How to connect Xiaomi headphones to your phone: all ways + error solving

Connecting Xiaomi headphones to a smartphone seems like a simple task — until you face problems like no sound, constant communication interruptions or the inability to find a device in the Bluetooth list. This is especially true for models with True Wireless Stereo (TWS) support, where both headphones must synchronize with each other and the phone. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from basic wired Mi Basic to solving complex cases with Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or FlipBuds Pro.

It's important to understand that the connection algorithm depends on the type of headphones (wired, wireless, TWS), the version of the phone's firmware, and even the model of the smartphone itself. For example, owners of a POCO or Redmi on a MIUI 14+ may experience automatic switching of audio profiles, which sometimes confuses settings. We will not only show you how to connect the headphones correctly, but also explain why the phone may not "see" one of the devices in the TWS pair or why the sound only goes into one earphone.

1. Connecting Xiaomi wired headphones (Type-C or 3.5 mm)

Xiaomi wired headphones are the most reliable in terms of compatibility, but there are nuances here: If your smartphone is equipped with a 3.5 mm connector (for example, the Redmi Note 11 or the POCO X3 Pro), you just need to insert a plug into the socket. However, most modern models (starting with the Xiaomi 11T) are without an audio jack, and you will need a USB-C → 3.5 mm adapter to connect.

With Type-C headphones (such as Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD), it’s easier to connect directly to the charging port, but two things are important to consider:

• 🔋 Automatic Charging Shutdown: If the headphones are connected, the phone can block fast charging. That's OK -- that's how overheating protection works.
• 🎵 Digital Sound: Type-C headphones transmit digitally, which improves quality but requires support USB Audio Class 2.0 on the phone side. MIUI 12) there may be problems with sound.
• 🔄 Mode Switching: Some headphones (such as the Mi Hybrid Pro) have a button to switch between modes ANC (Noise reduction and Transparency. MIUI This function may not work.

⚠️ Note: If after connecting wired headphones the phone does not recognize them, check the settings in Settings → Sound. → Audio output. Sometimes the system defaults to the speaker, even if the headphones are connected.

To check the availability:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Run any audio app (such as Mi Music or YouTube).
3. Touch the speaker icon in the notification panel - there should be a type of connected headphones.

2. Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones over Bluetooth

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) are connected via Bluetooth, but the process may vary depending on the model.

1. Turn on the headphones by holding the power button (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator starts flashing white/blue.
2. On your phone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic 2) and tap on them.
4. Confirm the pairing if necessary.

Features for different models:

• 🔗 TWS-headphones: first synchronize with each other (the indicators on both headphones flash alternately), then connect to the phone. If one headphone does not connect, reset (see section 5).
• 🎧 Noise-canceling headphones (e.g. FlipBuds Pro): after connecting to the MIUI There will be a separate section for setting up ANC In Settings → Bluetooth → The gear badge next to the device.
• 🔄 Multipoint: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4) support connecting to two devices at the same time. To activate this feature, press the button on the headphones for 10 seconds.

If the phone doesn't find the headphones:

• Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator should burn when you press the button).
• Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in the notification panel).
• Check if the headphones are connected to another device (for example, a laptop).

Charge the case and headphones up to 50% |

Remove headphones from the list of associated devices (if you have previously connected)|

Enable the search mode on the headphones (hold the button 5+ seconds)|

Shut down. VPN or energy saving modes on the phone-->

3 Why the phone can’t see Xiaomi headphones: common mistakes

If Xiaomi headphones don’t appear on the Bluetooth list, the problem may be in the headphones themselves and in the phone’s settings. Here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

A critical feature for models with a Qualcomm chip (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13 Series: If the headphones are connected but the sound is coming with artifacts, try disabling the aptX codec in the Bluetooth settings (Audio Quality section). TWS-headphone.

If none of these methods worked, check if your phone supports Bluetooth 5.0+. Older models (like the Redmi 5A) may not work properly with modern headphones due to the outdated protocol.

4. Configure additional functions: ANC, gestures, multipoint

Modern Xiaomi headphones support advanced features that can be customized through MIUI or the proprietary Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play).

1. Active noise cancellation (ANC)

• 🔇 Available in FlipBuds Pro, Buds 3 Pro, Buds 4.
• 🎛️ Settings: Settings → Bluetooth → The gear badge next to the headphones → ANC.
• 🔄 Modes: Adaptive (automatic adjustment), Transparent (missing external sounds), Off.

2.Gestural control

Most of the time. TWS-Xiaomi headphones support touch control:

• 👆 Double touch: playback/pause (by default).
• 👇 Triple touch: moving to the next track.
• 🔄 Retention: Enabling voice assistant or switching modes ANC.

You can change the purpose of gestures in the Mi Earphones app or in Bluetooth settings.

3. Multipoint (connection to two devices)

The feature is available in Xiaomi Buds 4, FlipBuds Pro and newer models.

1. Connect the headphones to the first device.
2. Hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red/green.
3. Connect to the second device via Bluetooth.

⚠️ Note: When using multipoint, the sound will only be played from one device at a time. To switch, you just need to start playing audio on the second device.

💡

If Xiaomi headphones are quickly discharged, turn off Auto Shutdown when removed in the settings. This option uses a proximity sensor that consumes additional energy.

5. Resetting Xiaomi headphones: when and how to do

If Xiaomi headphones are not working properly (not synchronized, only partially connected, give out errors), a complete reset may be required.

For TWS-Earphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones) 2, Buds 3/4):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Close the lid, wait 10 seconds, then reconnect.

For noise-canceling headphones (FlipBuds Pro, AirDots Pro 2):

1. Take the headphones out of the case.
2. Hold the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds.
3. Wait for the beep and the lights to flash.

For Bluetooth headphones (such as Mi Neckband):

1. Turn on the headphones.
2. Hold the power button and the volume button at the same time for 10 seconds.
3. After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode.

Once reset, the headphones will disappear from the list of conjugated devices on all gadgets, and they will have to be reconnected as a new device.

💡

Resetting is a last resort, and before you do that, try rebooting your phone and headphones, and updating your firmware through the Mi Earphones app (if available).

6. Update to Xiaomi headphone firmware

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi headphones (especially Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, Buds 4) support firmware updates, which can solve connectivity issues, improve sound quality, or add new features.

1. Install the official Mi Earphones app from Google Play or AppGallery.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.
4. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

Example of current firmware versions (at the time of 2026):

• Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro: 4.7.1.0 (Approved LE Audio support)
• FlipBuds Pro: 3.5.8 (improved noise reduction)
• Mi True Wireless Earphones 2: 2.1.4 (connection bugs fixed)

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones turn off or run out during a firmware update, they may stop turning on. Always check the charge level (at least 50%) before starting the process.

If the Mi Earphones app doesn’t find any updates, try:

• Reconnect the headphones.
• Clear the app cache (Settings → Applications → Mi Earphones → Storage → Clear the cache).
• Check your internet connection (updates are downloaded from Xiaomi servers).

7. Features of connection to non-Xiaomi phones (Samsung, iPhone, etc.)

Xiaomi’s headphones are optimized to work with MIUI, but they can be connected to other smartphones, but some features may be limited:

To connect to the iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Hold the button on the headphones to activate the pairing mode.
3. In the list of devices, select headphones and confirm the connection.

On Samsung or other Android phones, the algorithm is similar, but:

• 🔊 Audio profiles: You may need to manually select A2DP Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Charge level: not-Xiaomi Phones may not display the charge of the case.
• 🎵 Codecs: If the sound is interrupted, try changing the codec to SBC (Bluetooth).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones