Wearable electronics from Xiaomi have become the standard of affordable fitness, and the Mi Band 4 is no exception. This activity tracker combines a bright color screen, pulse tracking and long-term autonomy. However, to unlock the full potential of the gadget, it must be properly synchronized with a smartphone.
The initial setup process can seem confusing to beginners, especially given that the device works through third-party apps rather than directly via Bluetooth settings. Incorrect connectivity often leads to data synchronization errors or inability to receive notifications.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to connect Xiaomi Smart Band 4 to Android and iOS phones. You will learn about the nuances of the Mi Fit application, how to update the firmware and methods for solving typical problems that may arise during pairing.
Preparation of the device and smartphone for synchronization
Before you start the software setup, you need to make sure that the gadget is physically ready for work. Mi Band 4 often gets to users with a discharged battery, as it can lie in storage for a long time. If the screen does not light up when you touch, set the tracker to charge for at least 15-20 minutes.
The charger for this model has a specific design: the capsule must be removed from the strap and inserted with contacts into the connector. USB-Important: the contacts must fit tightly, otherwise the charging will not start.
In parallel with charging the bracelet, you should prepare a smartphone. Make sure that the phone is on Bluetooth and geolocation module (GPS). In modern versions of Android, scanning Bluetooth devices without GPS is impossible, and the application simply will not see the tracker.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect the bracelet directly through the Bluetooth menu in the phone settings.This will result in the Mi Fit application subsequently not being able to find the device, and you will have to remove the pairing manually.
It’s also worth checking the version of your smartphone’s operating system: Android 5.0 and higher or iOS 10.0 and higher are required to work smoothly, and if the phone’s software is outdated, synchronization may be unstable or impossible.
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Before installing the apps, clear the Bluetooth cache in your phone’s settings if you’ve tried to connect the bracelet before and an error occurs.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application
The centerpiece of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the Mi Fit app (renamed Zepp Life in some regions), which is where you first register, customize features, and update the tracker’s firmware, and download it from Google Play or the App Store.
Once installed, start the app and create an account or log in to an existing one, you can use a phone number, email or social media accounts, and registration is mandatory, because without it, access to functionality will be limited.
During the initial setup, the app will request access to the various modules of the phone, allowing access to:
- 📍 Geolocation – for tracking routes and working Bluetooth scanner.
- 📞 Contacts and calls – to display the name of the caller on the screen of the bracelet.
- 🔔 Notifications – to output messages from messengers.
- 🏃 Physical activity – to correctly count steps in the background.
The interface of the application may seem overloaded, but we're only interested in the Profile tab. That's where the new device's add button is located. Make sure the phone is not connected to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network during setup, sometimes it causes conflicts, better use mobile Internet or 2.4GHz.
The process of pairing Xiaomi Mi Band 4
When the preparatory phase is complete, we move to the direct connection. Open the Mi Fit app, go to the Profile tab and click Add Device (plus in the corner). From the list of available gadgets, select Mi Smart Band 4.
The app will start searching. At that point, a vibration or Bluetooth icon may appear on the bracelet screen. If the search is long, try putting the phone closer to the bracelet or restarting Bluetooth on your smartphone.
Once the device is found, the pairing request will appear on the phone screen, and the bracelet will display a vibration signal and a confirmation button (phone icon). Press the bracelet for confirmation. The confirmation code on the screens must match.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
Once the connection is successful, the initial time-data synchronization will begin, the screen will light up and you will see a welcome message. Now the tracker is ready for basic use, but it takes a few more steps to fully function.
⚠️ Note: If the app says "Device is busy" or "Not found" in the search process, check the list of paired devices in Bluetooth. If there is a "Mi Band 4" on it, click "Forget this device" and try again.
Updating the firmware and setting up the dials
Once connected, the system will prompt a software update. firmware version 1.0.9.66 and higher adds support for quick answers and new dials, so ignore the update is not worth it. The process takes 5 to 10 minutes and requires the bracelet to be near the phone.
During the upgrade, the screen of the bracelet will burn, showing the progress bar. Interrupting the process (exiting the application or disconnecting communication) can cause the device to break.
Once you've updated, you can customize the look and feel, and in the app, go to Dials, which is available as standard and catalogue downloads, and the range is huge, from analog classics to minimalist digital indicators.
What to do if the update is suspended?
Also, in the bracelet settings in the app, you can activate the wrist lift to turn on the screen, set the target number of steps and enable sleep monitoring. All changes are applied instantly after synchronization.
Configure notifications and additional functions
One of the main features of the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is to output notifications. In the Mi Fit app, in the bracelet settings section, find "Application Notifications." Here you can choose which programs will duplicate messages on your wrist.
There is a pre-installed list (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, SMS, Calls) and the option to add any other apps installed on the phone, but it is worth remembering that the text of long messages can be cropped.
In addition to messages, the tracker can monitor the pulse in the background, it is recommended to set the interval of measurement, for example, every 10 or 30 minutes, this will increase the accuracy of statistics for the day, but will increase battery consumption slightly.
For sports enthusiasts, a useful feature would be setting activity goals: the bracelet would vibrate if you sit too long, or delight with animation when you reach your daily normal steps.
| Function | Description | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse monitoring | Constant or periodic measurement | High. |
| Notifications | Vibration and screen when calling/SMS | Average. |
| Wrist lifting | Turning on the screen when moving your hand | Low. |
| NFC (for the NFC version) | Payment and access on the subway | Low (on standby) |
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The optimal balance between functionality and autonomy is achieved by measuring the pulse every 30 minutes and turning on the “Do Not Disturb” mode at night.
Solving and eliminating connection errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical difficulties, and the most common problem is that the bracelet is not visible in the application, and in this case, a complete reset of the phone's Bluetooth stack will help: turn off Bluetooth, restart the smartphone, turn on Bluetooth, and try again.
If the bracelet is connected but the data is not synchronized, check the permissions for the Mi Fit application in the phone settings. Often the Android system "kills" the background process, depriving the tracker of communication. You need to add the application to the battery exceptions and allow auto-start.
Another problem is time desynchronization, which is solved by a forced update in the app (pull the screen down in the profile). If time is constantly lost, check if the network time synchronization is on in the phone itself.
- 🔄 Reboot the bracelet through the settings menu on the tracker itself.
- 📱 Remove the Mi Fit app and install it again.
- 🔋 Charge the bracelet to 100% before re-attempting to pair.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch and does not turn on when charging, put it on the charger on the charger. 2-3 Deep discharge of lithium polymer battery takes time to "pump".
In rare cases, a factory reset via the bracelet menu (Settings → System → Reset) will remove all data from the device, but often solves software glitches.