Modern flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 11 have almost completely eliminated the 3.5 mm jack for a wired headset, making wireless solutions not just a convenience, but a necessity. The process of synchronizing audio devices in the MIUI shell is optimized for instant response, but users often face nuances that are not obvious when they first get acquainted with the device.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages of pairing different types of headsets, from classical to traditional. TWS-You will learn about hidden equalizer settings, ways to improve sound quality and methods to eliminate common connection errors that may occur during the operation of your smartphone.
It’s worth noting that the Xiaomi Mi 11 supports advanced data standards, including aptX Adaptive and LDAC, which is critical for music fans.However, activating these features sometimes requires manual intervention in system settings or the installation of additional software from the headphone manufacturer.
Preparation of the smartphone and headphones for pairing
Before starting the procedure, make sure your Xiaomi Mi 11 has sufficient battery power, as the search and initial setup process can consume a significant amount of power, and it is also recommended to check whether the flight mode is activated at the moment, which completely blocks all wireless modules, including Bluetooth.
It's important to put the headphones in visibility mode. For most TWS (True Wireless Stereo) models, that means removing them from the charging case and holding onto the touchpads or physical buttons for a long time before the lights flash quickly. If you're using a full-size headset, you usually need to press the on button for 5-7 seconds.
⚠️ Note: If your headphones have previously been paired with another phone, they may automatically try to connect to it when turned on. In this case, temporarily turn off Bluetooth on your old device or select Forget Device in its settings so that the Mi 11 can find them without conflict.
Make sure there are no powerful interference sources in the immediate vicinity, such as running microwaves or routers running at 2.4 GHz without splitting bands. While the Bluetooth 5.2 standard supported by the Snapdragon 888 processor in the Mi 11 is highly resistant to interference, the purity of the ether plays a crucial role in the initial handshake.
Step-by-step connection instruction via Bluetooth settings
The basic method of activating a connection is standard for the Android ecosystem, but has its own features in the MIUI 12/13/14 interface. First, open the Settings app on the home screen or in the notification curtain. Find the Bluetooth section, which is usually located at the top of the list or in the Connect and Sharing group.
Activate the switch if it's in the off position. The system will immediately start scanning the surrounding space. At which point a list of available devices will appear on the screen, sorted by signal strength or last connection time, you need to find the name of your model in the list of "Available devices".
- 📱 Click on the name of your device in the list of found gadgets on the smartphone screen.
- 🔗 Wait for a pairing request where you may need to confirm the code (usually 0000 or 1234).
- ✅ Click “OK” or “Connect” to complete handshake between devices.
- 🔊 Check status: next to the device name should appear the icon battery or status “Connected».
After a successful connection, the system will automatically redirect the audio stream to an external device. If this does not happen, click on the gear next to the headphone name in the Bluetooth list and select the Use for option, making sure that the Multimedia and Phone Sound are activated.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
Use of fast connection and pop-up windows
Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi equipment can use the MIUI Pop-up fast pairing function. This technology allows you to open an animated window with the battery charge of each earphone and case immediately after opening the lid next to the smartphone.
To activate the advanced display options, go to Settings → Bluetooth → click on the three dots in the top right → Settings. Make sure the Display pop-up option is enabled. This is especially useful for controlling charge levels, as the standard Android menu often shows total percentage rather than left- and right-handed detail.
It’s worth remembering that pop-ups require active internet and Mi Account authorization, as device profile data is downloaded from the cloud. If you’re using a global firmware version, servers may respond with a delay, so be patient with the first run.
Customization of sound quality and codecs in Xiaomi Mi 11
The Xiaomi Mi 11 is equipped with a powerful audio chip and supports a wide range of codecs. By default, the system chooses the most compatible codec (usually SBC or AAC), but for better sound, you can switch to more advanced algorithms, such as aptX Adaptive or LDAC, if your headphones support them.
To access these settings, you need to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version 7 times. After the notification “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers.
| Codec | Bitrate (example) | Delay (Latency) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBC | 328 kbps | High (>200 ms) | Basic quality, maximum compatibility |
| AAC | 256 kbps | Medium | Standard for iOS and Android, good quality |
| aptX Adaptive | 279-420 kbps | Low (80ms) | Perfect for games and music on the move |
| LDAC | up to 990 kbps | Medium/High | Hi-Res audio, better quality but higher battery consumption |
In the developer menu, look for Bluetooth Audio Codec. You click on it and you'll see a list of available codecs. Choose the one that supports your headset. The change will take effect once you reconnect the device. You can also adjust the sampling rate and bit depth to fine-tune it to a particular track.
Solution: Headphones don't connect or lose touch
Despite the stability of the Xiaomi Mi 11, users may encounter a situation where the device is visible but not connected, or the connection is constantly broken. Often the reason lies in a crowded Bluetooth cache or a conflict of profiles. First of all, try to remove the device from the list of conjugated ("Forget the device") and perform the pairing again.
If the problem persists, reset your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairs, so be prepared to re-enter them.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting your network settings, make sure you remember passwords from your Wi-Fi networks, as it will be impossible to recover them from your phone’s memory after this procedure without re-entering them.
Another reason could be energy saving. MIUI aggressively manages background processes. Go to Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to the connected headphones and make sure all permissions are enabled, and the "No Limits" restriction is selected in the Battery menu for the Bluetooth system process.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to clear temporary files and restart the communication module.
- 🔋 Check the charge of the headphones – at low energy levels, some models reduce the power of the transmitter.
- 📡 Make sure you are not in a high-level electromagnetic radiation zone.
- 🛠 Update the firmware of the headphones themselves through the manufacturer's proprietary application.
Configuring management and additional functions
Once connected successfully, it is useful to configure control gestures. In the Xiaomi Mi 11, control is often duplicated: some functions are handled by the headset itself, and some are handled by the system. To expand the functionality, install the Google Sound app (formerly Sound Connect) or the company’s Google Play headphone manufacturer utility.
Google Sound can set up a responsive sound app that automatically adjusts noise reduction levels based on the volume of ambient noise and your activity, and it also has a feature called Conversation Notifications, which pauses music when you start talking.
Don't forget to adjust the response to the voice assistant. In Bluetooth settings, you can select your device to set an action for a long press or double touch, which allows you to call Google Assistant or Si (in Chinese versions) without having to take the phone out of your pocket.