Xiaomi wireless headphones are among the most popular accessories on the market due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, iPhone owners often have questions: how to properly connect AirDots, Redmi Buds or FlipBuds to the iPhone, if the manufacturer is initially focused on the Android ecosystem? In this article, we will analyze the process of synchronization by steps, the nuances of compatibility and ways to eliminate typical errors.
The contrast between the operating systems iOS and MIUI sometimes creates the illusion of incompatibility. In fact, the Bluetooth 5.0+ protocol used in modern Xiaomi models is fully supported by the iPhone (starting with the iPhone 8). The main thing is to know the sequence of actions and take into account the features of a particular headphone model. For example, Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 requires activation of the button pairing mode on the case, while Redmi Buds 4 Active is automatically activated when extracted from the case.
We’ll also cover audio optimization issues (including EQ settings in iOS), why headphones might turn off during a conversation, and recommendations for extending battery life. If you’re facing a problem when Xiaomi headphones plug in but only sound in one ear, there’s a separate section in the article with a solution.
Preparation for connection: what to check before synchronization
Before you start pairing, make sure your devices meet the minimum requirements:
- 📱 iOS version: no lower than 13.0 (for stable Bluetooth 5.0 operation). → Mainstream → About this device.
- 🎧 Headphone charge: battery level above 30%.At low charge Xiaomi headphones may not detect iPhone.
- 🔋 Case charge: If the headphones don't turn on when you're retrieving, the case may have run out.
- 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones have already been paired with another device (such as an Android smartphone), they must be reset. To do this, hold the button on the case or headphones for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes.
Pay special attention to the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app. While it is not required for a basic connection to the iPhone, some models (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) allow you to update the firmware and customize gestures through it. However, the Xiaomi app for iOS has a stripped down functionality compared to the Android version, which does not have uniform EQ settings and some noise reduction modes.
Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi headphones to iPhone
The pairing process takes no more than 2-3 minutes, if you follow the algorithm:
- Activate the pairing mode on the headphones: For Xiaomi AirDots/AirDots Pro: remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the case for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red. For Redmi Buds 3/4: press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 5 seconds. For FlipBuds Pro: open the case cover - the headphones will automatically go into search mode.
- Open Bluetooth settings on iPhone: Go to Settings → Bluetooth. Make sure the Bluetooth slider is active (green). In the list of Other devices, your headphones should appear (the name will contain Mi, Redmi or AirDots).
Confirm the connection.
- Click on the headphone name in the list.
- If you have a request for code confirmation (such as 0000 or 1234), type it. Most Xiaomi models don't require code.
- Wait for the sign "Connected" next to the device name.
☑️ Checking a successful connection
If the headphones don’t appear in the list of devices, try the following:
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: Turn it off and back on in iPhone settings.
- 📱 Reboot your iPhone – sometimes it helps to reset temporary pairing errors.
- 🎧 Reset the headphones to factory settings (the method is described in the next section).
💡
If your iPhone has previously connected to other wireless headphones, remove them from the list of devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⓘ → Forgetting this device will reduce the likelihood of conflicts when you pair it again.
Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory settings
If the headphones have been paired with another device before or are not working smoothly, a complete reset may be required.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Sign of successful discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots (1/2/3) | Put the headphones in the case, then hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times. | The indicator flashes white-red (conjugation mode). |
| Redmi Buds 3/4/5 | Hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear a voice message "Reset". | The headphones are automatically turned off and re-enabled. |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | Press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange. | In the mobile application Xiaomi Wear will appear a notification of the reset. |
| Redmi Buds Lite | Remove the headphones from the case, then hold the button on the case for 8 seconds until the indicator goes out and blinks again. | The headphones emit a long beep. |
Once reset, Xiaomi headphones will be removed from memory of all previously connected devices, which is useful if:
- 🔗 Headphones automatically connect to another gadget (for example, a laptop or Android smartphone).
- 🎵 The sound is interrupted or only goes in one headphone.
- 🔋 Battery discharges quickly (sometimes due to Bluetooth profile conflicts).
What if the reset didn't help?
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even after a successful connection, iPhone users may encounter common errors.
🔊 The sound is only in one headphone.
The reason is usually a failure of synchronization between the left and right earphones.
- 🔄 Reboot the headphones: Put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out.
- 📱 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
- 🔋 Check the battery power – if one earphone is discharged more, it may shut down.
- 🛠️ For Redmi Buds 4 Pro: Select Settings in the Xiaomi Wear app → Reset the sound settings.
🎧 Headphones are constantly switched off
This is most often related to:
- 📶 Bluetooth interference: Other devices (such as a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi router) can cause interference. Try turning off Wi-Fi on your iPhone or move to another room.
- 🔋 Low charge: If the battery level is below 15%, Xiaomi headphones may lose connection.
- 📱 Restrictions of iOS: in Settings → Bluetooth check if Low Power Mode for Headphones is activated.
🎤 The microphone is not working during calls.
Owners of Xiaomi AirDots often complain that the interlocutor does not hear them.
- 🎤 The headphones only use the built-in microphone in the right earpiece, and make sure it's clean and not covered by hair or clothing.
- 📱 In iOS, the default phone microphone can be selected. When you call, tap the audio icon and select Xiaomi headphones.
- 🔄 Reconnect the headphones in mode HFP (for calls: Turn them off and back on in Bluetooth settings.
💡
If microphone problems persist, try using the headphones in A2DP mode (music only) and switching to the phone microphone while making calls.
Sound optimization: EQ settings and codec features
The iPhone does not support aptX or LDAC codecs, which are often used in Android devices.
- 🎵 AAC — The main codec for Xiaomi headphones on iPhone. Provides good sound quality with a stable connection.
- 📶 SBC — backup codec, activated at a weak Bluetooth signal.
To improve the sound:
- Open the settings → Music → Equalizer.
- Choose a preset: 🎸 Rock or Pop – to enhance low frequencies. 🎤 Voice - for podcasts and audiobooks. 🎧 Electronics - for bass.
Equalizer+
Boom 3D
App Store
Important: Some Xiaomi models (like the FlipBuds Pro) support hardware noise cancellation (ANC), but its settings are only available through the Xiaomi Wear app for Android. On the iPhone, the ANC will work in base mode without level adjustment.
💡
To check the current codec, connect your headphones to your iPhone, open the Bluetooth Inspector app (available to developers via Xcode), and watch the Connected: Yes (AAC) bar.
How to extend the battery life
The autonomy of Xiaomi headphones on the iPhone may differ from the manufacturer's stated (usually 10-15% less).
- 🔋 Turn off your Bluetooth headphones when you're not using them. Even when you're sitting on standby, they're consuming. ~5% charge per hour.
- 📴 Reduce volume: at maximum volume, the battery sits down 2 times faster.
- 🎧 Use mono mode: if you listen to podcasts, you can turn off one headphone (put it in the case).
- 🔄 Update your firmware: newer versions often optimize power consumption. For Xiaomi headphones, updates come via Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear.
- 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures: when <0°C or >35°C battery discharges faster.
Average time of work of popular models with iPhone:
| Model | Playback time (with ANC) | Playback time (without ANC) | Case charging time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro | 5-6 hours | 7-8 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Redmi Buds 4 Active | — | 10-12 hours | 1 hour |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | 5 hours | 7 hours | 2 hours |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | — | 18 hours. | 1.5 hours |
💡
To quickly check the charge level of the headphones and case, add the Battery widget to the iPhone home screen (hold your finger on the screen → + → Batteries).
Compatible with other Apple devices
Xiaomi headphones can be connected not only to the iPhone, but also to other Apple gadgets:
- 🖥️ MacBook: pairing process similar to iPhone. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
- 🎧 iPad: All iPadOS 13 models supported+. Headphones will automatically switch between iPhone and iPad if you use the same Apple ID.
- ⌚ Apple Watch: headphones connect via iPhone (in Bluetooth settings on the clock they will not be visible).
Features of multi-threaded connection (Multipoint):
- ✅ Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro and FlipBuds Pro support simultaneous connection to two devices (for example, iPhone) + MacBook).
- ❌ Redmi Buds 3/4 do not have Multipoint function – when you connect to a new device, the connection with the previous one is broken.
To switch between devices:
- On a new device (MacBook or iPad) open Bluetooth settings.
- Select Xiaomi headphones from the list (they should show as Not Connected).
- Click Connect – the connection to the previous device will break automatically.