How to turn on and configure the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4: instructions for beginners

First introduction to Xiaomi Mi Band 4: what you need to know before turning on

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular trackers even years after its release, and its simplicity, functionality and affordable price attract millions of users, but beginners often have questions about how to turn on the device correctly, what to do if it does not respond to pressing, and how to avoid typical errors when you first set up.

Unlike smartphones, smart bracelets don’t have a traditional power button — they’re activated through a combination of touching the screen or connecting to a charger. If you’ve just unpacked the Mi Band 4, don’t rush to hit everything: wrong actions can cause your app to sync to fail or even drain the battery to a critical level.

In this article, we will discuss a unique first-on algorithm that takes into account the features of the Mi Band 4 firmware (including the Chinese versions with Mi Fit and the global ones with Zepp Life), and you will learn how to avoid a common problem when the bracelet vibrates but does not display time - this is a signal that the account is incorrectly tied to the account.

Step 1: Verification of completeness and preparation for inclusion

Before you first turn on, make sure that the box with the Mi Band 4 contains all the necessary elements.

📦 The fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4 (with a strap)
🔌 Charging cable (special module with contacts)
📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)

Not having at least one of these items is a reason to contact the seller. Pay special attention to the charging cable: the Mi Band 4 uses a proprietary connector, and charging from other models (for example, the Mi Band 5/6) will not work.

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If you have bought a used bracelet, be sure to check the integrity of the O-ring on the charging module. its damage can lead to corrosion of contacts due to moisture.

Also, prepare your smartphone with one of the supported OS:

Operating system	Minimum version	Supported software
Android	5.0 and higher	Mi Fit or Zepp Life
iOS	10.0 and higher	Only Mi Fit.
HarmonyOS	2.0 and higher	Mi Fit (limited functionality)

If your smartphone doesn’t meet the requirements, the bracelet will turn on, but it won’t be able to sync data, in which case you’ll need to use third-party software like Notify & Fitness (available for Android).

Step 2: Charging the bracelet before first switching on

Xiaomi Mi Band 4 comes with a partially charged battery, but for stable operation, it is recommended to charge it to 100% before first use.

Remove the bracelet capsule from the strap, pulling it towards the screen.
Insert the capsule into the charging module so that the contacts match (they are located on the back side).
Connect the cable to the power source (USB-port 5V/1A).

The charge indicator should appear on the bracelet screen, which is a battery animation with percentages.

⚡ Check the density of the contacts (sometimes it helps to lightly press the capsule)
🔄 Try another one. USB-port
🕒 Wait 5-10 minutes – sometimes the animations are delayed

What to do if the bracelet is not charged?

If after all the manipulations, the Mi Band 4 shows no signs of charging, the problem may be oxidized contacts. Gently wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. If it does not help, the power controller may be defective (repair required).

The full charge time is about 1.5-2 hours. Don't leave the bracelet on charging for more than 3 hours, which can reduce battery life. When the charge reaches 100%, the FULL sign will appear on the screen and the vibration will announce the end of the process.

📊 What version of the Mi Band you are using?

Mi Band 4

Mi Band 5

Mi Band 6

Mi Band 7

Other

Step 3: First Enablement and Basic Setup

After charging, you can start to turn on the bracelet. Unlike the newer models (Mi Band 6/7), the fourth version does not have a touch button, all control is done through the touch of the screen.

☑️ Activation of Mi Band 4

Charging to 100%Installation of Mi Fit/Zepp LifeTurning on Bluetooth on your smartphoneTouching the bracelet screen to wake up

Done: 0 / 4

Put the capsule back in the strap (it should snap with a characteristic sound).
Touch the screen once. If it doesn't respond, try holding your finger for 2-3 seconds.
The Mi logo will appear on the screen, then the interface language (by default - English).
Swipe down (swipe across the screen) to select Russian (if available).

If the bracelet is not activated:

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Band 4 is not showing any signs of life after charging (no vibration, the screen does not light up), try resetting it to the factory settings. To do this, plug the bracelet into charging and hold the screen for 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration.

Once you've chosen a language, the bracelet will suggest you connect to your smartphone.

📱 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocated (necessary to find the device)
🔒 Allow Mi Fit to access notifications and contacts (otherwise alerts will not work)
🔄 Reset the bracelet if it is not detected (hold the screen for 5 seconds before vibration)

Step 4: Sync with your smartphone via Mi Fit or Zepp Life

Without being tied to a smartphone, the Mi Band 4 will only work like a pedometer clock, and you need to install an official app to make it fully operational, depending on the regional version of the bracelet:

🌍 Global version (sold in Russia and Europe) - use Mi Fit or Zepp Life
🇨🇳 Chinese version (without Russian) – only Mi Fit with manual change of region in the settings

Instructions for connection:

Download and install the app from the official store (Google Play or App Store).
Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required! without an account, sync is not possible).
In the main menu of the application, click Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.
Follow the on-screen instructions: Allow access to health data, notifications, and geolocation.

If the bracelet is not present:

⚠️ Attention: On Android-smartphones with a shell MIUI (for example, Redmi or POCO) Mi Fit background activity may be blocked. Go to Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Battery and turn off optimization.

Once successfully connected, the bracelet will automatically update the firmware (if a new version is available) and synchronize the time. This process can take 5-10 minutes - do not interrupt the connection!

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If the bracelet displays the wrong time after synchronization, check the time zone settings in the Mi Fit app. Often the problem is solved by switching the Auto Determine option manually to your region.

Step 5: Configure the core functions after enabling

Now that the bracelet is activated, you can customize it to your needs, and the basic parameters are available both through the app and directly on the device.

Setup via bracelet (without smartphone)

🕒 Change the dial: Touch the screen → swipe-up → Choose More → Display → Watch faces
🔔 Do Not Disturb: More → Do not disturb (you can set a schedule)
🏃 Activity targets: More → Activity goals (steps, calories, sleep time)

Configure via the Mi Fit app

The bracelet menu in the application is available:

📊 Sleep monitoring: Turning on/off automatic sleep phase tracking
⚡ Notifications: Selection of applications whose alerts will be duplicated on the bracelet
🔋 Energy saving: Turning off the screen lights at night
💧 Water Reminder: Setup intervals for drinking mode

Pay special attention to the sedentary reminders section, which will vibrate if you haven't moved for more than an hour, a feature that's useful for office workers, but can be annoying if you sit in meetings often.

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To quickly check the battery level on the bracelet, swipe down the main screen, which also shows the current date and status of the connection to the phone.

Step 6: Solving Typical Problems After Enabling

Even if you turn on the right Mi Band 4, it can work incorrectly, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The bracelet does not vibrate when notified.	Disabled alerts in the application or on the phone	Check Mi Fit Settings → Notifications and Android/iOS permissions
Misrepresentation of steps	Incorrect calibration or wearing on the wrong hand	Recalibrate the bracelet to Settings → Stepmer and wear on a non-dominant hand
Quick battery discharge	Constant synchronization or lighting enabled	Turn off automatic synchronization and reduce the brightness of the screen
The bracelet does not detect the pulse.	Dirt on the sensor or loose fit	Wipe the sensor with alcohol and tighten the strap tighter

If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch:

Connect it to charging for 10 minutes.
If the screen does not light up, reset (hold the screen for 15 seconds until vibration).
Reinstall the Mi Fit app and repeat the sync.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet requires re-activation after reset, but does not connect to the phone, check if it is blocked. MAC-address in your smartphone's Bluetooth settings. On Android, you can do this in the Settings menu. → Connected devices → Mi Band 4 → Forget it.

What the Mi Band 4 can do besides the basic features

Many users use the bracelet only to track steps and time, but the Mi Band 4 also supports more advanced features.

🎵 Music Management: Swipe down on the home screen → Music (pause, next track)
🔦 Lantern: Turns on through More → Flashlight (useful in the dark)
🏊 Swimming mode: Automatically tracks the length of the pool and swimming style
💤 Smart alarm clock: Awakens in the phase of light sleep for easy lifting

To activate these features, you may need to update the firmware. Check its version in Mi Fit → Device Profile → Firmware Update. The latest stable version for the Mi Band 4 is 1.0.9.54 (at 2026).

How do I turn on the weather display?

To show the weather on the bracelet, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Display → Weather and turn on the option. Data will be synced with the phone every 30 minutes.

If you're a sportsman, look at the Exercise mode. The bracelet supports tracking:

🚶 Running (outside and on a treadmill)
🚴 Cycling
🏋️ The gym.
⛷️ Skiing sports

FAQ: Frequent questions about the inclusion and configuration of Xiaomi Mi Band 4

Can I turn on Mi Band 4 without a smartphone?

Yes, the bracelet will turn on and will work as a pedometer and clock, but without synchronization with a smartphone you can not: Set up notifications Update firmware Use most dials View detailed sleep statistics For full work binding to the phone is mandatory.

How to reset Mi Band 4 to factory settings if it doesn’t respond?

If the bracelet doesn't turn on or freezes: Connect it to charge. Hold the screen for 20 seconds (the vibration must pass); disconnect from charging, the bracelet will reboot and suggest that it be reset again. If that doesn't help, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (a dead battery or a damaged board).

Why are Chinese characters on the bracelet?

That means you have a Chinese version of the bracelet. To change the language: Install Mi Fit and register your account. Change your account settings to Russia or Singapore (English interface). Untie the bracelet and reconnect it, the language will change automatically. If Russian is not on the list, use English or install a custom firmware (e.g., Amazfit Mod).

How long does the Mi Band 4 charge last?

In standard use (notifications, sleep monitoring, pedometer) the bracelet works: 🔋 Up to 14 days with lights off and rare synchronization 🔋 Up to 7 days with active use of notifications and pulsemeter To extend the time of operation: Turn off automatic pulse measurement (leave only on request) Reduce screen brightness Turn off unnecessary notifications

Can I change my band to Mi Band 4?

Yes, the strap is removable and compatible with any 20-mm bracelet (e.g., from Mi Band 5/6). To replace it: Pull the capsule out of the old strap (pull it towards the screen). Insert it into the new strap before the click. The original straps from Xiaomi cost ~500-800 rubles, but you can use third-party straps (e.g., silicone or leather).