Connecting Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones: full instruction for all devices

Why Xiaomi Redmi headphones don’t connect the first time?

Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones are among the most popular gadgets in the brand’s lineup due to the value of money. However, even with such devices, users often face problems when connecting for the first time: the headphones are not determined by the phone, only one earphone is connected, or the connection is constantly broken, the reasons are rooted in the features of the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol, which modern models use, as well as in the settings of the operating system.

In this article, we will analyze not only the standard pairing procedure for Redmi Buds 3/4/5 Pro, AirDots and other models, but also consider the nuances of connecting to different types of devices: Android and iOS smartphones, Windows computers and even Mi TVs. Particular emphasis will be placed on solving typical errors, such as the lack of sound in one earphone or the inability to find a device in the list of available ones.

If you have already tried to connect headphones and faced difficulties, skip the basic instructions and go straight to the “Problem Solving” section, where proven troubleshooting methods are collected.

Which Xiaomi Redmi models support wireless connectivity?

Redmi’s lineup includes more than a dozen wireless headphones, with different designs, operating times and protocols supported, and below is a table with the main features of popular devices that are relevant for 2026:

Important: Bluetooth 5.0 and higher models (like Redmi Buds 4/5 Pro) are compatible with dual connectivity (simultaneous connection to phone and laptop) and low latency (useful for gaming). Older versions (AirDots 2) may not support these options.

If your model is not listed in the table, check its characteristics on the official Xiaomi website or in the Mi Home application (Devices section).

Connecting to a smartphone on Android

The process of pairing with Android usually takes no more than a minute, but there are nuances for different versions of the OS. Consider the universal algorithm that works on most devices (including smartphones Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, etc.):

1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones: 🔋 Get your headphones out of the case (they should automatically turn on). 🎧 Press the button on the case (or touchpad on headphones) for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white (search mode).
2. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone: 📱 Go to Settings. → Connected devices → Bluetooth. 🔍 Turn on Bluetooth and wait for the name of your headphones to appear on the list (e.g. Redmi Buds 5 Pro).

Confirm the conjugation:

• 🔗 Click on the headphone name in the list.
• ✅ Confirm the connection (if required).

For models with support for fast connection (for example, Redmi Buds 5 Pro) just open the case next to the smartphone – a pop-up with a suggestion of pairing (similar to AirPods).

Note for Xiaomi owners: If headphones are not identified, try using the Mi Home app. Sometimes it automatically finds devices that don't appear in standard Bluetooth settings.

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If the headphones were already connected to another device, reset their settings: press the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times (reset to factory).

Connection to iPhone or iPad

Although Xiaomi is an Android-based brand, its headphones are compatible with Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac).

• ⚠️ Codecs: iOS does not support AAC Fully for third-party headphones, so the sound can be worse than on Android.
• ⚠️ Features: Some options (such as customizing gestures) will not be available without the Mi Home app, which is not available in the App Store.

Instructions for connection:

1. 📱 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on iPhone.
2. 🎧 Translate the headphones into pairing mode (see the section about Android).
3. 🔍 Wait for the headphones to appear on the list (the name will be of the kind Redmi Buds). XXX).
4. 🔗 Press "Connect».

If the headphones are not connected:

• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone.
• 📵 Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device (turn them off in Bluetooth settings on it).
• 🔋 Check the case charge - at a level below 10%, the headphones may not turn on.

Connection to a computer (Windows 10/11)

Pairing with a PC or laptop on Windows can be difficult due to outdated Bluetooth drivers or conflicts with other devices.

1. 🖥️ Make sure your PC is Bluetooth enabled: Press Win + A → Check the Quick Action Bar. If there's no icon, go to Settings. → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.

🎧 Activate the search mode on the headphones (as in the section about Android).

🔍 In Windows, click "Add Device» → «Bluetooth».

🔗 Select Redmi Buds from the list and wait for the connection to complete.

Frequent problems on Windows:

• 🚫 Unable to Connect Error: Update Bluetooth Driver via Device Manager (find adapter) → «Update the driver»).
• 🔊 No sound after connection: check if the headphones are selected as the default playback device (PCM by sound icon) → Open sound parameters).
• 🎵 The sound is interrupted: disable other Bluetooth devices (mouse, keyboard) or move closer to the PC.

For models with game mode (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro) sound latency on Windows can reach 100-150 ms. To reduce it, use a Bluetooth adapter 5.0+ (built-in modules in older PCs often work worse).

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If the headphones are connected, but the sound goes only to one headphone – check the stereo settings in Windows: go to the Control Panel → Sound. → Device properties → Additionally, select the 16-bit, 44100 Hz format (CD-quality).

Problem Solving: Headphones don’t connect or don’t work properly

If the standard instructions do not help, use this table to diagnose malfunctions:

Critical error: If after reset, the headphones stopped turning on (the indicator does not burn), the case battery most likely expired. Connect it to charging for 15-20 minutes, then try again.

For touch-controlled models (such as the Redmi Buds 5 Pro), check if the One-Ear mode is activated accidentally (a single touch can turn off one earpiece). To return the stereo mode, double tap the touchpad.

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If the headphones are connected but the sound is distorted (wheezing, crackling), try turning off the AAC codec in the Bluetooth settings (on Android: Settings → Connected Devices → Cog settings next to the headphones → Audio Codec → Select SBC).

Advanced settings: firmware, gestures and branded functions

To unlock the full potential of Xiaomi Redmi headphones, use the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS via TestFlight).

• 🎛️ Set up control gestures (e.g., triple tapping to call voice assistant).
• 🔊 Activate game mode (reduces sound latency to 80 ms).
• 🔋 View the charge level of each headphone and case.
• 🎧 Update the firmware (important for fixing bugs).

How to update firmware:

1. Open your Mi Home and select your headphones.
2. Go to the "Firmware Update" section (if available).
3. Confirm the installation and wait until the end (do not turn off the headphones!).

Warning: If your headphones stop working after you update your firmware, reset (10 seconds of holding the button on your case) and reconnect, 90% of the time, that solves the problem.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)