Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi Redmi 5: Full instruction with problem solving

Can I use AirPods with an Android smartphone?

The issue of compatibility of Apple wireless headphones with Android devices worries many users. Despite the fact that AirPods were developed specifically for the iOS ecosystem, they work perfectly with other gadgets — including Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphones. The main difference is the lack of some branded features (for example, automatic switching between devices or activation of Siri), but the basic features — sound, microphone and gesture control — are retained completely.

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2018, is equipped with a Bluetooth 4.2 module, which is enough for stable connection AirPods (all generations, including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max). However, there are nuances: some MIUI firmware may require manual codec tuning to improve sound quality. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of pairing, optimization of settings and solving typical problems.

Before you start, make sure your AirPods are charged (the indicator on the case should be green or orange), and the Redmi 5 has Bluetooth on and power saving mode turned off — it can interrupt the connection. If you previously connected your headphones to your iPhone, you will have to “forget” them in the settings of the Apple device, otherwise they will automatically reconnect to it.

Preparing Xiaomi Redmi 5 for connection

Before pairing with AirPods, you need to configure your smartphone to avoid connection problems, starting with checking the version of MIUI and updating the Bluetooth stack:

1. Update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI. On Redmi 5, MIUI 12.5 is current (or newer if available). Older versions may not support current Bluetooth protocols.
2. Reset your network settings. Sometimes conflicts arise because of stored network configurations. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
3. Disable the Dual App. If you use the app cloning feature (like WhatsApp), it may interfere with your Bluetooth connection. Check Settings → Apps → Dual App.

It is also recommended to clear the cache of Bluetooth services.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find Bluetooth and Bluetooth Share, then clear the cache and data for both.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 has previously connected to other Bluetooth devices (such as speakers or fitness bracelets), remove them from the list of associated devices.

Update MIUI to the latest version|

Reset your network settings |

Disable Dual App for messengers |

Clear the cache of Bluetooth services |

Remove old coupled devices-->

Step-by-step instructions for pairing AirPods

Now, we're going to go directly to the connection. It's a little bit different depending on the AirPods model, but the overall pattern is the same.

1. Activate the pairing mode on AirPods: 🔋 For AirPods. 1/2 Generations and AirPods Pro: Open the cover and hold the button on the back until the indicator starts flashing white. 🎧 For AirPods. 3 AirPods Max: Hold the button on the case (or case) until the flashing indicator appears.
2. Turn Bluetooth on on Redmi 5: 📱 Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth. 🔄 Activate the Bluetooth slider and wait until the smartphone starts scanning.

Put the headphones on.

• 🔍 In the list of available devices, find AirPods [your name] (if they were previously connected to an iPhone, the name will remain).
• 🖱️ Then click on them and confirm the link.

If AirPods don’t appear in the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Reset the headphones: Put them in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then repeat the activation process.
• 📴 Reboot Redmi 5 – Sometimes it helps to reset the Bluetooth module.
• 🔌 Connect the headphones to another device (like a laptop), then “forget” them and try again on your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI Sometimes there is a bug when AirPods are connected as a "file transfer device" rather than as headphones, in which case remove them from the list of conjugate devices and repeat the process by holding the button on the case for at least 15 seconds (before the color change indicator from orange to white).

Customize sound and codecs for better quality

By default, Xiaomi Redmi 5 uses the SBC codec to transmit audio over Bluetooth — it provides a stable connection, but not the highest quality. To improve the sound, you can manually select the AAC codec that is better optimized for AirPods.

For this:

1. Connect the AirPods to your smartphone.
2. Install Developer Options (if not already activated): Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification "You are a developer" appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Bluetooth codec

AAC

It is also recommended to turn off absolute volume in the settings for developers - this will allow you to adjust the volume directly on the headphones, not on the smartphone.

1. In the For Developers section, find Turn off the absolute volume of Bluetooth and activate this setting.
2. Reboot your smartphone.

2.The microphone is not working during calls

This problem often arises from the fact that MIUI defaults to the built-in microphone of the smartphone.

1. During the call, click on the Microphone icon in the call interface and select AirPods.
2. If the option is not available, install the SoundAssistant app (from Samsung, it works on Xiaomi) and manually select the input device.

3. AirPods automatically shut down after 5-10 minutes

The culprit is optimizing the battery in MIUI. To fix it,

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving Mode → Settings.
2. Find Bluetooth in the list and turn off optimization for it.
3. Also add to the exceptions apps that use headphones (such as Spotify or YouTube).

If the problem persists, try resetting Bluetooth settings to factory:

Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Bluetooth settings

How to check the compatibility and firmware version of AirPods

If AirPods are unstable, the reason may be the outdated firmware of the headphones. Unfortunately, you can't update them without an iPhone or Mac, but you can check the current version and compare it to the current one.

For this:

1. Connect the AirPods to Redmi 5.
2. Install the AirPods Version Checker app (available on Google Play).
3. Open the app and it will show you a firmware version (e.g. 4A400 for AirPods Pro or 6A300 for AirPods 3).

Up-to-date versions of firmware (as of May 2026):

If the firmware version is outdated, you’ll need access to an iPhone or iPad to upgrade. Connect AirPods to an Apple device, wait for an automatic update (usually takes 5-10 minutes), then connect to Redmi 5 again.

Also note the headphone serial number – it can be checked in the same AirPods Version Checker app. If the serial number starts with F or L, this may indicate a fake (the original AirPods have numbers starting with C, D, G or H).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting AirPods to Xiaomi