Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi smartphone via Bluetooth: full instruction with solutions to problems

Why AirPods don’t want to be friends with Xiaomi Android smartphones?

Apple AirPods are some of the most popular wireless headsets on the market, but their creation is initially focused on the ecosystem of the iPhone and iPad, POCO X5 Xiaomi 14 tries to connect them to Android, often faces problems: the headphones are not located, connect only for a few seconds or the sound is interrupted. The reason lies in the features of the Bluetooth protocol and proprietary Apple chips, such as automatic switching between devices or optimized codec. AAC.

But that doesn't mean you can't use AirPods with Xiaomi, because when you set them up properly, they work consistently, albeit without some Apple features like Find My or instant pairing. In this article, we'll take a look at step-by-step connectivity (including the AirPods 2, 3, Pro 1/2 generation models), look at common bugs and give recommendations for improving sound, and if you have Xiaomi on MIUI 14/15, we'll take into account the nuances of the new shell.

Preparation: What to check before connecting

Before you try to connect AirPods to your smartphone, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 🔋 Headphone and case charge: Battery level should be at least 20%. If the indicator on the case is lit in orange, charge the device for at least 10-15 minutes.
• 📱 Bluetooth version on Xiaomi: To work stable, you need support for Bluetooth 5.0 or later. → The phone. → Full specification.
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If AirPods were already paired with another device (such as an iPhone), they need to be “forget” in the settings of that gadget or reset directly.
• 🛠️ Update MIUI: On older versions of firmware (below) MIUI 12) there may be problems with the codec AAC. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Pay special attention to Xiaomi’s power saving mode. If it’s on, the system can restrict Bluetooth, causing communication disruptions. Turn it off in Settings → Battery and Performance → Power Saving Mode.

Step-by-step: how to connect AirPods to Xiaomi

The process of pairing takes no more than a minute, if you follow the algorithm:

1. Open the case cover with AirPods and make sure the headphones are inside.The indicator on the front should flash white (search mode).
2. On a Xiaomi smartphone, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Turn on Bluetooth (slider up) and wait for the AirPods device to appear in the list (may appear as AirPods Pro or AirPods (3rd generation)).
4. Click on the headphone name in the list. In 5-10 seconds, the "Connected" notification will appear.

If AirPods don’t appear on the list, try:

• 🔄 Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange and then white (reset settings).
• 📱 Reboot the Xiaomi smartphone (sometimes helps with glitches) MIUI).
• 🔌 Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone again.

⚠️ Note: If you are connecting AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 3 Xiaomi on Android 12 And below, sound can be transmitted in mono mode, which is because there's no codec support. LC3. The solution is to upgrade the smartphone to Android 13/14.

Customization of sound: how to improve the quality of playback

By default, AirPods on Android use SBC codec, which is universal, but not the best. To activate AAC (which gives you the best sound, especially for music), follow these steps:

1. Connect AirPods to the smartfon.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Press the badge. ⚙️ near the name AirPods.
4. Select Sound Quality → Codec and set AAC (if the option is not available, then your Xiaomi does not support it).

Additional tips for better sound:

• 🎧 Turn on Adaptive sound in the headphone settings (if there is such an option in the headphones). MIUI).
• 🔊 Use equalizer-enabled players (like Poweramp or Neutron) to fine-tune frequencies.
• 📵 Turn off Dual Audio (if you have two devices on at the same time) as this reduces the stability of the connection.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M4 Pro) codec AAC It's unstable because of the hardware limitations of the Bluetooth chip. SBC.

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If the sound in AirPods is interrupted while watching the video, turn on the player option "Audio delay" (+50-100 ms).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after successful connectivity, Xiaomi users are faced with typical bugs.

1. AirPods are connected, but the sound is only in one headphone

The reason: the synchronization failure between the left and right earphones.

• 🔄 Put both AirPods in a case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then reconnect.
• 📱 In Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi, “forget” the device and connect again.
• 🔧 Reset the headphone settings (hold the button on the case 15 seconds until orange blink).

2. Permanent communication breakdowns

Usually, interference or unoptimized MIUI settings are to blame.

• 📶 The presence nearby of other Bluetooth devices (columns, smart watches), creating interference.
• 🔋 AirPods charge level (at a charge below 15%, the connection becomes unstable).
• 🛠️ Is developer mode enabled and Bluetooth debugging option (may interfere) turned off in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additional settings → Developer parameters.

3.The microphone is not working during calls

This is a common problem on Xiaomi with Android 13. MIUI protocol HFP ( Hands-Free Profiles. Solutions:

• 📞 Before you call manually select AirPods as the audio output device in the notification panel.
• 🔧 Install Bluetooth Auto Connect from Google Play – it is forced to activate the microphone.
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in new builds, the bug has been corrected).

Additional chips: what else can be customized

While Android AirPods lack some features (such as automatic switching between devices), some features are still available:

• 🎵 Gesture Customization: Apps like AirBattery or AndroPods allow you to assign double-touch actions (such as skipping a track or calling a voice assistant).
• 🔋 Battery Display: The same utilities show the percentage of charge of each headphone and case right in the notification bar.
• 🔍 If you lost AirPods, use the Find My Headset app (similar to Find My for Android).
• 🎧 Noise reduction setting: On AirPods Pro, you can manually switch modes (ANC/Transparency) via the widget in the notification panel (Android required) 12+).

For Xiaomi owners, MIUI 14/15 integration with Google Fast Pair is available – the first time you connect, a pop-up will appear with quick gesture adjustment and charge check. If the window does not appear, update Google Play services.

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Third-party applications (such as AirBattery) not only add functionality, but can also improve communication stability by optimizing the Bluetooth protocol.

Alternatives: Which headphones are better for Xiaomi

If struggling with AirPods connectivity seems too tedious, consider headphones optimized for Android:

Important: If you’re using AirPods Pro 2 with Xiaomi, keep in mind that Spatial Audio only works on Apple devices, and on Android, it won’t be available even with companion apps.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions