Why you need to sync Mi Band 4 with your phone
Fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is one of the most popular wearable devices on the market, but without proper synchronization with the phone, its functionality is limited to only basic pedometer functions. Synchronization allows not only to receive notifications about calls and messages, but also to track sleep, monitor the pulse, manage music and even pay for purchases (in versions with the help of the new version). NFC). Without a phone, the bracelet loses up to 70% of its capabilities.
Many users experience problems when connecting for the first time: the device is not detected, the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) application does not see the bracelet, or sync is interrupted after updating the firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the ways of synchronization from basic settings to solving complex errors, and also give tips on how to optimize the Mi Band 4 with different models of smartphones.
We will pay special attention to compatibility with modern versions of Android. 13/14 iOS 16/17, Because many of the old instructions don't take into account changes in the permissions policy of these OSes. If you just bought a bracelet or experienced problems after resetting, this guide will help you set up everything for the new system. 10 minute.
Preparation for synchronization: what to check before connecting
Before you start synchronizing, make sure all the prerequisites are met, which will eliminate 90% of the common errors associated with incompatibility or hardware problems.
- π± Phone OS Version: Mi Band 4 Officially supports Android 5.0+ iOS 10.0+, But for stable operation is recommended Android 8.0/iOS 12 Older versions may not have pulse notifications or data.
- π Bracelet charge: Battery level should be at least 20%. At low charge, synchronization may be interrupted. Charge the device to at least 50% before first connecting.
- π² Sync app: Install the latest version of Mi Fit (older models) or Zepp Life (recommended for new firmware) only from the official Stores - Google Play or App Store.
- π Bluetooth and geolocation: On Android, turn on Bluetooth, GeoData and allow the app to access them. On iPhone, only Bluetooth is enough (geolocation is optional).
If you've been updating your bracelet or phone firmware, reset your Mi Band 4 settings to factory settings.
- On the bracelet, go to Settings β More β Reset (scroll the screen with swipes up / down).
- Confirm the reset by pressing the screen, the bracelet will reset.
β οΈ If you have previously used the Mi Band 3 Or another Xiaomi model, remove it from the Mi app. Fit/Zepp Life before adding Mi Band 4. Simultaneous connection of several devices of the same line can cause conflicts.
Step-by-step: how to sync Mi Band 4 with Android
The process of connecting to Android phones takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow a clear algorithm, we will analyze two options: through Mi Fit (for old bracelet firmware) and through Zepp Life (recommended method for 2026).
Method 1: Synchronize with Zepp Life (recommended)
The Zepp Life app (formerly Amazfit) has become the official replacement for Mi Fit for all Xiaomi devices released after 2021.It offers more stable synchronization and advanced health analysis features.
- Open Zepp Life and click Profile β Add Device.
- Select the Mi Smart Band 4 from the list. If you don't have a model, update the app.
- Allow all requests: access to notifications, contacts, geolocation and physical activity, without these permissions, the bracelet will not be able to show incoming calls or step data.
- Hold your phone to the bracelet (not more than 10 cm away) and wait for the vibration. The Mi Band 4 screen will show a confirmation code β compare it to the code in the application.
- Click "Confirm" in the app. Sync will take 1-2 minutes.
Install the latest version of Zepp Life
Enable Bluetooth and geolocation
Allow all requests of the application
Charge the Mi Band 4 to 50%+
Reset the bracelet to factory settings (if previously used)-->
Method 2: Synchronize with Mi Fit (for old firmware)
If your Mi Band 4 runs on firmware older than 1.0.9.54, it may not support Zepp Life.
- Open Mi Fit and press Add Device β Bracelet β Mi Smart Band 4.
- Choose your region (important for accurate time and weather display).
- Confirm pairing on your phone and bracelet. If the codes don't match, reboot both devices.
- After synchronization, update the bracelet firmware through the Device Profile β Update of the PO.
If the Mi Fit app does not find the bracelet:
- π Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) β Bluetooth β Off/On).
- π± Remove the application cache (Settings) β Annexes β Mi Fit β Memory. β Clear the cache).
- π Check if the bracelet is discharged (at a charge level below 10%, it may not appear in the list of devices).
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If the bracelet does not show notifications after syncing, open the phone settings. β Annexes β Zepp Life/Mi Fit β Notifications and enable the option "Show notifications".
Synchronization of Mi Band 4 with iPhone: features and nuances
Connecting to an iPhone has several key differences because of the limitations of iOS, and the main problem is that notifications don't sync properly without settings, and we'll figure out how to get around those limitations.
Step 1: Install and configure Zepp Life
On iPhone, Mi Band 4 only works through Zepp Life (Mi Fit is no longer supported by Apple).
- Open Zepp Life and register (you can use Apple) ID, Google or phone number).
- Click Add Add the device β Mi Smart Band 4.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone and wait for the app to find the bracelet.
- Confirm pairing on both devices. If the bracelet is not located, restart it (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
Step 2: Set up notifications (bypassing iOS restrictions)
By default, iOS blocks notifications from third-party apps to wearable devices to enable alerts:
- Open the iPhone Settings β Bluetooth and find Mi Band 4 in the list of devices.
- Click on the "i" icon next to the bracelet and turn on Show Notifications.
- Return to Zepp Life and go to Device Profile β Notifications: Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Calls).
β οΈ Note: On iPhone notifications from SMS The solution is to use third-party messengers (such as Telegram or Viber) for important alerts.
Step 3: Solving Sync Problems on iOS
If the bracelet is connected but the data is not updated:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet doesn't sync steps | No permission to access health data | Open the iPhone Settings β Confidentiality β Health β Zepp Life and Enable All Permissions |
| Notifications are coming with a delay | Background activity of the application is limited | B Settings β Battery Disable Optimization for Zepp Life |
| The bracelet is turned off after the screen is blocked. | iOS turns off Bluetooth in the background | Turn on the settings. β Bluetooth β Mi Band 4 β Connect automatically |
| Weather is not updated | No access to geolocation | Turn on the settings. β Confidentiality β Geolocation services β Zepp Life β Always. |
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On the iPhone for stable operation of the Mi Band 4, you need to turn off the low power mode and allow Zepp Life to work in the background.
Mi Band 4 firmware update: why itβs important for syncing
Many connectivity issues arise from the bracelet's outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix Bluetooth bugs, add new features (like tracking blood oxygen) and improve compatibility with new versions. Android/iOS.
To check and update the firmware:
- Open Zepp Life or Mi Fit and go to your Mi Band 4 profile.
- Click Software Update (in some versions of the application, this item may be called Firmware Update).
- If an update is available, plug the bracelet into charging (required!), as the process can take up to 10 minutes.
- Do not interrupt the update or turn off Bluetooth. If the sync is interrupted, the bracelet may stop turning on.
The latest stable firmware version for the Mi Band 4 at 2026 is 1.0.9.88. If you have an older version installed, update it forcefully:
How to force the firmware update if the automatic update does not work?
β οΈ Warning: If the bracelet is no longer synced after the firmware update, reset it and reconnect it. 10% of the time, you need to reinstall the Zepp Life app.
Solving common synchronization errors
Even with the right setup, there can be failures. TOP-5 Errors and ways to fix them based on the analysis of the forums of Xiaomi and 4PDA.
Error 1: The bracelet is not on the list of devices
If Zepp Life or Mi Fit don't see Mi Band 4,
- π Reboot Bluetooth on your phone and bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds to reboot the bracelet).
- π± Check Compatibility: On Android 12+ Permission to exact location for the application may be required.
- π Make sure the bracelet is charged (at a level below 15% it does not appear in the list).
- π Try another phone β if the bracelet is not detected on any device, the Bluetooth module may be damaged (repair required).
Mistake 2: Synchronization is interrupted or suspended
If the synchronization process begins but does not end:
- πΆ Check Bluetooth stability: Disable other devices (earphones, speakers) that may cause interference.
- π Reset the network settings on your phone (Settings) β System system β Reset β Resetting network settings).
- π Update the bracelet application and firmware (instructions in the previous section).
- π± Turn off the power saving mode β it can block background activity of Zepp Life.
Error 3: Notices are not received
If the bracelet vibrates but does not show the text of the notifications:
- π± On Android: Check the permissions for Zepp Life in Settings β Annexes β Permits β Notifications.
- π On iPhone: Enable Preview Show in Settings β Notifications β Zepp Life.
- π Reconnect the bracelet: remove it from the app and add it again.
- π΅ Make sure your phone does not turn on Do Not Disturb or No Sound.
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If notifications only come from certain apps, open the settings of each messenger (such as WhatsApp). β Notifications) and enable the option "Show on the lock screen".
Mistake 4: The bracelet doesn't sync your steps and sleep data
If the activity data is not updated:
- π Forced data sync: in Zepp Life swipe down on the home screen to update the stats.
- π± Check Permits: On Android, Give Access to Physical Activity and Body Sensors.
- π Update the firmware β in the old versions there were bugs with the calculation of steps.
- π Reset data: in Zepp Life go to Profile β Settings β Data reset (use this method if the statistics are clearly incorrect).
Mistake 5: The bracelet is constantly shutting down
If the connection breaks after a few minutes:
- π± Turn off battery optimization for Zepp Life (Settings) β Battery β Optimization β Zepp Life β No restrictions).
- π Check your phone's Bluetooth module: try connecting other devices (earphones, speakers) if they also turn off, the phone is a problem.
- π Replace the strap β sometimes the contacts oxidize, resulting in loss of communication.
- π‘ Change the Bluetooth channel: in the Android developer settings (Settings) β The phone. β Assembly number β 7 taps β Developer settings β Bluetooth adapter β Bluetooth Channel: Try installing Auto or Fixed.
Additional settings after synchronization
After a successful connection, it is recommended to configure the Mi Band 4 for maximum convenience. Here are 5 key parameters that you should change immediately:
- β° Automatic sleep detection: Enable in Zepp Life β Device profile β Sleep regimen β This will allow the bracelet to accurately track sleep phases without manually starting.
- π Vibration at Notifications: Set the Vibration Force in Bracelet Settings β Notifications β Intensity (level 3-4 is recommended).
- π Set realistic goals by steps (e.g., 8,000 instead of the standard 10,000) in Profile β Goals.
- π Screen lock: Turn on PIN-bracelet code (Settings) β Locking the screen to avoid accidental pressing.
- π‘οΈ Weather Display: Activate in Settings β Weather. β Auto-update (access to geolocation required).
For Android users, an advanced setting is available through Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (an app from Google Play).
- Set up individual vibrations for different contacts.
- Display emoji in notifications.
- Control music directly from the bracelet (switch tracks, adjust volume).
β οΈ Note: When using third-party apps (such as Notify & Fitness), turn off notifications in the main app (Zepp Life) to avoid duplication.