Xiaomi wireless headphones are among the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, many iPhone users face difficulties when connecting for the first time: devices do not find each other, the sound is interrupted or no communication at all. In this article, we will discuss all the ways Xiaomi headphones (including AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds and others) are paired with an iPhone, and also solve typical problems.
It is important to understand that, despite belonging to different ecosystems (Apple and Mi Ecosystem), Xiaomi headphones are fully compatible with iOS. The main thing is to properly configure and take into account a few nuances, which we will discuss below. If you have tried to connect but failed, skip the basic steps and go straight to the section "Problem Solutions".
What Xiaomi headphones are compatible with the iPhone
Almost all Xiaomi wireless headphones work with iPhones, but some models require additional actions for full functionality.
- 🎧 Mi AirDots (all generations including Pro, SE, Youth – basic compatibility, but without support AAC (Codec for the best sound on iOS).
- 🎧 Redmi Buds (3/4/5 Lite/Pro) — support AAC, You may need to manually select a codec.
- 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds (Pro/Dynamic) — Full compatibility, including sensor control.
- 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones (2/2S/3) — Optimized for Android, but working with iOS after resetting.
The only limitation is that the Mi Home app is not available on the iPhone to customize the headphones, but that doesn’t interfere with the basic use of the headphones: listening to music, making calls, and activating the voice assistant. Advanced features (such as gesture customization) will require an Android device.
Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection
Before pairing with an iPhone, Xiaomi headphones must be turned off and fully charged. If they have already been used with another device, reset:
- Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Press and hold the button on the case (or the touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
- Wait for the automatic shutdown - this is a signal of a successful reset.
If the indicator flashes only white, the headphones are ready to pair. For models with Bluetooth 5.0+ (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro), you may need to update the firmware through an Android smartphone before first using an iPhone.
💡
If the headphones don’t respond to the reset button, plug the case into charging for 30 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery blocks the function.
Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi headphones to the iPhone
The pairing process takes no more than 1-2 minutes.
- Open the case cover with the headphones. They should automatically turn on (the indicator flashes white).
- On the iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi AirDots Pro or Redmi Buds 3 Lite).
- Tap the name to connect. If you get a confirmation request, click Connect.
Once successfully paired, the headphones will appear on the list of My devices marked Connected. Now they will automatically connect to the iPhone when removed from the case.
☑️ Checking a successful connection
Customization of sound and control on iPhone
By default, Xiaomi headphones on iPhone use SBC (basic quality) codec to improve sound:
- Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
- Find your headphones in the list and tap the i icon next to the name.
- In the Audio Codec section (if available), select AAC for the best quality.
To control reproduction:
- 🎵 Play/pause: one touch (or button on headphones).
- 🔀 Next track: Double touch of right earphone.
- 🔙 Previous Track: Double touch of left earphone.
- 📞 Answer/Completion of the Call: One Touch.
Important: Control gestures are only configured through the Mi Home app on Android, and on iPhone, they work in a standard configuration.
Solving Connection Problems
If Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to iPhones, check out the following points:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones do not appear in Bluetooth | The pairing mode is not activated | Reset your headphones (see section above) and repeat the search |
| Connection interrupted | Weak Bluetooth signal | Make sure the distance to the iPhone is no more than 10 meters |
| The sound is distorted or interrupted | SBC codec is used. | Manually select AAC in the device settings |
| Only one earpiece works. | Not synchronized with each other | Place both in the case, wait for the indicator to blink and extract |
If the problem persists, try forgetting the device in your iPhone settings:
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- Touch the i icon next to the headphones.
- Select Forget this device and confirm.
- Perform re-conjugation.
What if the headphones are connected but there is no sound?
How to update the firmware headphones Xiaomi without Android
The official update of the firmware Xiaomi headphones can only be through the Mi Home app on Android.
- Find an Android smartphone from a friend or use an emulator (e.g. BlueStacks).
If this option is not available, check the firmware version on Xiaomi's website for your model. Sometimes new batches of headphones come with the latest firmware.
💡
Updating the firmware can solve connectivity, sound, and stability issues, but requires an Android device.
Xiaomi headphones for iPhone: which is better to choose
Not all Xiaomi models work equally well with iOS, and the table below compares key features for iPhone users:
| Model | Support for AAC | Stability of communications | Time to work. | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | until 36 hours (with case) | ~5 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 28 hours | ~6 500 ₽ |
| Mi AirDots 3 Pro | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ | 28 hours | ~3 500 ₽ |
For iPhones, the best choice is the model with support for the AAC codec (Redmi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro), which provides better sound quality and minimal delays when watching videos.
💡
Before buying, check on Xiaomi’s website or reviews to see if the AAC model supports it.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many problems arise from user misconduct, and here are the typical errors:
⚠️ Warning: Never press the reset button on the case if the headphones are connected to the iPhone.This can cause the left-right earphone to lose sync.
- 🔋 Low charge connection – if the battery of the case or headphones is discharged below 20%, there may be failures.
- 📱 Ignoring iOS updates – an outdated version of iOS could cause Bluetooth 5.0 issues+. Update your iPhone to Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
- 🎧 Using headphones with another device – if they were connected to Android, Mac, or Windows, reset before pairing with your iPhone.
Another common mistake is using an unoriginal charging cable for the case, which can cause the Bluetooth module to work in an unstable way. Always use certified accessories.
⚠️ Warning: If after connecting to an iPhone, the headphones stopped working with Android, reset them and repair on both devices. iOS sometimes blocks multi-connection.