Modern smartphones like the popular Xiaomi Redmi 5 offer users a wide range of media, but without high-quality acoustics, the device’s potential is difficult to unlock. Many owners prefer to switch to wireless solutions to get rid of tangled wires and enjoy freedom of movement during training or travel on public transport. The process of connecting devices seems simple, but the MIUI shell has its own nuances that can bewilder an inexperienced user.
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your accessory is charged and in good condition. The Bluetooth module in Redmi 5 works steadily, supporting most modern codecs, which provides high-definition audio. In this article, we will discuss each pairing step in detail, consider possible errors and suggest ways to fix them so that you can immediately start using your favorite tracks.
It's worth noting that the algorithms for Android may vary slightly depending on the firmware version installed, but the basic principle remains the same: the source device must find the receiver. We've prepared a universal instruction manual that will be suitable for both the original Mi True Wireless Earbuds and third-party headsets from other manufacturers.
Preparation of headphones for the first turn on
The first step should always be to check the battery power in the plug-in. If you just took the device out of the box, make sure it has enough power to run in search mode. Low charge often causes the indicator to flash too rarely or not light up at all, making it invisible to the phone.
For case-charging devices, you need to remove both earbuds and make sure they are activated. Some models require long-term touchpads to enter mating mode. Other times, just open the case lid and the device automatically goes into detection mode.
- 🔋 Fully charge the case and the headphones themselves before the first use.
- 👆 Press the button on the case or touch zone before the flashing indicator appears.
- 👀 Make sure the indicator is lit in blue or red-blue, signaling readiness.
It is important to understand that different manufacturers use different color schemes to indicate modes of operation. For example, a slow blinking can mean waiting for a connection, whereas a fast one can mean an active pair search. The pairing mode on Redmi 5 is active only for a short time after turning on the search on the phone.
Activation of Bluetooth module on Redmi 5
After you've prepared the peripheral, we'll go to the settings of the smartphone itself. Unlock your Xiaomi Redmi 5 screen and find the Settings icon on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear, and you'll need to find the wireless connection section on the menu.
In newer versions of the MIUI shell, the path may look like Settings → Bluetooth. In older builds, this item is often hidden inside the Additional or Connections and Sharing section. Press the switch to activate the module. If you're doing this for the first time, the system may request location permission, as this is necessary for the network scanner to work.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave visibility mode on permanently in crowded places, this can reduce the level of security of your data and quickly discharge the battery of the smartphone.
Once the slider is turned on, the phone will automatically search for available devices within range, which usually takes 3 to 10 seconds, at which time a list of gadgets that broadcast their signal will appear on the screen. If your phone can't see anything, try turning off and turning on Bluetooth again or restarting the device.
Process of finding and pairing devices
When the module is activated, the name of your headset should appear in the Available Devices list, which can be the same as the brand (e.g. JBL, Sony) or a set of characters (model number).
Android on Redmi 5 can request confirmation of the access code, which is 99 percent of the time, standard code 0000 or 1234, which you just need to confirm by clicking OK or Connect. Sometimes the code is displayed on the screen and you need to check it, although this is rarely required for audio devices.
☑️ Checking before connection
When you connect, you may see a pop-up requesting access to contacts and call logs, which is a standard Hands-free profile feature that allows you to see the caller's name and manage calls from the headphone buttons. You should agree to have the functionality work correctly.
- 📲 Find the name of the device in the list available on the smartphone screen.
- ✅ Click on the name to start the procedure (mating).
- 🔊 Wait for the sound signal in the headphones, confirming success.
Setting up profiles and sound quality
Once the connection is successful, the system will automatically distribute usage profiles. For Redmi 5, it's usually A2DP (for music) and HFP (for conversations), however, the default sound quality may not meet your expectations, especially if you're using high-resolution codecs.
To get the most out of the audio system, you can go to the hidden developer menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version 7 times. After the notification “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers.
| Codec | Quality. | Stability | Delay. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBC | Basic | Tall. | Low. |
| AAC | Good. | Medium | Medium |
| aptX | High. | Medium | Low. |
| LDAC | Hi-Res | Low. | Tall. |
In the developer menu, find the Bluetooth Audio Codec (or Bluetooth Audio Codec), where you can force the choice of a priority codec if both devices support it, and choosing a better codec can increase battery consumption, but it will significantly improve the detail of the sound.
What do you do if you don't have aptX?
Managing connected devices
When the headset is connected, the battery icon and connection type appear in the notification curtain or in the Bluetooth menu. By clicking on the gear next to the device name, you will be taken to the advanced settings of a particular gadget, where you can rename the device for convenience or disable individual profiles.
For example, if you use earphones only for music and don't want to, when the sound switched to them when the call came in, you can turn off the call sound profile. This is useful if the microphone is in a low-quality headset and you prefer to talk through the phone speaker.
To turn off or break the connection, you don't have to turn off Bluetooth completely. Just press the "disconnect" button in the device menu. Automatic reconnection will occur when you turn on the headphones again if they are in range.
- ⚙️ Use the device settings menu for detailed configuration.
- 🔇 Disable unnecessary profiles (media or calls) to optimize your work.
- 🗑️ Forget your device if you plan to connect it to another phone.
⚠️ Note: Forget Device removes all stored encryption keys. The next connection will require a re-pairing procedure from scratch.
Solution: if the headphones are not connected
Sometimes it doesn't go smoothly: the phone sees the device but writes "Connection error" or simply doesn't respond. First, try "Forget" the device in the Bluetooth list and start searching again. Often, a simple smartphone reboot helps, which resets the system's suspended services.
If the problem persists, check if your headphones are connected to another gadget (tablet, laptop).The connection priority is often given to the last active device, and the headphones can ignore requests from Redmi 5, considering themselves busy.
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If the TWS headphones (left and right separately), try resetting them to factory settings by clamping the buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators blink in a special way.
In rare cases, you need to clear your Bluetooth cache. To do this, find the "Bluetooth" system process in the application menu, go to storage and click "Clear Cache." This will not delete your pairs, but update the protocol's service files.
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90% of connection problems are solved by completely resetting headphones (Hard Reset) and cleaning the list of pairs in the phone.
Optimizing Bluetooth for energy savings
Constant search of devices and operation of the Bluetooth module can significantly affect the autonomy of the Xiaomi Redmi 5, the battery of which is not distinguished by a huge capacity by modern standards. MIUI Has aggressive energy saving settings that can prematurely turn off background processes.
To keep the music from interrupting when the screen is off, look for the Music app or your player in your battery settings and set the No Limits mode. Also make sure that the Bluetooth device list doesn't have old, unused gadgets that the phone is trying to question in the background.
Using quality codecs like aptX really consumes more power than standard SBC.If you listen to podcasts or audiobooks where bitrate is not critical, it makes sense in the developer menu to switch to a simpler codec to extend your runtime.