Connecting AirPods 2 to Xiaomi: Full Instruction with Typical Error Solutions

Apple AirPods 2 headphones have long been popular not only among iPhone owners, but also Android smartphone users, including the Xiaomi line. Despite the fact that wireless headphones were developed for the Apple ecosystem, they can be used successfully with devices based on MIUI - the main thing is to know the nuances of connection and settings. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of pairing, the features of the AirPods 2 on Xiaomi, as well as solving common problems - from the lack of sound to failures when connecting automatically.

It's important to understand that the functionality of AirPods on Android will be limited compared to iOS, for example, there will be no automatic switching between devices or the feature "Find Headphones." However, the basic features - listening to music, receiving calls and managing gestures - are available in full. If you just purchased AirPods 2 and want to sync them with a Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphone, follow our instructions.

1. Compatibility Check: Does AirPods 2 work with Xiaomi?

Before you start connecting, make sure your Xiaomi device supports Bluetooth 4.2 or later.All of the brand's current smartphones (released after 2017) are equipped with the necessary module, but there may be problems for older models. For example, Redmi 4A (2016) officially only supports Bluetooth 4.1, which can lead to unstable connection.

Also check the MIUI firmware version: for AirPods 2 to work correctly, MIUI 12 and higher is recommended. On older versions, audio delays or accidental connection breaks may occur. You can update the firmware from the Settings menu → About Phone → System Update.

• ✅ Supported models Xiaomi: Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13, Xiaomi 13T newer.
• ⚠️ Limited support: Redmi 5/6, Mi A1/A2 (Possible lags when playing video).
• ❌ Not recommended: Redmi 3S/4X, Mi Max 2 (obsolete versions of Bluetooth).

If your smartphone is on the supported list, you can move to pairing, otherwise consider using a Bluetooth adapter (such as the Avantek BTA-100) to improve communication.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect AirPods 2 to Xiaomi

The process of connecting AirPods 2 to Xiaomi is not much different from pairing with other Bluetooth devices, but there are a few key points.

1. Open the cover of the AirPods case and make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator inside should burn white or green).
2. On a Xiaomi smartphone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and activate the function.
3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (about 5 seconds) until the indicator starts flashing white – this means that the headphones have gone into pairing mode.
4. In the list of available devices, find AirPods (may appear as AirPods-XXXX) and tap it.
5. Confirm the connection if a pairing request appears.

Once you've successfully connected to the Bluetooth menu, next to the AirPods name, you'll have Connected status. To check whether you're working, run any audio file or video. If you only have one earbud, go to Problem Solving.

Charge AirPods to 50% or higher

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on Xiaomi

Press the pairing button on the AirPods case

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If the connection failed the first time, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: Disable and turn the module back on in the settings.
• 📱 Reset network settings: Settings → Memory and network → Network reset (remove all stored Bluetooth devices!).
• 🔋 Charge the case: at a discharge below 20%, the headphones may not go into pairing mode.

3. Customize gestures and controls on Xiaomi

On the iPhone, AirPods 2 is set up via the Bluetooth menu, but on Xiaomi, this functionality is limited.

To change the double-touch effect on Xiaomi, you will need a third-party application, such as AirBattery or Assistant Trigger.

• 🎵 Assign the next/previous track to double-tapping.
• 📞 Activate the voice assistant (Google Assistant or XiaoAI).
• 🔕 Turn off the automatic pause when removing the headphone.

You can install AirBattery from Google Play.

1. Open the app and give you access to Bluetooth and Notifications.
2. Select AirPods 2 from the list of devices.
3. Set up gestures in the Custom Actions section.

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If they don’t work after setting up gestures, reconnect AirPods to your smartphone again – sometimes MIUI resets user settings after the update.

4. Connection problems and their solutions

Even with the right pairing, Xiaomi users may face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

4.1 AirPods are connected but no sound

If the headphones are paired, but the sound goes through the speaker of the smartphone:

• 🔊 Check if AirPods are selected as the output device in the notification panel (swipe down) → badge).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes MIUI «forgets to switch the audio route.
• 🔧 Reset Bluetooth Settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Resetting settings.

Permanent breaks of connection

If AirPods 2 is disabled after 5-10 seconds or the sound is interrupted:

• 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi – some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 9) have a conflict between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Switch Bluetooth mode to AVRCP 1.6 (requires root or engineering menu).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool if OTA-Update doesn't help.

Only one earphone is working.

If the sound is only on the left or right AirPod:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Open the lid and wait until the indicator flashes white.
3. Remove AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices and connect again.

⚠️ Warning: If the problem persists, one of the headphones may be dead or damaged. Check the charge of each headphone in the AirBattery app - if the charge level of one of them is 0%, you need to replace it.

5. How to check the charge of AirPods on Xiaomi

On the iPhone, the charge level of AirPods is displayed automatically when you open the case, but on Xiaomi, you will need third-party software.

• 📊 AirBattery app: shows the charge of the case and each headphone separately, as well as battery life.
• 📱 Embedded facilities MIUI: On some models (e.g. Mi 11), the charge is displayed in the Bluetooth menu next to the device name.

To configure the charge display via AirBattery:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Connect the AirPods to your smartphone.
3. Open AirBattery and give you access to notifications.
4. Enable the Show in Status Bar option to display the charge in the status bar.

If the app doesn’t show charge, try:

• Reconnect the headphones.
• Clear the app cache (Settings → Applications → AirBattery → Memory → Clear the cache).
• Update the application to the latest version.

6.Sound Optimization: How to Improve Quality on Xiaomi

By default, Xiaomi’s AirPods 2 uses a standard SBC codec that provides average sound quality. To improve audio, you can turn on the AAC codec (higher quality, but slightly more latency) or aptX (if supported by your Xiaomi model).

For this:

1. Install Developer Options (or activate Developer Mode via Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers → Bluetooth settings.
3. Select Bluetooth Audio Codec and install AAC or aptX (if available).

It is also recommended that:

• 🎧 Include eQUALIZER in the standard Music app (Preset Bass or Rock is suitable for most genres).
• 🔊 Turn off the audio effects MIUI In Settings → Sound. → Audio effects – they can degrade quality.
• 📶 Using 5GHz Wi-Fi instead of 2.4GHz if you listen to music online will reduce interference for Bluetooth.

⚠️ Note: AptX codec is only supported on Xiaomi flagship models (e.g. Mi). 10/11/12, Xiaomi 13). On budget smartphones (Redmi) 9/10) available SBC and AAC.

7.How to disconnect AirPods from Xiaomi and connect to another device

If you want to use AirPods 2 with another smartphone or iPhone, first untie them from Xiaomi.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find AirPods in the list of conjugate devices and tap the icon ⚙️ (or hold the name of the device).
3. Select to Disable or Forget the device.

To connect the headphones to the new device:

1. Put the AirPods in a case and close the lid for 15 seconds.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the back of the case until the indicator starts flashing white.
3. Activate Bluetooth on your new device and select AirPods from the list of available ones.

If AirPods don’t want to connect to your iPhone after using Xiaomi, reset them to factory settings:

1. Open the cover of the case and hold the button on the back for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
2. Close the lid and repeat the process of connecting to the iPhone.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)