Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi phone via Bluetooth: full instruction with problem solving

Apple AirPods wireless headphones have long been the standard for comfortable listening to music, but their compatibility with Android smartphones — especially with Xiaomi devices — often raises questions among users. Despite the fact that AirPods are optimized for the Apple ecosystem, they can be successfully connected to any Android phone, including Redmi models, POCO or flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step connection of AirPods to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, consider the features of working with different generations of headphones (from the first AirPods 1 to AirPods Pro 2), and give recommendations for customizing the sound and eliminating typical problems. You'll learn how to avoid connection breaks, why the microphone might not work, and how to reset your headphones if they can't see the phone. MIUI, This allows for better compatibility with Apple devices.

1. Preparation of AirPods and Xiaomi smartphone to pair

Before you plug in, make sure both devices are ready to interact. For AirPods, that means having a charge in the case and the headphones themselves, and for Xiaomi, the current firmware version and the Bluetooth module turned on.

• 🔋 AirPods Charging: Make sure the light on the case is green or at least orange. If the headphones are discharged, they will not be detected by the phone.
• 📱 Update MIUI: Check the relevance of the firmware in Settings → The phone. → System updates. Old versions. MIUI (Below 12) may have problems with AirPods Pro 2.
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones were already paired with another device (such as an iPhone), it is better to reset them (instructions in the next section).
• 📡 Disabling other Bluetooth devices: Temporary shutdown of smartwatches, speakers or other gadgets will reduce the risk of conflicts when connected.

Special attention should be paid to the power saving mode on Xiaomi. In some models (for example, Redmi Note 12), it can limit the operation of Bluetooth, which leads to connection breakdowns. Disable it in Settings → Battery and Performance → Power saving mode.

⚠️ Note: If you use AirPods Max, their Android connection has limitations – no spatial sound and automatic switching between devices will work. Also note that Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (such as Redmi). 10C) Sometimes codecs are worse supported. AAC, which affects the quality of sound.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect AirPods to Xiaomi

The pairing process takes less than a minute if you follow the algorithm. Importantly, the AirPods should be in search mode, and the phone should be enabled with Bluetooth.

1. Open the headphone cover. A white light bulb should light up on the back of the case (if not, press and hold the button on the back until you blink).
2. Activate Bluetooth on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → Connections & Sharing → Bluetooth and turn on the switch.
3. Start your device search by clicking on Device Search or Add New Device, and the name of your AirPods will appear on the list (e.g., Jonna’s AirPods Pro).
4. Perform pairing: tap the headphone name and confirm the connection. Some Xiaomi models may require input PIN-code - default is 0000.

Once successfully connected, the indicator on the AirPods case will be solid white, and the list of Bluetooth devices on the phone will appear as “Connected.” To check the performance, run any audio file or video.

Sound is played without delay | Microphone is running in calls | Headphones automatically connect when opening the case | Charge level is displayed in Bluetooth-->

If the headphones aren't being determined, try resetting them (press the button on the case for 15 seconds before flashing orange) or rebooting the phone. On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14, enabling the "Improving Sound Quality" option in Bluetooth settings can also help.

💡

To quickly reconnect AirPods to Xiaomi after reset, add them to Favorite Devices in the Bluetooth menu – this will speed up the pairing process in the future.

3. Solving problems when connecting AirPods to Xiaomi

Even after successful pairing, users often face typical problems: communication interruptions, no sound in one earphone or a broken microphone. Let's look at the most common cases and how to fix them.

If the AirPods Pro doesn’t switch between noise reduction modes, that’s fine — this feature only works with Apple devices.However, you can manually change mode by holding the pressing force sensor on the headphone leg (for the AirPods Pro 1/2).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smartphones (for example, POCO F4) post-update MIUI 14 may lose the AirPods charge indicator in the status bar. To return the display, clear the Settings cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Clear the cache).

4. Sound optimization: settings for better quality

Xiaomi uses the SBC codec for AirPods by default, which provides stable but not the best sound. To improve audio, you can manually select the AAC codec (supported by all AirPods except the first generation).

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap it 7 times.
2. Return to the basic settings and open the section Additional → Developer settings.
3. Find the Bluetooth Codec and select AAC (if it’s not listed, your Xiaomi model doesn’t support codec change).
4. Reconnect AirPods to apply the changes.

You should also set up an equalizer in the Music app or a third-party player (for example, Poweramp). For AirPods Pro, we recommend a Bass or Rock preset, and for standard AirPods, Pop or Jazz for a more balanced sound.

For owners of Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3, an additional option is available - LDAC (high bit rate codec), but it is not compatible with AirPods. If you see this item in the settings, choose AAC.

5. Displaying the charge level of AirPods on Xiaomi

One of the main problems with using AirPods with Android is the lack of widgets to display charge, as on the iPhone.

• 📊 Standard method: Open the cover of the case next to the phone - a pop-up window with a percentage of the charge of the headphones and case will appear on the screen (works on the phone). MIUI 12 and newer).
• 🔋 AirBattery: A free app from Google Play that shows the charge in status bar and notifications. Requires Bluetooth device connection notifications enabled.
• 🛠️ Setting up MIUI: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) has a built-in module to display the AirPods charge in the notification panel.

If the charge pop-up doesn’t appear, check if notifications for the system are enabled in Settings → Notifications → System Notifications. Also make sure that AirPods are connected in Media Audio mode, not just as a headset.

⚠️ Note: Apps like AirBattery or Podroid require access to notifications and may conflict with battery optimization. MIUI. Add them to the exceptions in the Settings section → Battery. → Optimizing the battery.

6. Alternative ways of connecting (for experienced users)

If standard pairing doesn’t work or you want to expand AirPods to Xiaomi, you can use additional methods. They take longer to set up, but they provide additional features.

Method 1: Using the Assistant Trigger app to control gestures

This app allows you to assign actions to double/triple touch AirPods (for example, start a voice assistant or switch tracks). Download it from Google Play and follow the instructions:

1. Connect the AirPods to your phone.
2. Open Assistant Trigger and select your headphone model.
3. Assign gesture actions (e.g., double touching – the next track).
4. Activate the Special Opportunities Service for the app in your phone settings.

Method 2: Xiaomi.EU firmware for enhanced compatibility

Custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) often includes patches to better work with Apple devices.

• 🔄 Automatic reconnection of AirPods when opening the case.
• 📊 Exact display of each headphone charge separately.
• 🎧 Spatial sound support (partially for AirPods Pro 2).

Note that the installation of custom firmware resets the warranty and requires unlocking the bootloader.

💡

Apps like Assistant Trigger or Xiaomi.EU firmware can significantly improve the experience of using AirPods on Android, but require technical skills.

7.Comparison of AirPods with Xiaomi wireless headphones

If you’re considering AirPods as an alternative to the original Xiaomi headphones (like the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5), you should consider the key differences:

The choice between AirPods and Xiaomi headphones depends on your priorities: if you care about the ecosystem and the Apple brand, then the former will be the best option despite the limitations on Android. If you want full compatibility with MIUI and additional features (for example, LC3 or LDAC), you should consider Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)