Xiaomi Mi Band 4 not included? full activation and problem-solving guide

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 smartwatch remains one of the most popular fitness trackers even years after its release, and its simplicity, functionality and affordable price attract millions of users. However, many face the problem: the device does not turn on after purchase, long-term storage or discharge. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on the Mi Band 4, from the standard procedure to solving emergency situations.

It's important to understand that the causes of "failure" can be different, from trivial discharge to software failures. We're not going to limit ourselves to basic tips like "charge the device" - we're going to look at unique activation methods through reset, bypass locks and even hardware checks that are rarely mentioned in standard instructions. If your tracker is dead weight, this article will help bring it back to life.

1.Standard inclusion of Xiaomi Mi Band 4: Step-by-step

So, to start with the baseline scenario, if you've just unpacked a device or it's been lying around for a long time, try the standard on-line procedure first.

  1. Charge the device. Connect the tracker to the charging cable (original or pogo-pin compatible connector). Wait for the charging indicator to appear, the red battery icon on the screen. If the indicator does not appear within 5 minutes, proceed to the fault section.
  2. Long press. After 10-15 minutes of charging, press and hold the touch button under the screen for 5-7 seconds.
  3. If the screen catches fire but the tracker doesn’t sync, install the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life for newer versions) and follow the pairing instructions.

If the Mi Band 4 doesn’t respond, check:

  • πŸ”‹ Cable and Power Unit: Try Another USB-port or charger: faulty cables are a common cause of problems.
  • πŸ“± Smartphone compatibility: the device requires Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+. On older versions of the OS, errors may occur.
  • πŸ”„ Rebooting the smartphone: sometimes Bluetooth conflicts are solved by a simple reboot of the phone.
πŸ“Š How long have you had Xiaomi Mi Band 4?
Less than a month.
1-6 months
More than a year.
I bought a b/w recently.
I remember.

If the standard method didn't work, don't panic, and 80 percent of the time, it's reset or reflash, which I'll talk about later.

Hard Reset Mi Band 4: When Nothing Helps

Hard reset is a last resort measure that returns the device to factory settings, and it should be used if:

  • πŸ”„ Tracker got stuck on the Mi logo and does not respond to pressing.
  • πŸ“΅ Cannot connect to the Mi Fit app after several attempts.
  • πŸ”‹ The device turns on, but immediately turns off or works unstablely.

To perform the discharge:

Charge the device to at least 50%|Disconnect from the smartphone in Bluetooth settings|Make sure there are no active notifications on the screen|Prepare a pin or paper clip for hardware reset (if required)-->

  1. Connect the tracker to charging and wait for the battery indicator to appear.
  2. Press and hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and lights up again.
  3. If the touch button doesn't work, use a hardware reset: Remove the tracker capsule from the strap. On the back, find a small hole next to the charging connector. Put a pin or paper clip into it and hold it for 5-7 seconds until you feel the vibration.

Once reset, the device will reboot and return to factory settings, and you will need to reconnect it to the Mi Fit app.

What to do if the reset does not work?
If the Mi Band 4 still doesn't turn on after a hard reset, the problem may be in the firmware or hardware, in which case try: Swipe the device through Mi Fit (Firmware Update section), check the charging contacts for oxidation or damage, contact the service center if the warranty is still valid.

⚠️ Warning: Hardware reset erases all data from the device, including activity statistics. If the tracker was synchronized with the Mi Fit, the data can be restored after reconnecting.

3. Charging problems: why the Mi Band 4 doesn't charge or turn on

One of the most common causes of a dead tracker is charging problems, and even if you plug in the cable, the device may not be powered.

Symptoms.Possible causeDecision
The charging indicator is not on.Faulty cable or power supplyTry another cable/charging. Check the contacts for dirt.
Charging is going, but very slowly.Weak power source (USB-port)Connect to the charger from your smartphone (5V/1A or 5V/2A).
The tracker heats up during chargingShort circuit or damaged batteryShut off the power immediately. Do not use the device until repaired.
Charging is underway, but the device is not switched onDeep battery dischargeLeave on charging for 1-2 hours, then try to turn on.

If you suspect that the battery is a problem, you can check its condition with a multimeter (if you have experience with electronics).Normal voltage charged battery Mi Band 4 - 3.7V-4.2V. If the voltage is below 3.0V, the device may not turn on due to the protection of the controller.

πŸ’‘

If the tracker is not charging, try clearing the charging contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.Oxidation or dirt often blocks the current transfer.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the firmware of the power controller, and if all of the above methods did not work, then all that remains is to flash or replace the battery.

4.Reflashing Mi Band 4: Restore via Mi Fit

If the Mi Band 4 is turned on but not working properly (hangs, synchronization errors, no response to presses), flashing can help. This method is also relevant if the device has been upgraded to an unstable version of the software.

For flashing:

  1. Install the latest version of the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) app.
  2. Connect the tracker to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
  3. Go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Update firmware.
  4. If an update is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).

If the automatic update does not work:

  • πŸ“± Check the stability of the Internet connection (better use Wi-Fi).
  • πŸ”„ Reboot your smartphone and tracker.
  • πŸ“‹ Make sure there is enough free space on your smartphone (required) ~10-15 MB).

⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the firmware update process! This can cause the device to fail completely. If the firmware is stuck during the boot phase, wait. 15-20 Minutes – sometimes the process takes longer due to slow internet.

If the standard update doesn’t work, you can try manual firmware through third-party utilities (such as Mi Band 4 Tools or Notify & Fitness).However, this method requires experience and can void the warranty.

πŸ’‘

Flashing through the official app is the safest way to recover the Mi Band 4. Use third-party tools only if other methods have failed.

5. Hardware malfunctions: when software methods are powerless

If none of the above methods worked, the problem may lie in the hardware of the device, and here are the most common malfunctions and their signs:

  • πŸ”‹ Battery Failed: Tracker only turns on on charging and immediately shuts off after shutdown.Battery life reduced to several hours.The device heats up strongly during charging.
  • πŸ“± Damaged screen or plume: The screen doesn't respond to the presses, but the vibration works. Artifacts (stripes, flickering) appear on the display).
  • πŸ”Œ Faulty power controller: The device is not charged by any cable. charging indicator flashes and goes off.

To diagnose hardware problems:

  1. Disassemble the tracker (carefully tucking the capsule with a plastic card).
  2. Check the integrity of the plumes and contacts.
  3. Measure the voltage on the battery with a multimeter.

If you do not have experience in electronics repair, it is better to contact the service center.The cost of replacing the battery or screen in the Mi Band 4 usually does not exceed 1000-1500 rubles, which is cheaper than buying a new device.

6. Alternative activation methods: if nothing works

In rare cases, the Mi Band 4 may not turn on due to a lock from the previous owner (if the device is used) or a memory failure.

  • πŸ”„ Reset via Mi Fit app: Connect tracker to smartphone. in app go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Untie the device. Once untie, re-pair.

Using another smartphone:

Battery roll:

12-24 hour

If the tracker was linked to another Xiaomi account, you may need to reset via Mi Account.

  1. Sign in to the Mi Fit app under the same account to which the tracker was attached.
  2. Untie the device in the settings.
  3. Reset the tracker (see section 2).

In extreme cases, you can try to flash the device through ADB, but this requires technical skills and can lead to a complete loss of performance.

7. Frequent User Errors and How to Avoid Them

Many Mi Band 4 problems are caused by user misconduct, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

Mistake.Effects of consequencesHow to avoid
Use of non-original charging cableDamage to the power controller, slow chargingUse only certified cables with a pogo-pin connector.
Interrupting firmware updates"Overfitting" of the device, loss of performanceDo not disconnect the tracker from the smartphone during the update.
Long-term storage in a discharged stateDeep battery discharge, failureCharge the device at least once every 2-3 months.
Moisture entering the charging connectorShort circuit, corrosion of contactsDry the device after contact with water.

Many users also forget that the Mi Band 4 has child protection, and if the screen is locked, you can unlock it with a long press of the button (3-5 seconds).

Another typical situation is that the tracker vibrates, but the screen doesn't turn on.

  • πŸ”‹ A discharged battery (even if the charging indicator is on fire).
  • πŸ“΅ Damaged display plume.
  • πŸ”„ Software failure (resetting will help).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My Mi Band 4 doesn't turn on after the firmware update.
If the tracker stopped working after the upgrade, try: Connect it to charging for 1-2 hours. perform a hard reset (see section 2). Refuse the device via Mi Fit (if it is determined by the smartphone). If nothing helps, contact the service center - it may be that the firmware was damaged.
The tracker turns on, but it turns off.
This problem is usually related to: πŸ”‹ A discharged battery (even if the indicator showed charge). πŸ”Œ Faulty power controller (requires repair). πŸ”„ Software failure (reset will help). Try to leave the device on charge at 12.+ hours, then perform the reset.
Can I turn on Mi Band 4 without charging cable?
No, the Mi Band 4 doesn't have a removable battery, so you can't turn it on without charging. If you lose the cable, you can: Buy a new original cable (cost ~300-500 rubles), use a universal cable with a pogo-pin connector (suitable for many fitness trackers), contact the service center for diagnosis.
How to distinguish the original Mi Band 4 from a fake?
Fake devices often don't turn on or don't work properly.Signs of the original: πŸ“¦ Box with hologram and serial number. πŸ” On the back of the capsule is the inscription Mi Band. 4 and serial number. πŸ“± The device is determined in the official application Mi Fit. πŸ”‹ Battery holds charge 10-15 If you suspect that your device is a fake, check it through the Mi Fit app or on the official Xiaomi website using the serial number.
How long does it take to charge the Mi Band 4 for the first turn on?
When first switched on or after a deep discharge, it is recommended to charge the device: At least 30 minutes for the charging indicator to appear. 1-2 hours for full charging (if the battery is discharged to zero). If the tracker does not turn on after charging, try holding the 10-15 seconds button for forced start.