Connecting Xiaomi headphones to the phone: full instructions with solutions to typical errors

Xiaomi’s wireless and wired headphones have long been an integral part of the brand’s ecosystem, offering users a combination of sound, convenience and affordable price. However, even with popular devices such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4 or the classic Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, beginners often have questions: how to perform the first pairing, why the phone does not see the headphones, or how to customize the sound to your preferences. This article will help you understand all the nuances from basic connection to fine-tuning and troubleshooting.

We will not only consider the standard procedure of connecting via Bluetooth or connector. 3.5 mm, but also rarely highlighted moments: for example, how to sync headphones with iPhone phones (where sometimes additional steps are required), or what to do if one earphone stopped working after updating the firmware. LDAC And aptX -- we're going to explain how to turn on these codecs for better sound. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO We'll give you the hidden settings. MIUI, Who optimize the work of the headset.

1. Preparation of headphones and phone for connection

Before pairing devices, make sure both gadgets are ready to connect. For wireless models (Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro, Redmi Buds 3 Lite, etc.), this means:

  • 🔋 Charging headphones and case at least 30% (at low charge, failures are possible when connecting).
  • 📱 Bluetooth enabled on your phone (check the Quick Settings Panel or Settings menu) → Connected devices).
  • 🎧 Headphones in pairing mode (usually activated by a long press on the touch panel or button).
  • 📌 Lack of active connections to other devices (for example, to a laptop or tablet).

For wired models (Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD, Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2), preparation is easier: check the integrity of the cable and the cleanness of the 3.5 mm or USB-C connector (depending on the phone model). If you use an adapter, make sure that it supports audio transmission - some cheap adapters work only for charging.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14+ Before connecting the headphones, it is recommended to disable the dual audio function in the Bluetooth settings. It can cause conflicts during the first pairing.

📊 What Xiaomi headphones are you using?
Wireless (TWS)
Wires (3.5 mm/USB-C)
Gambling (low delay)
Others

2. Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to Android

The pairing with Android phones (including Xiaomi, Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.) is done via the standard Bluetooth menu. Consider the process with the example of Redmi Buds 4 Active:

  1. Open the charge case cover – the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator will start flashing white / red).
  2. On your phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
  3. In the list, find the name of your model (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Active) and tap it.
  4. Confirm pairing if a request appears (some models will need to enter) PIN-code - usually 0000 or 1234).

After a successful connection, the Bluetooth menu will have the status “Connected”, and in the notifications – the headphone control panel (on MIUI 14+ it includes noise control, changing sound modes and access to Xiaomi Earphones settings).

Remove headphones from the case | Turn on Bluetooth on your phone | Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode | Confirm the connection in the Bluetooth--> menu

If your phone can’t see the headphones, try:

  • 🔄 Reboot the headphones (for most models: put in the case for 10 seconds, then remove and hold the touchpad for 15 seconds until the red indicator flashes).
  • 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in settings).
  • 🗑️ Remove old connections (click on the Bluetooth menu) ⚙️ Next to the headphone name and select "Forget the device").

3. Interface with iPhone and other iOS devices

While Xiaomi’s headphones are optimized for Android, they’re compatible with the iPhone, but there are nuances here: For example, models with LDAC support (like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) on iOS will use the standard AAC codec, which slightly degrades the sound.

  1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (for Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 – hold the button on the case for 3 seconds).
  2. On iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth and wait for the headphones to appear in the list.
  3. Slip on the model name. If a "Not Supported" notification appears, ignore it (this is a warning about limited functionality, such as no customization of gestures).

After connecting, check:

  • 🎵 Sound quality in Apple Music or Spotify app (on iOS 16)+ You may need to manually select headphones as the output device in the control panel).
  • 🔊 Volume level (on iPhone it is adjusted separately for each Bluetooth device).
  • 🔋 Battery charge (displayed in the Battery widget on the home screen).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s proprietary features, such as spatial sound or adaptive noise maker, do not work on iOS. They require an Android smartphone with the Xiaomi Earphones app to activate them.

4. Customization of sound and additional functions

To unlock the full potential of Xiaomi headphones, use the Xiaomi Earphones app (available on Google Play for Android).

  • 🎛️ Set up an equalizer (presets "Bases", "Specific high", "Voice" or manual settings).
  • 🔇 Activate the noise maker (available on models with ANC, For example, Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro).
  • 👆 Change the control gestures (e.g. double touch for playback/pause).
  • 🔄 Update the firmware of the headphones (critical to eliminate bugs with connection).

For models with LDAC support (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro):

  1. Put the headphones on the phone.
  2. In the Xiaomi Earphones app, go to Settings → Audio Codec.
  3. Choose LDAC (Quality Priority) or AAC (Stability Priority).
CodecBitreitDelay.Compatibility
LDACup to 990 kbps~150 msAndroid 8.0+, iOS (AAC only)
AACup to 250 kbps~100 ms.All devices.
SBCup to 328 kbps~200 ms.All devices.
aptXup to 576 kbps~40 ms.Android, Windows (requires chipset support)

On Xiaomi phones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2+ processor (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro), the aptX Adaptive codec is automatically turned on when connecting compatible headphones, but in manual mode it can be selected from the developer menu (activated through 7 taps by the build number in About Phone).

💡

If after updating the firmware headphones lost sound in one of them, reset the settings of the headset: put both headphones in the case, then hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the flashing of red and white indicators at the same time.

5. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face typical errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

🔊 Problem: The sound is interrupted or interference is

  • 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the phone and the headphones (walls, metal objects).
  • 📵 Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, smart watches) that may interfere.
  • 🔄 Switch the codec to SBC (less demanding of connection stability).

🎧 Problem: One earphone does not work

  • 🔋 Check the charge of both headphones (sometimes one discharges faster).
  • 🔄 Reset the headphone settings (instructions in spoiler below).
  • 🛠️ Clean contacts on headphones and in the case with an alcohol napkin (oxidation can disrupt the charge).
How to reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings?
1. Put both earbuds in the charge case and close the lid. 2. Hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 20-30 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white at the same time. 3. Remove the headphones - they will be in pairing mode as new. 4. Reconnect to the phone.

🔋 Problem: Fast discharge of the headphone battery

  • 📴 Turn off the noise maker (ANC), If it is not needed, it consumes up to 30% of the additional energy.
  • 🎵 Reduce the volume (at the maximum level, the headphones discharge 2-3 times faster).
  • 🔄 Update the firmware through the Xiaomi Earphones app (new versions optimized battery consumption).

💡

If Xiaomi headphones aren’t determined by the phone after a reset, try connecting them to another device (like a tablet) and then re-coupling with the phone.This often solves problems with the Bluetooth module hanging.

6. Optimization for gaming and video viewing

For gamers and movie lovers, latency is critical, and Xiaomi headphones can reduce it in the following ways:

  • 🎮 Use the aptX Low Latency codec (available on Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro Gaming and later:

YouTube

Netflix

Xiaomi

"For games."

Settings → Sound → Sound quality

For models without aptX (such as Redmi Buds 3 Lite), reducing latency will help:

  • Switch to SBC codec (less latency than AAC).
  • Use a wired connection (if the phone supports USB-C or 3.5mm).

7.Wired headphones: nuances of connection

While wireless headsets are gaining popularity, wired models (Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD, Mi Basic Earphones) remain relevant due to their low price and lack of latency.

  • 🔌 On modern phones without 3.5 mm (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) will require an adapter USB-C → Previous article3.5mm Original Adapters from Xiaomi Support Hi-Res Audio, Cheap – No.
  • 🎛️ In your phone settings, select the correct sound profile:
  • 🔊 If the sound is quiet, check the volume limit settings in MIUI (Settings → Additionally. → Volume limitation).