How to connect AirPods to Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways + error solving

Apple’s AirPods have long been popular not only with iPhone owners but also with Android smartphone users, including Xiaomi devices. However, connecting Apple gadgets to MIUI phones often raises questions: why you can’t see headphones in the list of available devices, how to set up gestures or why the sound is interrupted? In this article, we will examine all the nuances of connecting AirPods with Xiaomi – from basic synchronization to solving rare bugs.

The main problem lies in the differences in Bluetooth protocols: Apple uses a proprietary W1/H1 chip optimized for the iOS ecosystem, while Xiaomi runs on standard Bluetooth A2DP. This leads to limitations in functionality (for example, no automatic switching between devices) and occasional failures. But don’t worry: with our instructions, you will connect your headphones in 2 minutes – even if you did not work before.

1.Preparation: What to check before connecting

Before trying to connect AirPods to Xiaomi, make sure both devices are ready to sync, and skipping these steps often causes errors like “device not found” or “unconnected.”

Start by updating your smartphone firmware: go to Settings → About Phone → Update and install the latest patches. This is especially true for owners of older models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9T), where there may be bugs in the Bluetooth 5.0 module. Also check the headphones: if the battery level is below 10%, they may not appear in the list of available devices.

• 📱 On your smartphone: Turn on Bluetooth in the Quick Settings Panel or through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.Make sure Visibility for All mode is active (in some versions) MIUI It's called "Detection»).
• 🎧 On AirPods: Place your headphones in your case, open the lid and hold the button on the back for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes white (pair mode). On AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3, a touchpad can be used instead of a button - see the model instruction.
• 🔋 Charge: The case must have at least 20% charge, otherwise the headphones will not be able to complete the connection process. Check the battery status through the indicator on the case or in the AirBattery app (for Android).

⚠️ Warning: If you've previously connected AirPods to another Android device, reset them. To do this, press the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange (on AirPods Max - hold the power button and volume control.

Method 1: Standard Bluetooth connection

This is the simplest method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices (from Redmi 5 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra).Follow the steps carefully - skipping even one point can cause a crash.

1. Open the cover of the AirPods case and make sure the headphones are inside.The indicator should flash white (if not, press the pairing button).
2. On your smartphone, go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list, find your AirPods (the name will be in the format of "AirPods [your name]" or simply "AirPods Pro").
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone. Some Xiaomi models (e.g., POCO F3) may request access to contacts and calls — allow me to activate the headphone microphone.

Once successfully connected, the indicator on the case will turn green (on AirPods 3 and later - white without blinking). To check the performance, run music or video: the sound should automatically be transmitted to the headphones. If this does not happen, manually select AirPods as the output device in the notification panel.

Method 2: Connect via the AirBattery application (for advanced features)

The standard Bluetooth connection only provides access to basic functionality: listening to music and receiving calls. To unlock additional features (charge display, gesture control, noise making settings), install the AirBattery app from Google Play.

The app emulates some iOS features, such as:

• 🔋 Showing the level of charge of each headphone and case in real time.
• 🎵 Automatic switching between devices (if the headphones were previously connected to the iPhone).
• 🔊 Configuring noise reduction modes (AirPods) Pro/Max) transparency.
• ⚙️ Reassign gestures (for example, double tapping to start a voice assistant).

Instructions for setting:

1. Download and install AirBattery.
2. Connect AirPods to your phone via standard Bluetooth (as in Method 1).
3. Launch the app and provide all the permissions you have requested (access to notifications, location, Bluetooth).
4. In the main menu, tap the icon of your headphones and activate the option “Show notifications about charge”.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with a shell MIUI 14+ The app may not display the charge of the case due to system limitations. In this case, use the AirBattery widget on the home screen.

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If after connecting through AirBattery, the headphones began to turn off during calls, turn off the “Calling Auto” option in the application settings.

4. Method 3: Connect via Developer Mode (for older Xiaomi models)

Owners of devices on MIUI 12 and below (e.g. Redmi Note 7 or Mi A3) may experience AirPods connecting, but the sound is delayed or interrupted, due to outdated Bluetooth codecs, the solution is to force AAC support to be enabled through the developer menu.

Steps for activation:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Go back to the main settings menu, find a new section for developers and open it.
3. Scroll down to the Network block and select Bluetooth Settings.
4. Enable the AAC Codec option and prioritize Sound Quality (if available).
5. Reconnect the AirPods to your phone.

After these manipulations, the audio delay should decrease and the playback quality should improve. If the problem persists, try resetting the Bluetooth settings on your phone (Settings). → Connections → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Reset the settings).

5. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after a successful connection, Xiaomi users may encounter bugs, and we’ve collected the most common bugs and ways to fix them.

🔊 Problem: The sound is interrupted or delayed

• 📶 Reason 1: Interference from other Bluetooth devices (such as smartwatches or speakers) Solution: Disable all unnecessary gadgets within a 5-meter radius.
• 🔋 Reason. 2: Low-charge headphones (<15%). Solution: Charge the case to 100% and reconnect the AirPods.
• 📱 Reason 3: Background apps consume Bluetooth resources Solution: Close all programs through the latest task menu and restart your phone.

🎧 Problem: Headphones connect, but sound goes through the phone speaker

This is due to a failure in audio routing, corrected as follows:

1. Open the notification bar and hold the Bluetooth icon.
2. Slip on the connected AirPods and select “Use for Media”.
3. If there is no item, go to Settings → Sound → Output devices and manually select the headphones.

❌ Problem: AirPods are not displayed in the list of devices

• 🔄 Solution 1: Reboot your phone’s Bluetooth module: Turn it off for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
• 🧲 Solution 2: Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings.
• 📦 Solution 3: If the headphones were previously connected to the iPhone, reset them through Settings → Bluetooth → ⓘ → Forget this device (on iOS).

6. Optimize the work of AirPods on Xiaomi

To make headphones work stably, set up several parameters on the phone:

• 🔊 Sound quality: In AirBattery or Bluetooth settings, select the codec AAC — It provides a better balance between quality and stability.
• 🎵 Autoconnection: In Settings → Connections → Bluetooth Enable Auto Connection for Your AirPods.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Disable the “Adaptive Battery” for AirBattery in the app settings, otherwise charge notifications will come with a delay.
• 📱 Gestures: AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 can reassign double tap to pause/play or call voice assistant (configured in AirBattery).

Important: Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) may experience a conflict with FastConnect technology, which causes AirPods to turn off when the screen is locked.

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For maximum stability, turn off the Smart Bluetooth feature in your device settings on Xiaomi. It can conflict with the AirPods protocol.

7. Alternative applications for managing AirPods

If AirBattery is not suitable, try other advanced control utilities:

To install noise reduction on AirPods Pro without iPhone, use AndroPods:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the app and select Noise Mode.
3. Activate Active Noise Reduction or Transparency.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting AirPods to Xiaomi