Why You Should Reset Mi Band 4 and When to Do It
The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet is one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price, but even such reliable technology sometimes requires a complete reset, most often in three cases: when selling the bracelet to a new owner, after serious malfunctions (for example, when the device stops syncing with the smartphone), or before the firmware to the custom version of the software.
Resetting to factory settings removes all user data from the bracelet: pedometer, sleep history, alarm clocks, notifications and binding to the Mi Account. It is important to understand that this will not fix hardware problems (for example, a broken screen or a faulty battery), but will help eliminate software glitches. If the bracelet has started arbitrarily rebooting, does not respond to touches or shows an incorrect time, reset is often the most effective solution.
Another common situation is that the Mi Band 4 has been stuck on the Xiaomi logo after a failed firmware update, in which case resetting through the hardware button may be the only way to bring the device back to life. However, before you start the procedure, make sure that the problem is not with the battery running low: plug the bracelet into charging for 30 to 60 minutes and check the reaction.
Method 1: Reset via Mi Fit or Zepp Life
The safest and most recommended method is to use an official app, which is suitable if the bracelet is still synced with the smartphone, but you want to delete all data before selling or fix minor crashes.
- 📱 Smartphone with Mi Fit installed (for older versions of the bracelet) or Zepp Life (for new firmware).
- 🔋 Bracelet charge at least 50% (to avoid shutdown during the process).
- 🌐 Stable Internet connection (to synchronize the latest data before resetting).
Instructions are Step-by-step:
- Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app and wait for the bracelet to sync.
- Go to the device profile: tap the Mi Band 4 icon at the top of the screen.
- Select Untie Device (in Mi Fit) or Delete Device (in Zepp Life).
- Confirm the action and wait until the process is complete. The bracelet will automatically perform the reset.
Bracelet charge >50%|Synchronization with the phone is complete|Backup of data saved in the cloud|The app is updated to the latest version-->
Once reset, the bracelet will reboot and show the welcome screen, as after purchase, now it can be linked to another account or reconfigured to your needs. If this method does not work (for example, the application does not see the bracelet), move to the next method.
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Before resetting, export your health data from the Mi Fit app in.csv format through Profile → Settings → Data Export, which will save your activity history for analysis in other services, such as Google Fit or Apple Health.
Method 2: Hardware reset through a button on the bracelet
If the bracelet doesn't respond to touch, doesn't sync with your smartphone, or is stuck on the logo, hard resetting through a physical button will help, which works even without a phone connection, but requires precise execution of instructions, and a mistake in the sequence of actions can lead to additional failures.
On the Mi Band 4, the hardware button is located under a removable module (the one that is removed from the charging strap) and you will need a thin object to press it, such as a paper clip, a toothpick or a special plastic tool from the kit. Do not use metal sharp objects: they can damage the contacts or the body of the bracelet.
- 🔌 Remove the bracelet module from the strap.
- 🔍 Find a small hole next to the charging connector – this is the reset button.
- ⏱️ Press and hold the button with a paper clip for 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears on the screen.
- 🔄 Release the button and wait for the reboot (the bracelet vibrates and turns on again).
What if the bracelet does not respond to the button holding?
After the hardware reset, all settings will be deleted, including the account binding, the bracelet will return to factory condition, and it can be reconnected through the app, which also helps if you forget the password from the Mi Account to which the bracelet was attached.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the reset button with the charging contacts! Pressing on metal pads can damage the battery. The button is located next to the connector, but not inside it.
Method 3: Reset via engineering menu (for power users)
This method is suitable for those who are familiar with firmware and are willing to risk the stability of the bracelet. The engineering menu allows you not only to reset the settings, but also to test the hardware components (screen, vibration, sensors), but the wrong actions can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device.
To get into the engineering menu:
- Turn the bracelet down and find the serial number (printed on the back of the module).
- Slip the serial number 10 times in a row with an interval of no more than 2 seconds between touches.
- After vibration, the bracelet will go into diagnostic mode.
On the engineering menu:
- 🔧 Select Reset or Factory Reset.
- 🔄 Confirm the swipe to the left or press the screen (depending on the firmware version).
- ⏳ Wait for the reboot (can take up to 2-3 minutes).
| Item | Description | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Reset | Soft reset (saves firmware, removes settings) | Minimum |
| Factory Reset | Full reset (includes firmware removal) | Possible loss of functionality in unofficial software |
| Test Mode | Sensor and screen checks | It doesn't affect the data. |
| Reboot | Reboot without resetting | Safe. |
If the bracelet stopped turning on or shows an Error 32 error after resetting through the engineering menu, this means that the firmware is damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Band 4 Tools (PC utility) or contact the service.
⚠️ Note: Engineering menus may not be available on third-party firmware bracelets (such as Amazfit or custom builds).
Through the Mi Fit/Zepp Life| app, via the hardware button | Through the engineering menu | Never reset |Other way-->
What to do after resetting: initial setup
After a successful reset, the Mi Band 4 will return to factory condition, and when you first turn on, you will see a welcome screen asking you to link the device to your account.
- Install the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app (depending on the region and bracelet version).
- Sign up or sign in to your Mi Account (if you are linking to a new owner, create a separate account).
- In the app, select Add Device → Mi Smart Band 4.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: confirm pairing via Bluetooth, update the firmware (if the system offers).
Once anchored, it is recommended that:
- 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (this will fix known bugs and improve stability).
- ⏰ Set up alarms and notifications (in the Device Profile section) → Notifications).
- 🏃♂️ Turn on sleep and heart rate monitoring (if these features are disabled by default).
If after resetting the bracelet is not determined by the application, check:
- 📶 Bluetooth on the smartphone is turned on and the bracelet is within range (no more than 10 meters).
- 🔋 Bracelet charge level (at less than 20% charge, synchronization may not work).
- 📱 Mi Fit Application Permissions (access to contacts, notifications, location).
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After reset, the bracelet may require re-activation via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled in Mi Account).
Common Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet does not drop through the button. | Poor battery charge or contaminated contacts | Charge the bracelet for 30+ minutes, clean the button hole |
| After reset, the screen does not turn on | Firmware damage or hardware malfunction | Check out Mi Band 4 Tools or use the service. |
| App doesn't see bracelet after reset | Bluetooth cache conflict or outdated firmware | Reboot your phone, update your app, clear your Bluetooth cache |
| Error 32 Error When Enabled | Damaged memory section with firmware | Restore the firmware via PC (required) USB-cable for Mi Band 4) |
Another typical situation is that once it's reset, it starts vibrating every few seconds and it doesn't stop, which means it's in a tether phone search mode to stop the vibration.
- Open Mi Fit and wait for the bracelet to appear in the list of available devices.
- Click Connect and follow the instructions.
- If the vibration continues, reset the bracelet (hold the 5 seconds button).
⚠️ Warning: If you have reset the bracelet before selling, remember to untie it from your Mi Account in the app settings. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to link the device to their phone!
How to recover data after resetting
The factory reset deletes all data locally (from the bracelet memory), but some of the information can be recovered if it was synced to the Mi Account cloud.
- 📊 Activity history (steps, calories, distance) – recovered from Profile → Health data in the annex.
- 💤 Sleep data – if syncing with Google Fit or Apple Health is enabled, check these services.
- ⏰ Alarms and reminders – you will have to reconfigure them, as they are stored only on the bracelet.
To avoid future data loss:
- 🔄 Enable automatic synchronization in the Mi Fit settings (Device section) → Synchronization of data).
- ☁️ Export your story once a month manually through your profile → Settings → Export of data.
- 📱 Use backup of your Mi Account (settings) → Cloud. → Backup copy).
If you haven't synced the data to the cloud, it's impossible to recover it after a reset.The Mi Band 4 bracelet doesn't have a memory card slot, and all the data is stored in internal memory, which is cleared when reset.
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Before resetting, take screenshots of important bracelet screens (such as weekly sleep statistics or activity records) that won’t replace full data, but will help to preserve key information.