Xiaomi Mi Band 4: Official and Alternative Methods

The 2019 Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet is still popular with users due to its combination of functionality and affordable price, but over time, even reliable hardware needs to be updated: someone wants to fix the official firmware bugs, someone lacks new features, and some face critical failures after unsuccessful updates.

In this article, we will discuss two main methods of flashing: through the official Mi Fit app (the safest way) and using third-party tools like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band 4 Tools (for power users). Also, you will learn how to avoid “bricking” the device, what to do if errors like Error 500 or Failed to connect, and how to bring the bracelet back to life if it stopped responding to charging. Importantly, Mi Band 4 does not support firmware from Mi Band 5/6 – trying to install incompatible software will lead to break down!

Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start updating your firmware, make sure your bracelet is ready for the procedure. Failure to follow these steps can cause data loss or the device to fail.

First, check the current firmware version.

1. Open the Mi Fit app on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 4 → About the programme.
3. Find the firmware version string (e.g. 1.0.9.54).

Second, charge the bracelet to at least 50%, and if it's low, it can be interrupted.

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ iOS 10+ with Mi Fit installed (version no lower than 4.6.0).
• 🔌 Original charging cable (don’t use cheap analogues – they can cause connection errors).
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (to download firmware).
• 📝 Backup data (if sleep statistics, steps, etc. are important.).

⚠️ Warning: If your bracelet is already in bootloop or not turning on, try resetting it to factory settings first. To do this, press and hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears. If this doesn’t work, read the section on recovery from failures.

Official flashing through Mi Fit: step-by-step algorithm

The most reliable way to upgrade the Mi Band 4 is to use the Mi Fit app, which is suitable for most users, as it does not require technical skills and minimizes risks.

Instructions:

1. Connect the bracelet to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Firmware Update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.
4. Wait for the firmware file to load (weight ~5-10 MB).
5. Confirm the installation and do not disconnect the bracelet from the phone until the process is complete (usually takes 3-5 minutes).
6. After rebooting, the bracelet will be ready for use.

If the Update button is inactive, it is possible to:

• 🔄 You already have the latest version of the firmware installed.
• 📵 Bracelet is not connected to the Internet (check the data transfer on the smartphone).
• 🔒 Your Xiaomi account region does not support the update (e.g., Chinese wristbands for the global market).

If the update was suspended during the Preparation stage, try:

1. Reset the bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds).
2. Clear the cache of the Mi Fit application in the smartphone settings.
3. Repeat the process from another device (e.g., a tablet).

Alternative Firmware: Pros and Risks

Official updates from Xiaomi are rare, and some features (such as Russian-language notifications or custom dials) may be limited.

• 🌍 Modified Firmware by Alex – Adds support for new languages and widgets.
• 🎨 Custom Firmware by Marco – Advanced screen and animation settings.
• 🔧 Mi Band 4 Tools – allows you to install patches without full flashing.

However, custom firmware has serious disadvantages:

If you decide to install custom firmware, use proven sources:

• 🔗 Official repository on GitHub.
• 🔗 Forum 4PDA (section about Mi Band 4).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware may contain vulnerabilities, such as a backdoor that allows remote control of the bracelet was discovered in a custom build in 2021 (MD5 or SHA-1) before installation.

Guide to installing custom firmware

Installation of informal software will require:

• 📱 Android smartphone (iOS does not support third-party tools for Mi Band).
• 🔌 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (download official website).
• 📁 Firmware file in.fw or.bin format.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Notify & Fitness and provide all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, location, etc.).
2. Connect the bracelet to the application through Settings → Devices → Add the device.
3. Go to Settings → Firmware → Select a file and specify the path to the downloaded file.
4. Click Install firmware and confirm the action.
5. Wait until the process is complete (the bracelet will reboot several times).

If the bracelet is stopped and the bracelet is stopped:

1. Connect it to charging and hold the button for 30 seconds.
2. Repeat the process from another smartphone.
3. If nothing helps, use Mi Fit to restore the official firmware (see the next section).

💡

Before installing custom firmware, disable automatic updates to Mi Fit, otherwise the official software may overwrite your changes.

Recovery of the bracelet after a failed firmware

If the Mi Band 4 doesn’t turn on, charge or hover on the logo, don’t panic – 90% of the time it can be brought back to life.

To recover via Mi Fit:

1. Remove the bracelet from the app (Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Delete the device).
2. Reset the bracelet (hold the button for 15 seconds).
3. Add it again through Add the device.
4. When you receive an offer to update the firmware, agree.

If the bracelet doesn’t show any signs of life, try the “short circuit” method (works 50% of the time):

1. Unplug the bracelet from the strap.
2. Carefully touch the metal object (such as a paper clip) of the contacts on the back of the module (where the charging magnet is).
3. Connect to charging - if the bracelet reacts with vibration, repeat the firmware procedure.

⚠️ Warning: Short-circuit can damage the board if you do it wrong. Don't use sharp or rusty objects, and don't use force. If you're not sure, contact the service center.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• 🔌 Failed to connect: – Make sure Bluetooth is on on your smartphone. – Reboot both devices. – Try connecting from another phone.
• 🔄 Hanging in the Preparation stage: – Clear the Mi Fit cache in the Android settings. – Disable VPN or proxy (they can block Xiaomi servers). – Install an older version of Mi Fit (e.g. 4.5.0).
• 📱 The app doesn’t see the bracelet: – Check if your Mi Band 4 model supports global firmware (Chinese versions may require Mi Fit China). – Turn off energy saving mode on your smartphone. – Remove all previously coupled devices in Bluetooth settings.
• 🔋 The bracelet discharges too quickly after firmware: – Reset it to factory settings. – Turn off unnecessary notifications in Mi Fit. – Install official firmware (castom assemblies can increase power consumption).

If none of these methods worked, check if your bracelet is a fake.

1. Compare the serial number on the box and in Mi Fit (Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Information).
2. Check the build quality: the original has no gaps between the case and the screen.
3. Make sure the original charging cable comes with it (fakes often have thinner contacts).

💡

If the bracelet after firmware began to warm or spontaneously reboot - immediately reset it to the factory settings and return the official software. This may be a sign of damage to the controller.

Tips for optimizing work after firmware

After a successful firmware update, adjust the bracelet for maximum performance and durability:

• 🔋 Battery savings:
• 📊 Accuracy of data:
• 🛡️ Failure protection:

If you use custom firmware, check for forum updates regularly. For example, Modified Firmware by Alex comes out every 1-2 months and often fixes critical bugs.

For advanced users, if you want to experiment with features but are afraid of losing the official firmware, use dual download. Some custom firmware (such as Mi Band 4 Tools) allow you to save the original version of the software and switch between them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about reflashing the Mi Band 4