The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, despite the release of new models. Over time, users face the need to reset their settings — whether before selling the device, after a malfunction or to fix synchronization errors. However, not everyone knows that there are three fundamentally different methods of resetting, each of which is suitable for specific situations.
In this article, you will find unique instructions tailored to the features of the Mi Band 4 firmware (including the Chinese and global versions), as well as tips for recovering data after a reset, we will discuss when a soft reset via an application is enough, and when a full hard reset with physical manipulation is required, and we will focus on the typical mistakes that users make when trying to return the bracelet to factory settings.
Why You Might Need to Reset Mi Band 4: 5 Common Reasons
Before you start resetting, it is important to understand whether it is really necessary, and here are the most common scenarios where the procedure is justified:
- 🔄 The bracelet stopped syncing with the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app after the firmware update.
- 📱 Smartphone Change – New Phone Doesn’t Recognize Bracelet Even Though Bluetooth Is On.
- 🔋 The battery is discharged in a few hours for no apparent reason (after resetting, normal consumption is often restored).
- 🛠️ Interface glitches: freezes, broken sensors, lack of response to touch.
- 💰 Preparation for sale – deletion of personal data (steps, sleep history, tied accounts).
Interestingly, 30 percent of Mi Band 4 problems are solved by a simple reboot, not a complete reset. To avoid unnecessary actions, try:
Turn off/enable Bluetooth on your smartphone |
Reset the bracelet (click the 10 seconds button) |
Update to Mi Fit/Zepp Life|
Check battery power (less than 20% can block operations)-->
If these measures do not work, start resetting, but remember: all data on the wristband will be deleted without recovery (except for statistics stored in the Xiaomi cloud).
Method 1: Soft reset via Mi Fit/Zepp Life (without data loss)
This is a good method if the bracelet connects to the phone but it doesn't work properly, and it allows you to return the settings to the factory settings without physically interfering with the device.
The instructions are valid for both official programs, Mi Fit (old version) and Zepp Life (new name), and the algorithm is the same:
- Open the application and go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 4.
- Put three points on it (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Disable the device.
- Confirm the action - the bracelet will automatically perform the reset and retain the binding to the account.
- Reconnect the gadget: Add the device → Mi Band 4.
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|---|
| No physical access to the bracelet | Does not help with hardware failures |
| Stores data history in the cloud | You need to remember the username / password from the Xiaomi account |
| Takes less than 1 minute | It does not work if the bracelet is not synchronized. |
An important nuance: if you used the Mi Band 4 with multiple smartphones, after such a reset, the device will automatically attach to the last phone that was synced with. To avoid this, pre-delete the bracelet from the list of devices in your Xiaomi account via the web version.
Soft discharge via appendix|
Hard button reset |
Resetting through third-party utilities |
Never dropped |-->
Method 2: Hard Reset through a physical button
When the bracelet does not respond to touch, is not turned on or is not detected by the phone, a forced reset is required, which works even with a fully discharged battery (if at least 5% of the charge remains).
Note: The procedure is different for Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 4 NFC (A version with contactless payment module. NFC-The model requires an additional step!
Unplug the bracelet from the strap |
Find the reset button (small hole next to the connector)|
Insert paper clip/denture cleaning and hold for 15-20 seconds |
Wait for the vibration and logo Mi on the screen-->
For the Mi Band 4 NFC:
- Follow steps 1-3 from the checklist above.
- Do not release the button for another 5 seconds after the vibration – wait for the second signal.
- The bracelet will reboot and show the error code. E1 (It's normal. NFC-model).
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the reset button with the charging contacts! If you accidentally close the charging contacts with a metal object, this can disable the battery. Use only non-conductive materials (plastic toothpick, wooden stick).
After a hard reset, the bracelet will be in a box-like state.
- 📱 Re-tied him through Mi. Fit/Zepp Life.
- 🔄 Update the firmware (if a new version is available).
- ⚙️ Set up notifications, alarms and activity goals.
What to do if the bracelet does not respond to reset?
Method 3: Reset via engineering menu (for power users)
This method is suitable if the first two methods did not work, or you want to selectively reset individual settings (for example, only step data or screen settings).
Warning: Wrong actions on the engineering menu can permanently disable the bracelet. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions!
Instructions for entry:
- Go to the main menu of the bracelet (swipe up from the main screen).
- 10 times quickly tap the Settings icon (cog).
- After the vibration, a hidden Engineer Mode menu will appear.
- Select Reset Settings and confirm the selection.
| Item | Action. | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Reset Steps | Resetting the step counter | Reduces daily activity statistics |
| Reset Pair | Resetting phone tether | Requires re-synchronization |
| Factory Reset | Total reset | Remove all data and settings |
| Reboot Device | Reboot. | No data loss |
⚠️ Note: In the Mi Band 4 engineering menu, there is a Test Vibration item that, when used frequently, can overheat the vibration motor!
When you leave the engineering menu, the bracelet automatically reboots, and if the screen starts showing an Error 5, it means that there's been an attempt to change the firmware.
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Hold the reset button for 30 seconds.
- Wait for automatic recovery (can take up to 5 minutes).
💡
If the bracelet shows Chinese characters after resetting through the engineering menu, it means that the regional firmware has lost. To return the Russian language, update the software through the Mi Fit application with the VPN enabled (server is Singapore or Hong Kong).
What to do after resetting: step-by-step recovery
Resetting is only half the battle, and in order for the bracelet to work properly again, you have to reset it correctly.
- Firmware update: 📲 Open Mi Fit. → Device profile → Firmware update. 🔄 If the update is not available, check your internet connection or change region in your Xiaomi account.
- Set-up of notifications: 🔔 Allow notifications to be accessed in smartphone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications). 📵 In the bracelet itself, turn on the option to Show notifications (Settings menu) → Notifications).
- Data recovery: ☁️ Statistics from the cloud will be automatically restored at the first synchronization. 📊 If the data is not tightened, check if the option is enabled Sync with the cloud in the account settings.
Pay special attention to setting up automatic sleep tracking, which is often turned off after reset, which causes the bracelet to stop recording sleep phases, to turn it on:
- In the app, go to Profile → Mi Band 4 → Sleep settings.
- Activate the Auto Tracking Switch.
- Set a time interval when you normally sleep (for example, from 23:00 to 8:00).
💡
After resetting, the bracelet may show inaccurate steps and pulse data for the first 2-3 days, which is due to calibration of the sensors. To speed up the process, wear the wristband for at least 12 hours in a row and take a 10-minute walk to auto-tuning the accelerometer.
Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to additional problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
- 🔌 Reset during charging: If you perform a hard reset when the bracelet is connected to the charger, it can damage the power controller. Always turn off charging before manipulation.
- 📵 Interrupting the process: If you interrupt the reset (for example, release the button ahead of time), the bracelet can hang on the Mi logo. In this case, only a repeated reset with the hold of the button 30 will help.+ seconds.
- 🔄 Using third-party utilities: Software like Mi Band Tools or Notify & Fitness may offer "alternative" reset methods, but they are often incompatible with the latest firmware and lead to error. E2 (damage to system files).
- 📱 Regions mismatch: If the bracelet is bought in China and you are trying to link it to a European account, language and notification issues may arise after the reset.
One of the most insidious mistakes is resetting the phone's settings (in the Bluetooth menu), where some users try to "forget the device" in the smartphone settings, believing that this is equivalent to resetting the bracelet. In fact, this only removes a couple of connections, but does not affect the data in the memory of the Mi Band 4.