Why you need a program for Mi Band 4
The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet is one of the most popular wearables, but without a special application, its capabilities are limited. The bracelet program not only synchronizes data with the phone, but also reveals all the functionality from sleep monitoring to notification management, without it, the bracelet becomes a regular pedometer with minimal features.
Choosing the right app depends on your goals. Xiaomiβs official solution offers basic functionality and stable operation, but alternative programs often add advanced settings, additional widgets, and even support for informal firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the options available, from the standard Mi Fit to little-known but useful utilities.
Official application Mi Fit: pros and cons
Mi Fit (renamed Xiaomi Wear in some regions) is the default default software from the manufacturer, and supports all of the features of the Mi Band 4, including:
- π Synchronizing steps, calories and activities
- π€ Phase-division sleep analysis (light, deep, REM)
- β€οΈ Measurement of pulse and notification of high/low heart rate
- π± Managing Notifications from Smartphone (Calls, SMS, messengers)
- π Monitoring of battery level
But Mi Fit has its drawbacks: First, limited customization: you can't change the fonts, colors or order of the screens on the wristband; second, some users complain of unstable sync, especially on iOS devices; and third, the app collects location and activity data, which can raise privacy concerns.
Download Mi Fit is free of charge:
- π€ Google Play for Android
- π App Store for iOS
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If the bracelet doesnβt connect after installing the Mi Fit, try turning off Bluetooth, restarting your smartphone and enabling geolocation β this often solves the problem.
Zepp (formerly Amazfit): Xiaomiβs alternative with advanced features
In 2020, Xiaomi began gradually replacing Mi Fit with the Zepp app (formerly known as Amazfit), which is positioned as more advanced, with improved analytics and support for Huami ecosystem devices (including Mi Band 4).
- π More detailed training statistics (including: VOβ max)
- π Improved sleep analysis with recommendations for improvement
- π― Personalized goals based on activity history
- π Best sync with Google Fit and Apple Health
Zepp is not without its flaws, however. First, it can be overloaded for beginners; second, some features (such as training plans) are subscription-only; and third, Zepp does not support all regions at the time of writing, and in some countries the app may not work smoothly.
You can download Zepp from the following links:
- π€ Google Play
- π App Store
How to transfer data from Mi Fit to Zepp?
Notify & Fitness: The Best Customization Solution
If you don't like the limitations of official apps, you should pay attention to Notify & Fitness for Mi Band, a third-party solution that allows you to completely reflash the bracelet, change the dials, add new features and even install informal firmware.
- π¨ More than 1,000 customized dials (including animated dials)
- π Flexible notification settings (application filtering, vibration, sounds)
- π§ The ability to change the order of the screens and add new widgets
- π² Support for gestures (such as shaking to turn on the screen)
- π Data export in format CSV For analysis in Excel or Google Sheets
But there are pitfalls: first, the app is paid (cost ~300 rubles); second, some features require unlocking the bracelet loader, which can lead to loss of warranty; third, not all informal firmware is stable - there is a risk of encountering bugs.
Notify & Fitness is available for Android:
- π€ Google Play
Turn off automatic updates in Mi Fit|Make a backup copy of the data|Charge the bracelet to 100%|Make sure the firmware version is compatible with your model-->
Comparison of applications: what to choose for your tasks
To make it easier to choose, we have compiled a comparison table of key parameters, and note that some features may vary depending on the application version and region.
| Parameter | Mi Fit | Zepp | Notify & Fitness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free of charge. | Free (premium subscription features) | Paid (~300 β½) |
| Support for iOS | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| Customization of dials | Limited (official topics) | Extended (more options) | Maximum (1000+ topics, including custom) |
| Sleep analysis | Basic (sleep phases) | Extended (recommendations, VOβ max) | Basic (but with data export) |
| Notifications | Standard (calls, SMS, messengers) | Extended (filtering by application) | Maximum flexibility (vibration, sound settings) |
| Informal firmware | No. | No. | Yes (with the risk of loss of warranty) |
If you want stability and basic functionality, choose Mi Fit or Zepp. Notify & Fitness is the best option for customization and experimentation. There is almost no alternative for iOS users, only official apps.
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Notify & Fitness is the only app that allows you to install unofficial firmware, but it requires technical skills and can void the warranty.
How to install and configure the application: step-by-step instructions
The installation process depends on the selected software, but the general scheme looks like this:
- Download the app from the official store (Google Play or App Store). Avoid third-party sources - they may contain viruses.
- Sign up for an account (Mi Fit and Zepp will require a Xiaomi account).If you already have a profile in the Xiaomi ecosystem, use it.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and make sure the bracelet is charged (at least 20%).
- Add the device in the app via Profile menu β Add the device β Mi Smart Band 4.
- Follow the instructions on the screen. The bracelet should vibrate when connected successfully.
Once connected, it is recommended that:
- π Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version (in Device Settings) β Update of the PO).
- βοΈ Set up notifications in the Notifications section (select the apps you want to receive alerts from).
- π Activate sleep monitoring in Settings β Sleep monitoring.
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If the bracelet doesnβt find your smartphone, try turning off the power saving for the Mi Fit app in your Android battery settings. On your iPhone, check that the app is allowed Bluetooth access in Settings β Privacy β Bluetooth.
For Notify & Fitness, the process is more complicated:
- Install the application and provide all necessary permissions.
- Connect the bracelet through the Connect a device menu.
- If you plan to install custom firmware, pre-unlock the bootloader (instructions are in the FAQ application).
- Download your favorite dial from the built-in catalog or download your own.
How to unlock the Mi Band 4 bootloader?
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even with official apps, users are facing challenges, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
β οΈ Warning: If the bracelet stops turning on after the firmware update, try resetting it to factory settings. To do this, press the touch button for 10 seconds until the vibration appears!
- π Bracelet not connected: Reboot your smartphone and bracelet. Remove the device from the list of connected devices in the phone's Bluetooth settings and add it again. Update the bracelet's app and firmware.
- π΅ No notifications: Check notification settings in the app (Device Profile) β Notifications. Turn off Do Not Disturb modes on your phone and bracelet. Android: Allow the app to auto-run in the battery settings.
- π Battery goes down quickly: Turn off constant heart rate monitoring (Settings) β Monitoring of heart rate β Off. Reduce the brightness of the bracelet screen. Turn off notifications from unnecessary apps.
- π Data out of sync: Check your internet connection. log out of your app account and log in again. Update date and time on your smartphone (incorrect settings can block syncs).
If the problem is not solved, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings through the application (Device Settings β Reset).
Alternative ways to control Mi Band 4 without a smartphone
Few people know, but Xiaomi Mi Band 4 can be used without a constant connection to the phone. For example, for the simplest functions (stepper, alarm clock, timer) you just need to set the bracelet once through the application and then turn off Bluetooth.
There are other ways of managing:
- π» PC: Gadgetbridge, open source software, can synchronize data from your computer, suitable for Linux and Windows.
- π₯οΈ Mi Fit Web Version: Some features (view statistics) are available via the browser at account.huami.com.
- π± Secondary devices: The bracelet can be connected to multiple smartphones (such as home and work), but the data will be duplicated.
Gadgetbridge is an interesting alternative for open source fans.
- Synchronizing Steps and Sleep
- Management of notifications
- Installation of custom firmware (for experienced users)
You can download Gadgetbridge from the official website: gadgetbridge.org. Note that the interface of the program is less friendly than mobile applications, and it will take time to set up.