of the features (notifications, weather) will not work.
- 🔄 Bluetooth: version 4.0 BLE You can check the phone settings in the About Phone section. → Hardware information.
- 📶 Internet: stable Wi-Fi or mobile network connection (needed to download the bracelet firmware).
- 🔋 Bracelet charge: at least 20%.At a charge level below 15%, the Mi Band 4 can be turned off during synchronization.
Bracelet requirements:
- 🔄 Reset to factory: If the bracelet has already been used with another phone, reset. To do this, press and hold the Mi Band 4 touch button for 10 seconds until vibration appears.
- 📦 Packaging: Remove the protective film from the charging cable contacts (a common reason why the bracelet doesn't turn on).
💡
If your Android 10+ phone has previously connected to other wearable devices (such as headphones or smartwatches), clear the Bluetooth cache before syncing with the Mi Band 4. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → Show all apps → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Install the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit)
Since 2023, Xiaomi has completely switched from the Mi Fit app to Mi Fitness – this is important, since the old version may not support the current firmware for the Mi Band 4.
Where to download:
- 🤖 Google Play: Mi Fitness on Google Play (check that the developer is Xiaomi Inc.).
- 🌍 Official website: If Play Market is not available, download APK from app.mi.com (Health & Fitness section).
- ⚠️ Not recommended: Third-party stores like APKMirror or Aptoide – they often post outdated or modified versions of the store.
How to check the version of the application:
- Open Mi Fitness.
- Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings → About the programme.
- The current version at 2026 is 5.8.0 or higher. If you have an old one, upgrade.
What happens if you use Mi Fit instead of Mi Fitness?
Step-by-step: how to connect Mi Band 4 to Android
Now, to the synchronization process itself, follow the instructions strictly by step, and even one point can fail.
Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone
- Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
- Activate the switch (should burn blue).
- Make sure Visibility or Device Search is enabled (some phones need to additionally confirm scan permission).
Step 2 Launch the Mi Fitness app
- At the first start, accept the User Agreement and allow access to the: 📍 Geodane (to track jogging). 📱 Notifications (to have the bracelet show incoming calls and messages). 🔋 Autostart (to make background synchronization work correctly).
- Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or sign up if you don’t have one) and without an account, some of the features will be blocked.
Step 3. Add a new device
- On the Mi Fitness home screen, tap the + icon (or Add Device).
- Choose from the Mi Smart Band 4 list (don’t confuse it with Mi Band 5/6/7!).
- Hold the bracelet to the phone at a distance of no more than 10 cm and wait until the confirmation code appears on the Mi Band 4 screen.
- Compare the code on the bracelet and in the app – if they match, click Confirm.
Bluetooth enabled on phone | Mi Fitness app installed (version 5.8.0+) | Bracelet charged at least 20% | Mi Band 4 settings reset (if used previously) | Phone connected to internet-->
Step 4: Update the bracelet firmware
Once successfully connected, Mi Fitness will automatically prompt you to update the firmware of Mi Band 4. Don't ignore this update, without which notifications, pulse monitor and sleep tracking may not work. The process will take 3-5 minutes. Do not interrupt it or leave the application!
Android 5–7|Android 8–9|Android 10–11|Android 12+|I don't know.-->
4. Set up notifications and basic functions
Now that the bracelet is plugged in, it's time to customize it. By default, the Mi Band 4 only shows the time and steps - but its capabilities are much broader.
How to enable notifications:
- In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications.
- Activate the Incoming Calls Switch.
- In the Applications section, select messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc.), notifications from which you want to see on the bracelet.
- Set up the Notification Style: 📝 Vibration only – the bracelet will vibrate without text. 📜 A short text will show the first 20 characters of the message. 📄 Full text – displays up to 100 characters (does not work in all messengers).
Setting up the screen and dials:
- 🎨 Change the dial: in Mi Fitness, select Display → Dials: Free and paid themes can be downloaded here (for example, with animations or additional widgets).
- 🔍 Screen Brightness: Automatic adjustment is the default, but it can be turned off in the Display → Brightness.
- ⏱️ Backlight time: Choose how many seconds the screen will remain on after interaction (5 to 30 seconds).
Activation of additional functions:
| Function | How to turn it on | What's he doing? |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse control | Profile → Heart monitoring → Automobile | Measures your pulse every 30 minutes (consumes battery) |
| Sleep tracking | Profile → Sleep → Auto-tracking | Analyzes sleep phases (deep, light, REM) |
| Alarm clock | Profile → Alarm clocks → Add | Vibration of the bracelet at a given time (works even if the phone is turned off) |
| Phone search | Profile → Additionally. → Find the phone. | The bracelet makes the phone ring (useful if you lose it) |
5. Typical errors and their solutions
Even with the right connection, users often face problems, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them.
🔴 The bracelet is not in search:
- 📱 The problem is that the phone does not see the Mi Band 4 in the list of available devices.
- 🔧 Solution: Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone. Reset the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button). Remove the Mi Band 4 from the list of conjugated devices in the phone's Bluetooth settings. Try connecting from another phone – if it doesn’t work, the bracelet is a problem (the battery may be drained or the module damaged). BLE).
🔴 The connection is constantly breaking:
- 📱 Problem: The bracelet is connected, but after a few minutes it is turned off.
- 🔧 Solution: In the phone settings, turn off Adaptive Battery Savings for the Mi Fitness app. add Mi Fitness to the Optimization Exclusions list (on Xiaomi: Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Mi Fitness → No restrictions. VPN Proxies – they can block data synchronization.
💡
If the Mi Band 4 shuts down while sleeping or exercising, the problem is almost always with background optimization of Android.On Xiaomi/Redmi phones, further disable AutoRun for Mi Fitness in the security settings.
🔴 No notifications coming:
- 📱 Problem: The bracelet doesn’t vibrate when you call or text.
- 🔧 Solution: Check if notifications for Mi Fitness are included in your phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → At Mi Fitness, go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 4 → Notifications and make sure the apps you want are ticked. On Samsung phones, further disable Notification Optimization for Mi Fitness.Reboot your phone and bracelet.
⚠️ Attention: On phones with EMUI (Huawei/Honor) Notifications may not work due to manufacturer restrictions. To fix this, find Apps in your phone settings → Mi Fitness → Battery → Manually start and turn on all switches.
6. Alternative ways of connecting (if the official one does not work)
If standard synchronization through Mi Fitness fails, you can try to circumvent the limitations using third-party methods, which take longer, but often help in desperate situations.
🔄 Method 1: Connect with Notify & Fitness for Mi Band
It's a third-party app with advanced settings for the Mi Band, and it supports older versions of Android and allows you to bypass some of the manufacturer's limitations.
- Download Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
- In the application settings, select Mi Band 4 as the device model.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (it is similar to the official one, but with additional options).