Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi: Full Instruction with Typical Error Solutions

Apple’s wireless AirPods headphones have long been the standard of quality for iPhone users, but what if you’re a Xiaomi smartphone owner and want to enjoy the sound of the Apple ecosystem? Despite the fact that both companies use Bluetooth technology, the connection process has nuances – from the features of the AAC protocol to the limitations of functionality outside iOS.

In this article, we’ll break down not only the standard pairing procedure, but also the hidden MIUI settings that will help improve sound quality, reduce latency, and avoid common mistakes like automatically turning off headphones after 10 minutes of downtime. You’ll also learn which AirPods models are better compatible with Xiaomi, and how to circumvent restrictions on the use of control gestures.

AirPods Compatibility with Xiaomi Phones: What You Need to Know

Before you get started on connecting, it's important to understand how well AirPods will work with your Xiaomi.

• 🔹 Bluetooth Protocol: All AirPods (including AirPods Pro) 2 AirPods Max and Bluetooth support 5.0+, But for stable operation on Xiaomi, a smartphone with Bluetooth is recommended 5.2 or newer (e.g. Xiaomi) 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
• 🔹 Codecs for sound: On Android (including: MIUI) AirPods use codec AAC, inferior APTX or LDAC. This means that the sound will be slightly less detailed than on the iPhone.
• 🔹 Functional Limitations: Xiaomi won’t work: Automatic switching between devices (Seamless Switching) Function “Find headphones” through iCloud Adaptive EQ (In AirPods Pro 2)
• 🔹 Sound delays: When watching videos or games, a delay of up to 150-200 ms is possible).

Despite the limitations, AirPods remain among the best. TWS-Headphones for Xiaomi thanks to:

• 🎧 Excellent noise insulation (in Pro-models)
• 🔋 Long operating time (up to 6 hours on one charge)
• 💧 Moisture protection (IP54 AirPods 3 and newer)

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is released before 2020 (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro), there may be problems connecting AirPods Pro 2 due to the outdated version of Bluetooth 5.0. MIUI.

Step-by-step: how to connect AirPods to Xiaomi

The process of pairing AirPods with Xiaomi is not much different from connecting to other Android devices, but there are key points that will help avoid errors.

1. Headphone preparation: 📦 Take the AirPods out of the case and make sure they are charged (the indicator on the case should burn green or orange). 🔄 If the headphones have already been connected to the iPhone, reset them: press the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
2. Activation of the pairing mode: 🔍 Open the cover of the case and leave the headphones inside. 🔄 Press the button on the case for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white.
3. Connecting via Bluetooth on Xiaomi: 📱 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth and turn it on. 🔍 In the list of available devices, find AirPods (the name will appear as "AirPods [your name]" if previously used with an iPhone). 🖱️ Then click on them and confirm the link.

If AirPods are not displayed in the list of devices:

• 🔋 Check the charge of the case (less than 20% can block the pairing).
• 📱 Reboot Xiaomi and try again.
• 🔄 Try resetting the network settings on your phone: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.

Headphones charged (>30%)

Bluetooth on Xiaomi is on and visible to everyone

AirPods in pairing mode (flashes white)

Power saving mode on the phone is disabled-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3) When you connect to the AirPods, you can lose the sound in one earphone, which is due to a codec error. AAC. Solution: Go to Bluetooth Settings → Additionally. → Codec of sound and select SBC (The sound quality will deteriorate, but the stability will improve).

Customization and reduction of delays on Xiaomi

Even after a successful connection, users often face two problems: poor audio quality and video delays, which can be solved through hidden MIUI settings.

1. Optimization of the Bluetooth codec:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Press the badge. ⚙️ near the connected AirPods.
3. Choose a sound codec and try the options: AAC is the best quality, but there may be delays. SBC is more stable, but the sound is worse.

2. Enabling the developer mode to reduce delays:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Click on MIUI Version 7 times until the notification appears.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find options: Bluetooth debugging — turn it on. Bluetooth AVRCP codec — select 1.6. Absolute volume — turn it off (this will reduce volume surges).

Adjustment of sound in applications:

• 🎵 On YouTube or Netflix, enable the “Low Lag” option in playback settings.
• 🎮 For games, use the "Game Turbo" mode in MIUI (Settings → Special facilities → Game turbo).

💡

If audio delay remains critical, try using the SoundAssistant app from Google Play, which allows you to manually adjust the synchronization of audio and video to within milliseconds.

Solving Typical Connection Problems

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users may encounter errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them.

1. AirPods are connected, but the sound is only in one headphone:

• 🔊 Check the sound balance: Settings → Sound. → Audio balance (should be in the middle).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: forget the device in Bluetooth and pair again.
• 🧹 Clean contacts in the case and on headphones with an alcohol tampon (oxidation can cause failures).

Permanent communication interruptions:

• 📶 Make sure there are no interference sources nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).
• 🔋 Check the charge of the case – at a level below 15%, the connection becomes unstable.
• 📱 Turn off Wi-Fi Direct and NFC Xiaomi Settings (they can conflict with Bluetooth).

3. AirPods automatically shut down after 10 minutes:

• ⏱️ This is a standard energy saving function. MIUI. To disable: Go to Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode. Select No Limitations for Bluetooth.

Developer mode

Automatic Bluetooth shutdown

4.The microphone is not working during calls:

• 🎤 In the call settings (Settings) → Annexes → Phone. → Permissions: Check that AirPods have access to the microphone.
• 🔄 Switch the sound source during a call to AirPods manually (speaker icon in the call interface).
• 📱 Alternative: Use the OK Google command to run the untouched assistant.

Listening to music

Calls.

Noise suppression (ANC)

Voice assistant

Other-->

Alternative apps to improve the performance of AirPods on Xiaomi

The standard MIUI settings don’t reveal the full potential of AirPods. Fortunately, there are third-party apps that add missing features:

• 📊 AirBattery: Shows the charge level of the case and each earphone in the notification panel. Allows you to reassign gestures (for example, triple tap to rewind the track). Displays the AirPods model and firmware version.