How to turn Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: full instructions with photos and tips

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release, thanks to its combination of functionality, compactness and affordable price. But many users face difficulties when connecting the device to a smartphone for the first time, especially when it comes to setting up a Bluetooth connection. Unlike modern models (such as the Mi Band 7 or Smart Band 8), the fourth version requires a more careful approach to synchronization.

In this article, you will find not only step-by-step instructions for turning on Bluetooth on the Mi Band 4, but also deal with the typical problems: why the bracelet is not on the device list, how to reset to factory settings if the connection is lost, and what to do if the Bluetooth indicator on the bracelet screen is not active, we will also compare the features of the connection on Android and iPhone, because the algorithms may differ.

Important: If you have previously used other versions of the Mi Band (such as Mi Band 3 or 5), do not rely on the old experience - Mi Band 4 has changed the menu interface and the logic of the Bluetooth module. For example, there is no separate button to turn on / off the wireless connection, and activation occurs automatically when you search for the device through the application.

Preparing the bracelet for connection: what to do before turning on Bluetooth

Before you try to connect the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to your smartphone, make sure the device is ready to sync. Many people miss this stage, which causes the device to experience errors such as “Device not found” or “Disabled to connect.”

Charge the bracelet to at least 20%|Make sure the screen displays time (means the bracelet is on)|Download the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit)|Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone|Disconnect the bracelet from other devices (if previously paired)-->

Pay special attention to battery power. If the bracelet is below 15%, it may not appear in the list of available devices or interrupt the connection during synchronization. To check the charge, swipe your finger up the Mi Band 4 screen, the battery indicator will appear at the top. If the bracelet is discharged, connect it to the charger (use the original cable!) and wait for the zipper icon to appear on the screen.

Another nuance: if you bought a used bracelet or used it with another smartphone, be sure to reset to the factory settings. Otherwise, the new device may not connect due to the stored data of the old pairing. How to do this, read the section about resetting.

Step-by-step: how to enable Bluetooth on Mi Band 4 via the app

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 doesn’t have a separate switch to activate Bluetooth — it turns on automatically when the bracelet is in connection search mode. Your task is to initiate this process through the official application. Let’s consider the algorithm for Android and iOS separately, since the interface and settings may differ.

For Android smartphones

1. Install the Mi Fitness app from Google Play (the old version was called Mi Fit, but the functionality is the same).

2. Launch the app and sign up (or sign in to an existing Xiaomi account). Without authorization, data sync won't work!

3. Click on the Profile icon → Add the device (or + in the upper right corner).

4. In the list, select the Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.

5. Press Connect and wait for the app to search for the device. The bracelet will display the words Pairing... (Pairing...).

6. Confirm your connection on your smartphone (you may need to allow access to contacts, location and notifications).

If the bracelet is not present, check:

• 📱 Bluetooth on your phone is turned on (reboot the module if necessary).
• 🔋 Bracelet charged (minimum 20%).
• 📲 The app has all the necessary permissions (on Android 12)+ Check in the settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Permits).
• 🔄 The bracelet is not connected to another device (if yes, reset).

For iPhone (iOS)

The iPhone algorithm is similar, but there are a few key differences:

1. Download Mi Fitness from the App Store.

2. log in to the application and log in (required!).

3. Go to Profile → Add Device → Mi Smart Band 4.

4.Tap Connect and wait for the bracelet to appear in the list. On iOS, additional confirmation may be required in the Bluetooth system window.

5 Allow access to health notifications and data (if you want to track your heart rate, steps, and sleep).

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On iPhone after connecting, check to Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth) the bracelet was displayed as "Connected." If the status is "Not connected", remove the device from the list and repeat pairing.

What to do if Bluetooth on Mi Band 4 is not turned on: 5 ways to solve the problem

Sometimes the bracelet doesn't respond to connection attempts, or the Bluetooth indicator doesn't appear on its screen, and the reasons can be both software (firmware failure) and hardware (module damage).

1.Resetting the bracelet

The fastest way to reanimate Mi Band 4 is to perform a forced reboot.

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press and hold the touch button under the screen for 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Release the button and wait for the full load.

After the reboot, try connecting again through the app.

2. Reset to factory settings

If the reboot didn't work, do a hard reset.This will delete all the data from the bracelet (including step history and alarm settings), but often solves Bluetooth problems.

On the bracelet, go to Settings → More → Reset (or More → Reset). Confirm the action by clicking the tick.

3. Firmware update

Outdated firmware can cause conflicts with the Bluetooth module.

1. Connect the bracelet to your smartphone via Mi Fitness.
2. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until the process is complete (don’t turn off the bracelet!).

4. Checking the compatibility of the smartphone

The Mi Band 4 officially supports Android 5.0+ and iOS 10.0+, but some devices (especially custom firmware) may have problems. If your smartphone is older than 2016, try connecting the bracelet to another phone to rule out hardware malfunction.

5. Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions

If none of these things work, the Bluetooth module may be broken.

• 🔴 The bracelet is not defined by any device.
• 🔴 The Bluetooth indicator on the screen does not light up even after resetting.
• 🔴 When connected to charging, the bracelet does not vibrate or respond to touch.

In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center or check the warranty (if the bracelet was officially purchased).The average cost of repairing a Bluetooth module is 800-1500. ₽.

Android-smartphone|iPhone|Android tablet|Other devices-->

How to check that Bluetooth on Mi Band 4 is working correctly

Even if the bracelet is connected to a smartphone, it does not guarantee stable Bluetooth operation. Here is how to make sure the connection is working smoothly:

If at least one of the parameters does not meet the norm, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet (remove it from the list of devices in Mi Fitness and add again).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps with Bluetooth stack failures).
• 🛠️ Turn off battery savings for the Mi Fitness app (on Android: Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions).

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If the bracelet is permanently losing connection at a distance of less than 5 meters, the problem may be interference from other wireless devices (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, wireless headphones).

The difference between the Mi Band 4 and the newer models: why Bluetooth works differently

If you've used Mi Band 5/6/7 before, you might have noticed that Mi Band 4 doesn't have many of the usual features.

• 🔹 There is no separate Bluetooth menu – the module is only activated when searching for a device through the app.
• 🔹 No Bluetooth 5.0 support – Bluetooth 4.2 is used, which limits communication range and synchronization speed.
• 🔹 There is no “Find Bracelet” feature (like in Mi Band 7) if the connection is lost.
• 🔹 There is no possibility to connect to multiple devices at the same time (only one active pairing).

These limitations are due to hardware features of the Mi Band 4. For example, Bluetooth 4.2 consumes less power but has less bandwidth compared to Bluetooth 5.0 in new models. Therefore, synchronization of data (steps, pulse, sleep) can take longer.

Another key difference is that you don't have support for fast reconnection, so if you're out of Bluetooth range (like leaving your smartphone at home), the bracelet doesn't always automatically reconnect when you return, so you have to manually open the Mi Fitness app and wait for sync.

Frequent Mi Band 4 Errors and How to Avoid Them

User experience shows that most Bluetooth problems on the Mi Band 4 It's caused by some non-obvious setup errors.-5 Common Failures and How to Prevent Them.

⚠️ WARNING: If you bought the bracelet on AliExpress or other venues, check it for authenticity through the official app.Fake Mi Band 4s often have Bluetooth connection issues due to substandard modules.

If none of these methods worked, check the bracelet on another smartphone. If the problem persists, the Mi Band 4 itself is likely to malfunction, in which case only repair or replacement remains.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Bluetooth in Mi Band 4