Activating a new wearable gadget or re-energizing the device after a long downtime is often a question for users.The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is a popular fitness tracker that works autonomously but requires the right initial setup to work fully.In most cases, the tracker doesn't have a physical button on the body, which can confuse a beginner who first encounters the Mi Band ecosystem.
The process of starting the device depends on its current state: whether it is the first turn on after purchase or the gadget was turned off software and requires a reboot. It is important to understand that for the initial activation, you will necessarily need a smartphone with the Mi Fit application installed (or Xiaomi Wear depending on the firmware version and region).
In this guide, we will look at all possible on-board scenarios, from retrieval from packaging to troubleshooting when the screen is black. You will learn about charging nuances, sensors and recovery techniques if standard procedures do not help. Let's look at the technical aspects of using this popular gadget.
First activation and activation of the tracker
When you just unpacked the Xiaomi Mi Band 4, the device is most likely in deep sleep to save battery power. There is no power button on the case, so the usual key retention here will not work. The main trigger for waking the gadget is to connect to the power source. You need to remove the capsule from the strap (if it is attached there) and install it in the charger.
The charging cable for the fourth model has a specific design with two contacts that should fit tightly to the metal pads on the back of the capsule. If connected correctly, the Mi logo and charge indicator should appear on the screen. If the screen catches fire, the device is powered and out of storage mode. However, this is not yet fully activated.
To complete the procedure, you need to use a smartphone. You need to download the official Mi Fit app (or its current analogue Zepp Life) from Google Play or the App Store. After registering an account and turning on Bluetooth on your phone, you need to select the device add point in the application. The system will suggest touching the tracker screen to confirm the pairing.
☑️ Primary activation of Mi Band 4
It's when you pair up that you finalize your time zones, interface language, and time format. Synchronization is a critical step, without which the tracker won't display notifications and count steps correctly. Once you connect successfully, the gadget vibrates to confirm that it's ready to go.
Charging as a way to wake up the device
If your fitness bracelet has been idle for a long time, its battery could run out of power, and in this state, the device does not respond to touch and looks completely off, the only way to bring it back to life is for a long charge. Don't panic if the screen does not light up immediately after connecting to the USB port.
The lithium polymer batteries used in the Mi Band 4 have deep discharge protection. When connected to the grid, the power controller first delivers a low current to pump out the battery chemistry. This process can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, during which time the screen will remain black, and only after the minimum voltage is set, the system will start.
⚠️ Attention: If after 40-50 When you charge the screen doesn't light up, try to wipe the contacts on the capsule and charger with a dry cloth.
For charging, you can use a standard USB-However, it is not recommended to use powerful Quick Charge units from modern flagships, as they may not correctly identify a low-power device. USB 2.0 or old adapter with current 1A.
The charging process is displayed by an animation of the battery on the screen, and when the charge reaches a sufficient level, the tracker will automatically turn on, and if that does not happen, disconnect the cable and reconnect it again, simulating the reconnection of power.
💡
Use a cotton swab lightly soaked in alcohol to clean the contact pads at the back of the capsule before charging if the device has been left unused for a long time.
Setup via Mi Fit and Zepp Life
Once the device has been activated, you need to configure the software part of the device. The interface and functionality of the bracelet are completely dependent on the settings received from the smartphone. Open the application on your phone and go to profile. Press the Add Device button and select from the list of Mi Smart Band 4.
The app will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation, which is necessary for the stable operation of notifications and device search functions. The tracker screen will display a vibration signal and request to confirm the pairing (tick icon or vibration).
During the setup process, you will be asked to:
- 📱 Choose the hand (left or right) to correctly display the time of lifting the wrist.
- 🔔 Set up the types of notifications that will come to the tracker (calls, SMS, messengers).
- 🌍 Set goals by steps and reminders of movement.
- 🎨 Select the dial that will be displayed on the screen.
It is important to note that for all functions to work fully, including the pulse monitor and sleep monitoring, you must provide the application with all the requested permissions in the Android or iOS system. Without permission for background work, the application will not be able to transfer data from the tracker.
What to do if the bracelet is not turned on
The situation when Xiaomi Mi Band 4 does not respond to charging and touching can be caused by several factors.First of all, make sure that the charger is working properly. USB-The problem is sometimes with the power source, not the gadget itself.
If you don't have visual signs of life, you can try the cold reset method. Leave the device on charge for a few hours (preferably overnight). Sometimes the power controller takes a long time to recover from a deep discharge. It's also worth checking if the capsule is sitting tightly in the charging socket; it should be fixed by magnets.
In rare cases, there is a software failure that causes the tracker to freeze, and in this case, the factory reset helps, but you can only do it if the screen lights up sometimes, and if the screen is black all the time, you just have to wait or contact the service.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Black screen, no vibration. | Deep battery discharge | Leave on charging for 1-2 hours |
| The logo appears and goes out. | Low charge or software failure | Charge off, update the firmware |
| Can't see Bluetooth. | Tracker not activated | Connect to the charger to enable |
| Blinking charging indicator | Bad contact. | Clear the contacts, press tighter |
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to open the capsule body yourself. This will break the sealability (water resistance) and lead to loss of warranty. There are no custom elements inside that can be replaced.
Reboot and reset device settings
If the tracker is working but not functioning properly (sensor bugs, no notifications are coming), you may need to reboot. There is no physical button in the Mi Band 4, so the reboot is done programmatically via the menu or forcefully. For a soft reboot, go to the menu, flip to Settings (cog icon) and select Reboot.
To perform a hard reset via the device menu, go to Settings → System → Unbind. This action will break the connection to the phone and clear the settings, but will not delete the data from the tracker completely until it syncs again.
If the sensor is not responsive and you can't log in, you can use Forced Reboot in the app. In some versions of the Mi Fit, there's a Reboot button in the device card. If that doesn't work, you just have to completely discharge the device, leave it without charging for a few days, and then recharge it.
Secret combination for resetting
Updating the firmware for stable operation
A common cause of problems with powering on or stability is an outdated version of the software.Mi Band 4 firmware is regularly updated, fixing bugs and improving the Bluetooth module. To check for updates, plug the tracker into your phone and open the app.
If the new version is available, a red dot or the words "Update" will appear next to the bracelet image. Press it and follow the instructions on the screen. It is important that the bracelet is next to the phone during the upgrade and the smartphone screen is not turned off (you can turn off autolock).
The upgrade process takes 2 to 5 minutes.At this time, the tracker will vibrate, and the progress bar may be displayed on the screen.Abortion of the process can lead to breakage of the device, so make sure that the battery charge is at least 20% before starting the procedure.
💡
Regular firmware updates are the best way to prevent software failures and ensure compatibility with newer versions of Android and iOS.