The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet has become one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face a seemingly simple task of turning off the device completely. Unlike smartphones, where the power button is always at hand, this process can be questionable for smart wristbands.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable the Mi Band 4, including standard methods through the menu, forced shutdown when hanging, as well as the nuances of working with the Mi Fit application. Particular attention will be paid to situations where the bracelet does not respond to presses or requires a complete reset. You will learn how to avoid typical errors and what to do if the device does not turn off in the usual way.
Why you should turn off the Xiaomi Mi Band 4
At first glance, the need to turn off the fitness bracelet seems questionable, because it is designed to work around the clock.
- 🔋 Saving battery life over long-term storage (for example, if you don’t plan on using the bracelet for several weeks).
- ⚡ Removing software failures when the device starts to glitch or does not sync with the smartphone.
- ✈️ Preparation for flight – some airlines require you to turn off electronic devices during flight.
- 🔄 Reset before sale or transfer to another user.
- 🛠️ Repair or replacement of the battery – in this case, a complete shutdown is mandatory.
It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 4 doesn’t have a classic power button, all of which are done via a touch screen or a combination of taps on a physical button, which often causes confusion among new users, especially if they’ve previously dealt with other fitness trackers.
Method 1: Standard shutdown through the bracelet menu
The easiest and most recommended way is to use the device's built-in menu. Here's a step-by-step instruction:
- Wake up the bracelet screen by touching it or pressing the physical button under the display.
- Scroll the menu to the right until you find the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cogs).
- In the settings menu, scroll down to the Turn off item (the icon with the cross in the circle).
- Confirm the action by touching the tick ✓ on the screen.
The bracelet will start the shutdown process, which takes about 5-10 seconds, and the screen will go out and the device will shut down completely, and this method works 90% of the time if the bracelet is functional and not locked.
Make sure the bracelet is at least 10% charged.
Disable it from the Mi Fit app on your phone
Close all active notifications on the screen
Press the button only after the "Switch off" menu appears.
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⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet does not respond for more than 30 seconds after clicking Turn off, do not try to repeat the action repeatedly.This may cause a software failure. Instead, use the forced reboot method (described below).
Method 2: Forced shutdown when getting stuck
Sometimes the Mi Band 4 can freeze, the screen doesn't respond to touch, or the device vibrates for no reason.
- Find a physical button on the bracelet body (located below the screen).
- Hold it for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
- Release the button and the bracelet will turn off.
This method simulates battery extraction and resets all temporary data in the device memory. After such a shutdown, the next time you turn on, you may need to re-synchronize with the Mi Fit application.
What to do if the button does not work?
Forced shutdowns should only be used in extreme cases, as they interrupt all background processes, for example, if the bracelet is updating the firmware at this point, a system failure may occur.
Method 3: Turning off via Mi Fit
The official Mi Fit app (or its Zepp Life alternative for newer versions) allows you to control some of the bracelet's features remotely, but there's no direct "Switch Off" command.
- Open the Mi Fit app on your smartphone.
- Go to the Profile section → Xiaomi Mi Band 4.
- Select the device settings → Reset settings.
- Confirm the reset - the bracelet will reset and disconnect.
This method actually performs a soft reset, after which the device returns to the factory settings. Note that all your data (steps, pulse, alarm settings) will be deleted!
| Way of turning off | Implementation time | Is the data preserved? | Is it suitable for a hanging bracelet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the wristband menu | 5-10 seconds | Yes. | No. |
| Forced (button) | 10-15 seconds | No (cache resets) | Yes. |
| Through the Mi Fit app | 1-2 minutes | No (full reset) | Yes. |
| Battery discharge | 12-24 hours | Yes. | Yes (extreme case) |
Method 4: Complete battery discharge as a last resort
If the bracelet is completely locked and does not respond to any manipulation, the only way is to wait until it discharges.
- ⏳ Long wait - with full charge to discharge can take up to 2-3 days (depending on the battery model).
- 🔌 Accelerate discharge: connect the bracelet to the charger and immediately disconnect – this will reset part of the processes and accelerate the discharge.
- 🔄 After discharging, the bracelet will turn on automatically when connected to charging, so immediately reset through the menu.
⚠️ Attention: Frequent full battery discharges shorten battery life. Mi Band 4 lithium polymer batteries are designed for 300-500 charge cycles, and deep discharge is considered a full cycle!
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If the bracelet does not discharge for a long time, place it in a place with a low temperature (for example, a refrigerator for 1-2 hours). This will temporarily increase energy consumption. Do not use a freezer - condensation can damage electronics!
Method 5: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
This method should only be used if other methods have not worked, as it completely erases all data from the bracelet, including linking to the account.
- Turn off the bracelet from the charger (if it was connected).
- Press the physical button for 20-30 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
- Release the button and the bracelet will begin the reset process.
- After restarting (about 1-2 minutes), the device will be as new.
After Hard Reset, you will need to:
- Re-attach the bracelet to your Mi Fit account.
- Set up all settings (time, notifications, activity goals).
- Update the firmware if a new version is available.
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Hard Reset is not just a shutdown, it's a complete flashing of the device, and only use it when you crash or when you sell the bracelet.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users make common mistakes when trying to turn off Mi Band 4, which leads to additional problems.
- 🔄 Pressing a button multiple times - if the bracelet does not respond to the first press, you do not need to press the button dozens of times in a row.
- 🔌 Turn off during the update – if the load indicator is on the screen (⏳), Never interrupt the process! wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
- 📱 Ignoring synchronization – before turning off via the menu, make sure that all data (steps, pulse) is synchronized with the application.
- 💦 Turning off the wet bracelet – if the device is wet, dry it first for 1-2 hours.
Another common mistake is to try to turn off the bracelet through Flight Mode, which only turns off Bluetooth and notifications, but doesn't turn off the device completely. To really save charge, use the standard shutdown via the menu.