How to connect Xiaomi wireless headphones to Redmi 9: instructions + mistake-making

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the brand’s most popular smartphone accessories, but they’re connected to Redmi 9 And it's sometimes a question that comes up to users, and even if you've never used Bluetooth devices before, the pairing process is no longer going to take much longer. 2-3 In this article, we will discuss not only the standard connection procedure, but also the nuances of working with different models of headphones (AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds), as well as solving errors when the smartphone β€œcan’t see” the headset or connection constantly breaks down.

Redmi 9 features Bluetooth 5.0 support, which provides stable connectivity to most modern Xiaomi headphones. However, even with this version of the protocol, problems can arise due to outdated firmware, conflicts with other connected devices or incorrect power saving settings, we will tell you how to avoid these difficulties and what to do if the headphones are connected, but the sound goes to only one channel or interrupts.

If you've tried to connect your headphones to your smartphone, but you've failed, don't rush to bring them into service. 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-based, without any interference with the hardware, and the key is to follow the instructions in order and check each step.

1. Preparation of the smartphone and headphones for connection

Before pairing, make sure both devices are ready to connect. The Redmi 9 should have Bluetooth and geolocation enabled (the latter is sometimes required for some headphone models to work correctly).

  • πŸ”‹ Charge headphones: If the battery level is below 20%, they can turn off during pairing. Charge them to at least 50%.
  • πŸ“± Version. MIUI: Redmi 9 should be installed firmware not lower MIUI 12. Check in Settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI.
  • 🎧 Headphone pairing mode: most Xiaomi models automatically go into search mode when first turned on or after reset. If not, press the power button on the headphone. 5-10 seconds before flashing the indicator.

Pay special attention to the list of devices already connected, if it has old headphones or other Bluetooth headsets, it is better to remove them to avoid conflicts.

  1. Open Settings β†’ Connections and Sharing β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Click on the gear next to the device name.
  3. Select Disable, then Forget this device.

πŸ’‘

If Xiaomi headphones have previously connected to another smartphone, reset their settings. To do this, press the button on the case for 15 seconds before the indicator flashes twice (colors depend on the model).

It is also worth temporarily turning off the power saving mode, as it can limit the operation of the Bluetooth module. β†’ Battery and productivity β†’ Energy saving regime.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection

The easiest way to connect the Redmi 9 to wireless headphones is to use the built-in connectivity wizard. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

  1. Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and click on the Bluetooth icon or go to Settings β†’ Connections and sharing β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Turn on the headphones and put them in pairing mode (usually you need to hold the power button until the indicator blinks).
  3. On your smartphone, click Device Search (or Add a new device).
  4. In the list, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 or Redmi AirDots 3) and tap it.
  5. Confirm pairing if a request appears on a smartphone or headphones (sometimes you need to press a button on the headset).

Once successfully connected, the Connected status will appear in the list of devices, and the headphones will automatically connect to the Redmi 9 as soon as you turn them on (assuming that the Bluetooth on the smartphone is active).

Headphones appear in the list of Bluetooth devices|"Connected" status active|The sound is played in headphones (check through the player)|The indicator on the headphones is lit with even light (does not flash)-->

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

  • πŸ”„ Reboot the Bluetooth module of the smartphone (disable and turn on Bluetooth again).
  • πŸ“΄ Turn off and turn on the headphones again.
  • πŸ“± Reboot Redmi 9.

3. Connect via the Mi Earphones app (for supported models)

Some Xiaomi headphone models (for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2, Redmi Buds 3 Pro) support advanced settings through the Mi Earphones app.

  • πŸŽ›οΈ Set up touch control (double touch, hold).
  • πŸ”Š Adjust the equalizer and sound effects.
  • πŸ“Š View the level of charge of headphones and case.
  • πŸ”„ Update the firmware of the headset.

To connect through the application:

  1. Download Mi Earphones from Google Play (for Redmi 9 on Android).
  2. Connect the headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth (as described in the previous section).
  3. Open the app and allow access to location and Bluetooth.
  4. The headphones must automatically be identified. If not, press Add the device manually.

The app doesn't support all models. The full list of compatible devices is:

Model headphonesSupport for Mi EarphonesAdditional functions
Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2βœ… Yes.Equator, software update, charge check
Redmi AirDots 3βœ… Yes.Gesture settings, Game mode
Xiaomi FlipBuds Proβœ… Yes.Adaptive noise reduction, leakage test
Redmi Buds 3 Lite❌ No.Only basic Bluetooth features
Mi AirDots Basic❌ No.No support for the app

Redmi AirDots 3|Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2|Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro|Redmi Buds 3 Lite|Another model|I don't know.-->

Important: Mi Earphones may conflict with other Bluetooth devices connected to your smartphone. If the headphones turn off after the app is launched, temporarily turn off other headsets or smartwatches.

4. Solving Connection Problems

If Redmi 9 doesn't see the headphones or the connection is constantly breaking, the reasons could be both software and hardware.

4.1 Headphones are not displayed in the list of devices

Possible causes and solutions:

  • πŸ”Œ Headphones not in pairing mode: Make sure the indicator flashes fast (usually white or blue). To reset, press the button for 15 seconds.
  • πŸ“΅ Bluetooth smartphone module locked: Restart Redmi 9 or reset network settings (Settings) β†’ System system β†’ Resetting settings β†’ Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings).
  • πŸ”„ Conflict with other devices: Disable all other Bluetooth headsets, smartwatches or speakers.
  • πŸ› οΈ Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system.

4.2. the connection is interrupted or the sound is interrupted

This problem is often related to:

  • πŸ“Ά Interference from other devices: Make sure there are no running microwaves, 2.4GHz routers or other sources of interference around.
  • πŸ”‹ Low-charge headphones: Charge them to 100% and check the connection.
  • 🎡 Bluetooth Codecs: In Settings β†’ Connections β†’ Bluetooth β†’ Settings (cog next to headphones) β†’ Audio codec try to change AAC on SBC vice versa.
What if the sound is only in one headphone?
1. Check whether the "Mono" mode (one-way sound) is activated in the headphone settings or the application. 2. Turn off and turn on the headphones again, waiting for the indicator to be completely turned off. 3. Reset the headphone settings (hold the button 15 seconds until double blinking). 4. If the problem remains, clean the headphones and case contacts with an alcohol napkin (oxidation may interfere with the charge of one of the headphones).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones are connected but immediately switched off, check if Allow other devices to connect to this phone in Settings. β†’ Connections β†’ Bluetooth β†’ This parameter can interfere with a stable connection.

The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound.

In this case:

  1. Check whether the smartphone is in silent mode (the volume button up/down).
  2. Open the player and manually select the headphones as the audio output device (in some applications, such as YouTube, this is done through the speaker icon in the upper right corner).
  3. Go to Settings. β†’ Sound. β†’ Playback devices and make sure the headphones are selected by default.

5. Resetting headphones and smartphone settings

If none of these methods worked, reset your Bluetooth settings to Redmi 9 and reset your headphones to factory settings.

5.1 Reset Bluetooth on a smartphone

This will remove all the saved devices and return the module settings to factory:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Resetting settings.
  2. Select Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
  3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

5.2 Resetting Xiaomi headphones

The instructions vary by model, but the general algorithm is:

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Hold the button on the case (or touch panel on headphones) for a while. 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or other combination of colors).
  3. Remove the headphones from the case - they should automatically go into pairing mode.

For some models (for example, FlipBuds Pro) reset is performed through the Mi Earphones app:

  1. Open the app and connect the headphones.
  2. Go to the Device Settings β†’ Reset.
  3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: After resetting headphones Xiaomi they will have to reconnect to all devices to which they were previously tied (smartphone, laptop, tablet).

6. Optimization of connection for stable operation

To avoid connection issues in the future, follow these guidelines:

  • πŸ”„ Update your headphone firmware regularly (if the model supports it via Mi Earphones).
  • πŸ“΄ Turn off Bluetooth when you are not using headphones – this will save battery power and prevent accidental connections.
  • 🎧 Keep your headphones in your case when not in use – this protects them from dust and mechanical damage, and prevents discharge.
  • πŸ› οΈ Clean the contacts of headphones and case once in a while 1-2 month with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

You should also set the connection priority for headphones:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Connections β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Click on the gear next to the headphones name.
  3. Activate the Priority Connection option (if available).

For dual-connection models (e.g. Redmi Buds 4), you can tie your headphones to the Redmi 9 and another device (e.g., a laptop).

  1. Connect the headphones to the first device.
  2. Turn on the pairing mode on the headphones (usually double tap on the touch panel).
  3. Connect to the second device via Bluetooth.

πŸ’‘

For maximum connection stability, turn off Absolute Volume in Settings β†’ System system β†’ For developers β†’ Turn off the absolute volume of Bluetooth.This will prevent volume jumps when switching between devices.

7.compatibility of Redmi 9 with different models of headphones Xiaomi

The Redmi 9 supports most Xiaomi wireless headphones, but some models may not work properly due to differences in Bluetooth protocols or codecs. Below is a compatibility table, taking into account possible limitations:

Model headphonesCompatible with Redmi 9Features of workRecommendations
Redmi AirDots (1st generation)βœ… Complete.Only codec is supported. SBCUpdate the headphone firmware if the sound is interrupted
Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2βœ… Complete.Works with AAC, But there may be a delay in the sound in the games.Enable the Game Mode in Mi Earphones
Xiaomi FlipBuds Proβœ… Complete.Supports ANC and transparentUpdate the firmware for proper operation ANC
Redmi Buds 3 Proβœ… Complete.Supports codec. AAC and aptX AdaptiveFor better sound, select aptX in Bluetooth settings
Mi AirDots Youth Edition⚠️ PartialYou may have problems with the microphone when making calls.Use the headset only to listen to music

If your model is not in the table, check its specs on the official Xiaomi website, the main thing is that the headphones support Bluetooth 4.2 or higher (Redmi 9 works with Bluetooth 5.0, but is compatible with older versions).

8. Alternative ways of connecting

If a standard Bluetooth connection doesn’t work, you can try alternative methods:

8.1 Connection through third-party applications

Some applications, like Bluetooth Auto Connect or Bass Booster, help stabilize the connection, automatically reconnect the headphones when the connection is cut and optimize the sound.

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Download apps only from official stores (Google Play, Mi App Store).
  • πŸ“΅ Don’t give apps access to contacts or messages – it’s not required to work with Bluetooth.

8.2.Use of Bluetooth adapter (for older models)

If you have a very old headphone model (like the first-generation Mi Bluetooth Headset) that doesn’t want to connect to the Redmi 9, you can use an external Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth 4.0. USB-C (need to OTG-However, this method is not convenient for continuous use.

8.3 Connection through AUX-cable (if supported)

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Headphones) have a 3.5 mm connector and can connect to the Redmi 9 via a wire.

  1. Insert the cable into the headphone jack on the smartphone.
  2. Select the "Wired Headphones" mode in the sound settings.

Note that Redmi 9 doesn’t have a standard audio output – you’ll need to USB-C β†’ 3.5 mm adapter.

⚠️ WARNING: When using adapters or cables, turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone to avoid conflicts between wired and wireless connections.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones to Redmi 9

Can you connect Xiaomi headphones to Redmi 9 if they are already tied to another phone?
Yes, but first you need to remove them from the list of devices on the old smartphone or reset the headphone settings (hold the power button for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes).
Why does Redmi 9 see headphones but can’t connect (writes β€œPairing Error”)?
This error is due to: Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (turn them off); outdated headphone firmware (update via Mi Earphones if the model is supported); damaged Bluetooth cache on your smartphone (reset the network settings as described in section 5); if nothing helps, try connecting the headphones to another device; if they work there, there is a problem in your smartphone (possibly a faulty Bluetooth module).
How to check the charge level of Xiaomi headphones on Redmi 9?
Methods depend on the model: For AirDots and Buds without an application: Case charge level is displayed when the cover is opened next to the device name in the Bluetooth list. For supported models: the Mi Earphones app has a separate section indicating the charge of each headphone and case. For FlipBuds Pro: the voice assistant reports the charge level when connected.
Can I use Xiaomi headphones to make Redmi 9 calls?
Yes, all Xiaomi models with microphone support calls. To ensure better quality: In Bluetooth settings, select headphones as your calling device (Settings) β†’ Connections β†’ Bluetooth β†’ A gear. β†’ Use for calls. Turn off noise cancellation during conversation (if any), as this can impair hearing. Keep your smartphone closer to your headphones (within 1 meter) for stable voice transmission.
What if after the MIUI update, the headphones stopped connecting?
Updates sometimes reset Bluetooth settings. Try: Remove headphones from the list of devices and reconnect. Reset network settings (Settings) β†’ System system β†’ Resetting settings β†’ Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. roll back the update (if the problem occurs immediately after it) via Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system β†’ Three points. β†’ Reverse updates. If no rollback is possible, check the forums (e.g, 4PDA Or Mi Community, if it's a massive problem, maybe Xiaomi has already released a patch.