How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: from charging to the first setup

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness trackers thanks to its combination of affordable price, compactness and wide functionality. However, even such a simple device can raise questions for a beginner: how to turn it on correctly after purchase, what to do if the screen does not respond to touch, or how to get out of deep discharge mode. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios from the first activation to restore performance after a long downtime.

It is important to understand that the process of turning on the Mi Band 4 depends on the current state of the bracelet: whether it is a new device out of the box, whether it is discharged to zero, or you are trying to reboot it after a failure. We will look at each case separately, and also give recommendations for eliminating typical problems, such as a lack of response to charging or inability to connect to the Mi Fit application.

If you've just unpacked the bracelet or pulled it out after months without using it, don't panic if it doesn't show signs of life. 90% of the time, the problem is solved with the right sequence of actions -- and we'll describe it in detail.

Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before activation

Before you try to turn on Mi Band 4, make sure all the prerequisites are met, which will save you from unnecessary manipulation and help you avoid typical mistakes.

The first thing you need to do is charge the bracelet, and even if the indicator shows a residual charge, you better plug it into the charger for 15 to 20 minutes, because if you store it for a long time, the battery could run to a critical level, and a short recharge will help wake the device up. Use only the original cable or a certified analogue, and unoriginal charges can damage the contacts.

The second is to check your smartphone’s compatibility. Mi Band 4 works with Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+ devices. If your phone is older, you may need to update your firmware or use another gadget to set up. Also make sure that the smartphone has the Mi Fit app (or its Zepp Life alternative for new versions).

• 📱 Mi Fit for Android
• 🍎 Mi Fit for iOS

Three, check the bracelet for physical damage.

• 🔌 Integrity of charging contacts (they must be clean, without oxidation).
• 💧 Lack of moisture under the body (if the bracelet was stored in a wet place).
• 📶 The operation of the touch button (it should be slightly bent when pressed).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet fell from a height or was severely impacted, the internal components could move away from the board, in which case it may not be possible to turn on without repair.

Method 1: Standardly switching on a new bracelet out of the box

If you have just unpacked the Mi Band 4 and it has never been used, the activation process is as simple as possible.

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger. Use the original cable by inserting it into the USB-port (5V/1A). Contacts on the bracelet should fit tightly to the charger - you will hear a slight click.
2. Wait for the indication to appear. In 5-10 seconds, the charging icon (lightning battery) should appear on the screen. If the indicator does not light up, try to slightly move the bracelet in the charging socket or clean the contacts with a dry cloth.
3. Charge to 20 to 30 percent. The first charge is minimal. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge.
4. Press the touch button. Once you've turned off charging, a single touch of the button under the screen should turn on the bracelet. If there's no reaction, try holding the button for 3-5 seconds.

If the bracelet is turned on, the Mi logo will appear on the screen, after which it will go to standby mode, now it can be connected to the smartphone via the Mi Fit app. If the screen remains black, move to the next method.

Method 2: Energize after deep discharge (bracelet does not respond to charging)

One of the most common problems is that the Mi Band 4 doesn't show signs of life after a long period of downtime, and that's because the lithium polymer battery has run out of power to a point where the power controller is blocking charging, which requires you to force the bracelet to wake up.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the bracelet to charge. Use the original cable and power adapter (do not connect to the power adapter). USB-port of the computer - current strength may not be sufficient).
2. Hold the touch button for 10 to 15 seconds. Don't let go of it even if there's no reaction. Sometimes it takes several attempts.
3. Wait 30 to 60 minutes. If the bracelet is discharged to zero, the controller needs time to store enough power to turn on. The charging indicator may not appear immediately.
4. Check the temperature of the bracelet. If it gets hot, it's a sign that it's charging, and if it stays cold, it could be the cable or the battery.

If the charging indicator has not appeared after an hour, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Use another one. USB-port or charger (e.g. from a smartphone).
• 🧹 Clean the bracelet contacts and charge with alcohol or eraser (oxidation can block the charge).
• 🔋 Try lighting up another Mi Band 4 bracelet with a wire (for power users only!).

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet is not charged for more than a day and all of the above methods do not help, the battery or power controller is likely to fail.

Method 3: Forced reset (if the bracelet is getting stuck)

Sometimes the Mi Band 4 can freeze, the screen doesn't respond to touch, doesn't display notifications, or shows the same picture, and then hard reset helps, which will return the bracelet to factory settings, but all the data (steps, pulse, etc.) will be deleted.

To perform the discharge:

1. Turn off the bracelet from charging (if it was connected).
2. Find a small hole next to the charging contacts on the case - this is the reset button.
3. Take a paper clip or a toothpick and press the hole inside before you click. Hold it for 3-5 seconds.
4. Release the button. The bracelet should vibrate and reset.

After resetting the bracelet will be turned on in the initial setting mode (will show) QR-If the reset didn't work, try repeating the procedure by pre-charging the device to 50%.

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If after resetting the bracelet does not vibrate and does not show QR-try to connect it to the charger and hold the touch button for 20 seconds, sometimes it helps to wake the controller.

Connection to a smartphone and initial setting

Once the Mi Band 4 is successfully enabled, you need to link it to your smartphone.

1. Open the Mi Fit app and log in (or sign up if you don’t have a Xiaomi account).
2. Click "Add device" (the icon "+" in the upper right corner).
3. Choose from the list of Mi Smart Band 4.
4. Allow the application to access notifications, geolocation and contacts (this is necessary for the correct operation of the bracelet functions).
5. Put the smartphone camera on QR-code that is displayed on the bracelet screen.
6. Wait until the synchronization is completed (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).

Once connected, it is recommended that:

• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware (if an update is available).
• ⏰ Set up automatic sleep detection.
• 🔔 Select priority notifications (calls, SMS, messengers).
• 🏃‍♂️ Activate activity tracking (steps, pulse, exercise).

If the bracelet doesn't sync the data (steps, pulse) after you've connected, try turning it off in Mi Fit and plugging it back in again. Sometimes it helps to reboot your smartphone.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after successful activation, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

1.The bracelet does not vibrate at notifications

Reasons:

• 🔕 Vibration disabled in Mi Fit settings.
• 📵 The bracelet is not synchronized with the smartphone.
• 🔋 Too low charge (less than 10%).

Solution: Check the notification settings in the app and the charge level. If the problem persists, reset the bracelet.

2.The screen does not respond to touch

Reasons:

• 💦 Moisture entering the sensor.
• 🔋 Discharge of the battery to a critical level.
• 🛠️ Software failure.

Solution: Dry the bracelet (if it's wet), charge up to 100% and reset. If the sensor doesn't work after that, the hardware malfunctions.

3.The bracelet discharges quickly

Reasons:

• 🔄 Frequent synchronization with the phone.
• 📊 Continuous pulse monitoring.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Active use GPS (if maintained).

Solution: Turn off unnecessary functions in Mi Fit (such as continuous heart rate monitoring) and reduce synchronization frequency.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is discharged in 1-2 days with minimal use, this is a sign of battery wear. The average battery life of the Mi Band 4 is 2-3 years, after which its capacity is markedly reduced.

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If the bracelet doesn't turn on after all the manipulations, check it on another charger. In 30% of cases, the problem lies in the faulty cable or adapter, not in the bracelet itself.

How to extend the life of the battery Mi Band 4

The battery life of the Mi Band 4 depends on the operating conditions, and here are some tips to help maintain battery capacity:

• 🔋 Avoid full discharge. Try to recharge the bracelet at 20-30 charge levels%.
• 🌡️ Do not leave the bracelet on charge for more than 3-4 hours. Overcharging accelerates battery degradation.
• 🔥 Do not use the bracelet in extreme temperatures (below). -10°C or higher +40°C).
• 💧 Avoid getting moisture into the charging port. After swimming or shower, dry the bracelet.
• 📵 Disable unnecessary features (such as notifications from social networks) if you do not use them.

The average battery life of the Mi Band 4 is about 500 full charge cycles, which, when used carefully, lasts for 2-3 years of active use. If the battery capacity has decreased significantly (the bracelet holds a charge for less than a day), consider replacing the battery in the service center.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions