Many users of the Xiaomi ecosystem are faced with the desire to use Apple's premium headphones, such as AirPods, with their smartphones. This is quite real, because Bluetooth technology is the universal standard of communication. However, the process of pairing has its own nuances, different from connecting to an iPhone. You do not need to be a technician to set up these devices together.
The main difficulty is that you don't automatically synchronize your settings through iCloud. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI or HyperOS shells, you'll have to manually control some audio settings. Despite this, the playback quality will remain high. In this article, we'll go through all the steps of connecting, customizing functions and solving typical problems.
Before you start, make sure your headphones are charged and your smartphone is unlocked. The Bluetooth module must be activated. These are basic requirements without which further action is impossible. We will look at both the standard method and ways to extend functionality through third-party utilities.
Preparation of devices for pairing
The first step is to properly prepare the gadgets. On a Xiaomi smartphone, you need to open the notification curtain and make sure the Bluetooth icon is lit blue. If it isn't, go to Settings → Bluetooth and activate the switch. Make sure the smartphone isn't in flight mode.
Now, let's do the headphones themselves. Put them in the charge case and close the lid. Wait a few seconds, then open the lid without taking the headphones out. There's a round pairing button on the back of the case, which is what we're going to need to get the device into visibility mode.
- 🔋 Check the charge level of the case and headphones.
- 📱 Make sure that the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone is active and unlocked.
- 📶 Turn off Bluetooth on other nearby devices to avoid conflict.
- 🧹 Clean the headphone contacts if they have been lying idle for a long time.
It's important to understand that the pairing mode is activated only when the case lid is open. If you close the lid too early, you'll have to start over. Keep the case next to your smartphone, the distance should not exceed 10-15 centimeters for stable detection.
Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi
After preparation, we'll move to the direct connection, press and hold the button on the back of the case until the indicator inside flashes white, which means that the headphones have entered search mode and are ready to connect to any device.
On your Xiaomi screen, the name AirPods or AirPods Pro should appear on the list of available devices. Tap the name on the list. The smartphone will request confirmation of connection. Tap OK or Connect. The process usually takes no more than 10-15 seconds.
☑️ Checking a successful connection
Once successfully paired, the indicator on the case will stop flashing. Now your Apple headphones will automatically connect to Xiaomi when you open the case, if they were previously paired. This is standard behavior for all Bluetooth headsets.
⚠️ Note: If the indicator flashes orange, it means a pairing error, in which case you need to reset the headphones to the factory, holding the button on the case for 15 seconds.
Expanding functionality through third-party applications
When you connect to Android, you lose some of Apple's magic, like switching between devices automatically and the exact battery widget. But enthusiasts have created solutions to bring those features back. The most popular application is MaterialPods or AndPods.
These tools read the battery data directly from the Bluetooth headphone protocol, and they let you see the charge level of the left, right earphone, and the case itself as a handy widget on your desktop, and it takes you a couple of minutes to install it through Google Play or APK-file.
In addition, some apps allow you to set up a double tap to call Google’s voice assistant or play a track. Without third-party software on Xiaomi, these gestures may not work properly or at all.
Security of Third Party Applications
It is worth noting that the use of such programs can slightly increase the battery consumption of a smartphone due to the constant background monitoring of the Bluetooth signal.
Sound tuning and control
The sound profile of AirPods is optimized for the equalizer of iOS. On Xiaomi, the sound may seem flatter or, conversely, excessively bass. To correct, use the built-in equalizer in the Music app or third-party players like PowerAmp.
In the Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi, you can find "Absolute Volume Level." If you notice that the volume of the phone and headphones is adjustable independently or jumps, try changing the state of this switch. This is a common protocol compatibility problem.
| Function | It works for Xiaomi. | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Music reproduction | Yes. | The basic function, which works stably |
| Noise suppression (ANC) | Yes. | Switching modes through prolonged pressing |
| Siri | No. | You can replace the Google Assistant |
| Autopause (ear removal) | Partially. | Requires third-party applications such as MaterialPods |
| Spatial audio | No. | The technology is exclusive to Apple |
To control noise cancellation on the Pro and Max models, use a long press on the headphone leg. On Xiaomi, this action should switch modes: Noise Reduction, Transparency, Off. If it does not work, check the settings in the headphone manufacturer's application, if you have one, or reset the headphones.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Sometimes the pairing process is not smooth. A smartphone can see the headphones but not connect, or the sound can be interrupted. Most often the problem lies in the cache of Bluetooth services of the Android system. Clearing the cache often solves the problem of "invisible" devices.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → Show all apps → System applications. Search in the list of “Bluetooth”, click on it and select “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. After that, the phone will restart, and the connection history will have to be recreated.
Another common problem is desynchronizing audio in video or games. This is related to codecs. The AAC codec that AirPods use can run unstable on some Qualcomm or MediaTek chips in Xiaomi's budget models. In the "Developers" settings, you can try changing the Bluetooth codec to SBC, which will improve stability but reduce quality.
⚠️ Note: Changing the settings in the Developer Menu may affect other Bluetooth devices.
Reset AirPods settings to reconnect
If the headphones were previously used with an iPhone or other phone, they could try to connect to the old owner or store the wrong configurations, in which case a complete reset is required. It's a universal solution for 90% of connectivity problems.
Place both earbuds in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds. Open the lid. On the back, press the setting button and hold it for at least 15 seconds. The status indicator should flash amber several times, and then light up white.
When the white flash comes, release the button. Headphones are ready for a new one. On a Xiaomi smartphone, find the device in the Bluetooth list, click on the gear next to it, and select "Forget the device" or "Cancel pairing" if it's there hanging as saved.
💡
If the reset doesn't work the first time, put the case on wireless charging for 5 minutes, then repeat the reset procedure. Sometimes this helps to resuscitate the power controller.
Now you can plug them in as a new device, and this method also helps if one of the headphones is no longer working, or if the sound is only in one ear, the reset synchronizes the left and right channels again.
Features of work in games and when calling
Using AirPods for Android games can be associated with latency. Apple's technology is not optimized for Android game modes. In shooters or rhythm games, you may notice that the shot sounds later than the visual effect.
For calls, the microphone quality remains high, but voice control may not be available.The voice assistant is activated (with a long press), but instead of Siri, Google Assistant will run if it is set up by default on Xiaomi's system.
Some MIUI shells have Game Turbo. Add your game to this mode and check your audio optimization settings. Sometimes, disabling the sound enhancers in the system reduces the delay in transmitting audio over Bluetooth.
💡
Android AirPods are full-fledged wireless headphones with great sound, but without Apple's ecosystem chips. For comfortable use, be sure to install a battery-control app.