Xiaomi Mi Band 4: how to distinguish the original from a fake – a complete guide with photos and codes

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, despite the release of new models. Its affordable price and wide functionality attract not only honest buyers, but also scammers who flooded the market with fakes. According to AliExpress and Wildberries, up to 30% of the Mi Band 4 bracelets in 2026 are counterfeit, and their quality often leaves much to be desired: from a fast-setting battery to a complete lack of synchronization with the application.

Counterfeiting looks like the original with alarming accuracy: the same buttons, displays, even boxes can look identical. However, there are 7 key signs that you can calculate the fake before you buy it or immediately after unpacking. In this article, we will examine each of them, from visual details to checks through official software, and also tell you which fakes are most common and why they are dangerous to health (spoiler: due to poor-quality batteries).

1. Packaging check: what should alert

The original Mi Band 4 box is the first and most obvious marker of authenticity. The manufacturer uses high-density matte paper with a clear print, whereas fakes are often sinned with glossy coatings or blurry fonts.

• 📦 Barcode and serial number: there must be a unique code on the back of the box that can be checked on the Mi Verify website.
• 🖼️ Xiaomi logo: on the original it is made in the form of silver embossing (not stickers!), and letters "MI" have clear edges without blurring.
• 📏 Box sizes: the original packaging has dimensions 105 × 50 × 30 mm. Deviation more than by 2–3 Mmm, reason to doubt.

The original always contains information in several languages (including Chinese), whereas forgeries are often limited to English or Russian with grammatical errors. For example, the phrase "Water resistant up to 50 meters" on a fake can be spelled as "Waterproof 50 meter".

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If the seller refuses to provide a photo of the package with the serial number before purchase, it is 90% likely that the box is fake.

2. External inspection of the bracelet: details that give off fake

Even if the box looks perfect, the bracelet itself can give off a fake.

• 🔍 Display: the original AMOLED-screen with clear colors and viewing angle 180°. Fakes are often used cheaply. TFT-matrices that fade when sideways looking and have a noticeable blue hue.
• 🔘 Button: the original capsule, it's sunk into the body and it makes a slight click. In fakes, the button can dangle or require a strong press.
• 💧 Water Protection: The Original is Marked 5ATM The fakes either don't have it at all or they point to it. IP68 (What is wrong with Mi Band 4!).

Just as important is the strap check. Xiaomi's original straps are made of matte-coated thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and fakes often use cheap silicone that:

• ✋ Sticks to the skin when sweating.
• 🌡️ Changes color over time (yellow or grey).
• 🔗 It has sloppy edges at the junction with the capsule.

3.Serial number and verification via Mi Verify

Each original Mi Band 4 has a unique 20-digit serial number (SN) that can be found:

• 📦 On the box (bottom part, under the barcode).
• 📱 In the Mi Fit application (section "Device profile").
• 🔧 On the back cover of the capsule (in small print under the logo).

To verify the authenticity:

1. Go to the Mi Verify website.
2. Enter the serial number and code from the picture.
3. If the device is original, the message "Authentication passed" will appear with the XMSH08HM model (for the global version) or XMSH07HM (for the Chinese version).

Enter. SN from the box on the Mi Verify website|Check the model (should be) XMSH08HM or XMSH07HM)|Make sure the number on the box and capsule match|Check if this one is being used. SN AliExpress in reviews (search by number)-->

Warning: Scammers often use serial numbers from real devices stolen from reviews photos, if the site shows "Authentication passed" when checking, but you buy a bracelet for less than 1,500. ₽ — The original Mi Band 4 in 2026 can't be cheaper than 1,800-2,200 ₽ even on sale.

Checking through the Mi Fit app: what should alert

The official Mi Fit app is one of the most reliable ways to detect a fake.

• 🔄 Synchronization process: the original connects in 10-15 seconds, fakes can “hang” during the search stage or require manual input PIN-code (which is not in the original).
• 📊 Fakes: Fakes are often absent: 🩺 Sleep monitoring (or showing unrealistic data, such as 100% deep sleep). 🏃 Tracking of swimming (despite markings) 5ATM). 🎵 Music control (buttons work but don’t sync with your smartphone).
• 🔋 Battery charge: original holds charge up to 20 days, fakes discharge in 3-5 days (or show 100% charge immediately after connection).

Another worrying sign is the firmware version, which is automatically updated in the original Mi Fit, and the current version must be at least 1.0.9.54 (for global firmware) to check:

1. Open Mi Fit → Profile → “Mi Smart Band 4”
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Firmware Update".
3. If the app says “You have the latest version” but the number below 1.0.9.54 is a fake.

5. Hidden marks and QR-codes: where to look for them

Xiaomi adds a few hidden tags to the original devices that are hard to fake.

Pay special attention QR-The code under the charge cap. Scan it with any reader (e.g. Google Lens). The original will redirect you to the official Mi Band 4 page on Xiaomi. Counterfeiting often leads to phishing sites or advertising pages.

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If you have a misprint on a bracelet or a box saying "Xiaomi," "Mi Band," or "Huami," it's 100% fake, and the original product is strictly quality-checked, and there can be no such errors.

6. Functional test: how does a fake behave in the work

Even if the bracelet has passed all previous tests, its behavior in real life can give off a fake.

• 🩺 Pulse monitoring: the original measures heart rate in 5-10 seconds with an error ±5 Bumps: Counterfeiting can show the same value (e.g. 72 Bumps) regardless of condition or produce a Cannot Measure error".
• 🏊 Waterproof: Put the bracelet in water for 10 minutes. The original will continue to work, the fake may be blocked or turned off (despite the labeling). 5ATM).
• 🔋 Charging: the original charges from 0 to 100% in 1.5-2 hours. Counterfeit or charge 4+ or show 100% in 10 minutes.
• 📶 Bluetooth: Original Bluetooth 5.0 Supports BLE And it keeps a steady connection up to 10 meters away, and fakes often lose their connection after 2-3 meters.

Another reliable test is factory reset, and the original Mi Band 4 does it this way:

1. Press the button on the capsule for 10 seconds until vibrations appear.
2. Release the button and press it again for 5 seconds.
3. The bracelet should reset and show a welcome message.

Counterfeits either do not respond to this combination or are reset, but after rebooting lose touch with the application.

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If the bracelet starts to warm up while charging or using - immediately turn it off! This is a sign of a poor-quality battery that can ignite. The original Mi Band 4 does not heat above room temperature.

7 Where to buy so as not to run into a fake

Even though you know all the signs of the original, you still have the risk of buying fakes if you choose an unreliable seller, and here's a ranking of safe sites to buy Mi Band 4 in 2026 (from most reliable to riskiest):

1. The official Xiaomi store (mi.com/ru) is 100% guaranteed, but the price is 10-15% higher than the market.
2. M-Video, Citilink, Eldorado – check suppliers, but sometimes come across “gray” deliveries (ask for a check and a warranty card).
3. Ozon and Wildberries - the risk of counterfeiting is ~10%. Buy only from sellers with a rating above 95% and reviews from photo packaging.
4. AliExpress - Risk 50/50. Choose only official stores (Mi Global Store, Xiaomi Official Flagship Store) and avoid sellers with prices below. 2 000 ₽.
5. Avito, Yula, markets, 80% risk of forgery, and it is not recommended to buy without serial number and function test.

If you buy an acelet on AliExpress, you must:

• Check the seller's rating (should be above 97%).
• Check out the reviews (especially negative ones, they often write about fakes).
• Choose options with free shipping and buyer protection.
• Ask the seller for a photo of the box with the serial number before payment.

If you find a fake after buying, don't rush to throw away the bracelet. AliExpress allows you to open a dispute and return money by attaching a photo with evidence (for example, a screenshot of an error in Mi Fit or checking for Mi Verify). In Russian stores, the law on consumer protection applies - you have the right to a refund or exchange within 14 days.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 4 authenticity