Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and iPhone: how to connect the bracelet in 5 minutes (with photos and videos)

Xiaomi Mi Band 4

iPhone

Android

iOS

Many owners face sync issues, bugs like “Device not found” or “Unconnected,” and limited functionality compared to Android. In this article, step-by-step photo instruction, solving typical bugs and hidden chips that will help unlock the potential of the Mi Band 4 on the iPhone. We will also compare the two official apps — Mi Fit and Zepp Life — and tell you which one is better suited for iOS.

If you’ve just unpacked the bracelet or are trying to reconnect it after resetting it, this guide will save you hours of searching for solutions. And for those who have already used the Mi Band on Android, we’ll highlight the key differences between working with the iPhone, from synchronizing steps to setting alarm clocks.

1. Which app to choose: Mi Fit or Zepp Life?

Since 2023, Xiaomi has officially recommended using Zepp Life instead of Mi Fit** for all Mi Band devices.However, both apps still work with Mi Band 4, and each has pros and cons for iPhone owners.

Here are the key differences:

• 📱 Mi Fit: a classic application with a minimalist interface. Supports iOS 11.0+, But it's less common, and it's easier to set up automatic data sync with Apple Health, but it doesn't have some features like phased sleep analysis.
• 🌟 Zepp Life: Modern design, advanced analytics (including stress and energy levels), but sync with Apple Health works worse - step and calorie data can be duplicated or lost.Requires iOS 12.0+.

For iPhone, we recommend starting with Zepp Life, as Mi Fit may not be supported in the future, but if you are critical to accurate sync with Apple Health, you will have to use both apps in parallel (for more details, see the section on health settings).

Download the applications can be by reference:

Step-by-step: how to connect Mi Band 4 to iPhone

Before starting, make sure that:

• 🔋 The bracelet is charged at least 50% (at low charge may not appear in the search).
• 📶 Bluetooth on iPhone is turned on and the bracelet is nearby (no more than 1 meter).
• 📱 The latest version of iOS is installed on the iPhone (check Settings). → Mainstream → Update of the PO).

Follow the instructions (for example, Zepp Life, Mi Fit steps are similar):

1. Launch Zepp Life and click Profile (the human icon in the lower right corner).
2. Select "Add device" → "Bracelet" → "Mi Band 4".

If the bracelet is not connected, check:

• ❌ Is it connected to another phone (you need to untie the settings of the old device first).
• ❌ Are there any interference from other Bluetooth devices (earphones, speakers – turn them off while you connect).
• ❌ Is the "Do Not Disturb" mode on the bracelet (double touch on the screen) turned on? → swipe down → bell-shaped).

3. Set up notifications and calls on iPhone

One of the main reasons for buying the Mi Band 4 is that you can get notifications from your iPhone right on your wrist, but because of the limitations of iOS, it's more modest than Android.

How to enable notifications:

1. In the app (Zepp Life or Mi Fit) go to "Device Profile" → "Notifications".
2. Turn on the "Notifications from the phone" switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Mail).
4. Press "Sync."

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Attention! On the iPhone Mi Band 4, you can't show text messages, just the app icon and the vibration, and to see the contents of the notification, you have to take out your phone, which is a limitation of Apple, not the bracelet.

Configuring incoming calls:

• 📞 The bracelet will vibrate when an incoming call is made, but cannot accept or reject the call (on Android, this feature is available).
• 🔕 To disable call notifications, go to notification settings and uncheck the "Phone" box".

Tip: If notifications are late, try:

1. Enable in the iPhone settings "Background update apps" for Zepp Life/Mi Fit (Settings) → Mainstream → Background update).
2. Reboot both the bracelet and the iPhone.

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To make notifications come faster, add the Zepp Life app to your Favorite Contacts in the iOS notification settings, which will increase its priority on the system.

4. Sync with Apple Health: Steps, Errors, Solutions

One of the key benefits of the Mi Band 4 for iPhone owners is that it can automatically transmit steps, sleep and heart rate data to Apple Health, but this process often works in an unstable way.

How to connect Mi Band 4 to Apple Health

1. Open Zepp Life or Mi Fit.
2. Go to Profile" → "Add an account" → "Apple Health".
3. Allow access to all the requested data (steps, sleep, weight, pulse, etc.).
4. Return to your bracelet settings and turn on “Sync with Apple Health”.

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If Apple Health is not updated after setting up, check it out: 🔄 Manually run synchronization in the application (swipe down on the home screen). 📵 Make sure Bluetooth doesn’t turn off in the background (check in Settings). → Zepp Life → Bluetooth). 🔄 Reconnect your Apple Health account in the app settings.

Table: What data is synchronized with Apple Health

If Apple Health data isn’t updated daily, try an alternative method:

1. Remove the Zepp app Life/Mi Fit.
2. Reboot the iPhone.
3. Install the app again and reset Apple Health.

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For stable synchronization with Apple Health, use only one app – either Zepp Life or Mi Fit. Simultaneous operation of both leads to data duplication and errors.

5. Hidden features of Mi Band 4 for iPhone

Even on iOS in the Mi Band 4 There are some useful features that many people don't know about.-5 lifehacks:

• 🔦 Night screen mode: to prevent the bracelet from waking you up with light at night, turn on the "Handlift lighting" settings only for a certain time (for example, from 8:00 to 22:00). → Display. → Illumination.
• 🏃 Autodetection of training: the bracelet can automatically recognize running or walking. → Monitoring of activity → Autodetermination.
• 🔋 Saving charge: Turn off unnecessary notifications and reduce the pulse rate (e.g. every 30 minutes instead of 1 minute) this will extend the work to 20+ single-day.
• 🌙 Do Not Disturb Mode: Swipe down on the bracelet screen → The bell icon, in this mode, all notifications and alarms are turned off.
• 🎵 Music control: while playing a track on your iPhone, swipe left on the bracelet screen - a panel will appear with the buttons "Pause", "Next track" and "Previous track".

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Attention! iPhone doesn't have a Phone Search feature (unlike Android) if you lose your iPhone, the bracelet won't be able to find it, that's an iOS limitation.

How to turn on the weather display:

1. In the application go to the Device Profile → Screen. → Weather.
2. Turn on the option and select a city (not all locations are supported).
3. On the bracelet, swipe left/right to see the weather widget.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, iPhone users are plagued by bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

Problem 1: The bracelet is disconnected from the iPhone

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 In the iPhone settings, go to Bluetooth, find Mi Band 4 and click “Forget this device”, then connect again.
• 🔋 Check the bracelet charge – at a level below 10%, the connection may break.

Problem 2: Step/sleep data is not synchronized

• 🔄 Manually update the data in the application (swipe down on the home screen).
• 📵 Make sure you have the iPhone settings for Zepp Life/Mi Fit enabled "Access to Bluetooth" (Settings) → Confidentiality → Bluetooth).
• 🔄 Reconnect your Apple Health account.

Problem 3: The bracelet doesn't vibrate when notified

• 🔕 Check if the "Do Not Disturb" mode on the bracelet is turned on (swipe down). → cleat).
• 📱 In the iPhone settings, go to Notifications → Zepp Life/Mi Fit and turn on "Sounds" and "Signs".
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds).

Problem 4: Heart rate monitoring is not working

• ❤️ Make sure the sensor is clean (wipe the bottom of the bracelet with an alcohol napkin).
• 🔄 In the bracelet settings, enable Continuous Monitoring (Device Profile) → Monitoring of heart rate).
• 📱 Check what is in the iPhone settings for Zepp Life/Mi Fit Allowed Access to Motion and Fitness Sensors (Settings) → Confidentiality).

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings and reconnecting it. Reset instructions are in the spoiler above.

7. How to update the firmware Mi Band 4 through iPhone

Firmware updates for the Mi Band 4 are rare, but they can fix bugs and add new features. On the iPhone, the upgrade process has nuances.

How to check and install the update:

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi (mobile internet updates may not work).
3. Open Zepp Life or Mi Fit and go to Device Profile.
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear "New firmware is available." Click "Update."
5. Do not turn off Bluetooth or close the app until the process is complete (it takes 5-10 minutes).

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Attention! If the upgrade fails (e.g., the battery goes down or Bluetooth goes off), the bracelet may stop turning on. In this case: Put the bracelet on charge. Press the button for 20 to 30 seconds until the Mi logo appears. Repeat the update.

The latest firmware versions for Mi Band 4 (June 2026):

If the update doesn’t come automatically, try:

• 🔄 Remove and reinstall the application.
• 🌍 Change the region in the iPhone settings to China or India (sometimes updates are released there earlier).

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Update your firmware only when you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and the bracelet is above 50% charge, and interruption of the process can lead to the device “bricking”.

8.Alternative apps for Mi Band 4 on iPhone

If the official Zepp Life and Mi Fit don't suit you, you can try third-party apps, which offer advanced settings, but may be less stable.

Top.-3 alternatives:

• 📊 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band: Supports the display of notification text (as opposed to official applications); Advanced dial settings. Minus: paid version (~300 rubles) for full functionality.
• 🔧 Mi Band Master: Allows you to adjust the vibration for different applications. There are functions like Anti-Pottom (bracelet vibrates if you move away from the phone.
• 🌍 Amazfit (from the same manufacturer as Zepp Life): More stable sync with Apple Health. Support for additional widgets. minus: not all features of the Mi Band 4 are supported.

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Attention! The side of the app may reset the bracelet settings or cause conflicts with the official ones. Life/Mi Fit.

How to install a third-party application:

1. Download the app from the App Store.
2. Open it and allow access to Bluetooth and Notifications.
3. In bracelet settings (Zepp) Life/Mi Fit) disable notifications to avoid duplication.
4. Connect the bracelet to a new application (usually the "Add Device" button).

Tip: if you want to return the official application, first untie the bracelet in the settings of third-party software, otherwise synchronization errors may occur.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 4 iPhone