Many Apple users who have decided to switch from a smartphone to a Xiaomi device are faced with the need to use familiar accessories. The original AirPods are not just headphones, but complex gadgets that require pairing to work properly. Fortunately, Bluetooth is a universal standard that allows you to connect devices of different brands without much difficulty. The process of connecting to Mi or Redmi is almost no different from the standard procedure.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate the pairing mode on the case, find the device in the Android settings and what to do if the system does not see the headset. You will learn about the nuances of the work of a proprietary Apple chip in the Xiaomi environment and how to maximize the functionality of headphones.
It is worth noting that while the basic functionality is maintained, some specific features may work differently or require third-party software.Integration into a MIUI or HyperOS system has its own features, which are important to know in advance.
Preparation of AirPods and smartphone to pair
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are ready to establish a connection. Charge the case and the headphones themselves, as low charge can prevent the transition to detection mode. The Xiaomi smartphone should also be enabled wireless module and activated visibility for other devices.
It is important to check whether your AirPods are currently connected to another Apple gadget, such as an iPad or Mac. If they are actively used by another device, the phone can simply “do not let” the new smartphone into the network, in such cases, it is recommended to temporarily turn off Bluetooth on other gadgets or forget the device in their settings.
Make sure your Xiaomi has an up-to-date version of the operating system installed.The procedure for resetting headphones only works if there is a charge in the case of more than 20%, so ignoring this item can lead to failure.
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Before pairing, wipe the contacts on the headphones with dry cloth - oxidation can interfere with charging and correct operation of the sensors.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect headphones if they are in “Lost Mode” mode on someone else’s Apple ID, Because they will be locked to other devices.
Step-by-step: activation of the coupling mode
The process of putting the headphones in visibility mode is a key step: Place both headphones inside the charging case and leave the lid open. The status indicator located inside the case (or on the front, depending on the AirPods Pro or Max model) should light up in amber or white, signaling readiness.
There's a round setting button on the back of the charging case, and you have to press it and hold it for a few seconds, and the indicator has to start flashing white, which means that the pairing mode is activated, and the device is now available for detection by external gadgets.
If the indicator flashes in amber, it may indicate an error or a need to reset. In this case, hold the button longer until the blinking turns white. On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell, it sometimes takes several attempts to correctly recognize the signal.
☑️ Connection readiness
Once you activate the standby mode, go to the phone settings. Open the Settings → Bluetooth menu and make sure the switch is in the active position. The system will start scanning the available devices in range.
Bluetooth configuration in the MIUI and HyperOS interface
Xiaomi’s shell interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version. In modern versions of HyperOS, the Bluetooth menu is placed in the top curtain of notifications or in the Connections and Sharing section. Find the name of your headphones on the list of available devices, for example, AirPods or AirPods Pro.
Click on the device name to start the mating procedure. A confirmation request or input may appear on the screen. PIN-Usually the code is "0000" or "1234", but most often the confirmation is automatic without entering the numbers».
After a successful connection, the system may offer to adjust additional parameters, such as using a microphone or transmitting high-quality audio. Xiaomi owners should pay attention to the audio codec. By default, SBC can be used, but with hardware support, the phone can switch to AAC or aptX.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation for Xiaomi |
|---|---|---|
| Codec | Sound compression algorithm | Choose AAC or aptX Adaptive |
| Double-connection | Working with two devices | Disconnect for stability |
| Visibility | Searchable accessibility | Included (temporary) |
| BT version | Protocol of communication | Bluetooth 5.0 and higher |
Use of third-party applications for advanced functionality
Standard connectivity provides basic functionality, but accessing noise reduction settings, transparent mode and checking each headphone charge will require third-party software separately. There are many analog apps on the Google Play Store, such as Material Pods, Pods or AndroPods. These utilities emulate pop-ups typical of iOS.
Install the app and give it the permissions you need, including Bluetooth and geolocation (required to scan Android devices). Once it is up, it automatically finds the AirPods connected and displays their status, and you can see the exact percentage of charge on the left and right earphones, as well as the case.
Some apps allow you to reassign actions when you touch the headphone leg, for example, instead of calling the Google Assistant voice assistant, you can set up track switching or changing noise reduction modes, which makes using headphones on Android much more comfortable.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps can consume an extra battery charge on the smartphone, as they constantly poll the status of headphones in the background.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users sometimes face difficulties. If the phone can't see the headphones, try restarting the smartphone. Often the problem lies in the hung Bluetooth module of the operating system, and also helps to turn off and turn on the air mode.
Another common problem is desynchronizing the channels: the sound comes from only one headphone, or they work as two different devices, in which case you need to perform a full reset of the headphone settings. Place them in the case, press the button on the back for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes in amber and then white.
If you see intermittent sound or low volume, check the equalizer settings in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Effects. Sometimes turning on "Mi Sound Enhancer" conflicts with the audio processing in the headphones themselves. Try turning off the audio enhancements or switching the profile to "Normal."
The secret to a stable connection
Features of the microphone and calls
When calling from Xiaomi, it is important to properly configure microphone usage. In some scenarios, the system may try to use the phone's microphone instead of the one built into the headphones, which reduces usability. Check in the Bluetooth settings of a particular device whether the Hands-free or Headset profile is activated.
Voice quality depends on the codec used. Calls typically use a narrowband codec, but in messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, quality can vary. Make sure the app has permission to use the microphone and Bluetooth headset in Android privacy settings.
If someone complains about a quiet voice, wipe the microphone mesh on the headphone leg. On Android, it is also worth checking whether the "Cancel Noise When Talking" mode is enabled in the system audio settings, as it may not work correctly with Apple's algorithms.
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For quality calls, make sure that Bluetooth settings choose to use the headphone microphone rather than the phone.