How to connect AirPods to Xiaomi phone: instructions with pictures and tips for error elimination

Apple AirPods wireless headphones have long been the standard for listening to music, but many Xiaomi smartphone owners have difficulty connecting them. Despite the fact that both devices support Bluetooth, the pairing process can be complicated due to the peculiarities of protocols, firmware versions or even banal user errors. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to connect AirPods to Xiaomi – from basic instructions to solving rare problems, as well as give recommendations for optimizing sound and power consumption.

It's important to understand that AirPods were originally designed for the Apple ecosystem, so on Android devices (including Xiaomi), some of the features may or may not work at all. For example, you can't use automatic switching between devices or spatial sound to the fullest extent. However, the basic features - listening to music, receiving calls and activating voice assistant - will be available. Next, we will show you how to use AirPods with a Xiaomi smartphone to the maximum, avoid typical errors.

1. Connection Preparation: What to Check Before Pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure both devices are ready to go, which will save you most of the problems during the pairing phase.

On the AirPods side:

• 🔋 Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case should be green or orange). If the indicator flashes red, the charge is less than 10%, and the connection may be interrupted.
• 📦 Take the headphones out of your case and make sure they're not connected to another device (like an iPhone or MacBook). If the light on the case flashes white, the AirPods are already paired with another gadget.
• 🔄 If the headphones have previously connected to an Android device, reset their settings (press the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange).

On Xiaomi's side:

• 📱 Update your smartphone firmware to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → System updates) Old versions MIUI (Below 12 may not support Bluetooth 5.0+, Which will cause problems with sound.
• 🔳 Enable Bluetooth in the Quick Settings Panel or through Settings → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth.
• 🚫 Disable other wireless devices (columns, fitness bracelets, smartwatches) to avoid conflicts when connecting.

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If your Xiaomi doesn’t see AirPods, try rebooting your smartphone – it resets the Bluetooth module cache and often solves the problem.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect AirPods to Xiaomi via Bluetooth

The most reliable way to pair is through the standard Bluetooth menu.

1. Open the AirPods case and press the button on the back (hold it until the light flashes white) to put the headphones in pairing mode.
2. On Xiaomi smartphone go to Settings → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth and activate device search.
3. In the list of available devices, look for AirPods (the name can be displayed as AirPods Pro, AirPods (3rd generation) or just AirPods).
4. Confirm the pairing on the smartphone screen. If you request access to contacts or microphone, allow (this is necessary for correct operation of calls).

Once successfully connected, the indicator on the AirPods case will light up green, and the list of Bluetooth devices on Xiaomi will say Connected. Now you can use your headphones to listen to music and calls.

The indicator on the case is burning green|The Bluetooth list shows "Connected"|The sound is played without delay|The microphone works on the calls.-->

If the sound is interrupted or there are delays, try turning off the codec. AAC in Xiaomi settings (more on this in the section on audio optimization).

3. Alternative ways to connect: if Bluetooth does not work

Sometimes standard Bluetooth pairing doesn't work, so you can try alternative methods.

Method 1: Use the AirBattery application (to display charge)

Not only does the AirBattery app show the charge level of the AirPods, it helps to stabilize the connection. Download it from Google Play and follow the instructions:

1. Install and open AirBattery.
2. Click Connect AirPods and follow the hints on the screen.
3. Allow notifications to be accessed (this is needed to display the charge in the status bar).

Method 2: Connect via Assistant Trigger (for voice control)

If you need to control AirPods voice (e.g., call Google Assistant with double tap), install the Assistant Trigger app:

• 📱 Download Assistant Trigger from Google Play.
• 🔧 In the application settings, select AirPods as the input device.
• 🎤 Set up gestures (for example, double touching to call an assistant).

Method 3: Reset network settings on Xiaomi

If the AirPods aren't defined at all, the problem may be with the smartphone network settings. Try resetting them:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (this won’t delete your data, but will reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile networks).
3. Reboot your smartphone and reconnect AirPods.

4. Sound optimization: how to improve the quality of playback

By default, Xiaomi may use a less efficient Bluetooth codec for AirPods, resulting in loss of sound quality or delays. Here's how to fix it:

Setting up the Bluetooth codec

To forcefully include AAC (Optimal codec for AirPods):

1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi (go to Settings) → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Bluetooth Codec and select AAC.
4. Reconnect the AirPods.

Equalizer setting

The sound of AirPods on Android may be different from iOS.

• 🎵 Open the Settings. → Sound. → equalizer.
• 🔊 Choose Preset Bass Boost or Pop (depending on your preferences).
• 🎧 Turn it off. MI Sound Enhancer, if it's on, it can distort the sound.

AirPods do not support aptX and LDAC, So the best choice is — AAC. If your Xiaomi doesn’t have this codec, upgrade your firmware or use third-party players (like Poweramp) that support forced inclusion. AAC.

5. Solving common connection problems

Even after successful pairing, Xiaomi users may face typical problems, including the most common and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: AirPods are connected, but there is no sound

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔇 Check the volume level on your smartphone and in the app that plays the sound.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (turn them off in Settings) → Bluetooth and re-conjugate).
• 📵 Make sure AirPods are not connected to another device (e.g. laptop).
• 🔧 In Bluetooth settings, click on ⚙️ Next to AirPods and enable Media Audio and Calls options.

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or delayed

This is one of the most common problems when using AirPods with Android.

• 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi or go to 5 GHz (2.4 GHz networks can interfere with Bluetooth).
• 🔋 Charge AirPods to 100% – when low charge headphones automatically reduce the quality of the connection.
• 📱 Turn on flight mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off (this resets the Bluetooth module).
• 🔄 Change the Bluetooth codec to AAC (as described in the previous section).

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If the audio delays only occur in games or videos, the problem may be in the app itself. Try to enable the Low Sound Latency option (if any).

Problem 3: The microphone is not working on the phone

If the interviewer does not hear you:

• 🎤 Check that AirPods are selected as the input device in the call settings (click on the speaker icon during the call and select the headphones).
• 🔧 In Bluetooth settings, click on ⚙️ Next to AirPods and enable Calls.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it drops microphone errors.

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If the microphone still does not work, try using AirPods in "Mono Connection" mode (get one headphone from the case and use only it).

6.How to Disable AirPods from Xiaomi and Connect to Another Device

If you need to temporarily disable AirPods from Xiaomi or reconnect them to another gadget (like an iPhone), do the following:

Disconnect without removing from the list of devices

This method allows you to quickly return the connection:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Find AirPods in the list and click on ⚙️ near.
3. Select to Disable (Do not Forget!).

Complete removal (if you need to connect to another device)

If you want to pair AirPods with an iPhone or other smartphone:

1. In the same Bluetooth menu, click on ⚙️ near the AirPods.
2. Select Forget the device (or Remove it).
3. The AirPods charger case will automatically go into pairing mode the next time it opens.

After that, you will be able to connect the headphones to another device, following the standard procedure (press the button on the case until the white indicator flashes).

7. Compatibility of AirPods with different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well with AirPods. The main differences depend on the Bluetooth version and firmware. MIUI. Below is the compatibility table for popular models:

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support you AAC, try:

• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.
• 🎧 Use third-party players (such as Poweramp or Neutron) that support forced inclusion AAC.
• 🔧 Turn off Absolute Volume in the developer settings (this sometimes improves stability).

8 Useful Apps to Work with AirPods on Xiaomi

Standard Android features don’t allow you to fully use all the features of AirPods, but there are applications that expand their functionality:

AirBattery – Charge Display and Control

Functions:

• 🔋 Shows the level of charge of headphones and case in real time.
• 🔔 Notifies low charge.
• 🎧 Allows you to adjust gestures (for example, double touch for pause).

Assistant Trigger – Voice Assistant for Double Tape

Functions:

• 🎤 Replaces Siri with Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex.
• 🔧 Configures actions to touch (single, double, long).
• 📱 It works in the background without additional battery consumption.

MaterialPods – Alternative Management Interface

Functions:

• 🎨 Changes the icons of AirPods in the notification panel.
• 🔊 Shows the current Bluetooth codec.
• 📊 Keeps statistics on the use of headphones.

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Apps from Google Play can’t completely replace the functionality of AirPods on iOS, but they do significantly improve the experience on Android.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting AirPods to Xiaomi