The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, despite the release of new models, and its reliability and functionality have been appreciated by millions of users, but even with such a device, there are sometimes problems: interface glitches, synchronization errors or the need to transfer the bracelet to another person, in which case resetting to factory settings becomes the only solution.
But what's not known is that the reset procedure on the Mi Band 4 is different from the newer versions (e.g., the Mi Band 5/6/7). The device doesn't have a touchscreen with gestures, and the menu is hidden behind the tap combinations. This is often confusing: users try to find a reset button in the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app settings, but don't find one. There are actually several ways to return the bracelet to its original state, and we'll sort each of them out with nuances.
If you are facing one of these problems, this article will help:
- 🔄 Mi Band 4 bracelet does not sync with the smartphone after the update.
- 🔒 Forgotten. PIN-screen-lock.
- 📱 You need to transfer the gadget to another person, deleting all personal data.
- 🐢 The bracelet brakes, does not respond to touch or shows incorrect data.
- 🔋 After the battery is replaced, the device does not turn on.
Before you start, consider that the reset removes all the data from the bracelet, including training history, alarm settings and tied accounts, and it will not be possible to recover them after the procedure - unless they are stored in the Mi Account cloud.
1. Reset via Mi Fit or Zepp Life: the official method
The safest and most recommended method is to use a proprietary app, which is suitable if the bracelet is connected to a smartphone and responds to commands, and the instructions are relevant for both versions of the software: Mi Fit (old interface) and Zepp Life (new branding after the rebranding of 2021).
Algorithm of action:
- Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app on your smartphone.
- Go to the Profile section → My devices.
- Choose your Mi Band 4 from the list.
- Scroll down to Disable Device (in Zepp Life) or Delete Device (in Mi Fit).
- Confirm the action - the bracelet will automatically perform the reset.
⚠️ Note: If the app does not have a "Disable Device" button, first update it to the latest version. In older versions of Mi Fit (up to 4.6.0), this option may not be available.
Update Mi Fit/Zepp Life to the App Store or Google Play
Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
Connect Bluetooth on your smartphone
Close background applications that may interfere with synchronization-->
Once confirmed, the reset will reboot and a welcome message in Chinese will appear on the screen (unless the firmware is changed) and can now be linked to a new account or reconfigured.
2. Hardware reset via button: if the bracelet does not respond
If the Mi Band 4 doesn't connect to the phone, freezes on the logo or doesn't respond to touch, a hardware reset will help, and this uses a physical button under the bracelet capsule, you need to press it in a certain way.
Instructions:
- Remove the capsule from the strap.
- On the back, find a small hole next to the charging contacts – this is the reset button.
- Take a paper clip or toothpick, press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
- Release the button - the bracelet will reboot and reset to factory settings.
What to do if the button does not work?
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the reset button with charging contacts! Pressing on metal pads (such as with a needle) can damage the device.
After a hardware reset, the bracelet may show a Disconnected error on the first sync. That's OK -- just reconnect it in the app.
3.Reset via the bracelet menu: hidden combinations
Few people know, but the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 has a hidden engineering menu through which you can reset without an app.This method is useful if the phone is lost or the app is not installed.
How to open the menu:
- On the main screen of the bracelet, swipe up to open the list of features.
- Scroll down to Settings (cog icon).
- Inside the settings, find Additional (or More in English firmware).
- Slip on Reset (or Reset) and confirm the action.
If there is no "Reset" item, try an alternative method:
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → About the device.
- 📱 Tap 5 times in a row on the firmware version number - a hidden menu will open.
- 🔧 Select Factory Reset and confirm.
Hardware button|Through the Mi app Fit/Zepp Life|Through the wristband menu|Another way.-->
⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g., Amazfit modified) may have different paths to reset. If nothing happens after 5 presses, your firmware does not support this method.
4.Dumping if forgotten PIN-unlock
One of the common problems with Mi Band 4 users is that the screen is locked after several failed PIN attempts. In this case, standard reset methods do not work because the bracelet needs to be unlocked.
Method 1: via the application (if the bracelet is tied)
- 📱 Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life.
- 🔄 Go to Profile. → My devices. → Mi Band 4 → Disable the device.
- 🔓 After confirmation PIN drop off automatically.
Method 2: Hardware reset (if the bracelet is not tied)
- Remove the capsule from the strap.
- Press the reset button (as described in Section 2) and hold it for 20–25 seconds (longer than the standard time).
- The bracelet will reset and the lock will be removed.
⚠️ Note: If the bracelet is reset again PIN, This means that it is linked to a Mi Account, which requires you to log in to the same account that the device was previously linked to.
5. Reset after firmware update: if the bracelet "blocked"
Sometimes, after a firmware update, Mi Band 4 stops turning on, shows an Update Failed error, or constantly restarts.
- 🔌 Interrupted update process (for example, battery is down).
- 📥 Incompatible version of the firmware (if installed customized).
- 🔄 Data conflict after reset via application.
In such cases, the forced reset with subsequent flashing will help:
- Perform a hardware reset (button, as in Section 2).
- Connect the bracelet to charge and wait until it loads (it may take 5-10 minutes).
- If the screen is on Waiting for pairing, reconnect it to Mi Fit.
- If the bracelet doesn’t turn on, try hand-stitching it through Mi Band 4 Tools (PC app).
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If the bracelet does not turn on after reset, check the charging cable. Often the problem is oxidized contacts - wipe them with a blower or alcohol.
⚠️ Note: If you have installed custom firmware (for example, from Amazfit or Huami), reset to factory settings can return the original Chinese version of the software.
Table: Comparison of Mi Band 4 reset methods
| Method | When to use | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Mi Fit/Zepp Life | Bracelet connected to phone, no physical damage | Quick, safe, doesn't require disassembly. | Does not work if the bracelet is locked or not synchronized |
| Hardware button | Bracelet does not respond, blocked, errors after update | It works without a phone, resets any locks. | Requires care, risk of damaging contacts |
| Through the wristband menu | No phone access, but the bracelet is working. | No need for PCs or tools | Not on all firmware, it's hard to find a point |
| Flashing through PC | The bracelet "brickled" after the update | Restores performance in 90% of cases | It is difficult for beginners, requires cable and software |
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even if you do the reset correctly, users are facing problems.
- 🔋 "Check the battery (minimum 30%) and the cleanliness of the contacts. If the indicator is not on, try another cable.
- 📵 "Not Connecting to Phone – Remove the bracelet from the list of Bluetooth devices on your smartphone, reboot both gadgets and try again.
- 🔒 "Asks for an old one. PIN After reset, it means that the bracelet is still tied to the account, you need to log in to it or reset the link via Mi Account.
- 🌐 "On screen Chinese characters" - change the language in the bracelet settings after reset (scroll down to the flag).
⚠️ Note: If the bracelet shows an Error 99 error after reset, it means that the firmware is damaged. In this case, only flashing through the PC using the Mi Band 4 Tools utility will help.
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If the bracelet after reset behaves unstable (reboots itself, does not hold a charge), most likely, the problem is in the battery. Mi Band 4 after 2-3 years of operation requires a replacement battery.