How to connect AirPods to Xiaomi smartphone: 3 proven ways + problem solving

Apple’s wireless AirPods have long been the standard for listening to music, but their compatibility with Android devices — especially Xiaomi phones — is often questionable. Even though the AirPods are optimized for the Apple ecosystem, they can be successfully connected to any MIUI smartphone, including the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 or POCO X5.

In this article, we’ll break down three working ways to connect (including hidden MIUI features), explain why headphones may not be defined by the system, and give you a checklist to diagnose problems, and also tell you how to improve sound quality and connection stability if you’re using AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max with a Xiaomi phone.

1. Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi via Bluetooth: the standard way

The most obvious method is synchronization via the Bluetooth menu.It works on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and is suitable for AirPods 1/2/3 generation, Pro and Max. Important: before you start, make sure that the headphones are charged at least 20% and are in pairing mode.

How to start the pairing mode:

• 🔋 For AirPods. 1/2 Generations and AirPods Pro 1: Open the cover of the case and hold the button on the back panel. 10–15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white.
• 🔄 For AirPods 3 generation and Pro 2: press and hold the touch button on the case until white flashing light appears.
• 🎧 For AirPods Max: Press and hold the noise control button until the status indicator flashes white.

Now, let’s move on to the smartphone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it is turned off).
3. In the list of available devices, search for “AirPods [your name]”** (like “John’s AirPods Pro”) and tap it.
4. Confirm pairing on your phone and, if necessary, on headphones (AirPods Max may need to press a button on the case).

Charge AirPods to 20%+

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on Xiaomi

Disconnect your headphones from other devices (iPhone, Mac)

Reboot your smartphone if the AirPods are not available

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Attention to details: If your Xiaomi doesn't see AirPods, try forgetting the device in the Bluetooth settings (if it was already there) and re-pairing. Sometimes rebooting the case helps - close the lid for 30 seconds, then open and re-activate pairing mode.

2. Alternative method: Connect via the “Quick Settings” MIUI

MIUI offers a convenient way to connect Bluetooth devices through the Quick Settings Panel, which is especially useful if the standard method has failed or you want to save time.

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon (or tap it if the panel is deployed).
3. In the window that opens, click Add Device (or Find Devices in older versions of MIUI).
4. Wait until AirPods appear in the list and select them.

The advantage of this method is the speed and ability to bypass some MIUI bugs associated with the settings menu. For example, on Xiaomi 12T users noted that the headphones were determined only through the notification panel, not through Settings → Bluetooth.

Through Bluetooth Settings

Through the Quick Settings Panel

Through third-party applications

Another option

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3. Connecting through companion applications: when standard methods don't work

If AirPods are persistently reluctant to connect to Xiaomi or are malfunctioning (e.g., shut down after 5-10 minutes), it’s worth trying out specialized applications that not only help with pairing, but also add features not available in MIUI:

• 📱 AirBattery – shows the charge of headphones and a case right in the notification panel (similar to widgets on the iPhone).
• 🎛️ MaterialPods – allows you to customize gestures, check the firmware of headphones and turn on noise reduction modes (for AirPods) Pro/Max).
• 🔊 AndroPods – improves sound quality by correcting codecs (useful if the sound is “hrizzing” or interrupted).

How to connect through MaterialPods:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow access to Bluetooth and Notifications.
3. Press Connect and select your AirPods from the list.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to confirm the pairing on the headphones).

An important nuance: Companion apps don’t replace standard Bluetooth connectivity, they only extend it. If headphones aren’t defined even in MaterialPods, the problem is likely hardware incompatibility (like the old Bluetooth module in Redmi 7A) or damaged AirPods firmware.

4.Solving Problems: AirPods Aren't Connected to Xiaomi

Even with the right actions, AirPods may refuse to work with Xiaomi.

Critical information: On Xiaomi smartphones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), a bug may occur in which the AirPods Pro 2 is connected only in mono-sound mode. The solution is to disable the Dynamic Spatial Audio function in the headphone settings (if it is enabled via the iPhone).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI before version 14.0.5+ AirPods stopped connecting, try rolling back firmware or resetting network settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.This bug is associated with changing the Bluetooth stack in new builds.

5. Sound optimization: how to improve the quality of playback

By default, Xiaomi uses the SBC codec for AirPods, which gives mediocre sound quality. To unlock the potential of the headphones, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Bluetooth sound quality.
2. Select the AAC Codec (if available) or LDAC (for AirPods Max).
3. Activate the Absolute Volume option to synchronize volume levels on your phone and headphones.

For fine-tuning, use the flattener in the Mi Sound Enhancer app (pre-installed on most Xiaomi):

• 🎵 Choose Basa's preset+ electronically.
• 🎤 Turn off the effects of ambient sound if you use noise cancellation on AirPods Pro.
• 🔊 Set the balance to 0 dB to avoid distortion.

Gamer's Tip: If you play through AirPods, turn on Low Latency in Bluetooth settings. This will reduce lag, but may slightly degrade the sound quality.

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To quickly switch between devices (e.g., Xiaomi on iPad), double-click on the AirPods Pro 2 touchpad – this activates Auto Switch mode (if the headphones were previously paired with another gadget).

6.How to Disable AirPods from Xiaomi and Connect to Another Device

If you need to temporarily switch AirPods to another gadget (such as an iPhone or MacBook), do the following:

1. Open the Settings → Bluetooth on Xiaomi.
2. Find your AirPods in the list and tap the icon ⚙️ (gear).
3. Select to Disable (Do not “Forget!”).
4. Now connect the headphones to another device via its Bluetooth menu.

To completely remove AirPods from your smartphone memory (for example, before selling headphones), select Forget the device.

⚠️ Warning: If you use AirPods with multiple devices, turn them off via the Bluetooth menu, not just by turning off the headphones. MIUI You may “forget” the profile of the device, and you will have to configure everything again.

7. Compatibility of AirPods with different Xiaomi models: support table

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well with AirPods, and below is a compatibility table with Bluetooth and known bugs:

If your model didn’t make it to the table, check the Bluetooth version in Settings → About Phone → Full Specifications. Bluetooth 5.0 and higher is recommended for stable operation with AirPods Pro 2 or Max.

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Xiaomi smartphones with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi Note 11) may experience increased audio latency in the AirPods. The solution is to use the SBC codec instead of AAC or disable power saving for Bluetooth in battery settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)