How to set up Xiaomi’s AirPods: Complete Instructions for All Models (2026)

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular alternatives to Apple AirPods on the market. Despite their superficial similarity to Apple gadgets, their configuration has its nuances, especially if you use an iPhone or Android device with custom firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of configuration, from first connection to fine customization of sound and gesture control, and also explain how to avoid typical errors that may cause the headphones to fail.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi has several wireless headphone lines: AirDots (budget), Buds (mid-range) and FlipBuds (premium). Each model has unique features, but the basic setup principles are the same. If you've just unpacked the box and don't know where to start, this guide is for you. We also address iOS compatibility, firmware updates, and connectivity issues.

1.Preparation for the first connection: what to check before setting up

Before you start pairing your headphones with your phone, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps.This will save you most of the problems in the future.

First, check the headphones and the case, and even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't guarantee that the headphones are charged.

• 🔋 Put the headphones in the case and close the lid for 10-15 seconds.
• 📱 Open the lid next to your smartphone – a charge level indicator should appear (on Android, you may need to install the Mi Home app).
• ⚡ If the charge is below 20%, plug the case into charging for 30-40 minutes.

Second, update your smartphone firmware. Outdated versions of Android (below 10) or iOS (below 14) may not support some headphone features, such as the LC3- codec or transparent mode. Check firmware relevance in Settings → System → Software Update.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect Xiaomi AirPods to your phone

The pairing process depends on your smartphone’s operating system, and below are the general instructions for Android and iOS, as well as nuances for specific headphone models.

For Android devices (Miui, POCO, Redmi, other brands)

On most Xiaomi smartphones, the connection is automatically via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play (unless installed by default).
2. Open the case cover with headphones and hold the button on the back for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white.
3. In your phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and select your headphone model from the list (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones 2).
4. Confirm the pairing and wait for notification of successful connection.

For iPhone and iPad (iOS 14 and later)

While Xiaomi is not a native brand for Apple, the headphones connect as a standard Bluetooth device:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (hold the button on the case until the indicator blinks).
3. The device list will show the model name (e.g. Mi AirDots Pro 2) and tap it.
4. If there is no sound, check if the headphones are selected as the output device in the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner).

Important! On iOS, some features (such as gesture customization or transparent mode) may not be available without third-party apps like Assistant Trigger or SoundAssistant.

3. Customize gesture control and headphone functions

One of the key features of Xiaomi headphones is the ability to assign different actions to touch the body, but the settings depend on the model and firmware.

Standard gestures (for most models)

• 🎵 Double-touch - playback/pause (default).
• 🔊 Triple touch – transition to the next track (on Buds 3 Pro and later).
• 📞 Hold 2 seconds – Calling a voice assistant (Google Assistant or Siri).
• 🔇 Holding 1 second – switching between noise reduction modes (on models with ANC).

How to change the purpose of gestures

On Android with MIUI:

1. Open the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
2. Select your headphones in the list of devices.
3. Go to the Control Settings (or Touch Controls) section.
4. Assign the necessary actions for the left / right earphone.

On iOS:

Unfortunately, without third-party apps, you can not change gestures. We recommend using Assistant Trigger (free version with restrictions) or SoundAssistant (paid, but with advanced settings).

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If the headphones don’t respond to touch, try resetting them to factory settings (see Section 5).

4. Sound optimization: equalizer, noise cancellation and codec

Xiaomi headphones can be significantly improved by properly configuring the equalizer, Bluetooth codec and noise reduction modes.

Choosing a Bluetooth codec

The codec is the key to sound quality and latency.

• 🎧 SBC is a basic codec that works everywhere, but with mediocre quality.
• 🎵 AAC is better for music, supported by iPhone and most Android devices.
• 🚀 aptX/LDAC are premium codecs for high bitrate (available on Buds 3 Pro and later).

To change the codec:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Put the badge on. ⚙️ near the connected headphones.
3. Choose Audio Codec or Audio Quality.
4. We recommend aptX Adaptive (if supported) or AAC.

Equalizer setting

In the Mi Home application, pre-installed profiles are available:

Critical: On the iPhone, the equalizer is customized through standard audio settings (Settings → Music → Equalizer), but it will apply to all output devices, not just Xiaomi headphones.

5.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If the headphones start to glitch, or don't connect, or they give out distorted sound, or they don't respond to touch, hard reset will help.

For models with a physical button (AirDots 1-3, Buds 2)

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Release the button and the headphones will drop.

For models with touch control (Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds)

1. Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone.
2. Open the Mi Home app and go to the device settings.
3. Select Reset (or Reset) settings.
4. Confirm the action - the headphones will reboot.

6. firmware update: how to check and install the latest version

Xiaomi’s headphone firmware is responsible for connectivity stability, sound quality and new features, and updates are released every 2-3 months, but they are not always installed automatically.

How to check the current version of the firmware

This can only be done through the Mi Home app:

1. Open the app and select your headphones.
2. Go to Settings. → About the device.
3. Find the firmware version string (e.g., 1.7.8.0).

How to update firmware

If a new version is available, you will see a notification in the app.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Make sure the charge level of the case and headphones is above 50%.
3. In the About Device section, tap Update.
4. Don't interrupt the process! It'll take 3-5 minutes to update.

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After the firmware update, the headphones will automatically turn off and reconnect. If the sound is gone, reboot the Bluetooth on your phone.

7. Solving Common Issues With Xiaomi AirPods

Even after you set it up properly, users are faced with typical problems, and here are the proven ways to solve them.

Problem 1: Headphones don’t connect to the phone

• ✅ Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (blinking white indicator).
• ✅ Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth → Off/On).
• ✅ Remove the headphones from the list of devices and reconnect.
• ✅ Check if the headphones are connected to another device (e.g., a laptop).

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or distorted

• 🎧 Change the Bluetooth codec to AAC or SBC (see Section 4).
• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the phone and the headphones (walls, metal objects).
• 🔋 Charge your headphones to 100% – low charge can impair stability.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones or reset them (Section 5).

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If the sound disappears only in one headphone, try to clean the contacts on the case and headphones with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Problem 3: Noise reduction (ANC) is not working

⚠️ Warning: ANC is only available on Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro and later. AirDots doesn't have it!

If the ANC is on but not working:

1. Check if the earbuds are sitting tightly in your ears (try changing the earbuds).
2. Update the headphone firmware (section 6).
3. In the Mi Home app, make sure that the ANC mode is activated (Settings → Noise Reduction).

8 Additional chips: voice assistant, monosound and game mode

Xiaomi headphones support a number of hidden features that many users are unaware of.

Voice Assistant (Google Assistant, Siri, Alice)

To call the assistant:

• 🎙️ On Android: Hold the touch on any headphone for 2 seconds (configured in Mi Home).
• 🍎 On iOS: Use Siri through standard settings (Settings → Siri and Search).

Monosound (one earpiece)

If you want to use only one headphone (for example, for conversations):

1. Remove only one headphone from the case - the second will automatically turn off.
2. On Android, you can turn on the Mono mode in Mi Home for constant use of one headphone.

Game mode (delay reduction)

So, for games, it's important to have minimal latency, to reduce this.

• 🎮 Enable Low Latency mode in Mi Home (available on Buds 3 Pro and later).
• 🔊 Select the aptX Low Latency codec (if supported by your phone).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi AirPods