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

Activating a new fitness tracker is always an exciting moment, but sometimes owners are faced with the fact that the device does not show signs of life immediately after being removed from the box. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is one of the most popular wearable devices, but its first activation requires adherence to a certain algorithm of actions. Unlike smartphones, there is no familiar power button that you can just hold for a few seconds to start the system.

Often the problem is not a malfunction of the gadget, but a simple battery discharge, since trackers can lie in warehouses for a long time before selling. If you just bought the Mi Smart Band 4 and it does not respond to touch, do not panic. In most cases, it is enough to connect it correctly to the power source and wait for the display reaction.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible scenarios for starting a device, including situations when the bracelet โ€œhangsโ€ or requires flashing. You will learn how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware failure and what steps you need to take to restore the functionality of the gadget. The first charge should last at least 15-20 minutes, even if the indicator does not light up immediately.

Primary activation and charging of the device

The most common scenario faced by new owners is a complete battery drain. Electronics manufacturers often leave a minimum charge or do not charge devices before shipping to the retail network to save battery life.

The charging process of the Mi Band 4 has its own features, since the model does not have a built-in one. USB-You'll need a special charging cable that comes with the package, or a dual-pin equivalent, and it's important to remove the tracker from the silicone strap properly so that you don't damage the body.

To start the work, perform the following actions:

  • ๐Ÿ’ก Carefully remove the tracker capsule from the silicone strap, pressing on a special notch on the back side.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Connect. USB-cable to the computer power supply or smartphone adapter (current should not exceed 1A).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Apply the capsule to the charger contacts, making sure the golden contacts match.
  • โฑ Leave the device to charge for at least 20 minutes, even if the screen remains black.

Sometimes the battery indicator (a small battery icon) doesn't show up on the screen until 5-10 minutes after charging starts. This is normal behavior for lithium polymer batteries that have gone deep. If the screen is still not lit after 20 minutes, try replacing the cable or power supply.

โ˜‘๏ธ Pre-insertion check

Done: 0 / 4

Synchronization with a smartphone through the application

Once the tracker displays an image or vibrates, you can move to the software part. Xiaomi fitness bracelet is not a standalone device in the full sense of the word; to work fully, it needs to communicate with a smartphone. It is the phone that acts as a control panel and a data history store.

The device is controlled by the official Mi Fit app (now renamed Zepp Life) or Xiaomi Wear. Without installing this software, you canโ€™t set the time, interface language or dial. You can download the app from Google Play Market for Android or App Store for iOS.

The process of pairing is as follows:

  1. Install and launch the application on your smartphone, log in to your akkaMi Account.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and get closer to the tracker.
  3. In the app, click โ€œAdd deviceโ€ and select Mi Band 4 from the list.
  4. When the confirmation code appears on the bracelet screen, tap the pairing tick.

Importantly, during initial synchronization, the tracker may automatically suggest updating the firmware.firmware is the internal software that manages all the functions of the gadget. New versions often contain bug fixes that can interfere with the correct on or operation of the sensor.

๐Ÿ“Š What is the operating system on your phone?
Android
iOS
HarmonyOS
other

Problems with the screen and sensor

One of the frequent complaints users have is the situation when the tracker seems to be turned on (vibrates when charging), but the screen remains black. AMOLED-The display, which, unlike IPS, It's not permanently backlit, which means that the screen only lights up when you raise your wrist or touch the touch button.

If the screen doesn't light up when you raise your hand, you may have your "Rise to Turn" feature turned off in the settings, and it's also worth checking if the "Do Not Disturb" or "Sleep" mode is activated, which locks backlights at a certain time, and to check the functionality of the display, you can try running the test through an engineering menu or an application.

The main causes of display problems:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Pollution of the lower part of the screen (touch zone), which is why touches are not read.
  • ๐Ÿ”‡ Power saving mode on, limiting the operation of the backlight.
  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Critically low battery power, which is only enough for vibration, but not for the image.
  • ๐Ÿž Software failure of the system requiring a reboot.

To clean the screen, use soft fabric without pile. Aggressive chemicals can damage the oleophobic coating. If the sensor reacts with a delay, try rebooting the device through the settings menu or the app.

โš ๏ธ Attention: If the screen flashes or shows distorted colors, this may indicate physical damage to the matrix or plume.

What to do if the bracelet does not respond

There are times when the device doesn't give any signs of life: no vibration, no glow, no reaction to charging, a condition often called a "brick," although in 90% of cases electronics can be revived, the first thing you need to do is to eliminate the faulty charging cable, because the contacts on them oxidize or break quite often.

Try to find another one. USB-port or other power supply. Sometimes the ports on the front of the computer do not produce enough current to start the discharged battery.

Table of possible symptoms and solutions:

Symptoms.Possible causeDecision
No reaction to chargingOxidation of contactsDrinking contacts with alcohol
Only the indicator is on.Deep discharge.Leave on charging for 1 hour
Vibration's on, no screen.Software failure or plumeReboot or repair
Blinking the screenUnstable nutritionReplace the charging cable

If cleaning contacts and replacing the cable do not help, you can try the method of "shock therapy" (use with caution). Sometimes short-term closure of contacts on the board (not recommended for beginners) or connection to a source with a slightly higher current (but not more than 2A) can "rock" the power controller, but the safest way to leave the device on a high-quality charge for a few hours or even overnight.

Cold-resuscitation method
Some users have noted that putting the tracker in the refrigerator (in a sealed bag) for 10-15 minutes before charging helped trigger the chemical processes in the battery.

Resetting and restarting the system

If the tracker is turned on but not working properly (the logo hangs, the sensor is not working, Bluetooth is not connected), you may need to reset or reboot.Mi Band 4 does not have a physical Reset button, so all actions are performed programmatically.

The easiest way to reboot is through the menu of the bracelet itself, and you have to scroll through the menu to Settings, find System or Reboot icon, and confirm the action, and if the sensor doesn't respond, it won't work.

Alternative methods of rebooting:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Through the application: Go to the device profile in Mi Fit/Zepp Life, scroll down and select โ€œUnlockโ€ or โ€œRebootยป.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Full discharge: Leave the tracker without charging until completely off, then set again to charging.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Change host: Try to tuck the bracelet with another smartphone, this sometimes resets the hung Bluetooth services.

It is important to understand the difference between shutting down and restarting. Shutting down completely shuts down the device, whereas restarting clears RAM and restarts system processes. Rebooting is often enough to eliminate small glitches.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before performing a reset, make sure that the training data is synchronized with the app on the phone, otherwise the step history will be lost.

Frequent errors during the first launch

Even following the instructions, users often make common mistakes that lead to a false conclusion about a device malfunction, which can save time and nerves. Often the problem lies in incompatibility of software versions or operating systems.

For example, iPhone owners sometimes forget to give the application permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation, without which the bracelet can not connect. On Android, the background operation of the application is often blocked by the energy saving system, which causes the tracker to constantly lose communication.

List of common errors:

  1. Attempt to turn on the bracelet without removing from the strap (difficult charging contact).
  2. Use third-party apps instead of official Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear.
  3. No updates to Bluetooth drivers on the smartphone.
  4. Attempt to pair through the phoneโ€™s standard Bluetooth menu, rather than through the app.

Remember that the Mi Band 4 is a device that requires a โ€œfriendshipโ€ with your smartphone. If you just changed your phone, you must first untie the old bracelet from the old device, otherwise the new phone wonโ€™t see it. Itโ€™s also worth checking if the older version of Android or iOS is installed on your phone โ€“ the older versions of the OS may not support current communication protocols.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the capsule body or open the battery yourself, this will lead to irreversible damage to the water protection and loss of warranty.

๐Ÿ’ก

In most cases, the problem of โ€œnon-inclusionโ€ is solved by a long charging with the original cable and a repeated attempt to pair through the official application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to charge the Mi Band 4 when you first turn on?
When first switched on, especially if the device was in storage for a long time, it is recommended to keep it on charge for at least 1-2 hours until 100% charge appears, even if the indicator appeared earlier.
Can I turn on the bracelet without a phone?
Basic functions (time, steps, pulse) are available immediately after charging, but initial synchronization with the smartphone is required to set the time and interface language.
What to do if only the lightning icon is on?
The lightning sign means that the charging process is underway, but the battery level is critically low. Leave the device on charge for 15-30 minutes, after which it should turn on automatically.
Why can't the Mi Band 4 see the phone?
Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another phone, Bluetooth is enabled, and you are trying to find the device through the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app, not through Bluetooth settings.
Are you waterproof of Mi Band 4?
Yes, the model is marked 5 ATM, which allows you to use it in the pool and shower, but it is not recommended to swim with it in hot water or sauna.