How to turn Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: The Complete Guide

Wearable devices from Xiaomi have long become the standard of affordable electronics, and the Mi Band 4 model is no exception. Many users face the first difficulties already at the stage of initial activation of the gadget, when it is necessary to establish a connection between the tracker and the smartphone. Bluetooth connection is the main data channel, and without its proper operation, the functionality of the bracelet is minimized.

Unlike smartphones, where the wireless switch is prominently placed, fitness bracelets have a different logic: there is no separate on/off button in the usual sense, since the communication module is controlled programmatically and depends on the state of charge and activity of the companion application. Understanding this principle avoids unnecessary panic and unnecessary actions when trying to synchronize.

In this article, we will discuss all aspects of the radio module in the fourth version of the popular tracker. You will learn how to force the device search, what to do if the smartphone “cannot see” the accessory, and what hidden settings can block the connection.

The principles of Bluetooth in Xiaomi fitness bracelets

The wireless architecture in the Mi Band lineup is built on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology designed specifically for low-power devices, allowing the tracker to run from one charge to two to three weeks. Unlike the classic Bluetooth we use to transfer files or music, BLE is constantly in command standby mode, consuming a tiny amount of power.

When you wear a wristband, the bracelet doesn't emit a signal continuously at maximum power. It works in pulses, sending short packets of pulse data, steps or notifications only when required by the system or application. Which is why users often can't find the device in the general list of available gadgets through the phone's standard settings menu - the bracelet just "sleeps" or is in deep energy saving mode.

Visibility activation only occurs under certain conditions, most often either the first launch after reset, or a special pairing mode called through the device menu. It is important to understand that the Mi Band 4 is not designed to connect to third-party Bluetooth headsets or speakers; it works exclusively in a bundle of “smartphone – application – bracelet”.

Preparation of the smartphone and applications for pairing

Before you try to turn on the tracker itself, you need to make sure that the receiving party – your smartphone – is ready to go. Often the problem lies not in the gadget, but in the lack of necessary permits or outdated software. To work with the Mi Band 4, you will need to install the official Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit) or Amazfit.

After installing the app, take your time to register. First check system requirements. On Android smartphones, it is critical to have a location permission (GPS). This is not a whim of developers, but a requirement of the Google operating system: scanning Bluetooth devices in the background equates to collecting geodata, so without the GPS enabled, the application simply cannot start searching for the bracelet.

Also, make sure that the phone is not on Flight mode and the Bluetooth module is activated. Sometimes it helps to switch the wireless switch to switch off, wait 5 seconds and turn on again. This resets the protocol stack and clears the error cache, which is especially true for devices that have not rebooted for a long time.

• 📱 Install the current version of the Zepp Life or Mi Fit app from the official store.
• 📍 Turn on geolocation (GPS) Give the application permission to access the location.
• 🔋 Make sure your smartphone is at least 20% charged and the bracelet is pre-charged.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone if more than a week has passed since the last switch on.

How to activate the pairing mode on Mi Band 4

The process of turning Bluetooth on on the tracker actually means putting it into detection mode. If the device is new and has never been connected, it automatically switches to this mode when it is first turned on (after setting it up for charging). QR-However, if the bracelet has already been used or is paired with another phone, the procedure must be initiated manually.

To do this, wake up the tracker screen by swiping or tapping the touch button. Swipe left or right until you find the Add menu (plus icon) or the Pair Mode. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called Unpair if the device was previously associated with the phone. Pressing this option forcibly activates the Bluetooth module and makes the device visible for search within a short period of time.

If you can't find the appropriate item on the menu, try another method: go to the settings of the bracelet itself (swipe left to end), find System or Settings, and select Unpair, which will break old connections and put the module in the waiting mode for a new connection, then immediately start a search in the application on your smartphone.

Synchronization process with Android and iOS

The connectivity algorithm across platforms has its nuances, although the general principle remains the same. On Android devices, the process usually goes smoother due to the openness of the system, but fragmentation of OS and shell versions (MIUI, EMUI, OneUI) can make its own adjustments. On iOS stricter, security policies require more careful attention to permission requests.

Once you have activated the pairing mode on the bracelet, open the app on your phone. Go to the profile (the Profile tab in the bottom menu) and select Add Device. The system will suggest you select the device type — select Band. Scan the ether will begin. As soon as the name of your device (usually Mi Band 4) appears on the screen, click on it.

The monitor and smartphone should display confirmation codes. Make sure they match, and confirm the pairing with a vibration or touch on the bracelet, and the OK button in the app. If the connection is successful, the bracelet will prompt you to update the firmware — don’t ignore this step, as older versions of the software often contain bugs that interfere with stable Bluetooth operation.

Typical problems and ways to solve them

Even with all the instructions, users may experience devices “seeing” each other but not connecting, or the connection is constantly broken. One of the most common reasons on Android is an aggressive energy saving system. A smartphone can force the application process to be “killed” or turn off a Bluetooth module to save charge, considering the background activity of the bracelet to be superfluous.

To fix this, you need to go to your smartphone battery settings, find the Zepp Life app, and set the “No Limits” or “No Optimization” mode. Also allow the app to auto-run. On iPhone, problems are more often associated with iOS updates that can reset permissions to the local network — check them in the privacy settings.

Another common scenario is address conflict: If you previously connected the bracelet to another phone and didn’t perform the Unpair procedure on the tracker’s menu, it might try to automatically connect to the old device, ignoring the new phone, in which case a full reset of the bracelet to factory settings through the System –> Factory Reset menu helps.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is permanently losing communication at a distance of less than 1 meter, check if you have a third-party antivirus or memory cleaner installed on your phone.

Diagnostics and resets of Bluetooth settings

If none of the above methods worked, there may have been a software failure in the Bluetooth stack of the smartphone itself, which requires a deeper diagnosis: Try uninstalling the app, turning off Bluetooth, restarting the phone, turning on Bluetooth again, and installing the app again. This clean installation often solves cached error problems.

It's also worth checking if the bracelet is connected to other devices within range. The Mi Band 4 can only connect to one phone at a time. If there's a tablet or an old smartphone that the pair was created with, the bracelet can cling to it, blocking the connection to the new device.

As a last resort, if the bracelet does not respond to any action, does not charge and does not turn on, perhaps the problem is hardware in nature. the discharge of the lithium battery to zero could lead to its deep discharge. Leave the device on charge for several hours (sometimes up to 12 hours), even if the screen does not light up immediately. After setting the minimum charge, the Bluetooth module can become active again.

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Tip: In deep discharge, the bracelet may not show signs of life right away. Leave it on wireless charging (if there is support) or on charger contacts for 30-60 minutes before trying to turn it on.

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The main reason for connection problems is not the bracelet itself, but the smartphone’s energy saving settings, which block the application from operating in the background.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to “break through” the connection by constantly turning Bluetooth on and off on your phone at a fast pace.This can cause the communication module itself to freeze in the smartphone, and then you will need to completely reset the network settings of the phone.