Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release. Its simplicity, reliability and rich functionality attract users, but the first launch of the device can raise questions — especially if you have never dealt with wearable electronics before. Unlike smartphones, the bracelet does not have a physical on button, and the activation process is closely related to the Mi Fit mobile application.
In this article, we will not only look at the basic steps to turn on the Mi Band 4, but also the typical problems: why the bracelet does not respond to charging, how to avoid sync errors with the phone, and what to do if the screen remains black after connecting, and pay special attention to hidden functions that are activated only after you have set up correctly, such as controlling music or notifications from messengers.
Preparation of the bracelet for the first inclusion
Before you turn on the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4, make sure the device is fully charged. Unlike newer models (such as the Mi Band 6 or 7), the fourth version has a magnetic charging cable that connects to special contacts on the back of the case. If the bracelet is discharged to zero, it will not respond to taps on the screen even after connecting to charging.
Here’s what to do before the first switch:
- 🔋 Connect the bracelet to the charger (use the original cable or certified analogue). Charging indicator - red LED on the screen.
- ⏳ Wait for full charge (about 1.5-2 hours) and the lightning battery icon will appear on the screen.
- 📱 Install the Mi Fit app (available for Android 5.0)+ iOS 10.0+) smartphone.
- 🔄 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow the application to access notifications, contacts and geodata (this is necessary for the correct operation of the bracelet functions).
Important: If the bracelet shows no signs of charging (the indicator does not burn, the screen remains black), check the integrity of the contacts on the cable and bracelet. Often the problem lies in oxidation or contamination of metal sites.
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If the charging cable is lost, a universal magnetic cable can be used. USB-cable with a suitable connector (for example, from Mi Band 3 or 5.
How to turn on Mi Band 4: How to turn on Mi Band 4
When the bracelet is charged, we move to activation. Unlike smartphones, there is no power button, and it turns on automatically when you connect to your phone via Mi Fit.
- Open the Mi Fit app and log in (or sign up) through your Xiaomi account.
- Click on the Profile icon → Add the device.
- Select from the Mi Smart Band 4 list (if the model is not listed, update the app).
- Hold the bracelet to the phone at a distance of 10-15 cm and wait for vibrations - this is a signal of the beginning of synchronization.
- Confirm the pairing in the application and on the bracelet (on the screen of Mi Band 4 will appear a tick – touch it).
If it's a success, the bracelet vibrates, and the screen displays the main menu with time, and you can now set up notifications, alarms and other functions.
Check the charge (the indicator should burn)|Restart your phone and reinstall Mi Fit|Clean the bracelet contacts with alcohol|Try another charging cable.|Reset the bracelet to factory settings (press the touch button for 10 seconds)-->
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even with the right actions, users face challenges. Let's look at the most common ones.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet does not respond to charging | Discharged to 0%, cable damaged | Wait 10-15 minutes on charging, check the cable |
| Can't find the device in Mi Fit | Bluetooth is disabled, the old version of the app | Update Mi Fit, turn on Bluetooth, reboot your phone |
| The screen flashes and goes out. | Firmware failure | Reset the bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds) and repeat the synchronization |
| No notifications coming. | Mi Fit's permissions not given | Go to the phone settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Permissions |
Pay special attention to application permissions. On Android 10+ and iOS 14+, systems actively block the background of applications, which can interrupt communication with the bracelet. For example, if Mi Fit is not authorized to Autorun (on Xiaomi/Redmi), notifications will stop coming after the phone is restarted.
Hidden functions after inclusion
After successful activation, Mi Band 4 gives you access to features that many people don’t know about:
- 🎵 Music control: scroll through the tracks and adjust the volume directly from the bracelet (set up in Mi Fit) → Music).
- 🔍 Phone search: Double tapping the bracelet screen will make the phone sound (even in silent mode).
- 🏃 Automatic activity recognition: the bracelet itself determines running, walking or cycling (included in Settings) → Activity recognition).
- 🌙 Do Not Disturb: Disables notifications for a predetermined time (useful at night).
To activate these features, go to Mi Fit → Device Profile → Additional settings. Some options (such as weather display) require an internet connection on your phone.
How to reset Mi Band 4 to factory settings?
Firmware Update: Why It Matters
After the first switch on, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 may require a firmware update.This not only adds new features, but also fixes bugs - for example, synchronization problems or fast battery discharge.The update is automatically when you connect to the Mi Fit, but sometimes it needs to be manually started:
- Open Mi Fit → Device Profile → Update the firmware.
- If a new version is available, click Update.
- Wait until the bracelet is finished (reboots). Don't turn off Bluetooth during the process!
The average refresh time is 5-10 minutes. If the process is stalled, restart the bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds) and try again. The current firmware version at the time of writing is 1.0.9.54 (may vary by region).
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Updating your firmware through Mi Fit is the only official way: Do not use third-party utilities (such as Mi Band Master or Notify & Fitness) unless you are sure of their security.
Extending battery life
One of the main advantages of the Mi Band 4 is long work on a single charge (up to 20 days in economical use).However, many users experience the fact that the bracelet discharges in 3-5 days.
- 📶 Constant sync: Turn off automatic sync in Mi Fit → Settings → Synchronization of data (sufficient 1-2 times a day).
- 🔔 Frequent notifications: limit the list of apps that send alerts to the bracelet.
- 🌡️ Constant monitoring of heart rate: only turn it on during exercise (Settings) → Monitoring of heart rate).
- 🔦 Screenlighting: Reduce backlight time to 5 seconds or turn off auto-lighting.
Tip: If the bracelet is lying idle (for example, at night), put it in flight mode. To do this, swipe down the screen and touch the badge of the aircraft, this will turn off Bluetooth and save up to 30% of charge in a week.
Compatibility with other devices
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 officially supports Android 5.0+ and iOS 10.0+, but there are nuances:
- 🤖 On Android, all functions work stable, but on phones with a MIUI (For example, the Redmi Note 8 or Poco X3) You may need to turn off battery optimization for Mi Fit.
- 🍎 Some features (like unlocking your phone or controlling your camera) aren’t available on iPhones, but basic options (stepmer, notifications) work.
- 💻 With a PC or Mac bracelet can not be synchronized – only through a smartphone.
If you’re using Mi Band 4 on your iPhone, install the optional Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (available on the App Store) that extends the functionality by adding, for example, displaying emojis in notifications or setting vibrations.
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On iPhone, turn off the “Low Energy Consumption” function (in the battery settings), otherwise communication with the bracelet will be interrupted.