The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains a popular device even years after its release, thanks to its reliability, long run time and the ability to customize through firmware. However, the process of updating or flashing the bracelet is nuanced, which the manufacturer does not mention. Unlike smartphones, where firmware often boils down to pressing a few buttons, it requires preparation, the right tools and understanding of the consequences.
Many users face the need to flash the Mi Band 4 for three main reasons: recovering from a crash, installing custom firmware with advanced features (for example, Russian fonts or new dials), or downgrading to a stable version after a failed automatic update. But it is important to remember that wrong actions can turn the bracelet into a “brick.” This article will help avoid errors and choose the best way to update the firmware – from official updates through the application to manual intervention with MiFit, Notify & Fitness or tools like Gadgetb.
We will discuss all current firmware methods, including official and informal, and how to get out of the situation if the bracelet has stopped responding to charging or is not synchronized with the smartphone, and pay special attention to the risks from loss of warranty to complete loss of functionality of the device.
Preparation for firmware: what you need to know before you start
Before you start the firmware Xiaomi Mi Band 4, you need to assess the current state of the bracelet and prepare tools. The first step is to determine the current version of the firmware, this can be done through the official application Mi Fit (Device Profile section) or alternative programs like Notify & Fitness for Mi Band. The firmware version is usually designated as 1.0.9.54 or similar, these numbers will be useful for choosing the correct update file.
The second critical point is battery status: the bracelet must be charged at least 50%, otherwise the firmware process may be interrupted, leading to software failure. Also check the charging cable: if contacts are oxidized or damaged, the connection may be interrupted. Use the original cable or certified analogue for reliability.
Finally, back up the data. The official Mi Fit app doesn't always keep your activity history after you've firmware, so:
- 📱 Sync data with the Xiaomi cloud (in the app settings)
- 📊 Export statistics manually (e.g. via Google Fit)
- 🔄 Take screenshots of the current dial settings and notifications
⚠️ Note: Firmware through informal tools (e.g. Gadgetbridge) may result in loss of communication with the official Mi Fit app. In this case, only third-party software will be required to control the bracelet.
Official firmware through Mi Fit: the safest way
If your goal is to simply upgrade to the latest version without risk, use the official Mi Fit app. This method is suitable for most users, as it does not require technical skills and retains a warranty. The process starts automatically when you connect the bracelet to your smartphone, but you can initiate manual checks for updates:
Open Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 4 → Firmware Update. If the update is available, follow the on-screen instructions. Importantly, don't unplug the bracelet from your phone or close the app during the process. The average refresh time is 5-10 minutes.
Advantages of the official method:
- 🔒 Preserving the Xiaomi guarantee
- 🛡️ Minimum risk of failure (firmware is tested for compatibility)
- 🌐 Support for all languages and regions
However, there are limitations to this method, such as Xiaomi may suspend the distribution of updates for older versions of the bracelets, or the new firmware may contain unwanted changes (for example, removing support for third-party dials), in which cases users resort to manual firmware.
Handheld firmware via Gadgetbridge: for power users
If the official update is not available or you want to install an alternative firmware (for example, with support for new dials or fixed bugs), use Gadgetbridge open source software. This tool allows you to flash the bracelet without being tied to Xiaomi servers, but requires caution.
To start, download Gadgetbridge from the official website (gadgetbridge.org) or via F-Droid. Install the app on your smartphone and follow the following steps:
- Connect the bracelet to Gadgetbridge via Bluetooth.
- Go to the "Devices" section» → «Mi Band 4» → «Firmware management».
- Download a firmware file (.fw or.zip format) from a trusted source (e.g., the 4PDA forum or the AmazfitBipOS repository).
- Upload the file to the application and follow the instructions.
The process can take up to 15 minutes, and the critical point is that if the bracelet goes off during firmware, it will have to be restored through emergency mode (discussed below).
Download Gadgetbridge from the official website
Check the current version of the firmware
Charge the bracelet to 100%
Download the firmware for your version (CN/EU/RU)
Disable Mi Fit to Avoid Conflict-->
⚠️ Warning: Some custom firmwares disable the pulse measurement or notification feature on Chinese versions of the bracelet (CN). Before installing, check reviews about a specific build.
Notify & Fitness: An Alternative for Android
Notify & Fitness for Mi Band is another popular tool for managing the bracelet, including a firmware update, and it supports more features than Mi Fit, such as setting vibrations for different notifications or setting unofficial dials.
For Firmware via Notify & Fitness:
- Open the app and plug in the bracelet.
- Go to “Settings” → “Firmware”.
- Select the firmware file (you can download directly in the application from the list of available versions).
- Confirm the beginning of the process and wait for the completion.
The advantage of this method is the intuitive interface and the built-in firmware base, but the application is paid (there is a free version with restrictions), and not all firmware is tested for compatibility.
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If the bracelet does not sync after firmware, try resetting it to factory settings: press the touch button for 10 seconds until vibration appears.
What to do if the bracelet "brickled" after firmware
If there is a failure in the firmware process (e.g. power is cut or data transmission is interrupted), the bracelet may stop responding to charging or turn on. In 90% of cases, the device can be restored through emergency mode (recovery mode).
For this:
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Press the touch button for 15-20 seconds until you feel the vibration.
- The bracelet should be defined as a removable drive (Mi Band 4 in the file explorer).
- Copy the firmware file with the.fw extension into the root folder of the device.
- Turn off the bracelet from charging – the update will start automatically.
If the bracelet is not defined as a drive, try another cable or USB-In extreme cases, it may be necessary to ration contacts to force entry into emergency mode - but this is already a task for the service center.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is off. | Failed firmware | Emergency mode + re-firmware |
| Not defined in Mi Fit | Firmware conflict | Reset to factory settings |
| Constant vibration | Damage to the firmware file | Check it out through Gadgetbridge. |
| The sensor is not working. | Incompatible version of the software | Reverse to previous firmware |
What if the bracelet does not vibrate after the firmware?
How to roll back the firmware to the previous version
Sometimes new firmware brings more problems than benefits: features disappear, bugs appear, or autonomy deteriorates. In such cases, a downgrade helps, a return to the previous version of the software. However, Xiaomi does not provide an official way to roll back, so you will have to use third-party tools.
For the downgrade:
- Download the desired firmware version (for example, 1.0.9.54 instead of 1.0.11.14).
- Use Gadgetbridge or Notify & Fitness to install the older version.
- If the application blocks the downgrade, remove the current firmware through emergency mode, and then install the old one.
Important: If you roll back to a version older than 1.0.8.xx, you may have trouble synchronizing your data, and a complete reset of the bracelet will help.
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Downgrade firmware can disrupt some functions if the new version of the software made changes to the hardware (for example, pulse measurement algorithms).
Castom firmware: opportunities and risks
The development community has created a variety of alternative firmware for the Mi Band 4, adding features that are not in the official builds.
- 🎨 Support for informal dials (including animated dials)
- 🌍 Full Russification of the interface (for Chinese versions)
- 🔋 Optimizing energy consumption (increasing operating time)
- 📱 Advanced notification settings
However, custom firmware has serious shortcomings:
- ⚠️ Lack of stability guarantees (accidental reboots are possible)
- 🔌 Mi Fit compatibility loss (you will have to use Gadgetbridge)
- 🛠️ Risk of loss of function (e.g, NFC Chinese-language)
Before installing custom firmware, check out feedback on forums (like 4PDA or XDA Developers) and make sure the build is suitable for your model (CN, EU or RU).
- Mi Band 4 Custom Firmware (adds new dials)
- AmazfitBipOS (ported features with Amazfit Bip)
- Mi Band 4 Russian Mod (Full Russification)
⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware often requires manual installation of resource files (.res), without which the bracelet may not work properly. For example, without a resource file, notification icons or settings menu will not be displayed.