First powering Xiaomi Mi Band 4: full instructions after charging

The first activation of the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet after charging is a process that seems simple only at first glance. Many users face unexpected difficulties: the bracelet does not respond to touch, does not connect to the phone or suddenly turns off, the reason most often lies in the wrong sequence of actions or missed nuances, which are not written in the standard instructions.

This gadget, despite its compactness, requires careful attention when it starts, for example, full charging before turning on is a prerequisite for the correct operation of the battery in the future. And synchronization with the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app (depending on the region) has its own features, which the manufacturer does not always voice. In this article, you will find not only the basic instructions, but also solutions to the typical problems that owners of the Mi Band 4 face when they first turn on.

Preparation for the first turn on: what to do before charging

Before you connect the bracelet to the charger, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps. Many users miss this stage, which Later causes malfunctions of the device.

  • πŸ“± Install the official app. Mi Band 4 is good for Mi Fit (an outdated version) or Zepp Life (an up-to-date Xiaomi software). Download it from Google Play or the App Store.
  • πŸ”‹ Check the kit. The box should have the bracelet itself, the charging cable (magnetic connector) and the instructions. If the cable is not available, it is a fake or incomplete set.
  • πŸ”„ Update the phone software. Android/iOS It may conflict with the app, especially on older devices 2018 year-end.
  • πŸ“Ά Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation. Without that, the bracelet won't be able to connect to the phone even after it's turned on successfully.

Pay special attention to the charging cable. The Mi Band 4 has a connector on the back of the body (under the strap), and if the magnetic connector isn't tightly attracted, check if there's a protective film on the contacts, which is often forgotten to remove, which causes the bracelet to fail to charge.

πŸ“Š What version of the Mi Band you are using?
Mi Band 4
Mi Band 5/6
Mi Band 7/8
Another Xiaomi gadget
First time I'm buying.

Also worth considering is that the Mi Band 4 has two firmware versions: Chinese (for the domestic market) and global (for the rest of the world). If you bought the bracelet on AliExpress or in an unofficial store, there is a good chance of getting a Chinese version. It can be reflashed, but it will require additional actions (more on this at the end of the article).

How to Charge Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Before First Enablement

Charging the bracelet before first use is a critical step, and if you interrupt charging at halfway or use a non-original cable, the battery can lose up to 20% of its capacity after the first months of use.

  1. Connect the cable to the power supply. Use the output adapter. 5V/1A (Smartphone charging is fine. Don't use it. USB-Computer ports – they often give insufficient current.
  2. Put the bracelet on the cable, the magnetic connector should tightly pull on, and if the contact is weak, press the bracelet lightly with your hand.
  3. Wait for full charge. The indicator on the bracelet screen will show progress. The full cycle takes ~1.5-2 hours. Don't turn off the power until the indicator shows 100%.
On-screen indicatorMeaningAction.
πŸ”‹ (flashing)Charging 0-50%Don't turn it off!
πŸ”‹ (green-burn)Charging 50-99%You can briefly turn off for inspection
βœ… (green-stuff)100% chargeYou can turn off and turn on the bracelet.
❌ (cross-block)Charging errorCheck cable and contacts

If the bracelet does not start charging:

  • πŸ”Œ Check if the contacts are contaminated (wipe with an alcohol napkin).
  • πŸ”„ Try another one. USB-port.
  • πŸ“± Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds).

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet is dead and doesn't respond to charging, leave it connected to the network for 30 to 40 minutes, often after that it comes to life and starts charging.

Step-by-step: first inclusion of Mi Band 4

When the bracelet is fully charged, you can start to turn on. It is important to follow the instructions precisely to avoid synchronization errors.

Turn off the bracelet from charging.|Press and hold the touch button. 3 seconds|Wait for the vibration and the Mi logo|Select a language (if the menu appears)|Connect to the Mi app Fit/Zepp Life-->

  1. Press the touch button under the screen and hold it for 3-5 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the Mi logo. If the screen does not respond, check if the bracelet is sufficiently charged (minimum 30%).
  2. Some firmware will have a menu that will show you the choice of language, swipe through the options up/down and confirm the choice by clicking on the button, and if the menu does not appear, move on to the next step.
  3. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app, go to Profile β†’ Add device and select Mi Smart Band 4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  4. Confirmation of connection The bracelet will have a 4-digit code. Compare it to the code in the app and confirm pairing. If the codes don't match, reset the bracelet and try again.

If the error "Can not find the device" occurs at the connection stage:

  • πŸ“± Reboot your smartphone and bracelet.
  • πŸ”„ Turn Bluetooth on/off on your phone.
  • πŸ“Œ Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another device (e.g., a tablet).
What if the bracelet does not turn on after charging?
If the Mi Band 4 doesn’t respond to the press after full charging, try: 1. Connect it to charging again for 10 minutes, then turn off and hold the button for 15 seconds. 2. Check if moisture has fallen under the body (if the bracelet is wet). 3. Install the old Mi Fit app (for example, 4.6.0) – newer versions sometimes don’t support old firmware. If nothing helps, factory defects or battery damage are possible.

Setup of the bracelet after the first switching on: the main parameters

Once you have successfully connected to your phone, you need to configure the basic features of the Mi Band 4, which will take no more than 5 minutes, but will avoid problems in the future. Open the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app and go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4.

Here are the key settings that are worth checking right away:

  • ⏰ Time and date. Make sure they're synced to your phone. If not, update the bracelet firmware.
  • πŸ”” Notifications, turn on alerts for calls, SMS And messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) and set the vibration.
  • πŸƒ Activate the pedometer, monitor your sleep and heart rate, and identify your height, weight and age for accuracy.
  • πŸ”’ Lock the screen. PIN-code or fingerprint unlock (if supported by your smartphone).

You can also choose from a standard dial or download custom dials in the Mi Band 4 via apps like the Amazfit Watch Faces. However, not all dials are optimized for this model β€” some can brake or reset.

Setting upRecommended valueWhy is it important?
Autodefinition of sleepIncluded.Increases accuracy of sleep phase tracking
Heart rate measurementEvery 10 minutes.Balance between accuracy and battery consumption
Raising your hand to activateIncluded.Easy to view time without pressing a button
Vibration on notificationsAverage intensityToo weak vibrations may go unnoticed

πŸ’‘

After the first setup, sync the bracelet data with the application manually (click "Sync" in the device profile). This will prevent the statistics from losing for the first hours of use.

Typical errors on first turn on and how to avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet shows a "0%" charge after switching on, despite being fully charged, this is a sign of a power controller failure. Try resetting to factory settings (press the button for 20 seconds.

  • 🚫 Bracelet not visible in the app Reason: Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (earphones, speakers).Solution: Disable all other gadgets and reboot Bluetooth on your phone.
  • πŸ”„ Constant reboots Reason: Outdated firmware or incompatible application Solution: Update bracelet software through Profile β†’ Firmware update.
  • πŸ“΅ Touch button doesn't work Cause: Contact contamination or screen damage Solution: Wash the screen with alcohol solution. If it doesn't work, check the warranty.
  • πŸ”‹ Fast discharge after first switching on Reason: Background data synchronization or continuous heart rate monitoring enabled Solution: Turn off unnecessary notifications and set the pulse interval for 30 minutes.

Another common problem is that the clock is not correctly timed. If the wristband is in a hurry or lagging, check:

  1. Time zone settings in the smartphone (should coincide with the bracelet).
  2. Automatic time synchronization in the Mi Fit application.
  3. The firmware version (old versions had a bug with time zones).

How to Update Mi Band 4 Firmware After First Enablement

Updating the firmware is a must for the bracelet to work smoothly, and the manufacturer regularly releases patches that fix bugs and add new features.

  1. Check the current version Go to the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app, select a bracelet and go to Settings β†’ About Device β†’ Firmware version.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi The update requires an internet connection. Make sure the phone is connected to a stable network.
  3. Run the update In the same section, click Update firmware. If the update is available, confirm the installation.
  4. Wait until it's done. Don't unplug the bracelet from your phone or leave the app. It'll take a while. ~5-10 minutes.

If the update is suspended during the "Preparation for installation" stage:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot the bracelet and phone.
  • πŸ“± Remove the cache of the Mi Fit application in the smartphone settings.
  • πŸ”Œ Connect the bracelet to charge during the upgrade (sometimes helps with low charge).
What to do if the update is interrupted?
If the upgrade process is interrupted (for example, the phone is dead or the connection is lost), the bracelet may stop turning on. In this case: 1. Connect it to charging for 30 minutes. 2. Press the touch button for 15 seconds to reset. 3. Repeat the update attempt. If the bracelet does not respond, you will need to flash it through the PC (instructions are available on the 4PDA forums).

More tips for Mi Band 4 owners

To make the bracelet last longer and work without failure, follow these recommendations:

  • 🚿 Waterproof. Mi Band 4 has 5 protection ATM, But it is not recommended to swim with it in chlorinated or sea water - this reduces the life of seals.
  • πŸ”‹ Charge. Charge the bracelet every 10-15 days (at an average load). Do not keep it on charging for more than 3 hours, this damages the battery.
  • πŸ“± Synchronize: Manually sync data through the app once a week to avoid losing statistics.
  • πŸ”„ Reset. If the bracelet starts to glit, reset: Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Reset.

If you want to install custom dials, use proven sources, such as:

  • Amazfit Watch Faces (supports Mi Band 4)
  • 4PDA (Russian-language dials)

For the setting of dials:

  1. Download the file with the.bin extension.
  2. Put it in the Mi Fit β†’ watchfaces folder on your phone.
  3. In the app, select Profile β†’ Mi Band 4 β†’ Change dial β†’ Local.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet is slow to react to touch, try calibrating the screen: go to Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Calibration and follow the instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the first inclusion of Mi Band 4

πŸ”Ή Why the bracelet does not turn on after charging?
Possible causes: Insufficient charge (hold on charging for another 30 minutes); Factory marriage (if the bracelet is new, go to the store); Moisture getting under the body (try drying with a dryer in cold mode); If nothing helps, try resetting: press the button for 20 seconds.
πŸ”Ή Can I use Mi Band 4 without the app?
Technically, yes, but the functionality will be severely limited. Without the app, you can: See the time and date, use a pedometer (but no data history), receive call notifications (if they were previously configured), but data synchronization, firmware updates, and advanced features (sleep monitoring, heart rate) will not work.
πŸ”Ή How to distinguish the original Mi Band 4 from a fake?
Original features: High-quality packaging with a Xiaomi hologram; clear font on the body and strap (fakes often blurry letters); magnetic charging cable with tight contact; serial number on the case (can be checked on the Xiaomi website); counterfeits usually have a duller screen and discharge quickly.
πŸ”Ή What to do if the bracelet is connected but does not show notifications?
Check: Are notifications enabled in the phone settings for the Mi Fit app. Are app-specific notifications (WhatsApp, SMS, etc.) allowed in Mi Fit β†’ Notifications. Should the bracelet be in Do Not Disturb mode (Settings β†’ Do Not Disturb). If the problem persists, reconnect the bracelet to the phone.
πŸ”Ή How to Reset Mi Band 4 to Factory Settings?
There are two ways: via the app: Profile β†’ Mi Band 4 β†’ Additional β†’ Reset. Hardware reset: Press the touch button for 15-20 seconds until you feel the vibration. After the reset, all data will be deleted, and the bracelet will have to be reconfigured.