The 2019 Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet is still one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets thanks to its combination of affordable price and rich functionality. Despite the release of new models (Mi Band 5/6/7/8), the fourth version is actively used by millions of users – it is enough for basic monitoring of sleep, steps, pulse and even music management. However, many owners only 30-40% of the bracelet’s capabilities, without knowing about hidden settings and life hacks.
In this guide, we will look at all the steps of working with the Mi Band 4, from the first connection to fine-tuning notifications and saving charge, focusing on typical beginner errors (for example, why the bracelet does not sync with the phone or discharge quickly), and also reveal unique features that are not written in the standard instructions, such as how to use the bracelet to find a phone or adjust the alarm clock through gestures.
1.Preparation for the first use: what is included in the kit and how to charge the bracelet
Before the first inclusion, check the equipment Xiaomi Mi Band 4. in the box should be:
- 📦 Fitness bracelet itself (capsule with display)
- 🔋 Charging cable (special) USB-magnetic-contact)
- 📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
- 🔄 Rubber strap (usually black, but in some editions - blue or red)
There is no power adapter - charging is carried out through USB-port of a computer, laptop or network adapter from a phone (for example, from Xiaomi Redmi Note). 5V/1A, Not to damage the bracelet battery.
For charging:
- Remove the capsule from the strap by pulling it towards the screen.
- Place the bracelet in the charging dock so that the metal contacts on the back side match the magnets.
- Connect the cable to USB-The bracelet will display a charging indicator (battery animation).
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If the bracelet doesn't start charging, check the cleanliness of the contacts - sometimes dust or sweat will block the connection.
The full charge time is about 1.5-2 hours. The battery capacity of the Mi Band 4 is 135 mAh, which is enough for 14-20 days in standard use (without constant monitoring of the pulse). If the battery goes down in 3-5 days, then energy-intensive functions are included - more about this in the section on setting.
2. Connect to the phone: step-by-step instructions for Android and iOS
The Mi Band 4 is powered by the official Mi Fit app (for Android and iOS) or the alternative Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit), and we recommend the Mi Fit as a more stable solution for this model.
- 🤖 Google Play (Android)
- 🍎 App Store (iOS)
After installation of the annex:
Register a Xiaomi account (or sign in through the Google/Facebook)|Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Launch Mi Fit and click "Add Device»|Select "Breasurement» → Mi Smart Band 4|Follow the instructions on the screen (confirm pairing in Bluetooth settings)|Update the bracelet firmware if the system offers-->
In the interface phase, you may have a "unconnected" error.
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth doesn't see the bracelet | Restart the phone and bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds). Make sure the distance between the devices is < 10 m. |
| The application freezes at the “Connection” stage | Remove the bracelet from the phone’s Bluetooth device list manually, then re-pair. |
| Firmware update is required, but the process is interrupted | Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (not mobile internet) and make sure the bracelet charge is > 50%. |
Once you have a successful connection, the app will offer to update the firmware. Always agree – new versions fix synchronization errors and add features (for example, gesture support). The firmware version can be checked in Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → About the device.
3. Customize basic functions: steps, sleep, pulse and notifications
By default, the bracelet only tracks basic metrics. To activate all the features, go to Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Device settings. Let's consider the key options:
📊 Activity tracking
- 👟 Stepmer: Enable the Counting Steps option and set a daily goal (recommended 8,000-10,000).The bracelet automatically syncs data with Google Fit or Apple Health.
- 🏃 Training: In the Exercise menu, select activities (walking, running, cycling, swimming). For the pool, activate Swimming mode - the bracelet is waterproof (5). ATM, submersible).
- 💤 Sleep: Turn on Sleep Monitor and set the alarm clock with Smart Lift (the bracelet will wake you up in light sleep 30 minutes before the set time).
❤️ Pulse and health
For pulse measurement:
- Turn on “Continuous monitoring of heart rate” (discharges the battery faster) or “Auto-measurement” (every 30 minutes).
- For manual measurement, swipe down on the bracelet screen and select the icon ❤️.
- Data are stored in Mi Fit → Statistics → Heart rate.
What to do if the pulse is not measured?
📱 Notifications from the phone
To receive alerts about calls and messages:
- In Mi Fit → Notifications, enable the “Show Notifications” option.
- Select the apps you want to see the alerts for (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
- Set the vibration: short/long/repeat.
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, notifications only work for incoming calls and SMS. For messages from messengers requires additional settings in the settings of the iPhone → Notifications → Mi Fit → Allow notices.
Bracelet control: sensor, gestures and hidden functions
The Mi Band 4 is a touch-controlled AMOLED color screen.
- 👆 Swipe up/down: scroll through menus or notifications.
- 👈 Swipe left/right: switching between screens (time, steps, pulse, weather).
- 🔘 Touch: selecting a menu item.
- 🔄 Pressing the button (10 seconds): rebooting the bracelet.
Hidden functions that few people know about:
| Function | How to activate | What do you need? |
|---|---|---|
| Phone search | Slip down on the main screen. → icon 📱 | The phone will give a loud signal (even in silent mode) |
| Alarm clock gesture | Mi Fit → Alarm clock → Hand-lifting gesture | Shake your hand to turn off the alarm clock. |
| The screen is always on. | Mi Fit → Screen settings → Illumination when lifting your hand | The screen lights up when you move your hand (discharges the battery) |
| Managing music | Swipe down. → icon 🎵 | Pause/play, next track (working with Spotify, YouTube Music) |
To save charge, turn off unnecessary functions:
Turn off the lighting when lifting your hand»|Set automeasure your pulse every 30 minutes (not continuously)|Disable notifications from unnecessary applications|Reduce the brightness of the screen to 2-3 divisions|Turn off sleep monitoring if you are not using it.-->
5 Problems and Solutions: Bracelet does not sync, does not measure pulse, discharges quickly
Even the reliable Mi Band 4 has a problem, and we'll look at the most common problems and the specific ways to solve them.
🔄 The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone.
- 📱 Problem: Data is not updated in Mi Fit, although Bluetooth is enabled.
- 🔧 Solution: Reboot both devices. Untie the bracelet in Mi Fit (Profile) → Mi Smart Band 4 → Untie, then reconnect. If it doesn't work, delete the app cache (Android Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache).
⚡ Quick battery discharge
If the bracelet is discharged in 2-3 days:
- ⚠️ Check if continuous pulse monitoring is on, which consumes up to 50% of the charge.
- ⚠️ Turn off the screen auto-light (or reduce the display time to 5 seconds).
- ⚠️ Update the firmware – in the old versions there were errors with power consumption.