How to add Xiaomi headphones: full instructions for all models and devices

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories because of their combination of price, quality and functionality. However, even with these devices, users often have questions about how to connect them correctly, why you can’t find headphones on the list of available devices or how to sync them with different gadgets. This article will help you understand all the nuances from basic pairing to solving typical problems.

We're going to look at not only standard models like Redmi AirDots or Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, but also rare cases like connecting to a TV or laptop on Windows/macOS. We're going to focus on customizing the sound, updating the firmware and resetting the settings if the headphones stop working properly. If you've just unpacked a new pair or are trying to revive old headphones, here you'll find the answers to all the questions.

Preparing Xiaomi headphones for the first connection

Before you add Xiaomi headphones to any device, you have to take them out of sleep and put them into pairing mode, which is slightly different depending on the model, but the general principle is the same.

1. Remove the headphones from the case. If this is the first setting, they will automatically turn on and go to search mode (the indicator will flash white or blue).

2. For headphones already used: Put them back in the case, close the lid, then open it and hold the button on the case (usually 5-10 seconds) until the indicator starts flashing quickly.

• 🔋 Charge before you plug in. Make sure the case and headphones are at least 30 percent charged. Low charge can interrupt the pairing process.
• 📱 Turn off other Bluetooth devices. If your phone already has other headphones or speakers connected, turn them off to avoid conflict.
• 🔄 Reset: If the headphones have previously been paired with another device and do not want to connect, a reset may be required (instruction below).

Important: Xiaomi Dual Mode-enabled headphones (like Buds 3T Pro) can connect to two devices at the same time, but you need to use the main device (usually a phone) for the first pairing.

Connecting to a smartphone on Android

The Android phone interface is the most common scenario, and it's as simple as possible, but there are nuances for different OS versions and headphone models.

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone and turn on the adapter.
2. Remove the headphones from the case (or put them in pairing mode as described above).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your model (for example, Redmi Buds 4 or MI True Wireless Earphones 2) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing if a request appears (sometimes you need to enter) PIN-code - default 0000 or 1234).

On Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO phones with MIUI, a window can automatically open after connecting with a suggestion to install the Mi Earphones branded application (formerly Xiaomi Wear), which gives access to advanced settings:

• 🎧 Customization of gestures (for example, double touch for playback / pause).
• 🔊 Adjustment of eQUALIZER (Pre-installed profiles or manual settings).
• ⚡ Checking the charge level of the case and each headphone separately.
• 🔄 Update to the firmware (if available for your model).

If the headphones are not displayed in the Bluetooth list:

⚠️ Note: On some Android 12 phones+ This may trigger a connection restriction for devices with older Bluetooth protocols. Try disabling the option of Improved Bluetooth Protection in the security settings.

Make sure Bluetooth is on on your phone |

Close and reopen the case lid |

Disable VPN (can block device search)|

Reboot your phone if the headphones are not-->

Connection with iPhone (iOS) and other Apple devices

While Xiaomi’s headphones are optimized for Android, they work perfectly with the iPhone/iPad, but there are a few features here:

1. No support. AAC-codec in most models (except Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), so sound can be transmitted through the SBC — A lesser but more universal protocol.

2. the Xiaomi proprietary application is not available in the App Store, so advanced settings (for example, gestures) will have to be manually configured through standard iOS tools.

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
2. Transfer the headphones to pairing mode (see the section "Preparation").
3. In the list, find your model (the name can be displayed as MI TWS or Redmi Buds) and tap it.
4. Wait for the message.

To manage playback on iOS:

• 🎵 Reproduction/pause: double touch on any earpiece.
• 🔀 Next track: Triple touch (on some models).
• 📞 Answer to the call: one touch.

⚠️ Note: iOS may experience a delay in audio when watching videos, due to the lack of support for aptX in Xiaomi headphones, the solution is to use wired headphones or connect them to a MacBook (there is less latency).

Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows/macOS/Linux)

Using Xiaomi's wireless headphones with a computer opens up new possibilities, from listening to music to attending conferences, but more often than not, drivers or codecs are problematic. Let's take a look at the steps.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Press Win + I, select Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and press Add Device → Bluetooth.
3. Put the headphones in pairing mode and select them from the list.
4. After connecting, check that your headphones are selected in Sound → The output device.

For macOS:

The process is similar to iOS: open System Settings → Bluetooth, find the headphones in the list and plug in. On a Mac, SBC and AAC codecs are supported, so the sound will be better than on the iPhone.

Typical problems on the PC:

💡

If your headphones are connected as a "Headphone" on Windows, not as a "Stereo," remove them from the list of devices and reconnect them, which will help activate the A2DP protocol for stereo.

Connection to a TV or Smart TV

Using wireless headphones with a TV is a convenient solution for watching movies at night or in noisy environments, but not all Smart TVs support Bluetooth headphones, and we'll see how to do this on different platforms.

Xiaomi TVs (MIUI TV):

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and devices.

2. Turn on device search and select your headphones from the list.

3. Confirm the pairing. The sound will automatically switch to the headphones.

Samsung (Tizen) TVs:

Many Samsung models do not support audio output to Bluetooth headphones, a workaround is to use a Bluetooth transmitter connected to an audio output (3.5 mm or optical).

LG (webOS) and Sony (Android TV) TVs:

• On LG: Settings → Sound → Sound output → Bluetooth device.
• On Sony: Settings → Network and accessories → Bluetooth.

⚠️ Attention: When connecting to a TV, you may experience a lip sync, which is related to Bluetooth audio processing, so you can use headphones that support aptX Low Latency (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) or a wired connection.

Update firmware and reset settings

If Xiaomi headphones started to work unstable – spontaneously turn off, poorly reproduce sound or do not synchronize with each other, you may need to update the firmware or reset to factory settings.

Firmware update:

1. Install the official Mi Earphones app (available for Android).

2. Connect the headphones to the phone.

3. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.

4 If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen (it is usually required to keep the headphones in a case with the lid open).

Resetting:

For most models, the process looks like this:

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (the indicator first flashes red, then white).
3. Open the lid - the headphones will be reset and ready for a new pairing.

Critical information: after reset, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later headphones may require re-association to the Mi Account if Dual Device Connection mode was previously used.

💡

If your headphones stopped working after upgrading your firmware, try resetting them and reconnecting them, which solves the problem 90 percent of the time.

Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ones and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Headphones only connect one at a time

This happens if one of the headphones is out of sync or discharged.

• Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
• Take them out and wait until both lights start flashing in sync.
• If it doesn’t help, reset the settings (see section above).

Problem 2: They discharge quickly

Reasons:

• 🔋 Transparency regime is in place (ANC) bass-enhancer.
• 📶 The headphones are too far from the signal source (Bluetooth 5.0 is stable up to 10 meters).
• 🔄 Frequent reconnection to different devices.

Problem 3: Noise or cracking in headphones

This may be related to:

• 🎵 Low quality source audio (try another track).
• 📡 Interference from other devices (Wi-Fi router, microwaves).
• 🔧 Membrane damage (if noise is constant, contact the service).

Problem 4: Headphones are not defined by the device

Algorithm of action:

1. Reboot the headphones (put in the case, close / open the lid).
2. Restart the phone/PC.
3. Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and try to connect again.
4. Check if the phone is on flight mode or energy saving.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones