How to turn on headphones on Xiaomi: a complete guide for all models

Introduction: Why aren’t headphones connected to Xiaomi?

Did you just buy new headphones but they refuse to work with a Xiaomi smartphone? Or did old wired headsets stop recognizing after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices - especially after switching to Type-C instead of the classic 3.5 mm jack. 80% of cases are to blame for software problems, not hardware defects.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to connect headphones to Xiaomi smartphones – from wired ones with a 3.5 mm connector to wireless Bluetooth 5.3, including rare cases with Type-C → 3.5 mm adapters. You’ll also learn how to diagnose typical errors (for example, “Audio Device Not Found”) and what to do if the smartphone “can’t see” the headphones after a drop or firmware update.

Special attention will be paid to models without an audio jack (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5), where the connection is only possible through Type-C or Bluetooth. Spiler: in 95% of cases, the problem is solved in 2 minutes without contacting the service center.

1. Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm connector: basic instruction

If your Xiaomi is still equipped with a classic audio jack (for example, the Redmi Note 10 or the POCO X3 Pro), the connection will take only 3 steps.

Here's what we need to do:

• 🔌 Insert the headphone plug into the 3.5mm connector before clicking. Make sure the connector is clean - dust or oxidation of the contacts can block recognition.
• 📱 The smartphone should have an icon of headphones in the status bar, and if it's not, restart the device.
• 🔊 Check volume: sometimes when connected, the sound level is dropped to a minimum. Use physical volume buttons on the case.

If there is no sound, perform a diagnosis:

1. Connect your headphones to another device (like a laptop), and if they work, the problem is your smartphone.
2. Try the other headphones in the same jack, and if they don't work, maybe the audio chip is damaged.
3. Go to Settings → Sound → Additional settings and turn on the option “Disable audio effects” (sometimes they conflict with drivers).

Check the integrity of the cable | Clear the 3.5mm connector of dust |Reboot the smartphone | Turn off the audio effects in the settings-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) 11 Ultra connector 3.5 mm is missing, but the Type-C adapter is included → 3.5 If you lose it, buy a certified adapter with support. CTIA/OMTP — Cheap analogues may not work.

2. Connection through Type-C: features and life hacks

Xiaomi smartphones without a 3.5 mm connector (for example, Xiaomi 12T, POCO F4 GT) require the use of Type-C headphones or an adapter.

Important: Not all Type-C → 3.5mm adapters are compatible with Xiaomi, because some models (such as the Mi 10) use digital audio output (via USB Audio Class 2.0), and cheap adapters only support analog signal, the result is either no sound or distorted.

Instructions for Type-C headphones:

1. Connect the headphones to the Type-C port. A mode selection request (e.g., "Use as an audio device") will appear on the screen. Confirm the choice.
2. If there is no audio, go to Settings → Connected Devices → USB and select “Audio Transfer”.
3. For adapters: Use only original or certified (e.g. Xiaomi Type-C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter).

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If your Type-C headphones start to run out quickly, turn off the Quick Charge function in your battery settings. Some adapters conflict with the Quick Charge protocol.

3. Wireless headphones (Bluetooth): step-by-step connection

Connecting Bluetooth headphones to Xiaomi is usually not a problem, but there are nuances with codecs (e.g., aptX, LDAC) and connection profiles (e.g., A2DP for music vs. HFP for calls).

Step 1. Turn on the pairing mode on the headphones.

• 🎧 For AirDots and similar: Press the power button for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
• 🎧 For Sony. WH-1000XM5 and other full size: hold the button Power/Bluetooth pre-beep.
• 🎧 For Apple AirPods: Open the case cover and press the button on the back.

Step 2: Activate Bluetooth on Xiaomi.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Turn on the Bluetooth switch.
3. From the list of available devices, select your headphones. If you don't have them, update the list (Update button in the upper right corner).
4. Confirm the pairing (sometimes required to enter) PIN-code, such as 0000 or 1234).

Step 3. Adjust the sound quality.

After connecting, go to Settings → Bluetooth → ⚙️ (device settings) → Sound quality and select:

• 🎵 LDAC (Highest quality, but can be used on older models).
• 🎵 aptX Adaptive (balance of quality and stability).
• 🎵 AAC (optimal for AirPods).

Xiaomi AirDots|Sony WH-1000XM|Apple AirPods|JBL|Others |Not used-->

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is interrupted or there is interference after connecting, try resetting Bluetooth settings on your smartphone: → Bluetooth → ⋮ → Reset. It will delete all the stored devices, but it often solves codec problems.

4.Problem Solving: Headphones are connected but no sound

The situation where the smartphone "sees" the headphones, but the sound goes through the speaker is one of the most common. MIUI), And then we'll use the hardware (audio chip damaged.

Verification 1: Forced switching of the audio output.

Sometimes MIUI forgets to switch to headphones.

1. Put the headphones on.
2. Open any audio app (such as YouTube or Mi Music).
3. Swipe down to open the notification panel and tap the Sound icon.
4. In the window that appears, select "Hearphones" manually.

Verification 2: Reset the sound settings.

If the switching doesn’t help, reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
2. Select "Reset the sound settings."
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Verification 3: Diagnostics of hardware malfunctions.

If there is no sound through the headphones or through the speaker, it is possible:

• 🔧 Damage to the audio chip (often after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔧 Oxidation of connector contacts 3.5 mm/Type-C.
• 🔧 Firmware failure (solved by flashing through Fastboot).

5. Headphones plug in, but the sound is distorted: what to do?

Sound distortions (wheezing, cracking, cliffs) are a common problem when using uncertified adapters or incompatible codecs, and MIUI settings, such as the sound amplifier or the Equalizer, can also be to blame.

Remedies:

• 🔇 Turn off all audio effects: Settings → Sound. → Additional settings → Turn off the audio effects.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: remove them from the list of Bluetooth devices and pair again.
• 📉 Lower the quality of the codec: in the settings of the Bluetooth device, select SBC instead aptX/LDAC.
• 🔌 For wired headphones: Try another cable or adapter (especially if you use Type-C).

If the problem is Bluetooth:

Wireless distortions are often associated with channel congestion (e.g., when there are many 2.4GHz devices nearby).

• 📶 Move to another location (away from routers, microwaves).
• 🔄 Restart the headphones (usually by pressing the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Update the firmware of the smartphone: some versions MIUI have bugs with Bluetooth 5.2.

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If the distortion only appears in certain apps (like Spotify, but not YouTube), the problem is with the app’s settings: Try clearing its cache or disabling its internal equalizer.

6. Connect headphones to Xiaomi via USB-OTG (for older models)

Few people know, but some Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) support the connection USB-headphones via adapter OTG. This is true if the 3.5mm connector is broken and the Bluetooth is not working:

Requirements:

• 🔌 adapter USB-OTG (Best Original from Xiaomi).
• 🎧 Headphones with USB-A or USB-C connector (for example, HyperX Cloud Alpha in mode) USB).
• 📱 Smartphone with support USB Audio Class 1.0 (tested in the characteristics of the model).

Instructions:

1. Connect the OTG adapter to your smartphone.
2. Put the headphones in the adapter.
3. A notification will appear on the screen "Detected". USB-audio device. Press "Allow".
4. Go to Settings. → Sound. → Sound output and select "USB-audio".

⚠️ Note: When connecting through OTG The smartphone may not charge. Also possible delays of sound (latency) up to 200 ms, which is critical for gaming or watching video.

7 Headphones do not connect after the MIUI update: what to do?

Updates MIUI They often break down audio devices, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14 Many users POCO F3 We've had a mistake called "Device not supported:

Method 1: Reverse driver updates.

If the problem has occurred after the update:

1. Go to the Settings → About the phone → MIUI version.
2. Press the "Kornel Version" 10 times to activate "Developer Mode".
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option "Offline absolute volume" and activate it.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 2: Reset network settings.

Sometimes the failure occurs due to a conflict of network protocols (especially if the headphones are connected via Bluetooth):

1. Go to Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks.
2. Select "Reset Network Settings".
3. Confirm the action (this will remove stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices).

Method 3: Manual installation of drivers.

For advanced users: if the sound is lost in Type-C headphones after the update, you can manually install the USB Audio driver:

adb shell settings put global usb_audio_enabled 1

This team includes support USB-system-level audio, which requires developer rights and ADB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting headphones to Xiaomi