The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables thanks to its excellent price-to-function ratio. However, the initial setup of the gadget often raises questions among new owners, especially given the company's shift to new synchronization software. Successful pairing is the key to getting accurate statistics on health, notifications and sleep control.
The activation process requires care, as the wrong sequence of actions can lead to the fact that the tracker will not be visible in the application. You will need a modern smartphone with Bluetooth 4.0 or higher, a stable Internet connection and a charged bracelet. It is important to determine in advance the platform you will use, as some nuances of installation depend on this.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of connecting the tracker to devices based on Android and iOS. You will learn about the intricacies of working with the Zepp Life application (formerly known as Mi Fit), ways to solve typical communication errors and additional settings that will make using the gadget as comfortable as possible.
Preparation for the first launch of the tracker
Before trying to find the device in the phone settings, make sure the bracelet itself is ready to go. Charge the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to a level of at least 50-60%, as the process of initial setup and firmware update consumes a significant amount of power. If the tracker is just out of the box, it should be put on the charger for at least 30 minutes.
The second critical step is to turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone. Without an active wireless module, device detection is impossible. Make sure geolocation (GPS) is also enabled, as current versions of Android operating systems require location permission to work with Bluetooth devices.
There is a common misconception that pairing should be done through the standard Bluetooth menu in the phone settings, which is a misguided approach that will result in the phone finding the device but not being able to transmit health data.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to connect the bracelet through your smartphone’s Bluetooth system menu. If you’ve already done this and the device hangs there, be sure to remove it from the list of paired devices before you start setting up.
You'll also need an account in the Xiaomi ecosystem to work properly, and if you don't have one, it takes a few minutes to sign up and you'll need an email or phone number, and you'll be able to keep your activity history in the cloud and switch between devices without losing data.
Selection and installation of a synchronization application
For a long time, the main tool for working with Xiaomi trackers was the Mi Fit application. However, as part of the rebranding and consolidation of services, Xiaomi introduced the Zepp platform, and the Mi Fit application was renamed Zepp Life. At the moment, Zepp Life is the most stable and recommended option for Xiaomi Mi Band 4.
You should only download the app from official sources to avoid malware. For Android users, this is the Google Play store, and for iPhone owners, the App Store. In the store search box, type "Zepp Life" and make sure that the developer is Anhui Huami Information Technology or Xiaomi.
Once you install the app, launch it and log in to your account. The interface may seem overloaded, but to connect the bracelet, you only need a start screen. Click on the add-on button, usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the top corner as a plus icon.
The app will request a number of permissions: Bluetooth access, geolocation, notifications and background work. Without all the permissions requested, the bracelet will not work smoothly, especially the feature of constant notifications and route tracking.
The process of pairing with Android and iOS
The connection procedure across platforms has a similar algorithm, but differs in interface details. Once you start a search in the Zepp Life app, click Add Device and select Bracelet or Mi Band category. The app will start scanning the surrounding space.
When your Xiaomi Mi Band 4 shows up on your smartphone screen with your serial number (or just a model), click on it. The tracker screen will show a vibration signal and a graphic symbol confirming the pairing request. Touch the touch button on the bracelet (usually a light tap on the screen or a long press, depending on the firmware version) to confirm the action.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
Once confirmed, the time and basic settings will start to be synchronized, which may require updating the firmware of the bracelet itself, and do not interrupt this process and keep the smartphone next to the tracker, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes to update, depending on the speed of the Internet and the version of the firmware installed.
For iOS users, the process is almost identical, but Apple’s security system requires stricter permission control. Make sure that the Bluetooth settings in the iPhone system menu next to the Mi Band 4 device have a connection icon, but the control itself goes through the application. If the iPhone requests permission to pair through the system window, confirm.
| Parameter | Android | iOS (iPhone) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum OS version | Android 5.0+ | iOS 10.0+ |
| Critical authorization | Geolocation (always) | Bluetooth and Notifications |
| Stability of communications | Tall. | Medium (depending on the iOS version) |
| Background work | Requires battery settings | Automatic. |
Set up notifications and health features
Once you have a successful connection, you can see the full functionality of the tracker. The first thing you need to configure is notifications. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 can display messages from instant messengers, social networks and SMS. In the application, go to Profile -> Mi Band 4 -> Application Notifications.
Here you'll see a list of all the programs installed on your phone. Activate the switches in front of the ones you want to see on your wrist. Remember, the bracelet only displays the text of the message, you can't answer it. You can also set the vibrations when you make incoming calls.
To properly perform the pedometer and sleep tracking, you need to customize your user profile: enter your current height, weight, date of birth, and indicate who will wear the device (male or female), which is used by algorithms to calculate calorie expenditure and sleep phases.
Pay special attention to setting the Do Not Disturb mode, you can set time intervals (for example, from 23:00 to 07:00) when the bracelet will not vibrate at notifications, this prolongs the life of the battery and does not interfere with your sleep, while collecting sleep data will continue.
Solving Connection and Synchronization Problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical difficulties. The most common problem is that the app can't see the bracelet. In this case, make sure that the bracelet is not connected to another phone. The Mi Band 4 can only store one active connection in memory. If you change your phone, you first need to untie the device in the application on your old phone or reset it.
If the connection is constantly breaking, check the power saving settings. Many smartphone manufacturers (Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung) aggressively “kill” background processes to save charge. Find the Zepp Life app in the phone’s battery settings and select “No Limits” or “Return” mode.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch or is not turning on, try putting it on charge.The deep discharge of the lithium-polymer battery may take up to 30-40 minutes before the screen will light up.
If you have a software error, a complete reset will help. On the bracelet itself, swipe left to the More menu, find the gear icon or System icon, and select Unbind or Reset. After that, repeat the connection procedure as with the new device.
Additional features and dials
One of the main advantages of Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is the ability to change dials. The app has a dial store (Store), where you can choose static images or animated themes. loading a new dial takes about a minute and significantly changes the appearance of the gadget.
The tracker also supports music control function: when playing tracks on a smartphone (Spotify, Yandex.Music, local files), the control buttons appear on the bracelet: Play/Pause, the next track, volume, This is convenient when the phone is in your bag or pocket.
For sports fans, various training modes are available: running, walking, cycling, swimming (thanks to 5 ATM moisture protection). When activated, the bracelet’s training mode is monitored in more detail, pulse and pace, and statistics are stored in the application for analyzing progress.