The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties when connecting a device to a smartphone for the first time — especially when it comes to setting up Bluetooth communications. Unlike current models (for example, Mi Band 7 or Mi Smart Band 8), the fourth version requires a more careful approach: there is no automatic device search, and the pairing process depends on the firmware version and the phone’s operating system.
In this article, we will not only look at the basic steps of turning Bluetooth on the Mi Band 4, but also the nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions, such as why the bracelet may not appear in the list of available devices, how to reset your connection settings if something went wrong, and what hidden features become available after a successful connection.
If you've tried to connect the bracelet before, but you haven't succeeded, check out that maybe the problem isn't with the Mi Band 4 itself, but with the phone settings or conflict with other Bluetooth devices, and we've put all the solutions in one place, from checking the version of the Mi Fit app to manually resetting the Bluetooth module on the bracelet.
Preparing for Connection: What to Do Before Turning On Bluetooth
Before you start pairing, make sure all the preconditions are met, and ignoring them is the main reason why the Mi Band 4 is not visible on the Bluetooth device list.
First, check the bracelet's charge. If the battery level is below 20%, the connection process may be interrupted. Charge the device to at least 50% - this is enough for stable operation. Second, update the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life if you use it) to the latest version. Outdated versions often contain compatibility errors with the bracelet firmware.
- 📱 For Android: the minimum version of the OS is Android 5.0, but 7.0 is recommended+. Older systems may not have the necessary Bluetooth protocols.
- 🍎 For iOS: Requires iOS 10.0 or later. on iPhone 5S and older, there may be connection problems.
- 🔄 Resetting: If the bracelet has already been paired with another phone, reset via Settings → Reset in the bracelet menu (hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
- 🚫 Conflicting devices: Disable other wearable gadgets (earheads, smartwatches) that may interfere with Mi Band 4 search.
Also worth considering is that the Mi Band 4 only supports Bluetooth 4.2. If your smartphone is running a newer version (like Bluetooth 5.0), you may need to enable compatibility mode in the developer settings. → System system → For developers → Turn on Bluetooth HCI Sniff (if no option, activate the developer mode by pressing the build number 7 times in the About Phone section»).
Step-by-step: how to turn Bluetooth on Mi Band 4
Unlike smartphones, where Bluetooth is manually enabled, on the Mi Band 4, the module is activated automatically when you first connect to the application, and your task is to initialize the pairing process. Here's how to do it correctly:
- Install Mi Fit or Zepp Life. Download it from the official store (Google Play or App Store). Avoid third-party apps. APK — They may contain viruses or outdated firmware versions.
If there is an error at some point, try an alternative method:
Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone
Reboot your smartphone and bracelet
Turn off/turn on Bluetooth on your phone
Repeat the process of adding the device to Mi Fit-->
Critical detail: if the bracelet does not respond to touch during pairing, this may indicate a firmware failure, in which case you need to update the software through the Mi Fit application (Firmware section) or manually through the Mi Band 4 Tool (instruction below).
Difference Between Android and iOS Connection
While the overall pairing algorithm is similar, there are key differences between Android and iOS that affect connection stability.
| Parameter | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Required version of OS | 5.0+ (recommended 7.0+) | iOS 10.0+ |
| Automatic connection | Yes (after first pairing) | No (manual confirmation is required each time) |
| Access to notifications | Complete (SMS, Calls, messengers) | Limited (only calls and calls) SMS) |
| Firmware update | Through Mi Fit or ADB | Only through Mi Fit (no support) ADB) |
| Frequent errors | Conflict with other Bluetooth devices | “Unable to connect” error due to iCloud background |
On iOS, users often have a problem when the bracelet is connected, but after a few minutes the connection breaks, due to background limitations of the system.
- Go to Settings. → Mi Fit → Background update and enable the option.
- B Settings → Confidentiality → Geolocation Services Allow the Application to Use Geo Data "Always».
- Turn off the energy saving mode in Settings → Battery.
On Android, the main problem is protocol conflict. If the bracelet connects but the data doesn't sync, try:
- 🔧 Turn off Bluetooth A2DP (used for sound transmission) in the developer settings.
- 📵 Temporarily disable Wi-Fi – sometimes it interferes with a stable Bluetooth connection.
- 🔄 Switch Bluetooth from Double to Classic (if you have this option).
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If the bracelet turns off on your iPhone after you lock your screen, add the Mi Fit app to your Favorite Contacts in the notification settings, which will help the system keep it from resetting in the background.
What to do if Mi Band 4 is not visible in the list of Bluetooth devices
The fact that the bracelet is not displayed in search is one of the most common, and the reasons can be either software (firmware failure, driver conflict) or hardware (Bluetooth module damage).
1. Checking of hardware faults
Before digging into the settings, make sure the problem isn’t with the bracelet itself:
- 🔋 Check the charge: if the battery is discharged below 5%, the Bluetooth module turns off.
- 💧 Check the charging contacts for oxidation or moisture (even if the bracelet has not sunk, the condensate can accumulate inside).
- 🔍 Hold the bracelet to your ear while you're on, and you can hear a little squeak (module initialization) if you don't have one, you might have a breakdown.
2. Policy solutions
If the iron is all right, try the following steps:
How to Reset Bluetooth Settings to Mi Band 4 Manually
Resetting Bluetooth cache on your phone:
- 📱 Android: Go to Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Bluetooth, click Stop and Clear Cache».
- 🍎 iOS: You can reset Bluetooth cache only through a complete reset of network settings (Settings) → Mainstream → Reset → Reset the network settings).
Update of the bracelet firmware:
Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues.
- Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Update firmware”.
- Confirm the boot and wait until the end (the bracelet will reboot automatically).
⚠️ Warning: If the connection is interrupted during the firmware update, the bracelet may turn into a brick. Do not turn off Bluetooth on your phone and do not move further than 1 meter from the bracelet during the process.
3. Alternative methods of connection
If the standard method doesn’t work, try:
- 🔌 Use third-party apps: Mi Band 4 Tool (Android) or Notify & Fitness (iOS) sometimes cope where Mi Fit is powerless.
- 🖥️ Connect via PC: with the Gadgetbridge utility (needs Bluetooth adapter 4.0)+ computer-based).
- 📡 Change region in Mi Fit: sometimes bracelets for the Chinese market refuse to connect to European smartphones. In the settings of the Xiaomi account, select the region “Russia” or “Singapore».
Hidden Mi Band 4 features available after Bluetooth connection
Many users do not realize that the Mi Band 4 can do much more than count steps. After successful pairing, additional features open up that can be activated through Mi Fit or third-party applications.
Here are the most useful ones:
- 🎵 Music control: skipping tracks and adjusting volume directly from the bracelet (works with Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music).
- 📸 Remote shutter release: you can use the bracelet as a remote for taking selfies on your smartphone (included in Settings) → Notifications → Camera control).
- 🔍 Phone search: if the smartphone is lost, just shake the bracelet - the phone will emit a loud signal (even in silent mode).
- 💤 Smart alarm: the bracelet analyzes the phases of sleep and wakes at the optimal time in a given interval (for example, from 7:00 to 7:30).
- 📊 Advanced Health Metrics: Measuring Stress Levels, Oxygen in the Blood (SpO2) And breathing in your sleep (requires the last firmware).
To activate these functions:
- Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
- Select "Device settings» → «Additional functions».
- Activate the options you need and follow the instructions on the screen.
For some possibilities (e.g. measurement) SpO2) You need firmware not lower than 1.0.9.14. → About the bracelet on the Mi Band 4.
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If the Smart Alarm function doesn't work, check if sleep tracking is enabled in the bracelet settings. Without this option, sleep phase analysis is not possible.
Update to the Mi Band 4 firmware via Bluetooth: when it is needed
Regular firmware updates not only add new features, but also fix critical bugs, such as:
- 🔄 Losing the phone connection.
- 📉 Incorrect counting of steps or pulse.
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge (especially relevant for firmware older than 1.0.8.0).
- 🚨 Hanging of the bracelet during data synchronization.
Check the relevance of the firmware can be as follows:
- Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
- Scroll down to the "Firmware" section.
- If an update is available, an “Update” button will appear.
Manual updates via Mi Band 4 Tool:
If the automatic update does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can install the firmware manually:
- Download the latest firmware version from amazonfit.xiaomi.com (select a file for your model: XMSH08HM — global, XMSH07HM — Chinese).
- Install the Mi Band 4 Tool app (available for Android only).
- Connect the bracelet to the app and select “Update firmware”.
- Specify the path to the downloaded file and wait for completion (the process will take 5-10 minutes).
⚠️ Note: install firmware from another bracelet model (for example, from Mi Band 4) NFC In the normal version, you will cause the device to fail. Check the markings on the box or in the bracelet settings before downloading (Settings) → The bracelet. → Model).
After the update, the bracelet will automatically reset. If the screen does not turn on for longer than 5 minutes, reset (hold the button for 20 seconds).
Troubleshooting: Frequent Errors and Their Solutions
Even after a successful connection, users face problems: the bracelet turns off, does not sync data or shows incorrect metrics, and let's analyze typical scenarios and how to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is connected, but quickly disconnects. | Power saving on your phone or conflict with other devices | Add Mi Fit to battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimization) |
| Steps/pulse are not synchronized | Outdated firmware or app cache failure | Update the bracelet firmware and clear the Mi Fit cache in the phone settings |
| The bracelet does not vibrate when notified. | Disabled notifications in the settings of the application or phone | Check the permissions for Mi Fit in Settings → Notifications |
| The “failure to connect” error on iOS | Conflict with iCloud or background restrictions | Enable Background Update for Mi Fit and allow geolocation access |
| The bracelet doesn't respond to touch. | Firmware freeze or mechanical damage to the screen | Reset (hold the 20 sec button) or update the firmware |
If nothing helps:
- 🔧 Reset your phone settings to factory (pre-reverse your phone).
- 📞 Contact Xiaomi support via the chat in the Mi Fit app (Help section»).
- 🛠️ Check the bracelet on another phone – if the problem recurs, the device is malfunctioning.
💡
If the bracelet starts to drain faster after the firmware update, roll back to the previous version via the Mi Band 4 Tool. Some builds (for example, 1.0.9.26) are known for increased power consumption.