Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder if Apple’s wireless headphones can be fully used on Android devices. The answer is unequivocal: yes, it is possible. Bluetooth technology is a universal standard that allows AirPods to work with any gadget that supports audio transmission, including the Redmi line, POCO and flagship Xiaomi. However, the process of pairing and subsequent configuration has its own nuances, which are worth knowing in advance.
The main difficulty is the lack of native support for proprietary Apple features, such as automatic switching between devices or accurately displaying charge animations in the standard menu. However, the basic functionality — music playback, microphone operation and touch control — are available immediately after you connect. To expand the capabilities will require the installation of third-party software, which we will discuss in detail below.
In this article, we will not only discuss the standard connection procedure, but also methods for solving common problems, such as a quiet sound or a broken microphone. You will learn how to turn regular Bluetooth headphones into a smart accessory with full battery control right on your smartphone screen.
Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing
Before starting the procedure, make sure both devices are ready to go. Charge the AirPods and make sure that the Xiaomi smartphone battery is at least 20-30% full.This is necessary, as the process of finding and installing drivers can consume energy.
An important step is to reset previous settings if the headphones were previously used with the iPhone.This will eliminate address conflicts and allow the new device to identify the headset as primary. To do this, place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the setting button on the back until the indicator flashes in amber and then white.
⚠️ Warning: If the indicator inside the case is lit red or flashing orange, it signals an error or low charge. In this mode, you can not connect to Xiaomi - first charge the case.
On the smartphone side, Xiaomi needs to activate visibility for other devices. Although modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS do this automatically when you open the Bluetooth menu, sometimes you need to manually start scanning. Make sure the smartphone screen is unlocked, as in sleep mode, finding new devices can be limited by the power saving system.
Step-by-step instruction for connecting via Bluetooth
The connection process on Xiaomi devices is standardized, but has its own features in the MIUI shell interface. First open the case lid with the headphones without removing them. The indicator should start flashing white, signaling the pairing mode.
Then take your smartphone and go to the settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but it usually looks like this: Settings → Bluetooth. Make sure the power slider is activated. The system will start looking for available devices within range.
☑️ Algorithm for connecting AirPods to Xiaomi
The Available Devices list should show the name of your headphones, such as AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. Click on it. You may see a request for confirmation of pairing on the screen, agree with it. Once you successfully connect, you will hear a characteristic beep in the headphones, and the battery icon will appear in the status bar of the smartphone.
If the connection is successful but the sound is not coming, check the usage profile. In the Bluetooth menu, click on the gear next to the headphone name and make sure that the Multimedia and Audio Login profiles are activated. Without these permissions, Xiaomi will see the device but not transmit sound to it.
Control configuration and function verification
Once paired successfully, the basic functions work immediately, but for full comfort, additional adjustment is required. Standard touch management on AirPods is programmed at the firmware level and works on Android in the same way as on iOS.
- 🎧 Double touch: usually responsible for playing/pausing or switching tracks.
- 📞 Retention: AirPods Pro and Max models are called to switch between noise reduction modes or the voice assistant is activated.
- 🎙 Voice control: Siri is activated by default, but on Android it may not work without third-party apps.
It is important for Xiaomi owners to know that the standard interface does not allow reassigning touch actions. You can not change the double tap to a Google Assistant call without using special utilities.
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To activate Google Assistant on AirPods, try tapping the headphone leg three times quickly, and on some models, this action is reassigned to calling the assistant by default, which is true for Android.
Checking the microphone is a critical step: call someone or record a voice message. If the person can't hear you, maybe the Bluetooth settings have the wrong profile or the microphone locked by the power saving system. In rare cases, you need to reinstall the pairing.
How to see the charge of AirPods on the screen Xiaomi
One of the main problems with using the Apple ecosystem on Android is the lack of a battery widget. Xiaomi's standard Bluetooth menu only shows the overall charge level of the case or headphones, and that's not always correct. There are specialized applications to solve this problem.
The most popular and functional solution is the MaterialPods or AndroPods application. These utilities emulate the Apple data protocol, allowing you to display beautiful animations of opening the case and the exact percentages of charge of the left, right earphone and case itself.
| Annex | Type of widget | Auto-start | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| MaterialPods | A pop-up window | Yes. | Got it. |
| AndroPods | Widget on the desktop | Yes. | Minimum |
| Assistant Trigger | Status line | Optionally. | No. |
Once the application is installed, you must give it permission to work with Bluetooth and display on top of other windows. Without permission “Above other applications”, the pop-up window will not appear when you open the case, and it is also recommended to add the application to the MIUI autoload list so that the system does not “kill” the process in the background.
⚠️ Note: Charge tracking apps are constantly using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), What can increase the battery consumption of Xiaomi smartphone 5-10% day-to-day.
Solving Sound and Connection Problems
Xiaomi users often encounter a situation where music is playing, but the sound is very quiet or monophonic.This is due to codecs. AirPods use an AAC codec that is supported by Android, but sometimes the system switches by default to SBC or a low-quality Hands-Free profile (for calls), which degrades the quality.
To fix the sound quality, go to Settings → About Phone → The MIUI kernel version (7 times press to enter Developer Mode). Then, in the Developer Menu, find the Bluetooth Audio Codec section and force AAC to be selected.
Another common problem is desynchronizing audio in video or games, and this is treated in the same developer menu: find the item "Latency of Bluetooth audio transmission" and try to change the values. Also helps to turn off absolute volume in Bluetooth settings.
If the headphones stop connecting automatically, follow the command “Forget the device” in the Xiaomi Bluetooth menu. After that, make a full reset of the headphones (holding the button on the case for 15 seconds) and pair again. This often solves problems with the hanging module.
Secrets and additional opportunities
Few people know that Android can implement the “Find My AirPods” feature, which is usually only available to iPhone owners, which requires the Finder for AirPods app, which uses the geolocation of the smartphone to remember the last place where the headphones were connected.
You can also use only one headphone, so if you pull out the right or left AirPod from the case, it automatically switches to mono-earphone mode, which is convenient for long conversations, when you need to hear the world with one ear.
Can I update AirPods firmware via Android?
Keep your hygiene and care in mind. The proximity sensors in AirPods can get dirty, so you won't pause the music when you take the earpiece out of your ear.
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For the AirPods to work on Xiaomi, it is critically important to allow the assistant apps to auto-start and work in the background, otherwise the charge widget will disappear after 10 minutes.