How to connect Xiaomi wireless headphones to the iPhone 12: instructions and problem solving

Xiaomi wireless headphones are a popular accessory among smartphone owners due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, connecting them to the iPhone 12 sometimes raises questions: why devices do not find each other, how to adjust the sound or why the connection is interrupted. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of pairing, the nuances of working with different models of headphones (Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Redmi Buds, Xiaomi FlipBuds), and also solve typical problems.

The feature of iOS is that it has limited support for Bluetooth profiles compared to Android, which means that some headphone features (such as customizing gestures or proprietary codecs) may not work to the fullest. But basic audio connectivity and playback are available for all models, the main thing is to pair and configure settings on both devices correctly.

What Xiaomi headphones are compatible with the iPhone 12

Almost all Xiaomi wireless headphones are physically compatible with the iPhone 12, but the level of support for features varies. Below is a table with popular models and their features when connecting to iOS:

If your model is not listed in the table, check the Bluetooth version in specs: iPhone 12 supports Bluetooth 5.0, so headphones with newer versions (5.1-5.3) will work, but perhaps without additional features. For example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro with Bluetooth 5.3 will connect, but adaptive device change (Multipoint) may not work.

Important: Xiaomi headphones with AAC codec support (like Mi True Wireless Earbuds 3) will sound better on iPhones than models with LDAC or aptX that iOS doesn’t support.

Preparation of headphones and iPhone to pair

Before connecting, make sure both devices are ready to pair.

• 🔋 Charge headphones: battery level should be at least 30% Low charge can lead to failures when connecting.
• 📱 Update iOS: Go to Settings → Mainstream → Update and install the latest version. Older versions of iOS (below 15.0) may not support new Bluetooth profiles.
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings (if they were already connected to another device): for most Xiaomi models, it is enough to hold the button on the case of the charging case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
• 🚫 Disable other Bluetooth devices: If your iPhone already has a speaker, smartwatch, or other headphones connected, they can interfere with your search for new devices.

Also check if the iPhone is on Air Mode or Energy Saving mode, both of which can block Bluetooth connectivity.

1. Open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen).
2. Make sure that the icons of the aircraft (air mode) and the battery (energy saving) are not illuminated in yellow.

Step-by-step instructions for connecting

The process of pairing Xiaomi headphones with the iPhone 12 takes no more than 2-3 minutes.

1. Remove the headphones from the case. They should automatically turn on and go to search mode (the indicator will flash white or blue).
2. Open Bluetooth settings on iPhone: Settings → Bluetooth Make sure the Bluetooth slider is turned on (green).
3. Find the headphones on the list. They should show up as Mi True Wireless Earbuds (or another model) marked "Not paired."
4. Slip on the headphone name and wait for the "Connected" to appear. Some models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Pro) may require confirmation on the case itself — briefly press the pairing button.
5. Check the sound: Run music or videos to make sure the headphones are working.

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

• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone and headphones (put them in your case for 10 seconds, then pull them out).
• 📱 Turn on/off Bluetooth on iPhone.
• 🔋 Check the charge of the case - if it is discharged, the headphones will not turn on.

Tip: If you connect Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, go to Settings → Bluetooth → Icon “i” next to the headphones and turn on the option “Automatic Switch” (if available), this will allow you to quickly switch between iPhone and other Apple devices (for example, MacBook).

Customization of sound and microphone after connection

By default, the iPhone 12 uses audio settings optimized for AirPods headphones. To improve the playback quality on Xiaomi, follow the following steps:

1. Select Sound Mode: Settings → Music → Equalizer For bass, choose Bass or Hip-Hop, for pure sound – Flat or Acoustic.
2. Set up the microphone: Settings → Bluetooth → Icon “i” next to the headphones → Microphone Select “Hearphones” (for calls) or “iPhone” (if the microphone quality in the headphones is poor).
3. Turn off Speech Improvement (if there are microphone problems): Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual → Speech Improvement This feature can distort voice when talking.

For active noise cancellation (ANC) models like the Redmi Buds 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro, it is not possible to control noise reduction through the iPhone — this is only done through the proprietary Mi Earphones app, which is not available on iOS.

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If the sound in the headphones is quiet, check the volume limit in Settings → Music → Volume Limit and turn it off.

Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

1.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

• 🔊 Check the volume control on your iPhone – it’s possible the sound is off.
• 🎧 Make sure the headphones are selected as the output device: Control → Hold the volume slider down. → Choose your headphones.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: forget the device in Settings → Bluetooth, then pair it again.

2. Interrupted connection

• 📶 Make sure there are no interference sources nearby (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
• 🔋 Charge headphones - at low charge, the connection becomes unstable.
• 📱 Update the firmware on your headphones (if available). For some models (such as Mi True Wireless Earbuds 3), the firmware updates automatically when you connect to Android, but on iPhone, this is not possible.

3.The microphone is not working during calls

• 🎤 B Settings → Bluetooth → Icon "i" → Microphone select "Hearphones".
• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone.
• 📞 Check if the microphone is blocking your hair or cover.

⚠️ Note: If you use the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro with an iPhone, avoid connecting to multiple devices at the same time (e.g. iPhone and laptop.

How to turn off or forget your headphones

If you need to temporarily turn off your headphones or completely remove them from your device list, do the following:

Temporary shutdown

Just put the headphones in the charger case, they will automatically disconnect from the iPhone, and you can also manually disable them:

Settings → Bluetooth → Tap on the name of the headphones → Disable

Complete removal (forgetting the device)

This step is needed if you want to connect the headphones to another device or they are unstable:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and tap the icon "i" on the right.
3. Select "Forget this device" and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Once the headphones are removed from the Bluetooth list, they will not automatically connect to the iPhone when removed from the case.

Tips for extending the life of headphones

To make Xiaomi wireless headphones last longer, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Don't empty your headphones to zero. Try to put them in your case at 10-20 charge levels%.
• 🧼 Regularly clean headphones and case from earwax and dust with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating or hypothermia. Do not leave your headphones in the sun or near heat sources.
• 🔕 Keep your headphones in your case when not in use – this protects them from physical damage and dust.
• 📵 Do not use headphones at maximum volume for a long time - this can damage the speakers.

For touch-controlled models (like the Redmi Buds 4 Pro), avoid pressing the body hard, which can cause the touch panels to break. A touch touch is enough.

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Regular cleaning of contacts on headphones and in the case (metal "points") improves charge and prevents connection failures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones to the iPhone 12