This guide explains what music control can and cannot do, how to set it up from Android, how to use it in daily life and during workouts, and how to fix common problems when the band is not responding to music.
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What Music Control on Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 Actually Does
Music control works as a remote over Bluetooth. The band sends basic commands to your Android phone; the phone then controls the app that is currently playing audio.
The band can typically:
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Play or pause the current track.
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Skip to the next track.
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Go back to the previous track (where supported).
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Adjust volume up or down (on many Android devices).
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Display basic song info (title and sometimes artist), depending on the app and system.
Important limitations:
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No internal speaker: the band has no sound output.
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No internal storage for tracks: it cannot store music files.
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No playlist browsing: it can only control the current playback, not browse your library.
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Dependent on phone: if the phone stops or the app is closed, the band cannot play music on its own.
Think of Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 as a convenient wrist remote for controlling whatever audio is playing on your Android phone.
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Requirements and Preparation on Android
Before music controls work reliably, a few conditions must be met:
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Bluetooth connection
The band must be connected to your Android phone via Bluetooth. If the band is disconnected, the music controls will not do anything. -
Mi Fit installed and configured
The Mi Fit app should be installed and the band paired correctly with your Mi account on that Android device. -
Music control item added to the band’s menu
In some configurations, the Music screen must be enabled or added to the list of displayed items through Mi Fit.
To make sure the music screen is enabled:
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Open Mi Fit on your Android phone.
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Go to the Profile tab.
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Select Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 from the list of devices.
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Look for an option like Display settings, Band display settings or similar.
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In the list of items shown on the band, ensure that Music (or a similar label) is turned on.
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If the menu allows reordering, drag Music higher in the list for quicker access.
After saving, sync the band automatically by keeping it close to the phone for a few seconds.
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Accessing the Music Control Screen on the Band
Once Music is enabled in the band’s menu, accessing it is simple:
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Wake Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 by tapping the screen or using lift-to-wake.
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Swipe left/right or up/down (depending on firmware layout) until you see the Music icon or label.
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Tap to open the music control screen.
If audio is already playing on the Android phone, the band usually displays:
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Song title (and sometimes artist)
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Playback status (play or pause)
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Control buttons for previous track, play/pause and next track
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Volume controls if supported
If no audio is playing, the screen may show a message like “No music” or simply display empty controls. Once you start playback on the phone, the information will appear.
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Using Music Controls: Buttons and Behavior
Inside the Music screen on Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4, you generally find something like this layout:
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Left button: previous track.
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Center button: play/pause.
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Right button: next track.
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Sometimes additional indicators or swipe gestures for volume control.
How each control works:
Play/Pause
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One tap sends a play or pause command to the currently active media app on your Android phone.
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If music is paused on the phone, tapping this will resume playback.
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If music is playing, tapping will pause it.
Next track
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Skips to the next track in the playlist or queue.
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Works with most music players and streaming apps that support standard media commands.
Previous track
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Goes to the previous track, or restarts the current track depending on the app and how long the current song has been playing.
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Some streaming apps interpret multiple quick taps as “go further back”.
Volume control
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On many Android setups, volume controls appear as arrows or an additional screen that you reach by swiping.
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Adjusting volume from the band changes the media volume on the phone, not an independent band volume.
All controls are sent over Bluetooth. There may be a short delay, especially if the phone is busy or the Bluetooth connection is not very strong.
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Working with Different Android Music and Media Apps
Music controls on Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 generally rely on standard Android media controls, so they can work with many apps, for example:
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Local music players.
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Popular streaming services.
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Podcast players.
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Video players (the band will control audio playback even if the content is video).
Behavior can differ depending on how each app handles media sessions. In most cases:
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If the app appears in the phone’s notification shade with playback controls, the band can usually control it.
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Play/pause and track switching are widely supported.
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Song info on the band may show correctly when the app provides metadata to the system.
If one app does not respond properly to band controls, try another media app to see whether the problem is app-specific.
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Music Controls During Workouts
One of the most useful scenarios is controlling music while exercising, without pulling out the phone.
Typical behavior during a workout:
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Start a workout from the Workout menu on Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 (for example, Outdoor running or Walking).
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Start music playback on your Android phone from your preferred app.
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While the workout screen is active, you can usually access music controls by swiping sideways (for example, swipe left or right from the workout stats page) or by returning briefly to the Music menu.
Common patterns:
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Swipe during workout → music control screen → adjust track or volume → swipe back → workout stats screen.
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The workout continues tracking in the background while you use the Music screen.
This makes it easy to skip a song or adjust volume during a run without interrupting tracking or handling the phone.
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Customizing Access to Music Controls
To make music controls quicker to reach, it’s a good idea to customize the band’s menu order:
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Open Mi Fit on Android.
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Go to the Profile tab and select Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4.
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Enter the menu for Display settings or Band display settings.
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Turn on the Music item if it is off.
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Reorder the items so Music appears near the top of the list (for example, after Status or Heart rate).
With this setup, you will reach the Music screen with fewer swipes, which is very helpful when your other hand is busy or you are in motion.
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Battery and Performance Considerations
Music control itself does not consume a lot of additional battery on the band. However, there are a few indirect factors:
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Using the display frequently
If you constantly wake the screen to change tracks or adjust volume, screen-on time increases and battery drains faster. -
Continuous Bluetooth connection
The band must stay connected to the Android phone for music controls (and other functions) to work. This is normal and already expected in daily use.
Battery-friendly usage:
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Use quick glances and minimal interaction instead of repeatedly playing with the controls.
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Combine music control with reasonable brightness and screen timeout settings.
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During long workouts, set playlists or albums in advance so fewer track changes are needed.
The phone’s battery will be more affected by music playback itself than the band. The band only sends small remote commands.
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Troubleshooting Music Control Problems
If music controls on Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 are not working as expected, most issues are simple to fix.
Problem: Music menu does not appear on the band
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Check in Mi Fit’s Display settings that Music is enabled.
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Sync the band by keeping it near the phone while Mi Fit is open.
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Restart the band and reopen Mi Fit.
Problem: Buttons do nothing when pressed
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Ensure Bluetooth is turned on and the band is connected in Mi Fit.
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Make sure audio is actually playing or paused in an app on the phone. If no media session exists, the band cannot control anything.
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Try a different media app to see whether the issue is with a specific player.
Problem: Delay between pressing a button and action on the phone
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Check that the phone is not overloaded or far away; large distance or obstacles can slow down Bluetooth communication.
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Keep the phone in a pocket, armband or belt pouch close to the band.
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Turn off other nearby Bluetooth devices temporarily if interference is suspected.
Problem: Song info not shown correctly or appears blank
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Not all apps send complete metadata. Even if controls work, the band may show only basic or no song information.
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Try with a different media player that regularly updates metadata to Android’s media notification.
Problem: Volume control does not appear
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Some combinations of phone model, Android version and firmware may not provide volume control through the band.
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Even when volume is not shown on the band, play/pause and track skipping usually still work.
In most cases, reconnecting the band, restarting Mi Fit and testing with a known compatible app resolves the problems.
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Practical Tips for Daily Use
To get the most out of Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 music control features:
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Prepare playlists in advance
Set a playlist, album or queue on your Android phone before you put it away, so all further control can be done from your wrist. -
Place the phone nearby
Keep the phone within a reasonable Bluetooth range: in a pocket, running belt, backpack or close on a table when indoors. -
Reorder the menu
Move Music near the top of the band’s menu using Mi Fit so you can reach it with as few swipes as possible. -
Combine with workouts
Start your workout and your music at roughly the same time. Use the band to adjust volume or change tracks without interrupting exercise. -
Use conservative display settings
If you control music frequently, lower brightness and keep screen timeout short to save battery while still enjoying quick access.
With these habits, Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 becomes a handy wrist remote for your Android phone’s audio, making it easier to enjoy songs, podcasts and other media during commutes, workouts and everyday activities without constantly reaching for the phone.