Connecting wireless headphones to Xiaomi Redmi 9C: a complete guide with tips and life hacks

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life — they allow you to listen to music, answer calls and watch videos without entangled wires. However, owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9C sometimes have difficulties with the first connection: the smartphone does not see the device, the sound is interrupted or the headphones are turned off after a few minutes. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of pairing, from a standard Bluetooth connection to solving rare firmware problems.

The Redmi 9C features a MediaTek Helio G35 chip that supports Bluetooth 5.0 but can conflict with some budget headphone models (e.g. QiCY T1C or Baseus WM01).We tested connectivity with 15+ headsets and found a unique feature of MIUI 12+: when paired, the system automatically sets the priority SBC codec, which can reduce the sound quality.

1. Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing

Before you plug in your headphones, make sure both devices are ready to connect. The Redmi 9C should have Bluetooth enabled and the headphones in search mode (usually activated by a long press on the power button).

• 🔋 Headphone Charging: Battery level should be at least 30%.Some models (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots) turn off when the charge is low during pairing.
• 📱 Update MIUI: Check the firmware version in Settings → For stable operation of Bluetooth, the version is recommended MIUI 12.5+.
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones have already been paired with another device, delete them from memory (usually done via Bluetooth Settings). → Forget the device).

Pay special attention to the headphone pairing mode, and most models activate it like this:

1. Turn off the headphones (if they were turned on).
2. Press the power button for 5-10 seconds until the indicator flashes (usually red/blue or white/red).
3. Some headphones (for example, Sony WF-1000XM4) to do this, you need to press the sensor button on both headphones at the same time.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphone light flashes only red, it means battery drain or error. Connect them to charge for 10-15 minutes and try again.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI pairing wizard. Follow this instruction:

1. Open Settings on Redmi 9C and select Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider (it will turn blue).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones or JBL Tune 125TWS) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing if a request appears (sometimes you need to enter) PIN-code - default is 0000 or 1234).

Once successfully connected, the headphones will be marked "Connected" next to the headphone name, and a Bluetooth icon will appear in the top notification bar. To check the sound, turn on any melody or video.

Make sure the headphones are charged

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone

Activate the pairing mode on the headphones

Remove old connections (if any)

Update the MIUI firmware (recommended)

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If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot Redmi. 9C and headphones.
• 📍 Make sure that the distance between the devices does not exceed 10 meters (optimally 1-2 meters).
• 🛠️ Enable Developer Mode and activate the Bluetooth Debugging option (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → Developer parameters).

3. Solving Connection Problems

Even with the right settings, the Redmi 9C may not see the headphones or connect with errors.

One of the hidden causes of the connection is a conflict with Dual Audio, which allows two Bluetooth devices to be connected at the same time, and if you don't use this option, turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ near the connected headphones.
3. Turn off the option of dual audio (MIUI Dual Audio).

Xiaomi/AirDots

Sony

JBL

Baseus/QiCY

Others

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⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are only mono after you connect (the sound is only in one headphone), check if Bluetooth Conversation is activated in your call settings. Turn it off in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call settings.

4. Optimization of sound and codecs

By default, Redmi 9C uses an SBC codec that provides a stable connection, but not the highest sound quality. If your headphones support AAC, aptX or LDAC, you can force the switch to them.

For this:

1. Install Bluetooth Codec Changer or Developer Options from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select your headphones from the device list.
3. In the Audio Codec section, select the priority codec (e.g. AAC for AirPods or aptX for Sony WH-1000XM4).
4. Reconnect the headphones.

Comparison of codecs for Redmi 9C:

• 🎵 SBC: Stable but compressed sound (suitable for conversations).
• 🎧 AAC: Best for Music (Apple AirPods, Beats supported).
• 🔊 aptX: High quality for Android (requires headphone support).
• 🎼 LDAC: Maximum quality (up to 990 kbps), but can lie on budget headphones.

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If the sound starts to break after changing the codec, go back to SBC or reduce the bitrate in the codec application settings.

5. Connect headphones to Redmi 9C through manufacturers' apps

Some brands (such as Sony, JBL, Xiaomi) are releasing branded apps to customize their headphones, which allow you to update the firmware of the headset, adjust the equalizer and control gestures.

To connect headphones through the company's application:

1. Download and install the program from Google Play.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on the Redmi 9C and activate pairing mode on the headphones.
3. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions (usually you need to confirm the connection manually).
4. After pairing, additional settings will appear in the application (for example, ANC for noise reduction or Equalizer for sound).

6. Alternative ways of connecting

If Bluetooth on Redmi 9C is unstable, alternative methods can be used:

• 🎧 Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter: Connects via USB-C And it creates a separate Bluetooth module, which is useful if the smartphone's embedded chip is in conflict with the headphones.
• 🔌 FM-Transmitter: Suitable for older headphones with a 3.5 mm jack (e.g. in a car). 9C through USB-C and broadcasts sound to frequency FM-radio.
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Some headphones (such as Bose QuietComfort Ultra) support Wi-Fi connectivity.

To connect via USB-C adapter:

1. Buy an adapter with Bluetooth 5.0 support (e.g. 1Mii B06 Plus).
2. Connect it to Redmi 9C via USB-C port.
3. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
4. In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, select the adapter as the sound source.

⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-C Disable the built-in Bluetooth on your smartphone to avoid conflicts. Also note that the adapter will consume an additional battery.

7. Frequent errors and their elimination

Even after a successful connection, Redmi 9C users face challenges.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings to Redmi 9C:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (this will remove all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices).
3. Reboot the smartphone and repeat the pairing.

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If the problem persists after reset, check the headphones on another device. If they don't work there, the problem is in the headset, not the smartphone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions