Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4: How to turn on the bracelet from scratch – instructions 2026

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity-tracking gadgets years after its release, and its simplicity, reliability and rich functionality appeal to both beginners and experienced smart electronics users. However, the first inclusion of the device may raise questions β€” especially if you have not previously dealt with wearable devices from Xiaomi.

In this article, we will take a look at the entire activation process in steps, from preparing the bracelet to work to syncing with the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life), and focus on the typical errors that prevent you from turning on the Mi Band 4, such as a discharged battery, a Bluetooth problem or a smartphone incompatibility. If your bracelet does not respond to presses or connect to your phone, here you will find a solution.

Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before activation

Before you start switching on the Xiaomi Mi Band 4, make sure all the prerequisites are met, which will save you from common problems such as inability to connect or quickly discharge.

First, check the bracelet's charge. Even if it's new, it could have been in storage for months, and the battery ran out to a critical level. Connect the bracelet to the charger (use the original cable!) and wait for the charge indicator to appear on the screen. The full charge cycle takes about 1.5-2 hours.

  • πŸ”‹ Charging: Use only the original magnetic connector cable. Fakes can damage the contacts.
  • πŸ“± Smartphone: Make sure your phone runs Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+.
  • 🌐 Internet: To download the Mi Fit or Zepp Life application, you need access to the network.
  • πŸ”„ Bluetooth: Turn on the module on your smartphone and let the app use it.

Second, don't try to turn on the bracelet without charging first. If the display on the screen doesn't light up when you connect to the charger, check the cleanliness of the contacts on the bracelet and cable. Sometimes dust or oxide film interferes with normal contact.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet is not charging, try to shift it slightly in the charger holder - sometimes the contacts don't match perfectly.

How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: step-by-step instructions

When the bracelet is charged, you can start activating it, and it takes no more than 5 minutes if you follow the algorithm:

  1. Press and hold the touch button under the bracelet screen for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
  2. Wait for the main screen to load, which will show the time (if the bracelet has already been synced) or a welcome message (for a new device).
  3. Download and install the Mi Fit app (for Android) or Zepp Life (for iOS) from the official store (Google Play or App Store).
  4. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (if you don’t have one, create a new one).
  5. In the app, click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 4 from the list. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If the bracelet does not respond to the press of a button, try:

  • πŸ”Œ Connect it to charging for 10-15 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery blocks the switch on.
  • πŸ”„ Reboot the bracelet: connect to charging and hold the button for 20 seconds until the screen goes out and turns on again.

Make sure the bracelet is charged |Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone |Install the latest version of Mi Fit/Zepp Life|Allow the app to access notifications and geodata-->

Phone Sync: Why Mi Band 4 is not connected

One of the most common problems with the first switch on is that the bracelet doesn't find the phone or vice versa. The reasons may vary, but most of them are solved in a few minutes.

The first thing to check is device compatibility. Mi Band 4 officially supports:

  • πŸ“± Android 5.0 and newer (with Bluetooth 4.0 support) LE).
  • 🍎 iOS 10.0 and newer (iPhone) 5s higher).

If your smartphone meets the requirements but the connection is not happening, follow the following steps:

Problem.Reason.Decision
The bracelet is not visible on the list of devicesBluetooth is disabled or the bracelet is dischargedTurn on Bluetooth, charge the bracelet to 50%
The application freezes at the connection stageAn outdated version of the Mi FitUpdate the app in the store
Synchronization interruptedWeak Bluetooth signalBring your phone closer to the bracelet
Error "Device not supported"Xiaomi account region does not match the bracelet regionChange your region to β€œChina” or β€œGlobal”

If nothing works, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings.

  1. Go to Bracelet Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Reset (in the Mi Fit app).
  2. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
  3. Repeat the synchronization process again.
πŸ“Š What version of the Mi Band you are using?
Mi Band 4
Mi Band 5
Mi Band 6
Mi Band 7
Other

Configuring after turning on: what to do first

Once the bracelet has successfully connected to the phone, it's time to set up a basic setup, and that's where you're going to be able to use the device.

The first thing to do is update the firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Mi Band 4, correcting errors and adding new features.

  1. Open the Mi Fit app.
  2. Go to the section of your bracelet.
  3. Click Firmware Update (if option is available).
  4. Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

Next, set up the main parameters:

  • ⏰ Time and Date: Synced automatically, but can be manually set if necessary.
  • πŸ”” Notifications: Select which apps will send alerts to the bracelet (calls, SMS, messengers).
  • πŸƒ Activity goals: Set a daily step rate (default: 8,000).
  • πŸ”’ Screen lock: Activate to avoid accidental taps.
How to turn off vibrations when notifying?
Go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band 4 β†’ Notifications and turn off the Vibration option.

Don't forget to personalize the screen, you can set your own dials in the Mi Band 4.

  1. In the Mi Fit app, select Dials.
  2. View the available options and click Install.
  3. Synchronize the bracelet so that the changes take effect.

Frequent errors and their solutions: bracelet does not turn on or does not work

Even after successful inclusion, the Mi Band 4 can behave unstable. Consider typical failures and how to fix them.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet has stopped responding to the presses and does not charge, do not try to disassemble it yourself - this will lead to loss of warranty.

Problem 1: The bracelet is turned on, but the screen does not respond to touch.

  • 🧹 Clean the screen of dirt and moisture – sometimes they interfere with the sensor.
  • πŸ”„ Restart the device (hold the 15 second button).
  • πŸ“± Update the firmware through the Mi Fit app.

Problem 2: Fast battery discharge (bracelet keeps charge less than a day).

  • πŸ”‹ Check if energy-intensive functions are included: constant screen illumination, frequent notifications, continuous monitoring of heart rate.
  • πŸ“Š In the Mi Fit app, open the Battery section and see what consumes the most power.
  • πŸ”„ Reset the bracelet to factory settings and set it up again.

Problem 3: The bracelet doesn’t sync with the phone after the firmware update.

  • πŸ“± Reinstall the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app.
  • πŸ”„ Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again on your smartphone.
  • πŸ”§ In the phone settings, allow the application to autostart and work in the background.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet stopped syncing after changing the phone, remove it from the list of devices in the old smartphone before connecting to the new one.

How to Reboot or Reset Mi Band 4 to Factory Settings

Sometimes the only way to get the bracelet back on track is to reset completely, which helps with freezes, synchronization errors, or a failed firmware update.

There are two ways to discharge:

  1. Through the Mi Fit app: Open the app and select your bracelet. Go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Reset. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all data from the bracelet, including activity statistics and dial settings. backups in Mi Fit will be saved, but local data will be lost.

If the reset didn't help, check:

  • πŸ”Œ Charging cable - it may be damaged.
  • πŸ“± Phone compatibility – some Android Go models don’t support Mi Band 4.
  • πŸ”„ Firmware version – if the bracelet was updated with left-handed files, it could damage the system.

Tips for operation: how to prolong the life of a bracelet

To make Xiaomi Mi Band 4 last longer, follow the following simple guidelines:

  • 🚿 Waterproof: Bracelet has protection of 5 ATM, But it is not recommended to swim with him in a pool with chlorinated water or bathe in a hot shower.
  • πŸ”‹ Charging: Use only the original cable. Do not leave the bracelet on charging for more than 3 hours - this reduces battery life.
  • 🧴 Care: Regularly clean the bracelet and strap from sweat and dirt with a soft napkin. For a silicone strap, you can use a soap solution.
  • 🌑️ Temperature: Avoid overheating (for example, leaving the bracelet in direct sunlight) and hypothermia (below). -10Β°C).

Also worth paying attention to firmware updates. Xiaomi periodically releases patches that improve stability and add new features, so as not to miss them:

  1. Enable auto-update in the Mi Fit app settings.
  2. Check for new versions manually periodically.

If you plan to use a sleep monitoring bracelet, remember:

  • 😴 For accurate data, wear a bracelet on an unworking hand (usually left for right-handed people).
  • πŸ“΅ Turn off notifications at night so the vibration doesn’t wake you up.
  • πŸ”‹ Charge the bracelet before bedtime - during the night it consumes up to 20% of the charge.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 4

Can I play Mi Band 4 without my phone?
Yes, the bracelet is activated autonomously (hold the button for 3-5 seconds), but full operation requires synchronization with the smartphone. Without the phone, only basic functions will be available: time, pedometer, pulsemeter (without saving history).
Why does the bracelet show the wrong time?
Time syncs with your phone when you first connect. If it's lost: Check the date and time settings on your smartphone. In the Mi Fit app, update the bracelet data manually. Reset the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button).
How to turn off the constant screen lighting?
Constant backlighting quickly deactivates the battery. To turn it off: Open Mi Fit and select your bracelet. Go to Screen Settings β†’ Backlight. Set 5 seconds or Turn it off.
What if the bracelet does not vibrate when notified?
Check: Is vibration enabled in the bracelet settings (Profile β†’ Notifications); has Mi Fit app been allowed to display notifications in the phone settings; is the phone in Do Not Disturb mode?
Is the Mi Band 4 suitable for swimming?
The bracelet has 5 ATM protection, which allows you to swim in the pool or open water at a depth of up to 50 meters. However: Avoid hot water (sauna, bath). After swimming in salt or chlorinated water, wash the bracelet with fresh water. Do not press the button under water - this can violate the tightness.