Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often wonder whether it is possible to fully use Apple’s wireless headphones on the Android operating system. The answer is unequivocal: yes, it is possible. Bluetooth technology is a universal standard, so AirPods wireless headphones are easily defined by any modern gadget, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Mi. However, the process of primary pairing and subsequent control has its own nuances that must be considered for comfortable use.
Unlike connecting to an iPhone, where everything happens automatically thanks to a W1 or H1 chip, Xiaomi devices will need to perform manual pairing through the settings menu. It is important to understand that some features, such as automatic switching between devices or Spatial Audio, will remain unavailable, but basic music listening and conversations will work steadily. In this article, we will discuss the algorithm of actions, discuss possible problems and how to solve them.
Before starting the procedure, make sure your AirPods are charged and in the case.It's also worth checking if Bluetooth is on on your smartphone.If the headphones were previously paired with an iPhone, it's best to temporarily disable Bluetooth on your Apple phone to avoid connection conflicts, as the headset may be trying to connect to the last known device.
Preparation for pairing: check charge and modes
The first step before you try to connect is to diagnose the condition of the headphones themselves. Make sure that the case and the AirPods themselves have sufficient charge. If the indicator on the front of the case does not light up when you open, put the device on charge. For stable operation of the Bluetooth module in pairing mode, it is recommended to have at least 20-30% battery charge.
Special attention should be paid to the mode of operation of the headphones themselves. In some cases, if the AirPods have just been removed from the box or they have not been used for a long time, they may be in standby mode. To activate the detection mode, you need to place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the setting button on the back. The indicator inside the case should flash white, which signals readiness for connection.
⚠️ Warning: If the indicator flashes orange, it means a pairing error, in which case you need to reset the headphone settings by holding the setting button on the headphone. 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes white.
It’s also important to clear the list of previously connected devices on Xiaomi’s smartphone. If you’ve previously tried to connect those same AirPods and the process has failed, a “junk” profile may remain in the Bluetooth list. Go to the settings, find the device in the list, and click “Forget” or “Disable” to start the process over from scratch.
Step-by-step: how to connect AirPods to Xiaomi
The connection process on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS shell is as standardized as possible and does not require the installation of third-party applications. All the necessary tools are already built into the system. First, open the notification curtain and make sure that the Bluetooth module is activated. Then go to the device settings menu.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Open the settings on your Xiaomi smartphone.
- 🔵 Select Bluetooth or search by settings.
- 🎧 Place AirPods in the case, open the lid and press the button at the back until white flashing.
- 🔍 In the list of available devices on your phone screen, find the name of your headphones (for example, “AirPods” or “AirPods Pro»).
- ✅ Click on the device name to start pairing.
☑️ Checklist of connection
After clicking on the device name, Android will request confirmation, a request for permission to access contacts and call logs may appear on the screen, you can agree if you plan to use the headset for conversations, or you can refuse if you want it only for music. Once confirmed, the status bar will display the icon of the connected device, and the Bluetooth list will display the level of charge of each earphone and case.
Configuring management and functionality after connection
After successful pairing, users often find that standard Android controls don’t work the same way as iOS. By default, double tapping may not work or perform the wrong actions. Unfortunately, native gesture settings (change tracks, call assistant) on Android are limited. However, basic features such as pause/playback when extracted from the ear (approximation sensors) usually work correctly.
For advanced management, you can use third-party apps available on the Google Play Store. Software like MaterialPods or AndroPods allows you to display battery widgets to your desktop and customize some equalizer settings. Installing such utilities helps integrate the AirPods experience into the Android ecosystem deeper.
Should I install third-party applications?
Importantly, noise reduction and transparency features on the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max switch in the standard way, with a long press on the headphone leg, which works on any device, since it is controlled directly by the headphone microcontroller, not the phone's operating system.
Table of compatibility of functions on Android and iOS
To avoid false expectations, it is worthwhile to clearly distinguish which features are available on Xiaomi and which remain exclusive to Apple.
| Function | iOS (iPhone/iPad) | Android (Xiaomi) |
|---|---|---|
| Pairing. | Automatic (H1/W1) | Manual via Bluetooth |
| Charge mapping | Widget, Pop-up window | Bluetooth settings (sometimes in the curtain) |
| Noise suppression | It's working (swipe switching) | It's working (switching by press) |
| Autopause (ear sensor) | It's working. | It's working. |
| Siri / Google Assistant | Siri (full) | Google Assistant (Basic) |
| Headphone search | Through the Locateur app. | Unavailable |
💡
Basic audio and noise reduction control work identically on both platforms, but Apple’s ecosystem chips on Android are not available.
As you can see from the table, the basic audio stream and communication quality remain high regardless of the platform, with restrictions mainly on the software interface and integration with services, and for most users, the difference will only be noticeable when they first connect and there is no way to track the location of the case through the map.
Solution: Connection and sound problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users may encounter a number of typical problems. One of the most common is that the headphones are connected, but the sound is not going or is very quiet. In this case, you need to check the media settings. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration and make sure that the volume level of media files is twisted to the maximum. Also check if the In-pocket mode or other hearing protection functions that may limit the volume are activated.
If the device is not on the list of available:
- 🔄 Reboot your Xiaomi smartphone.
- 🎧 Reset AirPods (clamb the button for 20 seconds until orange, then white flashing).
- 📶 Make sure the headphones aren’t connected to another device nearby.
- 🗑️ Remove AirPods profile from Bluetooth list on phone and try again.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound is interrupted or of poor quality, try turning off the aptX codec HD It's called "Developers" -- sometimes it's a standard codec. SBC or AAC Works more stable with Apple chips on Snapdragon processors.
Another problem can be desynchronizing the left and right earbuds. If one earbudsman is playing and the other is silent, put both in the case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds and open again. If that doesn't work, do a full reset of the headphone settings, as described above. In rare cases, cleaning the Bluetooth cache in the application menu helps (Settings → Apps → Show Everything → Bluetooth → Clear cache).
Features of the microphone and calls
Voice quality when calling via AirPods to Xiaomi is usually high, but there can be nuances with switching microphones. In iOS, the system intelligently chooses which microphone to use, or uses both for noise cancellation. On Android, algorithms may work differently. Often the microphone is only active one earpiece (usually the right one), even if you hold the phone to the left ear.
To improve communication quality during conversations, try not to cover the bottom of the headphone leg with your fingers, where the microphone holes are located. Also, the quality of calls can be affected by the Bluetooth version. MIUI/HyperOS, As updates often contain patches to improve the stability of the Bluetooth stack.
If someone complains about a quiet voice, check in the Phone app or in the audio settings to see if noise suppression is enabled when talking in aggressive mode. Sometimes the software noise cancellation of the Xiaomi phone itself conflicts with the AirPods algorithms, making the voice sound like “from the barrel.”