How to set up Xiaomi headphones: from connectivity to fine-tuning the sound

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless accessories on the market due to their combination of price, quality and functionality. However, many users use them out of the box, without even realizing the hidden possibilities: from customizing gesture control to fine-tuning the equalizer. This article will help unlock the full potential of your Xiaomi headphones - whether it is a budget Redmi AirDots or flagship Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro.

We're going to look at not only basic connectivity steps, but also advanced settings: how to activate low latency for games, adjust noise cancellation to specific conditions, synchronize headphones with multiple devices, and even update firmware for new features, and focus on solving typical problems, from lost sound to fast battery life.

If you want your headphones to sound perfect on the subway, on a run, or while making calls, read on. And if you're already struggling, at the end of the article, there's an FAQ with answers to frequent questions and an interactive survey to help you identify your model.

1. Connecting Xiaomi headphones to a smartphone: step-by-step instructions

The first thing that starts with any wireless headphone is to connect it to the sound source, which Xiaomi has a simplified process, but there are nuances for different models and operating systems.

For most headphones (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 or Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), the algorithm is the same:

• 📱 Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone: go to Settings → Bluetooth and switch on the switch.
• 🎧 Turn on the headphones: remove them from the case (they will automatically turn on) or press the power button for 3 seconds (for models with a button).
• 🔍 Find the device: the name of your headphones will appear in the list of available devices (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2.
• ✅ Confirm the connection: on some models you will need to confirm the pairing by pressing the headphone or button on the case.

For iPhone or Mac, the process is similar, but additional permission to access contacts (for voice assistant features) may be required.On Windows or Android-TV, first add headphones as a new device to the Bluetooth menu.

Sufficient case charge (the indicator should burn white or green)

Bluetooth on your smartphone is enabled and visible for other devices

Headphones are not connected to another gadget (if yes, reset the connection)

The distance between the headphones and the phone is not more than 1 meter (for the first connection)

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If the headphones are not determined, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module on your phone (turn off/on).
• 🧹 Reset the headphone settings: press the button on the case for 10 seconds (until the red/white indicator flashes).
• 📴 Remove old connections: in Bluetooth settings, find the headphones in the list of associated devices and forget them.

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If you connect your headphones to a Xiaomi/Redmi smartphone, use the Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play), which automatically determines the model and offers optimal settings.

2. Customize gesture and button management

One of the strengths of Xiaomi headphones is the flexible control setting, depending on the model, you can:

• 🎵 Manage playback: play/pause, next track, previous track.
• 📞 Control calls: Accept, reject, complete.
• 🔊 Adjust volume (on some models).
• 🤫 Activate noise cancellation/transparent mode.

By default, the gestures are configured as follows:

To change the gestures:

1. Open the Mi Earphones app (or Xiaomi Earbuds for new models).
2. Select your headphone model at the top of the screen.
3. Go to the Touch Management section.
4. Assign each gesture the right action (for example, double tapping to call the voice assistant).

Reproduction/pause

Track switching

Answer to the call

Noise suppression

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Some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro) have separate controls for left and right earphones, which is convenient if you want to, for example, enable transparent mode touching the left earphone and noise cancellation – right.

⚠️ Warning: If after changing the settings gestures stopped working, reset the headphone settings through the application (Settings) → Reset and reset. Sometimes it helps to reconnect the headphones to the phone.

3. Sound optimization: equalizer and effects

The sound of Xiaomi headphones can be significantly improved with the built-in equalizer and additional effects.

1. Open the Mi Earphones app.
2. Go to the Sound or Equator section.
3. Select one of the pre-set profiles: 🎶 Balance - Neutral Sound. 🎸 Rock – Enhanced Low and High Frequency. 🎤 Vocals – focus on the middle frequencies. 🎧 Basses are deep low for electronic music.

profile

For models with LDAC support (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), it is recommended that:

• Enable High Sound Quality in Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.
• Select the LDAC codec in the developer menu (activated through 7 clicks on the MIUI version in the phone settings).
• Disable hardware acceleration of sound in applications-players (for example, in Poweramp).

If the sound is still at maximum volume:

• 🔊 Check the volume limit in the phone settings (Sound) → Safe volume).
• 🎧 Clean the earwax mesh of earwax speakers (use a soft brush).
• 🔄 Reconnect your headphones – sometimes resetting the connection solves the problem.

4. Noise suppression and transparent mode: how to set up

Xiaomi’s flagship models (such as Buds 4 Pro or Buds 5 Pro) are equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC).

• 🚇 Transportation – suppresses low-frequency noise (engines, wheels).
• ☕ Office – High frequency noise (conversations, keyboards).
• 🏠 Home – Balance between noise reduction and comfort.

To activate the ANC:

1. Open the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
2. Go to the Noise Reduction section.
3. Select the mode or adjust the intensity manually (slider from 1 to 5).
4. For a quick switch, assign a gesture (for example, holding the touch for 2 seconds).

Transparent Mode (or Ambient Mode) allows you to hear the surrounding sounds without removing your headphones, which is useful outside or in conversation, to turn it on:

• In the application, select Transparent Mode.
• Or use the assigned gesture (by default, triple touch on some models).

⚠️ Attention: Long-term use ANC At maximum power, reduces battery life to 30 percent. If you don't want a strong noise reduction, select Weak or Medium mode.

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Noise suppression works more effectively if the headphones fit tightly to the ear. Try changing the size of the earbrush (there are usually 3 options in the kit: S, M, L).

5. Synchronization with multiple devices

Xiaomi headphones support connecting to two devices at once (Dual Connection or Multipoint) which is handy if you want to switch quickly between a smartphone and a laptop.

To activate this function:

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (for example, a smartphone).
2. Open the Mi Earphones app and find the Connection to two devices section.
3. Activate the switch and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Now connect the headphones to the second device (laptop, tablet) via Bluetooth.

Once set up, the headphones will automatically switch between devices depending on which one is playing the sound, for example, if you listen to music on your phone and then start a video call on your laptop, the sound will switch automatically.

If the function is not working:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on both devices.
• 📱 Update the firmware of headphones (instructions in the next section).
• 🚫 Make sure that no device activates Call Priority (it can block automatic switching).

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On Windows 10/11, you sometimes need to manually select your headphones as your playback device. To do this, click on the speaker icon in the tray and select Xiaomi Earphones in the list.

6. Update firmware: why and how to do it

The manufacturer regularly releases firmware updates for headphones that:

• 🛠️ Fix errors (for example, a missing connection or incorrect operation) ANC).
• 🎧 Add new features (codec support, gestures, sound modes).
• 🔋 Optimize battery consumption.

To update the firmware:

1. Make sure the headphones are at least 50% charged.
2. Connect them to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the Mi Earphones app.
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

It takes 2-5 minutes to complete, and after the upgrade, the headphones will automatically restart.

⚠️ Warning: If the connection is interrupted during the update (for example, the smartphone is dead), the headphones may stop turning on. In this case, put them in the case for 10 minutes, then take out and try to update again.

7. Solving typical problems

Even with the right setup, sometimes you have difficulties. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

If the headphones are not charged:

• 🔌 Check the cable and power supply (use the original cable) USB-C).
• 🧹 Clean contacts on the case and headphones with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔄 Try another power source (e.g., charge from Power Bank).

If the problem persists, the battery of the case may be faulty, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center (the warranty for headphones is usually 12 months).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions