Huawei’s wireless headphones and Xiaomi’s smartphones run on different Bluetooth protocols, which sometimes causes problems when pairing. Despite the universality of Bluetooth 5.0+, users face freezes, communication breaks or a complete lack of response of devices. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting, from basic pairing to manually adjusting codecs to improve sound.
The peculiarity is that Huawei often uses proprietary chips like Huawei Histen or LDAC (in premium models), which are not always correctly perceived by MIUI firmware. And with the release of HyperOS on the new Xiaomi, the pairing algorithms have changed even more. We tested the connection on 7 models of headphones (from FreeBuds 4i to FreeBuds Pro 3) and 5 smartphones (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5, etc.) to give working solutions.
Why Huawei Headphones May Not Connect to Xiaomi
Problems with pairing usually lie in three layers:
- 📱 Software conflicts – outdated firmware MIUI/HyperOS, Bluetooth cache or bugs in recent updates.
- 🔊 Hardware limitations – Incompatibility of Bluetooth versions (e.g. FreeBuds) 5i Bluetooth 5.3 and old Redmi 9A Bluetooth 5.0).
- 🔒 Proprietary protocols – Huawei uses AAC Custom settings that Xiaomi may perceive as “unsupported codec".
Another common reason is conflict with previously connected devices: If your FreeBuds have already been paired with another phone (especially on Android 12+), they may “forget” the settings when reconnecting, in which case resetting the headphones to factory settings helps (instruction below).
Preparation of devices before connection
Before pairing, follow the mandatory steps to avoid typical errors:
Update the firmware on the Xiaomi smartphone
Charge your headphones to 50%+
Disconnect the headphones from other devices
Turn on the detection mode on the headphones
Reboot Bluetooth on your phone-->
Check out the MIUI/HyperOS version first.
- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
- If the version is older than MIUI 14 (or HyperOS 1.0 for new models), update the system through Settings → System Update.
For headphones Huawei FreeBuds (except FreeLace) is the rule: if the indicator flashes red and white headphones are ready to pair; if only white – they are already connected to another device. To reset the connection, press the button on the case charge case for 10 seconds (up to double blinking).
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If you have Xiaomi 12/13/14 on HyperOS, turn off the dual Bluetooth connection function in the audio settings before connecting – it may conflict with the Huawei protocol.
Standard Bluetooth connection
The basic method works for most models:
- Open the cover of the Huawei FreeBuds case and press the pairing button for 2 seconds (until the indicator blinks).
- On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
- In the list, find the name of your headphones (for example, “HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i”) and tap it.
- Confirm the pairing on both devices (if required).
If the headphones don’t appear on the list:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module: Turn off/on the switch in the notification curtain.
- 📴 Make sure the headphones aren’t connected to another device (like a laptop or tablet).
- 🔋 Check the case charge – at levels below 20%, some FreeBuds models refuse to enable pairing mode.
What if the headphones are connected but there is no sound?
Manual connection via "Hidden devices"
Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ and HyperOS has a hidden mode to find devices that don’t appear in the main list.
- Open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "More".
- Activate the "Show all devices" option (or "Scan hidden devices" in new versions).
- Click Search and wait for Huawei FreeBuds to appear on the list.
This method helps if the headphones are defined by the system as “uncertified” (for example, after the firmware Xiaomi.EU).It is also useful for connecting Huawei FreeBuds Studio – they often conflict with MIUI due to LDAC support.
⚠️ Attention: POCO F4/F5 With custom firmware, this method can cause a reset of Bluetooth settings. Before using, create a backup through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.
Solving Connection Problems
If the headphones are plugged in but are permanently switched off or the sound is interrupted, check:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound. | Incorrect sound profile | Settings → Sound Select Media Audio instead of Phone Calls |
| Permanent communication breakdowns | Wi-Fi conflict (both run at 2.4GHz) | Turn off Wi-Fi or switch router to 5GHz |
| Headphones are undetectable | Cash Bluetooth is clogged | Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → System → Bluetooth |
| The sound is distorted (wheezing, stuttering) | Low-quality SBC codec | Install Developer Options and enable Force AAC |
FreeBuds Pro 2/3 models with ANC (Active Noise Reduction) support may require manual activation of the function:
- Put the headphones on the phone.
- Install the official Huawei AI Life app (available from APKMirror, as removed from the Play Market for non-Huawei devices).
- In the app, select your headphone model and activate the ANC manually.
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If after all the manipulations, the headphones still do not work, try connecting them to another device (for example, an iPhone or MacBook). If the problem persists, a malfunction in the FreeBuds themselves (the Bluetooth module in the case most often fails).
Optimizing the sound after connecting
Even after successful pairing, the sound can be worse than on Huawei's native devices. Here's how to improve the quality:
- 🎧 B Settings → Sound. → Bluetooth Sound Quality Select AAC (for balance of quality and stability or aptX (if supported).
- 🔊 Turn off all sound effects. MIUI (Mi Sound Enhancer, Dolby Atmos – they conflict with the sound processing in FreeBuds.
- 📱 In Developer Options (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Turn on Disable Bluetooth 7 times A2DP hardware offload and Force 48kHz audio.
For models with ANC (FreeBuds Pro 2/3, FreeBuds 5) it is recommended:
- Install Huawei AI Life and manually adjust the noise reduction level.
- Disable Adaptive ANC in headphone settings – it can cause audio delays on Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Ultra and 14 Pro with HyperOS LDAC (if supported) there may be a delay of up to 300 ms. in this case, switch to AAC or LL (if available).
Alternative ways of connecting
If Bluetooth refuses to work, try:
- USB-C connection (for FreeBuds 5 and later): Use a USB-C cable to USB-C to connect the case directly to your phone. Enable USB audio mode in the notification curtain. Sound latency will be minimal, but ANC will not work.
Use of Bluetooth adapter:
- Connect the headphones to a separate Bluetooth transmitter (such as Avantek APTX) and it to Xiaomi via USB-C or 3.5mm.
- This will solve the codec problems, but add an extra device to the chain.
For FreeLace: Press both buttons on your headphones for 8 seconds.