How to tie Mi Band 4 to Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Connecting the Mi Band 4 fitness tracker to a Xiaomi smartphone is a basic procedure that opens up access to health monitoring and notifications. Despite the simplicity of the process, users often face difficulties in syncing devices via Bluetooth. Properly configured the first time guarantees stable operation of the gadget and the accuracy of the data collected.

In this article, we will take a look at all the stages of pairing, from smartphone preparation to fine-tuning notifications in the Mi Fit app (now Zepp Life), and learn about the hidden features of the MIUI system that can block connection, and how to get around them.

Before you start setting up, make sure your tracker is at least 20-30% charged, which is critical, as the initial synchronization and firmware update process can require a significant amount of energy. If the bracelet is completely discharged, plug it into the charger for 15-20 minutes.

Preparatory stage: settings of the smartphone

Before you try to pair, you need to configure the smartphone itself. The Android system in the shell of MIUI has strict security rules that require you to turn on certain modules. First of all, make sure that the wireless module is activated. To do this, lower the notification curtain and click on the Bluetooth icon to become active.

The second important step is to enable geolocation. This is a requirement of the Android operating system to work with the system. BLE-Bluetooth Low Energy, not on. GPS The app will simply not see the bracelet in the list of available devices, even if it is in search mode. Go to the settings and activate location.

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Enable geolocation before searching for a device – this is a requirement of the BLE protocol, without which scanning is impossible on Android 6.0 and higher.

It is also recommended to check the list of previously paired devices.If your Mi Band 4 has previously been connected to this or another phone, it should be "forget": go to the Bluetooth menu, find a tracker in the list and click Forget the device or Untie.This will clear old encryption keys and prevent conflicts when you try again to connect.

  • πŸ“± Turn on Bluetooth in the notification curtain or settings.
  • πŸ“ Activate. GPS/Geolocation for device search.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Remove old bracelet entries from Bluetooth list.
  • πŸ”‹ Charge the tracker at least 20% before starting.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit (Zepp Life) application

The control app is the centerpiece of the Xiaomi Wear ecosystem. For the Mi Band 4, the most functional application is Mi Fit, which was recently renamed Zepp Life, which can be downloaded from the official Google Play store or the App Store. Avoid downloading installation files from questionable sources so as not to infect your phone with malware.

Once installed, launch the app and create a new Mi Account or log in through an existing one. Registration is required to store statistics in the cloud. The first time you log in, the app will request a number of permissions: access to contacts, calls, location and notifications. Without all the permissions requested, the bracelet functionality will be severely limited. Agree to all the points to ensure full synchronization.

πŸ“Š What app do you use for Mi Band?
Mi Fit (Zepp Life)
Notify for Mi Band
Gadgetbridge
Other

The important thing is to choose a region: in the application settings, make sure that the correct region is selected (usually your country of residence or β€œRussia”), the server on which the data will be downloaded depends on this, and the availability of certain functions. If the server is selected incorrectly, the application may search for a device for a long time or not save a history of activity.

  • πŸ“₯ Download the official Zepp Life app (Mi Fit).
  • πŸ“ Register with Mi Account for synchronization.
  • βœ… Provide all the system permissions requested.
  • 🌍 Select the correct region in the profile settings.

The process of pairing the bracelet and phone

Now, to the direct connection, open the Zepp Life app and go to the Profile tab. At the top of the screen, click Add Device. In the list that appears, select Mi Band 4. The app will go into scan mode.

At this point, look at your tracker screen. If it's gone, tap the sensor to wake up. The bracelet screen should have a vibrating icon or a request to confirm pairing. The app on the phone will also search. Once the Mi Band 4 is detected, the image and ID will appear on the smartphone screen.

Click on the bracelet image in the app. The tracker screen will prompt confirmation of communication (usually a vibration signal and a flashing icon). Press the touch button of the bracelet for confirmation. The process will take 10 to 30 seconds. After a successful connection, the application will prompt you to update the firmware.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist of successful pairing

Done: 0 / 4

If the device is too time consuming (more than 1-2 minutes), try restarting the smartphone and repeating the procedure.Sometimes the background processes of the MIUI system can block the scan. Also make sure the bracelet is not connected to other devices nearby, as it can maintain an active connection to only one smartphone at a time.

Firmware update and basic setup

Immediately after the binding, the Mi Band 4 will likely offer an update to the firmware. This is a standard procedure that corrects errors and improves stability. Don't ignore this requirement. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi for quick download and make sure that the bracelet is at least 50% charged.

The upgrade process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the bracelet screen will burn, displaying the progress bar. It is strictly forbidden to interrupt this process, turn off Bluetooth or close the application.

What to do if the update is suspended?
If the progress bar doesn't move for more than 20 minutes, try not to panic. Often it's in the background. If the bracelet is out and doesn't respond, put it on charge. 90% of the time it will recover automatically. If not, you'll need to flash it through the engineering menu (a complicated procedure).

After the update, you should adjust the basic settings: raise your wrist to turn on the screen, select a dial and set the goals by steps. All these settings are located in the device menu inside the application. Choose a face that is convenient for you from the built-in library or download a new one from the store.

  • ⬆️ Connect Wi-Fi to quickly download updates.
  • πŸ”‹ Make sure the charge is above 50% during firmware.
  • 🚫 Do not close the app or turn off the phone screen.
  • ⌚ Select and install a comfortable dial.

Solving Connection Problems in MIUI

Xiaomi smartphone users may encounter an aggressive MIUI energy saving system that kills the background processes of the Mi Fit app. This causes the bracelet to periodically turn off, notifications do not arrive, or synchronization resets. To avoid this, you need to manually configure autostart.

Go to Settings, then to Apps β†’ All Apps. Go to Zepp Life (or Mi Fit.) Go to Autostart and turn on the switch. Next, look for Battery Savings (or Battery) and select No Restrictions. This will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down the app.

⚠️ Note: Without setting up auto-start and removing battery restrictions, notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) may come with a delay or not at all, as the system will stop the application from the background.

Also check the permissions in the Other Permits section. Make sure the app is allowed to display notifications on the lock screen and operate in the background. NFC, In the initial setting, a request for use may appear NFC-A chip for fast pairing is normal, but for the Mi Band 4, normal Bluetooth is enough.

Compatibility and requirements table

For the Mi Band 4 to work properly, your smartphone must meet the minimum technical requirements. Below is a table that will help determine whether your device is suitable for the full operation of the tracker.

ParameterMinimum requirementRecommended valueImpact on work
Android versionAndroid 5.0Android 8.0 and higherLower versions may not support stable BLE
iOS versioniOS 10.0iOS 13 and higherIt is necessary for widgets and Siri to work
BluetoothBluetooth 4.0Bluetooth 5.0Affects the range and stability of communication
RAM (RAM)512MB2 GB and higherMemory shortage causes app crashes

If your smartphone meets the requirements but problems persist, try clearing the Zepp Life app cache through your phone's settings. Sometimes the accumulated temporary files interfere with the correct connection. Also helps to completely reset the bracelet to factory settings through the tracker menu itself (More β†’ Settings β†’ Reset), after which you need to go through the pairing procedure again.

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The stability of the Mi Band 4 is 90% dependent on the correct power saving settings in the MIUI, not the specifications of the bracelet itself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect Mi Band 4 to two phones at the same time?
No, the Mi Band 4 only supports active connection to one smartphone, but you can untie it from one phone and tie it to another by logging into the same Mi Account, and the data history will be saved in the cloud and available on the new device.
Why can't the phone see the bracelet when searching?
Most often, the problem is with the GPS turned off or the old pairing in Bluetooth memory. Also make sure the bracelet is not connected to another nearby phone. Try restarting the smartphone and running the search again.
Do I need the internet to work with the bracelet?
The Internet is only needed when you first set up, update your firmware and synchronize your accumulated data with the cloud. You don't need the Internet to count steps and display time, the tracker works autonomously.
What to do if the bracelet is constantly switched off?
Check your power saving settings (see MIUI section). Make sure the app has permission to work in the background. If the problem is not solved, try removing the device from the app, restarting the phone, and creating a new anchor.
Is the Mi Band 4 compatible with the iPhone?
Yes, the Mi Band 4 is fully compatible with iPhones running iOS 10.0 and up. The setup process is similar: download the Zepp Life app from the App Store and follow the instructions. iOS features are almost identical to the Android version.