How to Signal to Xiaomi Headphones: All Ways to Connect and Troubleshooting

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless accessories because of their combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with these devices, users face problems: no sound, the gadget is not determined by the smartphone, or the connection is constantly cut off, most often these problems are not due to a breakdown, but to the wrong signal setting.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to signal to Xiaomi headphones, from the classic Bluetooth connection to alternative methods like NFC or AUX. Separately, we will focus on typical errors (for example, when one earphone does not work) and give a checklist for diagnosis. If you just bought a Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or another model, here you will find the answers to all the questions on settings.

Important: The instructions are valid for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS devices, and for headphones released after 2020. Older models (such as Mi AirDots Basic) may require additional steps.

1. Connecting Xiaomi headphones over Bluetooth: the basic method

The most common way to transmit a signal is via Bluetooth, which takes less than a minute, but there are nuances that affect the stability of the connection.

To connect your headphones to your Xiaomi smartphone (or other Android device), follow the steps:

1. Turn on the headphones by holding the power button (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator starts flashing white/blue.
2. On your smartphone, open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the module.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your model (for example, Redmi Buds 5) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing if a request appears.

After successful connection, the headphones will be automatically determined the next time you turn on (if you did not reset the settings).

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If the headphones don’t appear on the list, try resetting them to factory settings: hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

Features for different models

• 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro: supports dual connectivity (to two devices simultaneously). To activate, press the touchpad for 3 seconds.
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4/5: have Low Latency mode for gaming — enabled in the Mi Earphones app.
• 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2: To reset, you need to press the buttons on both headphones at the same time.

2 Connection to a PC or laptop (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you want to use Xiaomi headphones with a computer, the algorithm is a little different. The main problem here is Bluetooth codecs: not all PCs support AAC or aptX, which can make the sound worse than on a smartphone.

Instructions for Windows 10/11:

1. Turn the headphones on in pairing mode (see section 1).
2. On PC, open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
3. Click Add Device → Bluetooth and select your model.
4. After connecting, check that in the audio settings, the headphones are selected as the output device.

For macOS, the path is: System settings → Bluetooth. On Linux (Ubuntu/Debian), you may need to install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth:

sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth


pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover

Table: Compatibility of codecs with different OS

⚠️ Warning: PCs with built-in Bluetooth 4.0 may have problems connecting Xiaomi headphones of the latest generation, the solution is to use an external Bluetooth 5.0 adapter (for example, TP-Link UB500).

3. Alternative methods of signal transmission

Bluetooth isn't the only option. If the headphones support other interfaces, you can use them for a more stable connection.

3.1 NFC connection (for supported models)

Some Xiaomi headphones (such as FlipBuds Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Pro) are equipped with an NFC chip.

1. Activate NFC on your smartphone (Settings → Connection and Sharing → NFC).
2. Attach the headphones to the back of the phone (where the NFC- chip is located).
3. Confirm the connection in the window that appears.

The advantage of the method is instant pairing without searching the Bluetooth menu, but NFC only works at a close range (up to 5 cm).

3.2. AUX connection (3.5 mm)

If your headphones have a 3.5mm connector (such as the Mi Hybrid Pro HD), you can use a wired connection:

• 🔌 Connect the headphones to the audio output on your smartphone/PC.
• 🎛️ On a Xiaomi smartphone, you may need to select the type of connected device in the audio settings (Settings → Sound → Headphone type).
• 🔊 Check the volume level – some models require additional signal amplification.

⚠️ Warning: When connecting via AUX to Xiaomi with Type-C (without 3.5 mm), you will need an adapter. Cheap adapters often don't support a microphone - choose models with a CS43130 chip (e.g., Xiaomi USB-C to 3.5mm).

Connection to a TV or game console

Xiaomi headphones can also be connected to Mi TV, PlayStation or Xbox:

• 📺 Mi TV: Settings → Bluetooth and devices → Add the device. Some models need to activate Bluetooth in Advanced Settings first.
• 🎮 PlayStation 5: Settings → Accessories → Bluetooth accessories. PS4 doesn’t support most Xiaomi headphones due to Sony’s limitations.
• 🖥️ Xbox Series X|S: officially does not support Bluetooth headphones, the solution is to use a Bluetooth transmitter (e.g. Creative BT-W5).

4. Problem Solving: Headphones don't plug in or play sound

If the headphones are not signaled, the reasons can be different: from the banal (battery is discharged) to the technical (bruised Bluetooth module).

4.1 Headphones are not defined by a smartphone

Checklist for diagnosis:

If nothing helps, try resetting your headphone settings:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Remove the headphones and repeat the pairing.

4.2 The sound is interrupted or delayed.

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Weak Bluetooth signal: Remove barriers between headphones and smartphones (walls, metal objects).
• 🔋 Low charge: below 20%, there may be failures. Charge the headphones to 50%+.
• 🎵 Non-optimal codec: In Developer Settings (on Android), select Bluetooth Audio Codec → AAC.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: Turn off Bluetooth on other gadgets nearby.

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On Xiaomi with HyperOS, the sound delay can be reduced by activating Game Sound mode in the Bluetooth headphone settings.

Only one earphone is working.

A typical problem for TWS- headphones (True Wireless)

• 🔄 Not synchronized: Put both earbuds in a case for 10 seconds, then remove.
• 🔋 Different charge level: Wait until both headphones charge to 100%.
• 🎧 Contaminated contact: wipe the metal contacts in the case and on the headphones with an alcohol napkin.
• 🔧 Firmware failure: Update the software through the Mi Earphones app.

⚠️ Warning: If one earphone is silent after all the manipulations, check it on another device. If the problem persists, it is a hardware defect (defective speaker or Bluetooth module). In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center (the warranty is valid for 12 months).

5. Customize the sound through the Mi Earphones app

The official Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play and AppGallery) allows you to fine-tune the sound, update the firmware and check the status of the battery. Download it if you want:

• 🎛️ Set up an equalizer (preset profiles: bass, vocals, classics).
• 🔊 Activate noise cancellation (available for FlipBuds Pro, Redmi Buds 4 Pro).
• 🔄 Update the headphone firmware (solves connectivity and sound issues).
• 📊 View usage statistics (work time, charge level).

How to use the application:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Mi Earphones – the app will automatically determine the model.
3. Go to the Sound section to set up the equalizer or Update to check firmware.

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Mi Earphones has a hidden Monosound feature (for people with hearing impairments) to activate, hold the audio setting icon for 3 seconds.

6. Update to Xiaomi headphone firmware

If the headphones are buggy (switching off, not playing sound well), the reason may be outdated firmware. Update solves most software bugs.

How to update software:

1. Connect the headphones to the Xiaomi smartphone.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app.
3. Go to the Update (or Firmware Update) section.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

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

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update! If the headphones turn off during the process, they may stop turning on, in which case you'll have to drop them through emergency mode (spoiler instructions below).

7. Compatible with iPhone and other brands

Xiaomi’s headphones don’t just work with the brand’s smartphones, but there may be nuances with iPhones or Samsung/Huawei devices.

7.1 Connection to iPhone (iOS)

The algorithm is standard:

1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
2. On the iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth.
3. Select the headphones from the list.

Limitations:

• ❌ No support for aptX codec (to be used AAC or SBC).
• ❌ The Mi Earphones app doesn't work on iOS - you can't configure equalizer or noise cancellation.
• ❌ There may be problems with autoconnection after the iPhone is rebooted.

7.2 Connecting to Android devices of other brands

On Samsung, Realme or Huawei smartphones, Xiaomi headphones connect without problems, but:

• 🔊 Samsung may not have noise cancellation (requires headphone firmware).
• 🔋 Huawei sometimes gets its headphone balance settings confused.
• 🎵 The Realme/Oppo Mi Earphones app does not show the charge level.

The solution for all cases: use universal applications like Bluetooth Auto Connect or SoundAssistant for fine-tuning.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones