How to remove the strap from the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Mi Band 4

How to remove a strap for replacement, cleaning or repair?

In this article, we will analyze all official and alternative ways of removing the strap, in detail dwell on the nuances of the Mi Band design. 4, And we'll also warn you against common mistakes, and you'll learn what tools you really need (and what you can do without), how to avoid scratches on the body and what to do if the latch is jammed. 3/5 It will be suitable for the fourth version.

If you've never taken a wearable apart before, don't worry: it's a beginner's manual, we've taken pictures and diagrams with each step, and we've added a video guide for visualization, and for those who've tried to remove the strap and are facing problems, we'll have a section on solutions to common challenges, from a stuck spring to a broken lock.

Before you start, check if your bracelet warranty has expired. Self-removal of the strap can cancel the warranty if the factory seals or body are damaged in the process. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 usually does not have fillings, but if there are traces of opening, the service center can refuse free repairs.

Xiaomi Mi Band 4: What’s Inside?

To remove the strap properly, you need to understand how it is fixed. 4 Uses a two-way mounting system with a spring mechanism that is different from previous models (Mi Band) 3) and the next ones (Mi Band) 5/6). Here are the key design features:

1.The body of the tracker has two grooves on either side, into which plastic guide straps are inserted.

2. Fixation is carried out due to a metal spring inside the strap, which is snapped in a special recess of the body.

3. the release button (a small protrusion on the back of the strap) compresses the spring when pressed, allowing the strap to be pulled out of the groove.

The main difference from the Mi Band 5 and the newer one is that there is no magnetic attachment, and the fourth version has a stiffer spring, so it takes more effort to remove it, which is designed for reliability, but makes it harder for users with weak fingers or long nails.

The table below compares the characteristics of the attachments of different versions of Xiaomi bracelets:

Knowing these nuances will help avoid mistakes, for example, if you try to insert a strap from Mi Band 5 in Mi Band 4, it will either not fix or damage the grooves of the body.

Preparing for the removal of the strap: tools and precautions

Before you start dismantling, you need to prepare everything you need, and in most cases, you can do without special tools, but having them will make it easier.

• 🔧 Plastic blade or mediator - for careful strap slinging (metallic objects can scratch the body).
• 🧲 A small magnet will help if the spring pops out and gets lost (in Mi Band 4 it is not magnetic, but the magnet is useful for collecting small parts).
• 🔍 Lupe or flashlight - to better consider the mechanism of fixation.
• 🧴 Alcohol wipes – to clean the grooves from dust and sweat before installing a new strap.
• 📏 Line or bar – if you plan to buy a third-party strap, check the width (should be exactly 20 mm).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use scissors, knives or screwdrivers to slap the strap! Metal can damage the plastic guide cases, which will lead to unstable fixation of the new strap. If you do not have a plastic blade at hand, take a bank card or a hard plastic card.

Also consider the following points:

• 🕒 Time of day: It is better to replace in good light. In the dark, it is easy to lose a spring or insert a strap incorrectly.
• 🧤 Hand cleanliness: Fat or dirt on the fingers can get into the grooves of the body, which subsequently leads to poor contact of the sensors.
• 🔋 Battery Charge: If the bracelet is discharged, it is best to charge it to 50 first%+. This will help avoid accidental shutdown during the process (e.g. if reboot is required to calibrate sensors).

Once 3-6 months|Once a year.|Only when it breaks.|Never changed.|I use covers instead of replacement.-->

If you plan to clean the body of the bracelet after removing the strap, prepare:

• 🧼 Soap solution (not aggressive!)
• 🪥 A soft-bristled toothbrush.
• 💨 Fryer (for drying, but not hot air!)

Don't use:

• 🚫 Acetone, gasoline or solvents – they will damage the coating of the body.
• 🚫 Hard brushes or abrasives – scratch the sensor and display.
• 🚫 Hot water – can deform plastic.

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Before removing the strap, take a picture of the strap’s position on the bracelet, which will help you correctly orient the new strap when you install it, especially if it is asymmetrical (for example, with a logo on one side).

Method 1: Standard untooled strap removal (official method)

Xiaomi recommends this method, and it works 90 percent of the time, and it's about patience and accuracy.

1. Place the bracelet on a flat surface with the screen upwards, which will prevent the spring from falling when released.

2. Find the lock button on the back of the strap (a small protrusion next to the groove of the body).

3. Press the button with your thumb, at the same time pull the strap to the side (along the body, not up!).

4 Repeat the action for the second side - the strap should easily exit the slots.

If the strap fails:

• 🔹 Increase the push on the button – the spring is tighter in Mi Band 4 than in Mi Band 3.
• 🔹 Try pressing the button not with your finger, but with the blunt side of the pencil - this will more evenly distribute the pressure.
• 🔹 Swing the strap left-right, without pulling it out completely - this will help to "stir up" the stuck spring.

Make sure the bracelet is screened upwards|Find the lock button on the back of the strap|Press the button and pull the strap along the body|Repeat for the second side|Check if there is any debris left in the grooves-->

⚠️ Attention: If the lock button is buried too deep and doesn't press, don't try to pick it out with a needle! Most likely, the spring jumped off the guides. In this case, move to Method 3 (disassemble the strap).

After successful removal, check out:

• 🔍 Spring - it should be flat, without burrs.
• 🔍 Body grooves - is there any dust, sand or remnants of an old strap.
• 🔍 Charging contacts (if you plan to clean) – they should not be oxidized.

If the spring is deformed, you can straighten it neatly with tweezers, but if it is broken, you have to buy a new strap - Xiaomi does not sell springs separately.

Method 2: Removal of the strap with the help of improvised tools

If the standard method doesn't work (for example, if the lock button doesn't press or the strap is sweaty), you'll have to use tools, which requires more care, but even a beginner can do it.

You'll need:

• 📱 Plastic spatula (or bank card).
• 🔦 A flashlight to light the grooves.
• 🧲 Tweezers (if spring falls out).

Step-by-step:

1. Insert the blade into the gap between the strap and the body of the bracelet (from the side of the lock button).
2. Carefully push down while pulling the strap on yourself. Don't force perpendicular to the body -- just along the plane!
3. If the strap succumbed to one side, repeat the action for the second.
4. If the spring popped out, do not panic - it can be inserted back (see section about the assembly).

The visual process looks like this:

[Bracelet body]





|      |




| Screen | ← Scapula insert here (from the button side)




|___________|




|  |




[Group]

⚠️ Attention: If the strap doesn't work even with a spatula, don't increase the force! You may have dirt in your grooves or oxidized contacts. In this case, first clean the bracelet with alcohol, let it dry. 10-15 minutes, and then try again.

Frequent errors in this method:

• 🚫 Too deep introduction of the shoulder blade - you can damage the sealing ring of the body (will lead to moisture ingress).
• 🚫 Use of metal objects – scratches on the body will worsen the appearance and can violate the tightness.
• 🚫 Sharp movements – the spring can fly out and get lost.

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If the strap is not removed even with tools, the problem may be a deformed spring or corrosion of the slots, in which case it is better to contact the service center, especially if the bracelet is warranty.

Method 3: Disassembling the strap to replace the spring or completely clean

This method will be required in extreme cases:

• 🔧 Spring broken or fell out.
• 🔧 The strap is jammed due to moisture.
• 🔧 You need to clean the inside of the strap from mold or sweat.

Important: Disassembling the strap will void the warranty, as you will need to cut or melt some of the plastic. If the bracelet is still warranty, you better contact the service.

Tools:

• 🔥 Hair dryer (for softening plastic).
• 🪚 Thin screwdriver or knife (for neat opening).
• 🧲 Tweezers and magnet (to extract the spring).

Step-by-step:

1. Heat the hairdryer the place of the strap joint (where the spring is located) during the 20-30 The plastic will become softer, and the seam will be easier to uncouple.
2. Carefully insert the screwdriver into the seam and swivel it to separate the halves of the strap. Don't push too hard, the plastic is fragile!
3. Remove the spring with tweezers. Notice its orientation, it should stand exactly the same when it's assembled.
4. Clean the inside of the strap with alcohol (if there is mold or dirt).
5. To assemble, insert the spring in place, connect the halves of the strap and hold them together with pliers (no fanaticism!). If necessary, you can drip superglue on the seam.

If the spring is broken, it can be temporarily replaced with:

• 📎 The slack (unfold and fit in size).
• 🧷 Hairpin (thin and elastic).
• 🔑 Ballpoint pen spring.

⚠️ Warning: Homemade springs are a temporary solution, they can rust, break, or scratch the body, and replace the strap with an original or quality one at the earliest opportunity.

Installation of a new strap: step-by-step instructions and calibration

Remove the strap is half the battle, and it's just as important to get the new one right so that the bracelet works properly.

1. Combine the guides of the new strap with the slots on the body of the Mi Band 4. Make sure that the Mi logo (if any) is on top.

2. Insert the strap to the end until you hear the spring click. Press the lock button to make sure it works.

3. Repeat for the other side. Both parts should sit symmetrically.

4. Check the density of the fit: shake the bracelet - if the strap is not hanging, everything is fine.

After installing a new strap, sensor calibration may be required:

• 📱 Open the Mi Fit app (or Zepp for new versions).
• 📱 Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 4 → Settings of the device → Calibration of the heart rate sensor.
• 📱 Follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold the bracelet tightly on your wrist and wait). 10-15 seconds).

If the bracelet does not recognize the new strap:

• 🔄 Reboot the device: Press the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
• 🔄 Disable and reconnect the bracelet in the application.
• 🔄 Update the firmware through Mi Fit → Device profile → Update of the PO.

Tips for choosing a strap:

• 🛡️ Original straps (XMSH07HM) It is guaranteed to be suitable, but it is more expensive.
• 💰 Analogues from proven brands (such as Amazfit or Huawei) are often not inferior in quality.
• 🌈 Silicone straps are cheaper, but can cause skin irritation when worn for long periods of time.
• 🏊 For swimming, choose chlorine-protected straps (usually labeled as Swim-Proof).

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If a new strap is pressing or rubbing your wrist, don't be too quick to change it. Try wearing the bracelet on the other hand or loosening the clasp. Silicone straps are worn out by the other hand. 2-3 day-day.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you take the strap off carefully, you can have some difficulties, and we'll look at some of the most common ways to eliminate them.

If after replacing the strap the bracelet began to discharge quickly, check:

• 🔋 Density of fitting strap - if it dangles, the sensors work in a strengthened mode, consuming the battery.
• 🔋 Charging contacts state – they may have oxidized during cleaning.
• 🔋 Background Processes – Turn off unnecessary notifications in Mi Fit → Notifications.

If the strap is jammed dead:

1. Try to heat it with a hair dryer (plastic will expand, and the retainer will weaken).
2. Drop it. WD-40 or silicone lubrication in the grooves - this will help to "stick" the stuffed parts.
3. In extreme cases, carefully saw the strap with a hacksaw on the metal (if it is no longer needed).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions