Xiaomi Mi Band 4: how to check for originality and not run into a fake

Why is it so important to check the Mi Band 4 for originality?

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets in its segment even years after its release. Low price, reliability and rich functionality attract millions of users — but this makes the model a tasty piece for scammers. According to AliExpress and Amazon, up to 30% of the Mi Band 4 bracelets in the secondary market are fakes, with some copies visually indistinguishable from the original.

What's the danger of counterfeiting? First, build quality: fakes often break through the sleeve of the fake. 2-3 And then they're going to be inflated or they're going to be very, very quickly drained, and then they're going to be using software, which might contain viruses, spyware, or they might not be synced with the official Mi Fit app. And so, the cheap materials of the case and the strap are often allergic or irritating to the skin, so it's not a whim, it's a necessity.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 reliable ways to distinguish a real Mi Band 4 from a fake, from visual inspection to deep firmware diagnostics, where you can look when buying, how to check the bracelet after you get it, and what to do if you’ve already been a victim of fraud.

1.Package check: 5 signs of the original Mi Band 4

The first thing to notice is the box, and counterfeiters often save on packaging, so you can tell the original and the fake before you unpack. Take the box in your hand and touch it, because the real Mi Band 4 has a thick, glossy coating and clear seams, and the fakes are usually made of thin cardboard that crumples easily.

Now consider the design and inscriptions:

• 📦 Xiaomi logo: on the original box it is clear, with a uniform orange pouring. Fakes often have blurred edges or the wrong shade (too red or yellow).
• 🔍 Barcode and serial number: a sticker with a sticker must be pasted at the bottom of the box SN (You can check the authenticity of the code on the Mi Verify website.
• 📝 Text on a box: the original always has inscriptions in several languages (including Chinese), and fakes often contain translation errors or are printed in the same language.
• 🎨 Color gamut: The original Mi Band 4's box is white and orange. If you see other colors (like blue or green), it's 100% fake.
• 🔗 QR-Code: The back of the box should be QR-The code that leads to the official product page, and with the phone scanner, check where it leads.

The original Mi Band 4 has two stickers on the sides that break when opened, and if there's no seal or it's just glued on top, you have a fake or an open product.

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If the seller refuses to show the box in a photo or video before buying, it is a reason to be wary.

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

Even if the packaging looks perfect, it doesn't guarantee the originality of the bracelet itself. Take out the Mi Band 4 and inspect it carefully from all sides.

• 🔧 Strap latch: the original it is metal, with a clear Mi logo, and for fakes it is often plastic or with blurred embossing.
• 🖥️ Screen: Display of the original bracelet AMOLED It's got clear colors and deep black. TFT — dim, with poor viewing angles.
• 🔋 Charging contact: on the back of the original two gold contacts with the marking 5V 0.5A. Copies may have contacts that are silver or without inscriptions.
• 📏 Size and weight: The original bracelet weighs 22.1 (with a strap) and its body is of size 46.9 × 17.9 × 12.5 Counterfeiting is often heavier or larger.

Notice the strap. The original Mi Band 4 has a hypoallergenic thermoplastic elastomer (TPU), Fakes often use cheap silicone that sticks to the skin or has a sharp chemical smell. Also check the strap attachment to the body: the original one is strong, without backlashes, and for fakes the strap can hang or easily detach.

Remember to look at the touch button below the screen. The original bracelet has barely visible and seamlessly integrated into the body. The copies often have a protruding button or rough edges.

Verification of the serial number and IMEI: How to calculate a fake from the data

Each Xiaomi Mi Band 4 has a unique serial number (SN) and IMEI (if the model supports NFC). This data can be used to authenticate:

• 📋 Box (on a barcode sticker).
• 📱 In bracelet settings: Profile → The bracelet. → Serial number.
• 🔍 On the back of the case (under the sensor).

To check the serial number:

1. Go to the official Mi Verify checkout site.
2. Enter the serial number (SN) captcha.
3. If the bracelet is original, the system will show the model (Mi Smart Band 4) and the status of Genuine.

For models with NFC (Mi Band 4 version NFC) check in IMEI:

1. Dial *#06# - the bracelet should display your IMEI.
2. Compare it to the number on the box or in the settings.
3. Check it out. IMEI on imei.info – the original must belong to Xiaomi.

Find it. SN box-and-bracelet|Check the numbers among themselves|Check out the Mi Verify website|Ensure the status of Genuine-->

⚠️ Note: if the serial number on the box and bracelet do not match, or the site gives an error Invalid SN — You're 100% fake, and beware of repeating number bracelets (e.g., fake, SN: 123456789) is a sign of mass forgery.

Diagnostics through the Mi Fit app: what should alert

One of the most reliable ways to check is to connect the bracelet to the official Mi Fit app, download it from Google Play or the App Store and follow the following steps:

1. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
2. Click Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4
3. Follow the instructions for pairing via Bluetooth.

During the connection, pay attention to:

• 🔄 Synchronization process: the original bracelet is connected to the 10-20 Fakes can hang for a long time during the search phase or give an error.
• 📊 In-app functionality: the original has all the functions (pulse, steps, notifications, training modes) that fakes often don't have. SpO2 (oxygenation) or PAI (activity).
• 🔄 Firmware update: the original bracelet will prompt you to update when you first connect.

If the bracelet is connected but is acting strangely (for example, shows the wrong time or does not sync data), check the firmware version:

1. In Mi Fit go to Profile → The bracelet.
2. Click on the firmware version several times - the diagnostic menu should appear.
3. If instead of the menu, the bracelet is reloaded or nothing happens, it is a fake.

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Even if the bracelet is connected to Mi Fit, it does not guarantee originality. Some fakes simulate the work with the application, but have a stripped down functionality.

5. Test firmware and hidden functions: how to detect fake software

Fakes often use left-handed firmware that can be computed through hidden commands.

Method 1: Checking through the Engineering Menu

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → About the bracelet.
2. Click on the firmware version 5-6 successively.
3. If you have a menu with Test, Reboot or Factory Reset, the bracelet is original. For fakes, it's not.

Method 2: Verification via Bluetooth log

For Android:

1. Enable the developer mode on the phone (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number → Press 7 times).


2. Go to Settings → System → For Developers → Enable "Bluetoothooth Log HCI".




3. Connect the bracelet and check the log through the nRF Connect app or Bluetooth Logger.




The original bracelet will be identified as MIBAND4 or XMSH08HM. Counterfeiting may have other names (e.g. Smart Band).

Method 3: Checking through ADB (for Advanced)

If you have experience with ADB, follow the command:

adb shell dumpsys bluetooth_manager

In conclusion, find a line with a name=Mi Smart Band 4: The fakes will have a different name.

⚠️ Attention: some fakes are skillfully disguised as the original, mimicking the engineering menu. If the bracelet behaves suspiciously (for example, after a reboot, the settings are reset), this is a sure sign of fake.

6.Apply quality check and sensors: physical tests

The original Mi Band 4 undergoes strict quality control, so its sensors and assembly are different from fakes.

Test 1: Sensitivity of the touch button

• On the original bracelet, the button is triggered by a light touch.
• Counterfeiting often requires a strong press or multiple touch.

Test 2: Accuracy of the heart rate sensor

1. Put on a bracelet and measure your resting pulse.
2. Compare the readings with a medical pulse meter or other tested device.
3. The original shows the value with an error ±5 punches, fakes can give a scatter ±20 or more.

Test 3: Vibration quality

• The original bracelet vibrates clearly and evenly.
• For fakes, the vibration is weak, intermittent or accompanied by extraneous sounds.

Test 4: Leakability

• The original Mi Band 4 has 5 protections. ATM, So it can withstand 50 meters of immersion.
• Place the bracelet in the water on 10-15 The original will remain functional, the fake may turn off or turn off.

⚠️ Warning: Do not test for leakage if the bracelet is already connected to the phone - water can damage the contacts of the charger.

7.Where and how to buy Mi Band 4, so as not to run into a fake?

The best way to avoid counterfeiting is to buy a bracelet in official stores:

• 🏬 Offline stores: Xiaomi Store, Svyaznoy, M. Video (with verification of certificates).
• 🌍 Official website: mi.com (with delivery to Russia).
• 📦 Authorized Resellers: AliExpress Official Store, Amazon Xiaomi Store.

If you are buying from hand (for example, on Avito or Facebook Marketplace), you must:

• 📸 Ask for a photo of the box, serial number and bracelet from different angles.
• 🎥 Request a video with a demonstration of work (connect to the phone, pulse measurement).
• 💰 Use secure payment methods (such as card transfer with a check or cash when meeting).
• 📋 Check the serial number on the Mi Verify website before you buy it.

The price of the original Mi Band 4 (new) for 2026:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: 2,500 to 3,500 ₽ (depending on the version).
• 🇨🇳 China (AliExpress): $25–$40 (with delivery).
• 🇪🇺 Europe: €30–€50.

If the price is significantly lower (for example, 1,500) ₽), It's a reason to question the originality, and avoid vendors who are not:

• Refusing to show the box or serial number.
• The bracelet is said to have been “brought from China” without documents.
• They sell "no box" or "after one day of use".

8 What to do if you have already purchased a fake?

If after checking it turned out that your Mi Band 4 is fake, act according to the algorithm:

Step 1: Contact the seller

• Show proof of forgery (photo box, screenshot from Mi Verify).
• Ask for a refund or replacement for the original.
• If the seller refuses, threaten to complain to the site (for example, AliExpress usually takes the side of the buyer).

Step 2: Contact the site

• On AliExpress: Open a dispute through My order → Return the goods.
• Nana Ozon/Wildberries: Write in support with a request for verification.
• On Avito: If the seller does not contact, write in support of evidence of fraud.

Step 3: Check the warranty

If you bought in the official store, but the bracelet was a fake - this is the reason for a scandal.

• 📧 Mail: support@mi.com
• 📞 Phone: 8 800 555-05-05 (hotline).

Step 4: Remove the counterfeit

If you can't get your money back, don't use fake, which can be dangerous to your health (e.g., because of a poor battery), take it to the electronics point or dispose of it according to local regulations.

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Never try to sew a fake with the original firmware – this can permanently disable it or even cause a fire due to incompatibility of the iron.

FAQ: Frequent questions about checking Xiaomi Mi Band 4