How to connect Xiaomi headset to iPhone: 5 proven ways and solving errors

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are a popular accessory for their combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, iPhone owners often have difficulty connecting the headset: devices can’t see each other, the connection is interrupted or the sound is distorted. The reason lies in the differences in Bluetooth protocols (Apple uses proprietary AAC, Xiaomi is often focused on SBC or aptX), as well as in the features of energy saving iOS.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for connecting any Xiaomi models – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro – as well as solutions to typical problems: why the iPhone does not find headphones, how to fix communication cliffs and what to do if the sound goes only to one earphone.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before you connect the headset to an iPhone, you need to put the headphones in a pairing mode. Xiaomi models this process can be different, it depends on the generation and type of control (touch or mechanical).

• 🔋 Charge headphones. Make sure the charge level of the case and the headphones themselves is above 30.
• 📦 Extract from the case. Get both earphones out of the charging case - some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro) automatically enter the pairing mode on first extraction.
• 🔄 Reset: If the headset has already been connected to another device, reset: press the touchpad (or button) on both headphones for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (most models have a flash).

For push-button-controlled models (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), the pairing activation algorithm may differ:

⚠️ Warning: If the indicator on the case flashes only red, it means battery discharge. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes, then try again.

A unique feature for the iPhone: if Xiaomi headphones were previously connected to an Android device, they may not be visible to iOS due to cached Bluetooth data. In this case, be sure to reset the headset settings before re-pairing.

2. Step-by-step connection to the iPhone via Bluetooth

When the headphones are ready to pair, move on to the iPhone setup. The instructions are relevant for all iPhone models (from iPhone 8 to iPhone 15 Pro Max) with iOS 15 and later. Importantly, before connecting, turn off other Bluetooth devices (for example, Apple Watch or speakers) to avoid conflicts.

Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your iPhone and follow the following steps:

1. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it is turned off).
2. In the list of "Other Devices"**, the name of your headset (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones or Redmi Buds 4) will appear.
3. Wait for the status “Connected”** next to the headphones name.

If the device doesn’t appear in the list, try the following steps:

Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone again

Reboot the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out)

Make sure the headset is in pairing mode (the indicator flashes)

Turn it off. VPN or energy saving modes on the iPhone

Try connecting in another room (interference from other devices is possible)-->

Once successfully connected, Xiaomi headphones will automatically connect to the iPhone when removed from the case (if Bluetooth is activated), but some users note that the autoconnection is unstable, as we will discuss in the section on problem solving.

3. adjusting the sound and microphone for optimal performance

Even after a successful connection, the sound quality can be frustrating: low volume, distortion at high frequencies, or microphone problems during calls. AAC, which is not always compatible with Qualcomm chips or BES, installed in Xiaomi headphones.

To improve the sound, perform the following settings:

Music lovers’ advice: if your headphones support aptX or LDAC (For example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, but iOS doesn’t offer these codecs in the settings, try connecting through the Xiaomi Earphones app (available in the App Store).It lets you manually select a sound profile and even update the firmware of the headset.

AAC

SBC

aptX

I don't know how to check.

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4. Solving typical connection problems

Even after successful pairing, users face a number of problems: communication interruptions, sound in only one earphone, inability to connect after an iOS update.

Problem 1: iPhone can’t see Xiaomi headphones

If the headset doesn’t appear in the list of devices, follow the following steps:

1. Reboot your iPhone and headphones (put them in your case for 20 seconds).
2. Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case should be green or white).
3. Turn off the “Airplane Mode” and “Charge Saving” mode on your iPhone (they can block Bluetooth connection).

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or delayed

Causes of unstable connection:

• 📶 Interference from other devices: Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, and even wireless mice can interfere at 2.4 GHz. Try turning them off or moving to another room.
• 🔋 Low battery charge headphones or iPhones. Connect both devices to charge.
• 📱 iOS Background Processes. Close all apps in multitasking and reboot your phone.

⚠️ Note: If the lag (audio lag) is only apparent in games or videos, enable the “Audio through device speakers” option in the app settings (e.g. YouTube or Netflix)** instead of Bluetooth.

Problem 3: Only one earpiece works

This error most often occurs due to:

• Incomplete removal of headphones from the case (one may not be in contact with charging contacts).
• Different levels of charge left and right headphone (charge both to 100%).
• Synchronization failure between the headphones. Put them in the case for 30 seconds, then pull them out and plug them back in.

If the problem persists, perform a hard reset of the headset:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (or touchpads on headphones) for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Connect the headset to the iPhone again.

5. Update the firmware of Xiaomi headphones via iPhone

Many users don’t know that Xiaomi can be upgraded directly from the iPhone – it helps fix bugs, improve compatibility with iOS and add new features (for example, support for the device). LC3 For the update, you will need the official Xiaomi Earphones app available in the App Store.

Instructions for updating:

1. Install the Xiaomi Earphones app and open it.
2. Connect the headphones to the iPhone via Bluetooth.
3. In the main menu of the application, select your headset model.
4. Go to the “Firmware Update” section** (usually marked with a red notice if a new version is available).
5. Click Update** and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the headphones or close the app!).

Important nuances:

• 🔄 It can take up to 10 minutes to update, and if the process stops, the headphones can stop working, in which case, try again.
• 📱 Xiaomi Earphones app doesn’t support all models.If your headset isn’t on the list, check compatibility on Xiaomi’s official website.
• 🔋 Make sure your headphones are above 50% or the update may end with an error.

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The iPhone firmware update is only available for Xiaomi models released after 2021. Older headsets (like the Redmi AirDots S) will require an Android device.

6. Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth does not work)

If a standard Bluetooth connection is unstable or impossible, alternative methods can be used, which are less convenient, but sometimes become the only way out.

Method 1: Connect via Bluetooth 5.0 adapter

Some users buy an external Bluetooth adapter (for example, Avantek). BTA-100 or 1Mii B06 Plus, which connects to the iPhone via a Lightning port or USB-C (This method helps with new models:

• 🎵 Improve sound quality by supporting aptX codecs HD or LDAC.
• 📶 Reduce sound delays in games and videos.
• 🔋 Extend the work time of the headphones (adapter takes part of the load on itself).

Cons of the method:

• Additional expenses (adapter costs from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles).
• Inconvenience of wearing (wire from adapter to phone).

Method 2: Using applications to control sound

Apps like Equalizer Fx or Boom 3D They allow you to fine-tune the sound of Xiaomi headphones on your iPhone, even if they are connected via standard Bluetooth:

• 🔊 Bass amplifier (useful for low-frequency models such as Redmi AirDots 2).

⚠️ Note: Sound tuning apps can increase your iPhone’s battery consumption by 10 to 15 percent, and they don’t work on some streaming services (like Apple Music or Spotify) due to limitations. DRM.

Method 3: Connect via cable (for models with connector)

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi Hybrid Pro) HD Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro supports a wired connection through 3.5 mm or USB-C. It's gonna take a while:

• 🔌 Lightning adapter → 3.5 mm (for older iPhones) or cable USB-C → 3.5 mm (for iPhone 15 and newer).
• 🎧 Headphones with the appropriate connector.

Advantages of wired connection:

• 🎵 No sound delays (relevant for gamers and video lovers).
• 🔋 No battery consumption on Bluetooth.
• 🔊 Best sound quality (without compression, like in wireless codecs).

7. Tips for extending the life of the headset

To make Xiaomi headphones last longer and work consistently with the iPhone, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Charge. Use only original cables and power adapters. Avoid full battery drain - recharge your headphones when the charge drops below 20%.
• 🧼 Clean once a month, clean the speakers and charging contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol!
• 🌡️ Temperature: Do not leave your headphones in the sun or near heat sources (e.g., on a car torpedo). +5°C +35°C.
• 📦 Storage. Always put your headphones in your case, which protects them from dust and mechanical damage.

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If you haven't used your headphones for more than a week, remove them from the case and store them separately. Prolonged exposure to the charger case can cause the battery to run to critical levels.

For models with active noise cancellation (ANC), The Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro is also available:

• Turn it off. ANC, When you don’t use it, it reduces battery consumption.
• Regularly update the firmware - the manufacturer optimizes the noise reduction algorithms.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s iPhone connection