Many Apple users who are switching to Xiaomi smartphones are wondering about the compatibility of their favorite headphones. Fortunately, Bluetooth technology is versatile, allowing you to easily connect devices from different manufacturers. The synchronization process takes only a few minutes, but has a number of nuances that you should consider for comfortable use.
Unlike pairing with an iPhone, where animations appear instantly, when connected to Android smartphones, including MIUI and HyperOS, the interface will be standard. However, the basic functions of playback, pause and switching tracks work consistently on all models, it is only important to perform the primary pairing correctly to avoid problems with sound quality in the future.
Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing
Before starting the procedure, make sure your AirPods are at least 20-30% charged. If the headphone or case battery is completely drained, the device may not enter detection mode. Also check that the Xiaomi smartphone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocation is activated, as some versions of Android require this to search for peripherals.
Open the charge case cover, but don't take the headphones out for now. There's a round setting button on the back of the case, which is responsible for putting the gadget into visibility mode. Keep it pressed until the indicator inside the case flashes white.
If the light flashes in amber or orange, it can signal a low charge or error, in which case, put the case on wireless charging or plug in the Lightning/USB-C cable for 10-15 minutes before retrying. White pulsating light means that the device is ready to search.
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If the indicator does not light up even when charging, wipe the contacts inside the case with a dry cotton swab - oxidation often interferes with the charging of the headphones themselves.
The pairing process through Bluetooth settings
Pick up your smartphone and go to the main menu. Find the Settings icon and select the Bluetooth partition. Turn on the switch if it's in the off position and wait for the list of available devices to appear. The system will automatically search for gadgets in detection mode.
The "Available Devices" list should show the name of your headphones, such as "AirPods Pro" or "AirPods Max." Click on that name to initiate the connection. The smartphone can request a pairing confirmation — press OK or Connect.
After successful synchronization, the status will change to Connected, and next to the device name, a battery icon will appear. Now the sound from the phone will be broadcast to the headphones. If the connection does not happen the first time, try to close the Bluetooth settings and open them again.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
Customization of sound and control through third-party applications
With Android, you can't access advanced features like adjusting noise cancellation, checking the charge level of each earphone separately, or changing touch controls. To implement these features, you need to install specialized software. One of the most popular solutions is the MaterialPods or AndroPods application.
Once you install the app and give you the permissions you need, you can access widgets and a full control menu, and you can switch Active Noise Cancellation and transparency, and you can calibrate the equalizer, which is especially true for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max owners.
Some users have noted that third-party apps can consume an extra charge of the smartphone battery. If you rarely change settings, it is better to configure everything once and close the background of the application. It is also worth remembering that automatically detecting the extraction of the earphone from the ear (approximation sensor) can work incorrectly without the original software.
Why isn't noise reduction working?
Solving problems with the microphone and communication quality
A common problem when using AirPods with Xiaomi is the poor quality of the microphone during calls.Interviewers may complain of a quiet voice or extraneous noises. This is due to the features of codecs and Bluetooth profiles, which are implemented differently in iOS and Android.
To improve the situation, you can try disabling HD Audio or AAC in the developer settings if this option is available in your firmware version. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times) to activate the developer menu, then find the Additional → Settings Bluetooth audio codecs section.
⚠️ Attention: Changing your Bluetooth codec settings can cause sound to be unstable in other applications. Return default values if you notice severe distortions.
Also make sure the microphones on the headphones themselves are not contaminated. The speakers' grids often accumulate earwax and dust, which physically blocks the sound. Carefully clean the grids with a soft dry brush. If the problem persists in only one earphone, try turning off the device in Bluetooth settings and reconnecting it by selecting "Forget the device."
Features of different models of AirPods with MIUI
Different generations of Apple headphones behave differently when connecting to Xiaomi smartphones. Below is a table that will help you understand what to expect from your particular model in an Android environment.
| Model | Stability of connection | The microphone's work | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 1/2 | Tall. | Medium | Basic management only |
| AirPods Pro | Tall. | Good. | Need an app for the ANC |
| AirPods 3 | Medium | Medium | Autopause problems |
| AirPods Max | Tall. | Great. | Quick switching of devices |
AirPods 3 owners often find that the ear detectors are latent, music may not be paused immediately after the earphone is removed, a software limitation that is virtually impossible to circumvent without flashing the earbuds themselves, which is not supported on Android.
AirPods Max models perform best with a more powerful processor and improved antennas, they reconnect faster when out of range and have a more stable communication channel, which is critical for watching video without desynchronization.
Removing frequent connection errors
If Xiaomi’s smartphone stops “seeing” the headphones or the connection is constantly breaking, do a full reset of the headphones. To do this, place them in the case, close the lid and wait for 30 seconds. Then open the lid and press the setting button on the back, holding it for about 15 seconds until the indicator blinks in amber and then white.
On your phone, go to Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods in the list of previously connected devices, and select Delete or Forget. Then do the pairing again, as described at the beginning of the article. This solves 90% of software conflicts.
Sometimes the cause of problems is caching Google Play services or the system process Bluetooth. Rebooting your smartphone in safe mode will help determine whether a third-party application is hindering stable communication. If in safe mode everything works perfectly, look for a conflicting application among the recently installed.
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Full reset of headphones (Hard Reset) through the button on the case is the most effective solution to most problems with connection.