Xiaomi Selfie Stick Bluetooth: How to Connect to Your Phone in 2 Minutes (Android and iPhone)

Xiaomi’s selfie stick is one of the most popular accessories for creating quality self-portraits, but many users face problems when first connecting. Even if you bought a new Bluetooth selfie stick (the Xiaomi Mi Selfie Stick, Xiaomi Mijia Bluetooth Selfie Stick or Xiaomi Smart Selfie Stick), the pairing process may not be obvious: the device is not detected, the pairing button does not respond, or the camera does not work on pressing. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to connect – from standard Bluetooth-patched, to alternative methods for typical smartphones, as well as solutions.

Xiaomi selfie sticks work not only as a mechanical holder, but also as a remote control of the camera via Bluetooth, which means that once connected, you can start a shooting or timer with the push of a button on the handle - without unnecessary touching the screen. But you have to set up the connection right, and there's a lot of mistakes that people make. We tested the instructions on Android. 13/14, iOS 16/17 and even on older versions of systems to cover all possible scenarios.

If you've tried to plug a stick in before, but it didn't work, don't rush it back to the store. 90 percent of the time, it's solved by resetting your Bluetooth settings, updating your smartphone firmware, or simply rebooting your devices, and for iPhone owners, we've created a separate section with some of the nuances of Apple's security policies.

1. Preparing Xiaomi selfie stick to connect

Before you start pairing, make sure your Xiaomi selfie stick is ready to go. Many people miss this step, and then they get into mistakes.

• 🔋 Charge the battery. Most models (Mi Selfie Stick, Mijia Bluetooth) have a built-in battery that needs to be charged via Micro-USB or Type-C (depending on the version). The charging indicator usually burns red during the process and turns blue on completion. If the stick is discharged, it will not be detected by the smartphone.
• 📱 Check compatibility. Make sure your smartphone supports Bluetooth 4.0 or later. → The phone. → Xiaomi Selfie Sticks Don't Work with Very Old Devices (Before Android 5.0 or iOS 9).
• 🔄 Update the phone's firmware. Sometimes connectivity problems arise from outdated Bluetooth drivers. For example, on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 with a new version of the new model. MIUI 12.5 were bugs with pairing accessories - they corrected after updating to MIUI 13.

If you've just unpacked a selfie stick, look for the protective film on the mating button (usually located on the handle under the Mi logo). Sometimes users can't press the button because of it. Also check if the charging connector is dirty - this can interfere with the normal operation of the device.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi selfie stick models (e.g., Xiaomi Smart Selfie Stick 2) have dual Bluetooth and wired (via 3.5mm audio connector). If you connect it over a wire, Bluetooth pairing is not required, just insert the plug into the smartphone and press the button on the handle. In this case, the remote control function of the camera will not work.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection (Android)

The most common way to pair is through Bluetooth, and on Android smartphones, the process is this:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone: go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth (on) MIUI) or settings → Devices → Bluetooth pairing (on pure Android).
2. Activate mating mode on a selfie stick: press the power button (usually it is one on the handle) for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue and red (or only blue - depending on the model).
3. Find the device in the list of available: it should be called Mi Selfie, Xiaomi_BLE Or something like that.
4. Confirm the pairing: the phone will request connection — agree. on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 11) may need to enter PIN-code - usually 0000 or 1234.

Once you've successfully connected, the stick light should stop flashing and be on a blue light, so you can open the camera on your phone and press the button on the handle, and it will act as a trigger for shooting. If the button doesn't respond, check:

• 📸 Camera resolutions: Some apps (like Instagram or Snapchat) block external control devices.
• 🔄 Reconnect: Turn off the stick in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 🔋 Battery charge: If the indicator flashes red, the selfie stick is discharged and needs to be charged.

Charge a selfie stick to 100%|

Remove old paired devices in Bluetooth|

Update the firmware of the smartphone |

Make sure the mating button is not blocked.-->

If the selfie stick isn’t found in the list of devices, try rebooting the Bluetooth module on your phone:

Settings → System → Reset → Network Reset (or Bluetooth Reset)

This method often helps if you have previously had problems connecting other accessories.

3. iPhone connection (iOS): features and nuances

On the iPhone, the pairing process is almost the same, but there are a few key differences that make users often experience errors. 16/17:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
2. Press the button on Xiaomi's selfie stick for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes blue quickly. On iPhone, mating mode may require longer retention than on Android.
3. In the list of devices, find Mi Selfie or Xiaomi_BLE and tap him.
4. Wait for the sign to say "Connected." On the iPhone, a notification may appear that the device is not certified - ignore it (this is normal for Xiaomi accessories).

The main problem when connecting to an iPhone is Apple's restrictions on using Bluetooth devices in the background. If the button on the stick does not work in the camera app after pairing, try:

• 📱 Close all background apps: Double-press the Home button (or swipe up on iPhone X and later) and close all programs except the camera.
• 🔄 Reconnect the device: Go to Settings → Bluetooth, tap the "i" icon next to Mi Selfie and select "Forget this device." Then repeat pairing.
• 🔧 Reset your network settings: If nothing helps, go to Settings → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Reset network settings. This will delete all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, but often solves connection problems.

⚠️ Note: On the iPhone, Xiaomi's selfie stick can automatically shut down after 5 to 10 minutes of inactivity. This is a feature of iOS's energy saving. To get back together, just press the button on the stick and it will reconnect.

If you are using an iPhone 15 or newer with a port USB-C, Please note that wired connection of selfie sticks (through 3.5-You can't do that -- you'll only have to use Bluetooth. 8/SE) The wired mode works, but without the remote control function.

4. Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth is not working)

If standard pairing fails, there are a few workarounds that are less convenient, but they will help if the selfie stick stubbornly doesn't want to connect.

Method 1: Use of the Mi Home App

Some selfie stick models (e.g. Xiaomi Mijia Bluetooth Selfie Stick) can be connected via the official Mi Home app:

1. Download Mi Home from Google Play or App Store.
2. Go to the app, click "Add device" and select "Other" category.
3. Turn on the mating mode on the selfie stick (press the button for 5 seconds) and wait for the app to detect it.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the connection.

Method 2: Connecting through OTG-adapter (for older smartphones)

If your phone doesn’t support Bluetooth 4.0 or there are problems with the module, you can use a wired connection via the Bluetooth. OTG-adapter:

• Buy it. OTG-adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB OTG Adapter).
• Connect the selfie stick to the adapter via Micro-USB or Type-C (depending on the model).
• Put the adapter in the smartphone.
• Open the camera – the button on the stick should act as a trigger.

The downside of this method is that remote control won't work -- the stick will just be an extension for the shooting button -- but it's the only option for very old phones (like the Xiaomi Redmi). 3S or Samsung Galaxy S5).

Method 3: Using third-party applications to control the camera

If the button on the stick doesn’t work in a standard camera, try one of these apps:

• 📷 Camera360 — Supports external Bluetooth devices and has separate settings for selfie sticks.

⚠️ Warning: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in your phone settings. Otherwise, the connection to the selfie stick may be interrupted. MIUI This is done in the settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

5. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, there may be failures, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If Xiaomi's selfie stick plugs in but the button is triggered with a delay, the problem could be in the Bluetooth version. For example, Bluetooth 4.0 has a delay of up to 1 second, and Bluetooth 5.0 has a delay of almost instantaneous. To check the Bluetooth version on Android, use the app. AIDA64.

A critical nuance for Xiaomi Smart Selfie Stick 2: if the indicator flashes green, this means that the device is in firmware update mode. In this case, you can not connect to the phone - you need to wait for the process to end (usually 1-2 minutes) or reset the stick to factory settings (hold the 10 seconds button).

6. Camera control setting (timer, serial shooting)

Once you have a Xiaomi selfie stick, you can set up additional camera controls, such as setting a timer, shooting serials, or switching cameras (frontal/back) And this is how you do it:

Android.

In the standard camera app MIUI:

1. Open the camera and tap the badge "⚙️ Settings".
2. Select Bluetooth Control or Remote Control (name depends on version) MIUI).
3. Activate the option "Allow management from external devices".
4. Set up the action for the button: 📷 Single tap -- shooting. 🔄 Double pressing - switching cameras. 🕒 Holding – Starting a timer (3 or 10 seconds).

iPhone.

On iOS, settings are limited, but you can use button combinations:

• 📸 Single tap -- shooting.
• 🔄 Double-press – switching between front and main camera (not working on all iPhone models).
• 🎥 Holding 2 seconds - start the video.

If you need more features (such as zoom adjustment or white balance adjustment), use apps like Camera.+ 2 (for iOS) or Footage (for Android) They support advanced control over Bluetooth.

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If you often shoot videos with a selfie stick, turn on the "Stabilization" option (or "Super Steady" on Samsung) in your camera settings, which compensates for the shaking of your hands and makes the shot smoother.

7. Update of the firmware of the selfie stick (if necessary)

In rare cases, problems with connection or operation of the buttons are associated with outdated firmware of the selfie stick itself, which can be updated through the official Mi Home app:

1. Connect the selfie stick to your phone via Mi Home (as described in Section 4).
2. Go to the device menu and check for updates in the "Firmware" section.
3. If the update is available, plug the stick into charging (required!) and start the process.
4. Do not turn off the device until the update is complete (usually takes 2-5 minutes).

After updating the firmware, you may need to re-pair the phone.

• 🔄 Updates are rarely released – only if there are critical bugs in the current version.
• 📱 Not all selfie stick models support firmware updates (e.g., Xiaomi Mi Selfie Stick first version can’t be updated).
• ⚠️ If the selfie stick goes off during the upgrade, it could fail.

💡

Updating the firmware of the Xiaomi selfie stick is extremely rare. If the device is stable, it is better not to risk and not update it unnecessarily.

8 Operation and care tips

To make Xiaomi’s selfie stick last longer, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charge correctly: Use the original cable and power adapter (5V/1A). Do not leave the stick on the charger more 4 This can damage the battery.
• 💧 Avoid moisture: While some models have spray protection, do not use a stick in the rain or near water.
• 🧹 Clean the connectors: once a month, wipe Micro-USB/Type-C ports with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove dust and dirt.
• 📦 Store in a case: If the stick is in the bag without protection, the button may accidentally press, draining the battery.

If you are planning to take a selfie stick on a trip, consider that:

• ✈️ Bluetooth devices are allowed on airplanes, but only in “in-flight” mode with Bluetooth enabled.
• 🌍 In some countries (such as Japan) there may be restrictions on the use of Bluetooth devices in public places.
• 🔋 In the cold (-10°C and below, the selfie stick battery drains faster, and keep it close to your body (for example, under your jacket).

If the selfie stick stops turning on, try a forced reset:

1. Connect it to a 10 minute charger.
2. Hold the power button for 15 seconds.
3. Turn off the charger and try to turn it on again.

If that didn’t work, the battery probably failed, in which case you can try replacing it yourself (video instructions are available on YouTube) or contact the Xiaomi service center.

💡

Xiaomi selfie sticks do not have an official battery warranty; the average life of the stick is 2-3 years when used actively.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi selfie stick