Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi: full instructions with error analysis

Apple AirPods wireless headphones have long been the standard of quality for music lovers, but their owners are not always limited to the iPhone ecosystem. Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) work perfectly with Bluetooth devices of other brands, but connecting AirPods to them has nuances. Unlike iOS, where pairing occurs automatically when you open a case, on Android (including MIUI) requires manual configuration.

In this article, we have a step-by-step algorithm for connecting all generations of AirPods (including Pro, Max and 3rd generation) to Xiaomi phones based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

• 🔹 The official way through the Bluetooth menu (works on 90% of devices)
• 🔹 Alternative methods for older Xiaomi models (up to) MIUI 10)
• 🔹 Common errors and their solutions (e.g., "device not found")
• 🔹 Hidden functions: how to turn on AAC-codec for better sound

Important: Despite the cross-platform nature of AirPods, some features (such as automatic switching between devices or spatial sound) work only in pairs with Apple gadgets. On Xiaomi, you will get basic functionality, but with the right settings – sound quality and connection stability will be no worse than on the iPhone.

1. AirPods Compatibility with Xiaomi Phones: What You Need to Know Before Connecting

Before you start pairing, check two key points:

1. Bluetooth version on your Xiaomi. Minimum requirements: 📱 AirPods 1/2 generation - Bluetooth 4.0+ (Supports all Xiaomi smartphones with 2016 year-end) 🎧 AirPods Pro (1/2 gen) and AirPods 3 — Bluetooth 5.0+ (recommended for stable connection) 🎵 AirPods Max — Bluetooth 5.0 + support AAC/SBC-codecs

Firmware version

MIUI 12

MIUI 10–11

delay

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi Released is before 2018 (e.g. Redmi Note 5 or Mi) A1), Connecting AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 3 can cause you to lose connection when listening to music for more than 30 minutes, in which case only changing your phone or using a Bluetooth 5.0 transmitter (for example, Avantek) will help. APTX).

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

This method works for all AirPods models and any Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI/HyperOS. If the headphones were already paired with another device (for example, an iPhone), reset their settings first:

1. Put AirPods in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
3. Open the lid - the indicator should flash white (pairing mode).

Now we're going to connect:

1. On Xiaomi phone go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate Bluetooth (if turned off) and click Add Device (or Device Search).
3. In the list, find your AirPods (the name will be AirPods Pro [Name] or AirPods [XXX]).
4. Click on them and the pairing process will begin. Some Xiaomi models may require code confirmation (usually 0000 or 1234).
5. After successful connection next to the headphones will appear the inscription Connected.

Instructions:

1. Install AirBattery from Google Play.
2. Open the app and follow the prompts (you will need permission to access Bluetooth and notifications).
3. Click Connect AirPods - the application will find the headphones and offer pairing.

Method 2: Manual addition through MAC-Address (for experienced users)

If AirPods aren’t listed, but you’re sure they’re in pairing mode, you can add them manually. MAC-address:

1. Find out. MAC-Address of your AirPods: On iPhone: Settings → Bluetooth → i near the AirPods → Address: On Mac: System settings → Bluetooth → AirPods → Additionally.

Xiaomi

Bluetooth Auto Connect

Add the device to MAC

Confirm the connection.

Method 3: Reset network settings on Xiaomi

If the problem is Bluetooth connection conflict, reset the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
4. Try to reconnect the AirPods.

⚠️ Warning: This method will remove all stored Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices, and after reset, you will have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and connect other gadgets (for example, Mi Band or speakers).

4. Sound tuning: how to improve the quality of playback

By default, Xiaomi uses SBC codec, which provides stable but not the best sound. To get the best sound, change the codec to AAC:

1. Connect the AirPods to your phone.
2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
3. Press the gear next to the AirPods.
4. Select the Audio Codec → AAC.
5. Restart the music playback.

Mistake 2: Permanent connection breaks

Most often it occurs due to:

• 📶 Wi-Fi interference (if phone and headphones are on the same frequency of 2.4 GHz). Solution: switch Wi-Fi to 5 GHz or turn it off temporarily.
• 🔄 Conflict with other Bluetooth devices. Disable Mi Band, speakers or other gadgets.
• 📱 Power saving mode on Xiaomi. Turn it off in Settings → Battery.

6.How to control AirPods on Xiaomi: gestures and voice commands

On the iPhone AirPods support a wide range of gestures and voice assistant Siri. on Xiaomi, some of the functions work differently:

Gesture management

• 🎵 Playback/pause: Double touch on any earpiece (on AirPods) 1/2) or compression of the sensor (on Pro/3).
• 🔊 Next track: Triple touch (configurable in AirBattery).
• 🔇 Switching of noise reduction modes (for Pro/Max): hold the sensor 2 seconds.

Voice assistant

By default, Xiaomi’s AirPods don’t support Siri, but you can configure:

• 🤖 Google Assistant: Install Assistant Trigger. Select AirPods as the activation device in the settings. Now, Google Assistant will start the double tap.

Alice from Yandex

Yandex

Activation via Bluetooth

Additional features through AirBattery

The AirBattery app allows you to:

• 🔋 See the charge level of the case and each headphone separately.
• 🎛️ Customize gestures (such as double touching for the previous track).
• 🔊 Enable spatial sound (on supported models).
• 🔔 Get notifications about low headphone charge.

⚠️ Note: If you did not delete AirPods from Xiaomi, but simply disabled, they can automatically connect back when Bluetooth is turned on.To avoid this, either delete them completely or turn off autoconnection in Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Auto-connection).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting AirPods to Xiaomi