Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Sync: A Complete Guide from Connection to Error Elimination

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, even such a proven gadget can have problems with synchronization β€” especially if you first connect it to a smartphone or change your phone. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic adjustment steps, but also nuances that the manufacturer often misses in official instructions.

It is important to understand that the synchronization process depends on the phone’s operating system (Android or iOS), the version of the Mi Fit application (or its analogues), and the current firmware of the bracelet itself. If you encounter errors like β€œcannot connect” or β€œdevice not detected”, do not rush to blame the technique – in 80% of cases, the problem is solved by adjusting the settings of the smartphone or reinstalling the software.

We'll also cover firmware updates, factory resets, and alternative synchronization methods through third-party apps, and if your Mi Band 4 suddenly stops syncing data or is showing an incorrect time, you'll find solutions here.

Preparing for synchronization: what to do before connecting

Before you start pairing the bracelet with your phone, make sure all the preconditions are met.Neglecting these steps often leads to malfunctions or the inability to complete the setup.

Requirements for a smartphone:

  • πŸ“± Operating system: Android 5.0 and higher or iOS 10.0 and higher. on older versions, the Mi Fit application may not install or work correctly.
  • πŸ”„ Bluetooth: version 4.0 or later. Make sure the module is on and not in power saving mode (on some phones this disables background synchronization).
  • πŸ“Ά Internet connection: to download the application and update the bracelet firmware, you will need stable Wi-Fi or mobile Internet.
  • πŸ”‹ Bracelet charge: Mi Band 4 battery level should be at least 20%. With a lower charge, the device can turn off during synchronization.

Bracelet requirements:

  • πŸ”„ Reset to factory: If the bracelet has already been connected to another phone, reset via the Settings menu β†’ Reset on the device itself (hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
  • πŸ“¦ Update of firmware: outdated version of software can cause conflicts.

⚠️ Note: If you use a custom firmware phone (like LineageOS), pre-check compatibility with Mi Fit. Some modified OSes block Bluetooth background work, which leads to a connection break.

It is also worth considering that Xiaomi Mi Band 4 has two versions - Chinese (CN) and global (Global). The first may require additional manipulation to work with foreign servers (for example, changing the region in the Xiaomi account).

πŸ“Š What OS is using your smartphone?
Android
iOS
Other (specify in the comments)

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application

The official Mi Fit app is the main tool for synchronizing the Mi Band 4, but its installation and initial configuration have a number of nuances, especially for users from Russia and CIS countries.

Installation steps:

  1. Download Mi Fit from the official store: πŸ€– Google Play for Android) 🍎 App Store (for iOS)

Xiaomi

Russia

  • πŸ“ Geolocation – to display weather and count steps.
  • πŸ“± Notifications – to transmit alerts from phone to bracelet.
  • πŸ“ Storage - for backup of data.

Profile setting:

  • πŸ‘€ Give accurate self-identification (gender, age, height, weight) that affects calorie counting and sleep analysis.
  • πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ Select activity goals (e.g. 10,000 steps per day) and can be changed later in the Profile section. β†’ Goals.
  • βš™οΈ Enable the option "Autosync" in the application settings so that the data is updated in the background.

⚠️ Note: If you have specified China region when registering your account, some features (such as payment via Mi Pay) may not be available outside of China. You cannot change the region after you create an account - you will have to create a new one.

For users who have experienced the β€œfailed to connect to the server” error, it is recommended to use a VPN with a connection to servers in Singapore or Hong Kong, which is a temporary solution, but it helps to bypass regional restrictions.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for synchronization

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Step-by-step instructions for synchronizing Mi Band 4 with Android

The process of connecting the bracelet to your Android phone consists of several steps. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid typical errors.

Step 1: Activate Bluetooth and search for the device

  1. Open the Mi Fit app and go to Profile β†’ Add the device.
  2. Choose the Mi Smart Band 4 from the list of available gadgets.
  3. Press "Plug" and wait for the app to find the bracelet. Make sure that the Mi Band 4 is near the phone (no more than 1 meter away).

Step 2: Device pairing

  1. The bracelet will have a 4-digit code on its screen, compare it to the code in the app and confirm the pairing.
  2. If the code doesn’t appear, try rebooting the bracelet (hold the touch button for 5 seconds) and try again.

Step 3: Update the firmware (if necessary)

  • πŸ”„ Once connected, the app will prompt you to update the bracelet firmware. Don't interrupt! Disabling Bluetooth or closing the app can cause the device to "brick.
  • ⏳ The update takes 5-15 minutes. The bracelet will reboot automatically.

Step 4: Set up notifications and functions

  • πŸ“± In the Mi Smart Band 4 section β†’ Notifications select applications that must be duplicated on the bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram).
  • πŸ”• Turn off unnecessary notifications to avoid spam vibrations.
  • πŸŒ™ In sleep settings (Profile) β†’ Activate the β€œSleep Monitor” option to automatically track sleep phases.

If the bracelet does not show notifications after synchronization, check:

  • πŸ”„ Is the "Do Not Disturb" mode on the phone enabled.
  • πŸ“΅ Does the energy-saving mode block the Mi Fit operation in the background (setting "Stop" in the phone battery menu).

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet is not detected, try turning off Bluetooth on your phone for 30 seconds, then turn it on again and repeat the search. This resets the cache of the Bluetooth module.

Synchronization of Mi Band 4 with iPhone (iOS): features and nuances

Connecting the Mi Band 4 to the iPhone has its own specific aspects related to Apple’s restrictions. For example, on iOS, it is impossible to configure the display of notifications from third-party messengers (calls and SMS only).

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

  1. Install Mi Fit from the App Store and register a Xiaomi account.
  2. Go to Profile β†’ Add the device β†’ Mi Smart Band 4
  3. Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone and wait for the app to detect the bracelet.
  4. Confirm the pairing by comparing the codes on the phone screen and bracelet.
  5. Once connected, update the firmware (if available). On iOS, this process may take longer due to the limitations of the applications' background.

iOS restrictions that you should know about:

  • 🚫 Notifications: On iPhone, the bracelet only shows incoming calls and SMS. Notifications from Viber, Telegram and other messengers are not supported due to Apple’s policy.
  • πŸ”‹ Background Sync: iOS aggressively closes apps in the background, so data can be updated with a delay.To minimize the problem, turn on the option for Mi Fit "Content Update" in the iPhone settings (Settings) β†’ Mi Fit β†’ Updating the contents).
  • πŸ“± Widgets: There are no widgets on iOS for quick access to bracelet data (unlike Android).

To bypass the notification restriction, some users use the Notify for Mi Band app (available on the App Store), but it requires setting up via Mac or jailbreak, which is not secure.

⚠️ Warning: iPhones with iOS version below 13.0 may have problems connecting Mi Band 4 due to an outdated Bluetooth stack.

How to check the Bluetooth version on iPhone?
There is no direct way to know the Bluetooth version on the iPhone, but all models starting with the iPhone 4S support Bluetooth 4.0, and the iPhone 8 supports 5.0. If your phone is newer than 2017, there will be no compatibility issues.

Mi Band 4 firmware update: why it matters and how to do it right

Regularly updating the firmware bracelet corrects errors, adds new features and improves stability, but improperly updating can lead to "bricking" the device (complete inoperability).

How to update firmware:

  1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the section of your bracelet.
  2. If you have an update, you'll see a notice saying "New firmware is available." Click on it.
  3. Make sure the bracelet is over 50% charged and confirm the upgrade is underway.
  4. Do not turn off Bluetooth or close the app until the process is complete (this can take up to 20 minutes).

What to do if the update is suspended:

  • πŸ”„ If the progressbar does not move for more than 30 minutes, reset the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button) and try again.
  • πŸ“΅ If the bracelet has stopped responding, connect it to charging and wait for the automatic reboot.
  • πŸ”Œ In extreme cases, reset through Settings. β†’ Reset on the device itself.

Versions of firmware and their features:

Firmware versionRelease dateMajor changesRegion
1.0.9.54June 2021Synchronization errors fixed, new dials addedGlobal
1.0.8.48December 2020Improved accuracy of the pulse meter, optimized energy consumptionGlobal
1.0.7.38August 2019First stable version for the global marketGlobal
1.0.6.22May 2019Only the Chinese version, without English supportChina (CN)

⚠️ Note: If you purchased Mi Band 4 with Chinese firmware (version ends in Chinese). CN), Update via the global Mi Fit app may cause a crash, in which case use the Mi Fitness app (for the Chinese market) or third-party utilities like Mi Band Master.

Critical information: Chinese firmware bracelets may lose NFC function (if any) after updating via global software, and can only be restored through a full reset and firmware of the Chinese version.

Solving synchronization problems: frequent errors and fixing them

Even after a successful connection, the Mi Band 4 may stop syncing data, and let's look at the typical problems and ways to solve them.

Problem 1: The bracelet is not connected to the phone

  • πŸ”„ Solution: Reset the bracelet (hold the 5 seconds button). Remove the device from the list of conjugated devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone. Forget the device in Mi Fit (Profile) β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Remove the device. Re-connect the connection.

Problem 2: Data is not synchronized (steps, sleep, pulse)

  • πŸ“± Solution: Check if Autosynchronization is enabled in Mi Fit. Open the app and manually start sync (pull the screen down for updates). Make sure the phone doesn't have power saving on for Mi Fit. If the problem persists, reinstall the app.

Problem 3: The bracelet shows the wrong time or date

  • ⏰ Solution: In Mi Fit go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Time and date. Turn off and re-enable the "Autosync Time" option. If time is lost after disconnecting from your phone, update the bracelet firmware.

Problem 4: Notifications don't come to the bracelet

  • πŸ”” Android Solution: Check if Mi Fit notifications are enabled in your phone settings (Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Mi Fit β†’ Notifications: Make sure that the Mi Fit itself selects the right duplicate apps (Mi Smart Band 4) β†’ Notifications: Turn off Do Not Disturb or Energy Saving modes on your phone.

The solution for iOS:

Problem 5: The bracelet discharges quickly

  • πŸ”‹ Solution: Turn off constant pulse monitoring (Mi Smart Band 4) β†’ Monitoring of heart rate β†’ Reduce the frequency of data synchronization (for example, every 30 minutes instead of 5); disable notifications from unnecessary applications; Update the bracelet firmware; new versions optimize power consumption.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet stopped syncing after updating the phone or app, first try clearing the Mi Fit cache (Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Mi Fit β†’ Storage β†’ Clear the cache).

Alternative applications for synchronization of Mi Band 4

The official Mi Fit app doesn’t always suit users because of limited functionality or regional locks. Fortunately, there are alternatives that offer enhanced features.

Top.-3 Applications for working with Mi Band 4:

  • πŸ“Š Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android/iOS): Support for notifications from all apps (including iOS); setting up vibrations and light alerts; data export to Google Fit, Apple Health. Minus: iOS requires additional customization via PC.
  • βš™οΈ Mi Band Master (Android only): Advanced dial settings, manual pedometer calibration, support for informal firmware, minus: a complex interface for beginners.
  • 🌍 Tools & Mi Band (Android): Control music from the bracelet. Set up gestures (e.g., shaking to find the phone); Support for older versions of Android (up to 4.4); minus: no Russian localization; How to switch to an alternative app: Remove the bracelet from Mi Fit (Profile) β†’ Install a new application and follow its connection instructions. The first connection may require resetting the bracelet. ⚠️ Note: Using unofficial firmware or applications can lead to loss of warranty and unstable bracelet operation. Before experimenting, back up your data via Mi Fit. For users who want to abandon Mi Fit completely, there is the Amazfit Bip & Mi Band project on GitHub, which allows you to flash the bracelet with alternative software, but requires technical skills and is risky for beginners. Resetting the Mi Band 4 to factory settings: when it is needed and how to do Resetting the bracelet to factory settings solves most software problems, but erases all data on the device: πŸ”„ The bracelet is not synchronized despite all attempts to correct it. πŸ“± You transfer the device to another person. πŸ”§ After a failed firmware update. ⚑ The bracelet started to glitches (spontaneous vibrations, incorrect data). How to perform reset: Method 1 (through the bracelet): On the main screen of the bracelet, swipe right to Settings. Scroll down to Reset. Confirm the action by ticking the tick. Method 2 (via Mi Fit): Open the application and go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4. Select "Delete Device." Confirm the deletion - the bracelet will automatically reset. Method 3 (hardware reset): Disable the bracelet from charging. Hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears. The bracelet will reset and reset: πŸ”„ Connect the bracelet to the phone again, as in the first setting. πŸ“₯ Restore data from backup (if it was created in Mi Fit). πŸ”‹ Fully charge the device – after resetting the battery can discharge faster. ⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet does not respond to reset via a menu or button, plug it into the charger and try again. In rare cases, you may need to firmware through a PC using the Mi Band 4 Tool utility. FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Can you sync Mi Band 4 with multiple phones at the same time? No, the bracelet can only be connected to one device. To reconnect it to another phone, first remove the Mi Band 4 from the Mi Fit app on the first smartphone, then reset the bracelet and connect to the new phone. Why did the bracelet stop showing notifications after the firmware update? This problem often arises from resetting sync settings. Go to Mi Fit, go to Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Notifications and re-select applications that must be duplicated on the wristband, and check if the energy-saving mode blocks Mi Fit from the background, and how do you transfer data from Mi Band 4 to a new bracelet? Officially, data transfer between devices is not supported, but you can export the history to third-party services: In Mi Fit, go to Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Export data. Save the file to your phone or to the cloud. Connect a new bracelet and manually transfer key data (weight, activity goals) through your profile settings. For detailed statistics (sleep, exercise), use apps like Google Fit or Apple Health, where Mi Fit can export data. The bracelet vibrates for no reason. How do you fix this? Random vibrations are usually caused by one of the following things: πŸ”” Notifications: Check if alerts are coming from hidden apps (e.g. system updates). πŸƒ Activity reminders: Turn off the β€œSeditment Reminder” option in Mi Fit (Mi Smart Band 4) β†’ Reminders). ⚑ Software failure: reset the bracelet (hold the 5 seconds button) or update the firmware. If the problem persists, reset the bracelet to factory settings. Can you use the Mi Band 4 without a smartphone? The bracelet will work in offline mode, but with limitations: βœ… Calculus, steps, and sleep monitoring. βœ… On-demand pulse measurement.