Xiaomi as AirPods: a complete alternative or compromise?

Apple owners have long been accustomed to the magic of the ecosystem: you open the case lid and AirPods instantly connect to the iPhone. However, for Android users, and especially Xiaomi fans, this scenario has long been out of reach. Today, things have changed dramatically. Xiaomi has created not just budget counterparts, but full-fledged devices that, when properly set up, offer experiences comparable to, and sometimes superior to, top-end solutions of competitors.

Many users are wondering: can you make Xiaomi headphones work on Android as smoothly as AirPods on iOS? The answer is yes, but it will require not just pairing over Bluetooth, but a deep dive into the settings of the MIUI system or the new HyperOS. In this article, we will discuss how to turn your Redmi Buds or Xiaomi Buds into a smart accessory that understands gestures, switches devices and sounds professional.

It’s worth noting right away that the LHDC protocol, supported by many Xiaomi models, delivers less lossy audio transmission than the standard SBC codec, making them a great choice for Android audiophiles.

Ecosystem vs. Universality: What’s the Difference

The main difference between AirPods and any other TWS-Headphones, including Xiaomi, are hidden in the chip H1/W1 Apple has created a closed system where switching between devices is instantaneous. Xiaomi has gone the other way, betting on versatility and support for a wide range of codecs. POCO, You get access to an extended connectivity menu that visually and functionally replicates the Apple experience.

However, if you plan to use Xiaomi headphones with an iPhone or a third-party Android smartphone, the functionality may be cut. For example, automatic ear detection or spatial audio may not work properly without the native application. Bluetooth 5.3, which is used in new models, provides a stable connection, but the software "chips" depend on the shell of the manufacturer.

⚠️ Attention: When connecting Xiaomi headphones to the iPhone, noise reduction functionality (ANC) It can be limited if you don’t install the Xiaomi Earbuds app from the App Store. Without it, you’ll only get basic stereo.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi's magic is revealed in conjunction with its native smartphones. HyperOS can remember the position of the headphones in the ears and automatically pause music when you take one of them out, and this is implemented through proximity sensors paired with artificial intelligence algorithms.

Connection Secrets: How to activate the extended menu

In order for your headphones to behave like AirPods, you need to activate the pairing pop-up. Unlike the standard Android Bluetooth menu, this interface shows the charge of each earphone and case separately, which does not require root rights, but requires a certain sequence of actions in the system settings.

First, make sure you have the latest version of MIUI or HyperOS installed. Go to Bluetooth settings and find the "Available Devices" section. If the headphones are in the case and the cover is open, the system should offer an animated connection window. If this does not happen, you may need to update the firmware of the headphones themselves through the Xiaomi Earbuds app.

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the pop-up may not appear automatically. Then try resetting Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth, find your headphones in the list of previously connected devices, and select Forget Device. Once paired again, the system often recognizes the model correctly.

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If a pop-up doesn’t appear, try connecting headphones through the “Mi Connect” menu in the notification curtain – this is an alternative way to activate the fast pairing protocol.

Comparison models: what to choose for an Apple fan

Market TWS-Xiaomi headphones are huge, and it's easy to get confused in names. For a user looking for an alternative to AirPods, three things matter: noise reduction quality, transparent mode, and case usability. Below is a comparison table of popular models that are most often seen as replacements for Apple products.

Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro is considered a direct competitor to the AirPods Pro due to its excellent transparent mode, in which the headphones pass external sounds so naturally that it creates the illusion of no headphones in the ears, thanks to three microphones for each earpiece, which filters wind and noise.

Budget models like Redmi Buds also do a lot, but often lack the wireless case charging feature that all AirPods have. However, having a USB-C connector allows them to charge with the same cable as a smartphone, which for many even makes it more convenient than a proprietary Lightning or MagSafe.

Sound management and codecs: adjusting the equalizer

Xiaomi's "out-of-the-box" sound often feels too bright or bass. To get a balanced sound comparable to Apple's settings, you need to manually adjust the equalizer. The Xiaomi Earbuds app has a graphical equalizer where you can raise high frequencies for more detail or add "air" to the middle.

The key is choosing a codec. If your smartphone supports LHDC or LDAC, Make sure to activate them in the Developer menu or in the Bluetooth settings. AAC, The one that's the main one for Apple, it sounds good too, but it loses bitrate when listening to it. FLAC-high-resolution.

⚠️ Note: Use of high resolution codecs (LHDC/LDAC) It significantly increases the battery consumption of the smartphone and the headphones themselves. AAC or SBC.

Remember to enable Dolby Atmos if it's available in your model. On Xiaomi smartphones, it works in conjunction with headphones, creating a three-dimensional sound field, especially when watching movies and TV shows, where the sense of space is important.

Automation scenarios: a smart home in the ears

One of the strengths of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is its integration with the smart home. Headphones can act as triggers for scripts. For example, when you remove headphones from a case, the lights in the room can automatically turn on or your favorite playlist in Mi Music can start.

To set up these scenarios, use the Mi Home app. Create a new script, select the "Bluetooth Device Connected" condition, and specify your headphones. You can choose to launch an app, send a notification, or control a smart lamp, which turns regular headphones into a remote control of your digital environment.

There's also a two-device feature available. Xiaomi headphones can communicate with a laptop and a smartphone at the same time. If a phone receives a call while watching a video on a PC, the sound will automatically switch, but unlike Apple's instant switch, there can be a delay of 1-2 seconds, which is worth considering.

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Using headphones as a trigger for a smart home is a unique feature of the Xiaomi ecosystem, not available for AirPods outside of Apple devices.

Problem Solving: If Something Has Go Wrong

Even the best devices sometimes don't work properly. A common problem is that the channels are out of sync when the sound comes from only one earbud, and in this case, a full reset helps. Put the headphones in the case, open the lid, and press the reset button on the back (or touch zones on the headphones themselves, depending on the model) for 10-15 seconds.

Another problem is quiet sound. Check the absolute volume settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to enter developer mode). Then find "Disable absolute volume" and try to change its state. It's also worth cleaning the speaker grids, since earwax often blocks the sound, creating the illusion of breakage.

If the headphones can't see each other, put them in a case and charge them to 100%. Sometimes the low charge of one of the ears disrupts the balance and communication between them. In rare cases, flashing through an official service center helps, but this is a last resort.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use sharp objects to clean speaker grids! Use a soft dry brush or special Velcro to avoid damaging the speaker membrane.

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