How to combine AirPods and Xiaomi headphones: a complete guide to compatibility and setup

Are you a lucky owner of both AirPods and Xiaomi wireless headphones, but you don’t know how to make them work together? Or do you want to connect AirPods to a Xiaomi smartphone but face synchronization problems? This article will help you understand all the nuances of connecting devices from different ecosystems, from basic configuration to solving typical errors.

Apple and Xiaomi use different protocols for connection (AAC vs SBC/aptX), Most modern headphone models support the universal Bluetooth standard 5.0+. This means that technically any AirPods can be connected to Xiaomi — and vice versa. However, there are important functional limitations: for example, Android will not work automatic switching between devices or the function Find headphones".

In this guide, we will look at:

• 🔹 Compatibility of different models of AirPods and headphones Xiaomi (Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless, etc.)
• 🔹 Step-by-step instructions for connecting to smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco
• 🔹 How to set up sound, microphone and control gestures on non-native devices
• 🔹 Solving Connection, Sound Lag and Battery Discharge Problems

1. Compatibility of AirPods and Xiaomi headphones: what you need to know before connecting

Before trying to merge devices, it's important to understand which features will work and which won't. Here are the key points:

Critical moment: headphones Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Buds) 4 Pro or Mi True Wireless 3) When connecting to the iPhone will use a codec AAC instead LC3/aptX. This means that the quality of the sound is deteriorating. 15-20% Compared to the original Xiaomi device, the situation is reversed for Android AirPods, they have to use it. SBC, which gives a noticeable delay of sound (~200 (ms) in games and video.

Another nuance is the firmware of the headphones, for example, the AirPods Pro 2 can only receive updates through the iPhone, and if you connect them to Xiaomi on a permanent basis, new features (like improved noise maker) will not be available.

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Update the headphone firmware through your home device (iPhone for AirPods or Mi Home for Xiaomi) before connecting.This minimizes the risk of synchronization errors.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect AirPods to a Xiaomi smartphone

The process of connecting AirPods to a Xiaomi phone (or Redmi/Poco) It's almost like connecting to any other Bluetooth headphone, but there are a few tricks that can help you avoid typical problems.

Fully charge your headphones (minimum 50%)

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone (Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth)

Place the AirPods in the case and open the lid.

Make sure the headphones aren’t connected to another device (like a MacBook)

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Step 1: Activate the pairing mode on AirPods

1. Place both headphones in the charger case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Open the cover of the case and hold the button on the back (for AirPods) 1/2) or touch panel (for AirPods) 3/Pro) until the indicator starts flashing white.
3. On AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3, a touchpad is used instead of a button – tap it once and hold it.

Step 2: Search and Connect on Xiaomi

1. On your smartphone, go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Click Add a new device (or Device Search).
3. In the list, find your AirPods (the name will be in AirPods format if they have previously connected to an iPhone).
4. Tap the name of the headphones and confirm the pairing.

Step 3: Checking the performance

After connection:

• 🎧 Check the sound in any player (e.g. Mi Music or Spotify).
• 🎤 Test the microphone through a call or voice recording.
• 🔋 Make sure the charge indicator is displayed in the notification bar (on some firmware) MIUI It may not show the battery level).

3. How to connect Xiaomi headphones (Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless) to iPhone

The process of connecting Xiaomi headphones to iPhone is even easier than it would otherwise be, but there are pitfalls here — especially with codec. AAC, Which iOS imposes instead of aptX.

Instructions for all models (Redmi Buds) 3/4, Mi True Wireless 2/3 etc.):

1. Place both headphones in the case and open the lid.
2. Press the touch button on the case (or the button on the headphones for older models) on 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (pairing mode).
3. On the iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth.
4. Find your headphones in the list (the name will be in Redmi Buds format). XXX Mi True Wireless XXX).
5. Tap the name to connect.

Important observations:

• 🔊 On the iPhone headphones Xiaomi will use codec AAC, What can give wheezing at high frequencies (especially noticeable on the Redmi Buds 4 Pro).
• 🔋 The headphone charge level is displayed in the iOS battery widget only after the first full connection cycle.
• 🎛 Control gestures (double touch, hold) can be reassigned in Bluetooth iPhone settings (section "Hearphone Management").

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On iPhone 12 and newer headphones Xiaomi will automatically switch to codec AAC, Even if you support aptX, that's an Apple limitation that you can't get around.

4. Sound and control tuning: how to improve the experience

By default, headphones from different brands on the "foreign" platform work in basic mode, but with a few settings, you can significantly improve the sound quality and ease of control.

For AirPods on Xiaomi:

• 🎵 Change the Bluetooth codec (if supported):

Set up the equaliser

Use the built-in equalizer in Mi Music or third-party apps like Wavelet to compensate for codec flaws SBC.

Turn on the microphone for only one headphone

In Bluetooth settings, select Use only the left or right headphone for calls.

For Xiaomi Buds on iPhone:

• 🔊 Turn it off. AAC Forced (only for experienced users):
• 🎛 Reassign gestures:
• 🔋 Track the charge:

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For Xiaomi models with support LDAC (For example, Mi True Wireless 3 on iPhone you can try the application LDAC Bluetooth Codec from the App Store, which allows you to manually select a codec, but requires you to connect headphones in developer mode.

Typical problems and their solutions

When combining headphones from different brands, users most often face five problems.

🔌 Problem 1: Devices do not connect or permanently break the connection

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 Conflict with other Bluetooth devices:
• 🔄 Outdated firmware:
• 🔋 Low battery charge:

🎵 Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or delayed

What to do:

• 📶 Switch the codec:
• 📵 Turn off the Wi-Fi:
• 🎮 Play the game mode:

🔊 Problem 3: The microphone is not working or the sound is quiet

Decisions:

• 🎤 Choose the right microphone:
• 🔇 Clean the microphone holes:
• 📞 Use monosound:

🔋 Problem 4: Fast battery discharge

Reasons and ways of saving:

• 📴 Turn off the automatic connection:
• 🔇 Turn down the volume:
• 🔄 Update the firmware:

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If the AirPods are discharged for 1-2 On Xiaomi, check if they are connected to another device at the same time (like a MacBook.

Alternative ways of combining: adapters and applications

If standard Bluetooth connection is not satisfied with sound quality or stability, you can use additional devices and software.

1. Bluetooth transmitters (for TV, PC, game consoles)

Adapters like that. 1Mii B06 Pro or Avantek APTX permit:

• 🎮 Connect AirPods to Xiaomi TV Redmi Book with low-latency support.
• 🎧 Use Xiaomi headphones with PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch.
• 🔊 Improve sound quality by selecting a codec (aptX, LDAC).

2. Applications for extended management

3. Software workarounds

• 🖥 For PCs:
• 📱 For Android:
• 🍎 For iOS: