How to distinguish a fake?
Xiaomi is the most frequently counterfeited Chinese brand. Mi Band of all generations was no exception.
Additional problems arise from the presence of different regional versions and release revisions, which may differ in capsule size, backlight brightness, and strap material (to the touch).
However, there is a solution.
1. The original Mi Band must have the model and ID (it glares in the light)
2. The strap is always a dense black color and bends easily; on fakes it turns green and bends tightly.
3.The original charger wire is matte and made of the same material as the strap.
4. Each component must bear the MI logo.
5. The main thing is that the fake does not connect to Mi Fit .
Regardless of the design, the bracelet is always packed in transparent film. Otherwise, it’s either a fake or it’s been opened.
Choosing the right bracelet
As the long-term practice of using Mi Band shows, after the release of the first batch, the appearance of the bracelets changes, and the quality deteriorates.
The most trouble-free and high-quality ones are the first revisions for the Chinese domestic market.
Therefore, it is worth looking for older versions of Mi Band 2 with a green bright display in beige cardboard boxes, and in white; the best Mi Band 3 are in white boxes, not black ones.
Information about Mi Band 4 will be added when the second revision appears (tentatively October).
The bracelet is not updating
The inability to update the device is an equally common problem. Both owners of new gadgets and those who have been using watches for a long time face this problem.
To solve the problem, you will need to install an older version of Mi Fit - 4.0.7 or 4.0.8 . Immediately after downloading, you need to launch the program and try to synchronize the devices. If you couldn’t get any results within 2-3 minutes, you will have to use one of the most popular applications for Mi Band 4 – Mi Band Master.
When you open the application, you should connect the tracker to it and log in through Mi Fit . Next, offers to update the firmware and resources will appear on the smartphone screen - you need to go through them one by one. At the next stage, the system will need to connect to the official utility from the manufacturer. You shouldn’t do this right away - you first need to force close this program, and then open it and connect the devices as standard. As a result, updates will begin to arrive on the tracker and through Mi Fit.
Before updating the system, you should check the battery status - it should be charged 20% or more.
Increased autonomy
The company's engineers are fighting for autonomy, but for a long time it has not exceeded 20 days with more or less active use for all versions without NFC.
However, you can extend the operating time by disabling constant Bluetooth synchronization, constant heart rate measurement and Sleep Assistant .
Even the last points (constantly measuring heart rate during the day and at night, respectively) will give a plus of 3-5 days of autonomy.
Disabling screen wake-up by turning your hand gives you 1 more day of use on a single charge.
How to measure your pulse correctly
Although heart rate measurement has become the most popular tracker function since the introduction of Mi Band 1s, not everyone knows how to do it.
For an accurate measurement, it is necessary to place the capsule just above the bone on the wrist. Not higher and not lower.
In addition, the bracelet should be pressed tightly against the skin. So that a barely noticeable trace remains.
Different placement, too loose or too tight will result in increased distortion in heart rate measurements.
The correct error outside the moment of rest for Mi Band 1s is 10-12%, Mi Band 2 - 8-10%, Mi Band 3 - 5-7%.
How to untie a lost Mi Band 3 from a smartphone using Diagnostic
You can untie your watch from your iPhone or Android using different methods. There are not too many of them, but each option is effective and harmless to the device.
If the tracker is lost and unlinking is necessary to cancel synchronization, you should use the unofficial Diagnostic application.
To do this you should:
- Install the Diagnostic application.
- Synchronize Mi Band 3 with your phone.
- Click on the bracelet in the list of devices that opens.
- Select the “Reset to factory settings” button.
As a result, the tracker will be disconnected from the phone. Its address will change and it will be possible to connect to a new phone.
Export statistics
Statistics accumulated in the Mi Fit companion application can be exported via the developer API.
To do this, follow the link (alternative), select “Data Export” and click “Define”.
Then you will need to enter the credentials of the active Mi account used in Mi Fit and allow access to the data by clicking “Sign in”.
Having marked the data and dates of interest, you will need to enter your email address.
In the received letter there will be a link, clicking on which will give you an archive with data and a password for it.
Smart Unlock
Owners of Android smartphones can not only search for it using Mi Band, but also unlock it.
To do this, you need to enable the visibility of the bracelet as a separate Bluetooth device in Mi Fit and add the bracelet to the Smart Lock .
Afterwards, visibility can be turned off (it actively reduces the reserve of autonomy).
In the Mi Fit unlock settings you can adjust the response range: minimum, 1 and 3 meters.
Step-by-step setup
The display unlock feature has both pros and cons. While the advantages of the option are obvious, few people think about the disadvantages. These include:
- Constantly working Bluetooth reduces the phone's charge level;
- outsiders can access the information if they are within 1 m of the bracelet.
However, the ability to quickly unlock the device often outweighs the disadvantages. Thanks to the function, entering a password or pattern is not required.
The first disadvantage turns into an advantage if a person tracks his achievements and call notifications. The second one can be inconvenient. To prevent unauthorized connection, you will have to constantly monitor the phone.
To activate smart locking and unlocking with the tracker, you need to do a few simple steps. The step-by-step guide is based on a Xiaomi smartphone. Instructions:
- Go to the gadget settings section.
- Find the “System and devices” tab and select “Lock and protection”.
- Click on the “Display lock” option.
- Activate a digital password or pattern.
- Go to Mi fit. This is located in the “Profile” tab.
- Select Mi band 3 by clicking on the first item.
- Click on the “Set up Bluetooth unlock” button.
- Enter the selected password or key.
- Confirm binding. To do this, press the button on the bracelet.
- To adjust the distance, you need to go to the appropriate section.
Water protection
The official water resistance of Mi Band 2/3 is 50 meters, or 5 ATM. In fact, you can shower with them, but you cannot swim.
This figure is calculated for the ideal composition of water at a time when the bracelet is at rest.
One quick movement of the hand at a depth of up to 1 meter is enough to create the appropriate pressure.
Steam treatments are contraindicated for all Mi Band variants, including probably the latest Mi Band 4.
How to set up smart unlock Mi Band 2
This Bluetooth verification function has been working since the very first generation of fitness bracelets. To enable smart unlocking of your smartphone, go to the central tab and select Screen Unlock. Now, when your hand with the bracelet approaches the phone, it will detect you and unlock the display without a PIN code/pattern/scanner.
Another secret of Mi Band 2 is the ability to determine the distance to the phone on which the smart unlocking function will work. To do this, go to the settings of the fitness bracelet, then to the “Unlock using a bracelet” tab and tap 10 times on the images of the smartphone in your hand in the center of the screen. A hidden menu will open in which you can select the detection distance to the phone: less than a meter, about 1 meter and 3 meters. Cool, right? Did you know about this opportunity?
Music and camera control
The official Mi Fit application does not allow you to control functions on your smartphone using the Mi Band.
Third-party software allows you to control any active (or selected) player. Works best on Mi Band 2.
You can read more about this opportunity here.
There is a similar option for starting photo/video shooting, but you will have to use a different application (Google Play).
But it works with all Mi Bands older than the first version.
Mi Band 2 app for Android and iOS
This advice will be useful for those who purchased Mi Band 2 for the first time. Experienced users who have been using Mi Band since the very first generation already know that there is a proprietary MiFit application for smartphones based on Android and iOS, which allows you to accumulate statistics and view more detailed dynamics your progress on your phone screen.
Now there are several programs for Mi Band 2 in the AppStore and Google Play; which application is better is a personal matter for everyone. Personally, I liked the standard native MiFi from Xiaomi developers the most
Download the application for Mi Band 2:
To connect the bracelet to the application, just activate Bluetooth on your smartphone and go to MiFit. In the application, from the list of available gadgets, select Mi Band and wait while the tracker synchronizes with MiFit. The pairing process is the same on both Android and iPhone.
What to do if the phone does not see Mi Band 2? First and most important: make sure that your smartphone has Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher; the tracker will not work with Bluetooth 3.0. Second: download the official MiFit software and AppStore or Google Play and repeat the process. Third: reset the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone and try connecting to the bracelet again.
How to fix notifications
Almost all Mi Bands sooner or later refuse to receive notifications from the smartphone, begin to duplicate them or show them with a delay.
The solution is quite simple: you need to check Mi Fit's background and notification permissions.
In iOS, you additionally need to activate “Other” in the list of selected applications (in the Mi Fit settings).
Connecting to a smartphone
The bracelet itself cannot work, so it must be paired with a tablet or smartphone. For pairing, a proprietary application from Xiaomi called Mi Fit is usually used. You can also use some third-party apps like Mi Band Master, but the official app is still Mi Fit.
The application is free and available for download both in the Play Market (for ANDROID) and in the AppStore (for iOS). You can download Mi Fit for ANDROID at this link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiaomi.hm.health, for iOS at this link: https://apps.apple. com/ru/app/mi-fit/id938688461. You can also find the application in stores by name or by scanning the QR code from the image below.
If you already have the Mi Fit application installed, you should update it, since the Russian translation appeared only in version 4.0.5.
After installation, launch Mi Fit. Then you should log in to the application or register if you do not have a Mi Fit account yet. You can register an account via phone number or email. The registration process is very simple and should not cause any difficulties for anyone. You just need to follow the prompts. You can also log into the application through your Google or Facebook accounts.
After authorization, you need to link the bracelet to the application. To do this, click “+” in the upper right corner of the screen, then select “Bracelet”, agree to the notification about collecting statistics and select our device from the list. After this, a connection occurs, which will need to be confirmed by touching the icon on the bracelet screen after vibration.
Next, the application will check the firmware version and automatically update it to the latest version. The update takes place in several stages: first the firmware is updated, then the resources, then the fonts. After this, the device interface will automatically be translated into the smartphone language, regardless of the version of the fitness bracelet (Chinese or global). That’s it, now you can move on to the settings, but first let’s go through the device interface.
Payment via NFC
Outside China, NFC does not work in Mi Band. Neither for payment, nor for emulating other cards.
The function is also not available with tags and other devices.
An exception is Xiaomi Hey Plus , but purchasing it is not advisable: the module only works for access cards with an operating frequency of 13.3 MHz .
The appearance of Mi Pay in Russia will change the situation. However, current models in China do not work with it, but with AliPay .
FAQ
Will there be Russian language in the Chinese version of the bracelet?
Yes, in both the Russian and global versions of the bracelet, the Russian language appeared with the release of the Mi Fit application version 4.0.5
Does the bracelet have GPS?
No, to more accurately determine speed, pace, distance and plot a route, a connection to the GPS module of a smartphone is used.
Does NFC work in Mi Band 4?
No, NFC and contactless payments using Alipay do not work outside of China and will not work in the near future. We wrote in detail about why they work only in the “homeland”, and how they work in this article.
What is the communication range of Mi Band 4 with a smartphone?
In the absence of various obstacles in the form of walls, partitions, etc. (in the field) our fitness bracelet lost contact with the smartphone at a distance of 30 meters.
Will straps from Mi Band 3 fit Mi Band 4?
Yes, they will do, except for metal bracelets.
Can Mi Band 4 measure blood pressure?
No. A selection of fitness bracelets with blood pressure and ECG measurements can be found in this article.
How to reset the bracelet?
To reboot the tracker, go to the menu, select “Advanced”, then “Settings” and then “Reboot”.
How to reset the bracelet to factory settings?
The same as rebooting the bracelet, only in “Settings” select “Reset settings”
How to lock Xiaomi Mi Band 4?
The manufacturer decided to equip the new bracelet with a locking function when removed from the hand. To unlock, you will need to enter a PIN code.
To enable this function, go to the bracelet settings in the application. Then you need to go to the “Laboratory” item, then “Bracelet Lock”, enter the 4-digit password and confirm it again. Now, after removing the tracker from your hand, for further use you need to enter this password on the bracelet screen.
Does the bracelet count naps?
The bracelet counts, but the application does not want to take it into account. The Mi Band Master application takes into account daytime sleep.
Does Mi Band 4 have a smart alarm clock?
No, unfortunately, there is no smart alarm clock. Can only be obtained using third-party applications, for example the same Mi Band Master.
How to change the alarm clock vibration?
Judging by posts on forums, many users are not satisfied with the duration of the alarm clock vibration. The manufacturer allows you to set your own vibration profile. To do this, go to the bracelet settings in the application, select “Alarm”, click “Vibration” (in the lower right corner), then “Add”. Then we touch the smartphone screen, creating a “pattern” of vibration (duration and interval).
The vibration of notifications about calls and messages changes in the same way.
How to adjust screen brightness?
Mi Band 4 has 5 brightness levels. To adjust it, go to the menu, select “Advanced”, then “Settings” and then “Brightness”. It is also possible to enable night mode. Then in the dark the brightness will be automatically reduced. This can improve battery life.
How to disconnect Mi Band 4 from your smartphone?
You will need to unlink the tracker from your smartphone if you decide to give the bracelet as a gift or connect it to another smartphone. It is unlinked in the application menu, the “Disconnect” button is at the very bottom after all the settings of the bracelet.
How to switch music?
To control smartphone music, owners of previous versions of the gadget used third-party applications. Mi Smart Band 4 supports this feature out of the box. Of course, it is not very convenient to press tiny buttons, but, nevertheless, it is possible to switch tracks, stop and start playback, and even adjust the volume.
The music control function is called up by swiping to the right on the screen or through the bracelet menu: “Advanced” and then “Music”.
How to set up notifications?
Notifications are configured in the application. To enable call notifications, select “Incoming call”. Here you can turn notifications on/off, set a vibration delay time and customize the vibration “pattern”, like an alarm clock.
To enable application notifications, you need to select “Notifications”, in the next window click “manage applications” (at the bottom of the screen) and mark the applications from which you want to receive notifications.
SMS notifications are enabled differently. To do this, select the “More” item in the next window “Incoming SMS”. Warm-up reminders and events are included on the same tab.
Why does only the phone number and not the contact name appear when I receive an incoming call?
To display a contact name, phone numbers in the phone book must be written in international format. That is, start with +7, +3, etc., depending on the country.
How to change the watch face?
Three watch faces are available out of the box on the bracelet. Through the application you can download another of the 50 options (not yet translated into Russian). When you download a new watch face, the previous one is deleted.
I think that soon “customers” will rivet many more new options. To change the watch face, go to the menu, select “Advanced”, then “Display” and then scroll through the screens by swiping up/down. Select the watch face by touching the screen.
To download the watch face, go to the Mi Fit application, bracelet settings, then “Watch face settings”. Select the one you like, click “Synchronize watch skin” and wait a few seconds. After the message that synchronization is complete, you can change the watch face through the bracelet settings (as described above).
Where to download watch faces for Xiaomi Mi Band 4, how to create your own and how to install it?
We have dedicated a separate article with detailed instructions to the issue of downloading custom watch faces and creating your own. You can go to it using this link.
Reboot
To reboot a frozen bracelet, just put it in the cold for several hours.
Under these conditions, the gadget will automatically turn off and the settings will return to factory settings. If it's ok.
Afterwards, you may need not only defrosting, but also recharging.
A faulty or frozen device will simply run out of battery faster—in about 7-10 days .
Full reset
If the Mi Band crashes or is not unlinked from your account, you can’t unlink it, you can use this utility (you need to manually add the file extension).
It allows you to completely restore the bracelet settings to factory settings.
A more elegant method involves trying to connect to the bracelet from another smartphone that uses a different Mi Fit account.
In this case, the fitness tracker will display a connection error and prompt you to reset.
After confirmation, a reset will occur. However, when reconnecting to the original smartphone, you may need to use a VPN.
FAQ
Is the support team really helpful?
Yes, if the user manages to prove that the bracelet belongs to him, specialists will help untie it.
Have you purchased a new Mi Band 3, but is it linked to a different profile?
You should first contact the person who sold the bracelet, as there is a possibility that this gadget is found or stolen.
If nothing can be achieved with these actions, you need to contact a specialized store. In order to unlink Mi Band 3 from Android or iPhone, you do not need to perform complex actions. It is only important to remain patient and calmly wait for the result. Using the methods given in the article, you can achieve what you want quickly and safely for both the bracelet and the smartphone.
Applications
Owners of Android smartphones can use not only the original Mi Fit companion application.
Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Google Play). Completely replaces the original, adding advanced alert settings, a smart alarm clock and a number of cosmetic features to the standard features.
Mi Band 2 Func Button (Google Play). Replaces Mi Fit, complements the capabilities of the bracelet - even redundantly. One of the features is that there is fine tuning of the button operation.
Mi Band Smart Alarm (Google Play). Complements Mi Fit with a smart alarm clock, working in conjunction with the original application.
Find Mi Band (Google Play). A utility with advanced search capabilities for a lost bracelet.
Mi Band Selfie (Google Play). Allows you to use the bracelet's button or touchpad to control your smartphone's camera.
A more detailed list of Mi Fit replacement programs with a brief overview can be found in our material.
Operating principle
Performing this manipulation will require very little. The bracelet, synchronized with the smartphone and with the Mi Fit program installed on it, should be located at a short distance from the phone - just within Bluetooth range.
The essence of the function is that when the owner takes the Mi smartphone and presses the power button, the operating system automatically scans the area around and finds the device paired with it, which is our Mi Band. If the devices are located at a distance of about 1 meter from each other, the phone automatically unlocks it and gives full access to all its files.
