How to connect the headset Xiaomi Mi to the phone: all ways and solutions to problems

Wireless and wired headsets Xiaomi Mi have long become a popular accessory due to the combination of affordable prices, high-quality sound and stylish design. However, even with such devices, users sometimes have difficulties during the first connection stage. Especially when it comes to Bluetooth 5.2 support, NFC or non-standard modes of pairing.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi Mi headsets can connect, from the classic 3.5mm Mi Basic to the flagship Mi TrueWireless 3 with adaptive noise cancellation. You’ll learn how to properly activate the pairing mode, what phone settings can interfere with the connection, and what to do if the headphones refuse to work. And for smartphone owners of other brands, we have prepared separate recommendations for compatibility.

1. What Xiaomi Mi headsets are and how they differ

Before you start connecting, it’s important to understand which model you’re dealing with. Xiaomi Mi’s lineup includes more than a dozen different headsets, which fall into three main categories:

• 🎧 Wired headphones – connect via a 3.5 mm connector or USB-C (For example, Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD). No charge required but limited by cable length.
• 📶 Neck-wireless ones, connected via Bluetooth, have built-in battery (models like Mi Neckband Bluetooth) and are convenient for sports and long-term listening.
• 🔊 Fully wireless (TWS) — Two separate headphones without wires (Mi TrueWireless series, Mi AirDots) support stereo sound and noise reduction functions.

The key difference between the models is the connection protocol. Older headsets (until 2019) often run on Bluetooth 4.2, which can cause compatibility problems with modern smartphones. Newer versions (such as Mi TrueWireless 3) use Bluetooth 5.2 with support for codecs. AAC and aptX, which improves sound quality and reduces latency.

It is also worth paying attention to additional functions:

• 🎛️ Active noise cancellation (ANC) — It's in the Mi models. ANC Mi TrueWireless 3 and Mi TrueWireless.
• 🔋 Fast charging – Some headsets support Qi wireless charging or charging in 10 minutes for 2 hours of operation.
• 📱 App pairing – through Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear you can configure equalizer and gestures.

2. Connecting a wired headset Xiaomi Mi

If your headset is equipped with a 3.5 mm connector or USB-C, The process of connecting is as simple as possible, but even here there are nuances that many people don't know about.

For models with 3.5 mm (e.g. Mi Basic or Mi Piston):

1. Insert the plug into the smartphone audio jack. Make sure the connector is clean - dust or oxidation of the contacts can cause cracking.
2. The phone should automatically display a notification about the connection of the headphones. If this does not happen, check the sound settings in Settings. → Sound.
3. When you first connect, some models (Mi Hybrid Pro) require a choice of sound mode – “Normal” or “Enhanced bass”.

For headsets with USB-C (Mi USB-C Headphones):

• 🔌 Connect the headphones to the port USB-C Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) may require confirmation from the menu. USB-connection.
• 🎵 The sound will be transmitted digitally, which eliminates interference, but these headphones are not compatible with phones without any interference. USB-C (for example, iPhone).

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If the sound is only in one ear after connecting the wired headphones, check the integrity of the cable at the base of the plug - this is the most vulnerable place.

Important: Some Xiaomi smartphones (such as the Mi 11 Ultra) do not have a 3.5mm connector. USB-C → 3.5mm, which comes with a kit or is bought separately. When using an adapter, make sure it supports a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) - cheap adapters without DAC make bad sound.

3. Connecting Xiaomi Mi wireless headset over Bluetooth

Most of the problems users have with wireless models, and consider the connection process with the popular Mi TrueWireless 2 and Mi Neckband Bluetooth.

Step 1: Activation of the pairing mode

• 🔄 For TWS-Headphones: Take both headphones out of the case and press the button on the back (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator flashes red and white.
• 🔄 For headsets with a rim: press the power button for 5 seconds until you hear the voice message "Pairing mode".

Step 2. Search for the device on the phone

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and detection mode is active.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headset (for example, "Mi TrueWireless 2" or "Mi Neckband").
4. Click on the name and confirm the pairing. Some models require input. PIN-code - default is 0000 or 1234.

Make sure the headset is charged (the indicator is green)

Remove the headphones from the case (for TWS)

Disable previously paired devices in Bluetooth settings

Reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module (turn off/on)

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Step 3: Checking the connection

After successful pairing:

• 🎧 Turn on music – the sound should go through the headphones.
• 📱 In the status bar of the phone will appear Bluetooth icon with the level of charge of the headset (on smartphones Xiaomi with a smartphone). MIUI 12+).
• 🔊 For models with a microphone, check it through a bell or voice assistant.

4. Quick connection via NFC (for supported models)

Some Xiaomi Mi headsets (such as Mi TrueWireless 3) support NFC-pairing, which allows you to connect them to the phone with one touch, but you have to meet a few conditions:

• 📱 Your smartphone should support you. NFC (Most Xiaomi models since the Redmi Note 8 Pro are equipped with a chip).
• 🔋 The headset must be charged (charge level not lower than 20%).
• 📲 Function NFC should be included in the phone settings (Settings) → Connection and sharing → NFC).

Instructions for NFC-connection:

1. Activate the pairing mode on the headset (as described in the previous section).
2. Unlock the phone screen.
3. Bring the back cover of the case (or the case of the headset) to NFC-phone chip (usually located at the top of the back panel).
4. Wait for the “Connect Mi TrueWireless 3” notification to appear and confirm.

Advantage NFC-Connectivity -- instant pairing without searching the Bluetooth menu, but once you first connect, the headset will be remembered, and next time you can connect in the standard way.

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NFC-pairing works only at the first connection. To reuse, just turn on Bluetooth on the phone and take the headphones out of the case (if the auto-connection function is supported).

5. Connection to non-connection-Xiaomi Phones (iPhone, Samsung, other brands)

Xiaomi Mi headsets are compatible not only with smartphones of its own brand, but also with devices of other manufacturers.

Connection to iPhone (iOS):

• 🍎 Most models (e.g. Mi TrueWireless 2) are connected in a standard way via Settings. → Bluetooth.
• 🔊 The iPhone will not display the level of charge of the headphones in the status bar (this is the limitation of Apple).
• 🎵 Sound quality can be worse due to lack of support for aptX codecs (iPhone only uses audio). AAC).

Connect to Samsung, Huawei and other Android phones:

• 🤖 The pairing process is identical to that of Xiaomi, but some features (like double tapping to call a voice assistant) may not work.
• 🔋 On Samsung phones, the headset’s charge level is only displayed in the Bluetooth menu, not in the notification bar.
• 📱 For the full operation of some models (for example, Mi). ANC) You may need to install the Mi Home app even on non-smartphones Xiaomi.

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If the Samsung phone Xiaomi headset connects, but the sound is interrupted, disable the function "Dual connection" in the Bluetooth settings - it can conflict with the Bluetooth protocol headphones.

Special attention should be paid to headsets with noise cancellation (for example, Mi TrueWireless). 3 ANC). Not on phones.-Xiaomi function ANC It may not work smoothly due to lack of optimization:

1. Update the headphone firmware via Mi Home (if the app is available for your phone model).
2. Turn off the noise reduction function manually (usually double-touching on the earpiece).
3. Use headphones in "Transparency" mode (if supported).

6. Common problems and their solutions

Even after a successful connection, users often face problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Critical information: If your Mi TrueWireless headset stops connecting after updating the firmware, try resetting it to factory settings. To do this, press the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times, which will remove all saved connections and return the headphones to the original settings.

Another common problem is automatically turning off the headphones during a conversation, which is due to a conflict between Bluetooth profiles (for example, the headphones are automatically turned off during a conversation, HFP for calls A2DP Musical solution:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Bluetooth and reset the cache.
3. Reboot your phone and reconnect the headset.

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If after connecting the Xiaomi headset to the Samsung phone, the sound is distorted, try the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Build number, tap 7 times) disable the option "Disable absolute volume Bluetooth".

7. Additional settings through the Mi Home app

For owners of Xiaomi Mi headsets with support for advanced features (for example, Mi TrueWireless 3 or Mi). ANC) The Mi Home app is available, which allows:

• 🎛️ Set up an equalizer (preset profiles or custom settings).
• 🔊 Activate/deactivate noise reduction (ANC) transparency regime.
• 📱 Update the firmware of the headset (important for fixing bugs).
• 🔋 View usage statistics and charge level of each headphone separately.

How to connect the headset to Mi Home:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Click "Add device" and select "Audio" category.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen – it is usually necessary to confirm the connection via Bluetooth.

The app also has hidden features that are not mentioned in the standard instruction:

• 🎵 Dynamic equalizer – automatically adjusts to the genre of music.
• 🔄 Automatic device switching – headphones can connect to a phone or laptop depending on activity.
• 🛡️ Loss protection – when the headphones are more than 10 meters away from the phone, the signal will sound.

8. Care and extension tips

To make your Xiaomi Mi headset last longer, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charging: Use only original cable or certified accessories. Don't leave your headphones on charge for more than 24 hours - this reduces battery life. For models with wireless charging (Mi TrueWireless 3), avoid overheating the case.
• 🧼 Clean: Clean the speaker grid with a soft brush (such as a toothbrush) at least once a month. To remove earwax, use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol (do not drip the liquid directly into the earbud!).
• 🌡️ Exploitation: Avoid using headphones at temperatures below 0°C or higher than 40°C. Do not place the headset near magnets or devices with strong electromagnetic radiation (e.g. microwaves).

Pay special attention to storage:

• 📦 Always remove the headphones in the case after use – this protects them from dust and mechanical damage.
• 💧 If the headset is wet, don't turn it on right away. Dry for 24 hours in a warm place (for example, near the battery, but not in the direct sun).
• 🔕 For models with active noise cancellation, avoid storage in high humidity areas (such as a bathroom).

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Average battery life in TWS-Headphones are 2-3 years old, and then the battery capacity is reduced by 30-50%, and the headset requires more frequent charging.

If you notice that the headphones are starting to discharge faster or are less likely to hold charge, this may be a sign of battery wear.

1. Try calibrating the battery: completely discharge the headphones, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
2. Check if background features are enabled (e.g., constantly searching for devices in Bluetooth settings).
3. For models with a replaceable battery (such as Mi Neckband), contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting the Xiaomi Mi headset