How to turn on and configure the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet: from charging to synchronization

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular trackers even years after its release, thanks to its combination of simplicity, functionality and affordable price. However, beginners often have questions about how to turn the device on correctly, what to do if it does not respond to clicks, and how to sync it with a smartphone. In this article, we will discuss the activation process from scratch, including preparation, charging and setting up through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit).

It's important to understand that the Mi Band 4 doesn't have a physical power button -- it activates automatically after charging, but there are some nuances: if the bracelet is zero, it can take up to 10 minutes to connect to the charger before it gives the first signs of life, and we'll tell you how to avoid typical errors and what to do in non-standard situations.

Preparation for the first inclusion: what to check before starting

Before you start powering up the Mi Band 4, make sure you have everything you need. Often users are faced with problems due to the banal absence of the original cable or incompatible power supply.

• 🔌 Original charging cable. Included with Mi Band 4 comes a special USB-Magnetic connector cables, using third-party cables can damage the contacts.
• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+. Mi Fitness does not support older versions of operating systems.
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection: Downloading the application and synchronizing the data will require access to the network.
• ⚡ Outlet charger 5V/1A. Powerful adapters (such as smartphones) can shorten the life of the bracelet battery.

Pay special attention to the status of the contacts on the bracelet and cable. If they are contaminated or oxidized, clean them with a soft napkin dipped in alcohol. Using wet wipes or abrasive materials can damage the gilded coating of the contacts, which will lead to problems with charging.

Charging the bracelet: how to connect correctly and how much to wait

The charging process of the Mi Band 4 is very different from smartphones or smartwatches, and there's no USB-C or Micro-USB connector, instead, a magnetic connector that attaches to the back of the module. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

1. Remove the bracelet capsule from the strap by pressing the button from the back.
2. Connect the capsule contacts to the magnetic cable connector, and the correct position is when the Mi logo on the bracelet is on top.
3. Connect the cable to a power source (computer, charger or power bank).

When you plug in, the bracelet should have a charging indicator, a battery icon with an animation of filling, if the screen is empty:

• 🔄 Check the density of the contacts (the click of the magnet should be heard).
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes – with a deep discharge, the bracelet may not show an indication immediately.

The full charge time is 1.5-2 hours, the completion of the process is signaled by 100% on the bracelet screen and automatic shutdown (the magnetic connector no longer holds the capsule).

⚠️ Note: Do not use wireless charging stations or output adapters more 1.5A. This can lead to overheating of the battery and reduce its service life.

First Entry: What to Do After Charging

When the bracelet is charged, it automatically turns on -- you don't have to press buttons or hold the sensor -- the Mi logo will appear on the screen, followed by the main menu.

• 🔋 Make sure the charge is complete (the indicator shows 100%).
• 👆 Touch the bracelet screen – sometimes the sensor requires initial calibration.
• 🔄 Reboot the device by plugging it into charging for 10 seconds, then turn it off.

At the first stage, the bracelet will suggest selecting a language.

1. Swipe the menu up/down.
2. Find English or Russian (if supported by your firmware version).
3. Confirm your choice by pressing the screen.

If the language you want isn't on the list, don't worry, it can be changed later through the Mi Fitness app, and the key at this point is to make sure the bracelet responds to touch and displays information.

Connection with a smartphone: installing an application and synchronizing

Without connecting to a smartphone, the Mi Band 4 works like a regular pedometer clock. To unlock all functions (notifications, sleep monitoring, pulsemeter), you need to install an official app:

• 📲 For Android: Download Mi Fitness from Google Play.
• 🍎 For iOS: install the app from the App Store.

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (you can use Google, Facebook or phone number).
2. Click Add Device → Select Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 4.
3. Allow the application to access notifications, contacts, and geolocation (necessary for the functions to function properly).
4. Follow the instructions on the smartphone screen to complete the pairing.

If the bracelet is not on the list of available devices:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (plug in to charge for 10 seconds).
• 📶 Make sure your smartphone has Bluetooth and geolocation enabled.
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN Firewalls – they can block the connection.

💡

If you already have another Mi Band bracelet connected, remove it from the app before adding a new one.

Basic setting: hours, notifications and monitoring

After successful pairing, open the Profile tab in the Mi Fitness app and select your Mi Band 4. Here are the basic settings:

Pay special attention to setting notifications. By default, the bracelet vibrates at any alerts, which can quickly drain the battery.

• 📞 Incoming calls
• 💬 Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
• ⏰ Alarm clocks and reminders

To activate ongoing heart monitoring, go to Device Profile → Heart Monitor → Continuous. Note that this reduces battery life from 20 days to 5-7 days.

⚠️ Note: If notifications don't come to the bracelet after setting up, check the permissions for the Mi Fitness app in your smartphone settings. on Android 13+ Separate permission to access notifications is required.

Firmware Update: How to Check and Install the Latest Version

The Mi Band 4 firmware is regularly updated, with bugs fixed, new features added (e.g. support for additional languages or gestures) to check the relevance of the version:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app.
2. Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.

The update process takes 5-10 minutes, during which time:

• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is at least 50 times charged%.
• 📶 Do not interrupt the Bluetooth connection.
• 🚫 Do not use the bracelet until installation is complete.

After the update, the device will automatically restart if an error occurs (e.g., the update failed):

• 🔄 Reboot the bracelet and smartphone.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the problem is blocking traffic by the provider).
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of the Mi Fitness application in the smartphone settings.

💡

Updating the firmware may reset some bracelet settings (such as screen order or alarm clocks).

Solving common problems after inclusion

Even after successful inclusion, Mi Band users 4 Sometimes they get into trouble.-5 problems and solutions:

If the bracelet is not determined by the app after several attempts, try:

1. Remove it from the list of devices in Mi Fitness.
2. Reset the bracelet settings to factory (Settings → Additional → Reset).
3. Reinstall the application, having previously cleared its data.

To reset settings without accessing the menu (for example, if the screen is not working):

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press and hold the touch button for 15 seconds.
3. After vibration, release - the bracelet will reboot with factory settings.

Frequently asked questions