How to connect Xiaomi Mi True Wireless (TWS) headphones to your phone, laptop and other devices

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless (or Mi TWS) has become a popular choice due to the combination of high-quality sound, compactness and affordable price. However, many users have difficulty connecting with the first connection - especially if it comes to models Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, Redmi AirDots or newer versions like Xiaomi Buds 4. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of pairing, including nuances for different devices, and also solve typical problems such as lack of sound or constant communication interruptions.

Xiaomi’s TWS- design allows for automatic activation when you pull from the case, but that doesn’t always mean you’re ready to connect. For example, if you’ve previously synced the headset to another smartphone, you may need to reset. It’s also important to consider the headphone firmware version — some models (such as the Mi Air 2 Pro) require an update through the Mi Home app for proper operation. Next, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for Android, iOS, Windows, and even TVs, as well as tips for sound optimization.

If you just bought a Xiaomi Mi True Wireless and don't know where to start, don't worry. It takes less than a minute to connect if you follow the right algorithm. The key is to make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case should be white or green), and the Bluetooth on your device is turned on, otherwise the system simply won't find the headset in the list of available devices.

Preparation of headphones Xiaomi TWS for the first connection

Before pairing with a phone or laptop, you need to activate the search mode on the headphones themselves. Depending on the Xiaomi model, this process may slightly differ, but the overall scheme is the same:

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones. Connect the case to the power source for 10-15 minutes, even if the indicator shows partial charge. Discharged headphones will not appear in the list of Bluetooth devices.
• 📦 Remove the headphones from the case. Most Mi TWS models automatically turn on when the lid is opened, but some versions (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite) require manual tapping on the touchpad.
• 🔄 Activate pairing mode. Press the touch button on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (a unique feature of search mode for Xiaomi).

If the headphones are only white or blue, it means they are already connected to another device, which will require a reset (instruction in the next section). Also note the firmware version: legacy models like the Mi AirDots Youth Edition may not support fast sync with iOS or new Android smartphones.

To check the charge level of the case and headphones, use the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS), which displays the exact battery percentage of each headphone and case, as well as the firmware version. If the app does not see the headset, upgrade it to the latest version through Google Play or the App Store.

Resetting headphones Xiaomi Mi True Wireless

If the headphones were previously connected to another device or are unstable (for example, one earphone does not play sound), perform a hard reset. This procedure will return the headset to the factory settings and allow you to connect again.

Instructions for most Xiaomi TWS models:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the case cover, but don't remove the headphones.
3. Press and hold the touch button on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red 3 times in a row.
4. Close the case cover, the reset is complete.

After reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode the next time you pull them out of the case, and if the indicators don't flash red, repeat the procedure, making sure the headphones are tightly in the nests of the case.

For models Xiaomi Buds 3/4 and Redmi Buds 4 Pro reset is performed differently:

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Three times quickly tap the left earphone touch panel.
3. Wait 5 seconds – the indicator should flash red.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all previous connections will be deleted. If you used headphones with multiple devices (e.g., a smartphone + laptop), you will need to re-pair on each of them.

Connecting Xiaomi Mi True Wireless to Android-smartphone

The pairing with the Android phone (including Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO devices) is done via the standard Bluetooth menu. However, for full operation (for example, to activate low latency or adjust gestures), it is recommended to install the Mi Home application.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Activate Bluetooth and wait for a device called Mi True Wireless (or similar, depending on the model) to appear in the list.
3. Click on the headphone name and confirm the pairing.
4. If the system requests permission to access contacts or microphone – allow (this is necessary for voice assistant and calls).

Once connected, the Android status bar will display an icon of the headphones, and the Bluetooth menu will display the charge level. For models that support the LC3- codec (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4), it is recommended to manually select this codec in the Bluetooth settings:

1. Go to Settings → Connected Devices → Settings (cog next to Mi TWS).
2. Select Audio Codec → LC3 (if available).

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If the headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted, turn off the energy-saving Bluetooth mode in the Android battery settings. Go to Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode → Additional → Disable optimization for Bluetooth

For owners of Xiaomi smartphones, additional features are available through Mi Home:

• 🎵 Equalizer settings (preset profiles: Bass, Clear Sound, Voice).
• 🔊 Adjustment of microphone sensitivity for calls.
• ⚡ Enables low latency (useful for gaming)

Connection to iPhone (iOS) and features of work

While Xiaomi Mi True Wireless is optimized for Android, it also works well with the iPhone.

• 🍎 No AAC-codec support on older models (e.g. Mi AirDots Youth), which can degrade sound quality.
• 📱 No Siri integration – the voice assistant will not be activated by double tap.
• 🔋 Headphone charge level is not displayed in the iOS status bar (only in the Battery widget).

How to connect:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
2. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (flashing white/red).
3. Select Mi True Wireless from the list of devices.
4. Confirm the connection (no password required).

If the headphones are not connected:

1. Perform reset (instruction above).
2. Reboot the iPhone.
3. Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth device list and repeat pairing.

⚠️ Warning: On iOS, it is impossible to update the firmware of Xiaomi headphones - this will require a temporary connection to an Android device with the Mi Home app.

Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones can be used with computers, but there are more problems with sound or microphone.

Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Click Add Add the device → Bluetooth.
3. Select Mi True Wireless from the list.
4. After connecting, go to Control Panel → Sound and install the headphones as the default device.

If the sound is interrupted or stuttering:

• 🔊 Turn off the audio enhancements in the properties of the headphones (the Improvements tab).
• 📡 Switch the Bluetooth adapter to Hands-Free Telephony (HFP) mode instead of A2DP (via Device Manager).

macOS:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click Connect next to Mi True Wireless.
3. In the audio menu (System settings → Sound), select the headphones as the output device.

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

On Linux, you may need to install additional packages to make Bluetooth work properly:

sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth pavucontrol

After installation:

1. Reboot Bluetooth: Sudo systemctl restart bluetooth.
2. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth Manager.
3. In pavucontrol, select Mi True Wireless as the output device.

Connection to a TV or gaming console

You can use Xiaomi Mi True Wireless with a TV or PS4/PS5, but not all models support Bluetooth headphones. For example, most Xiaomi TVs and Android TVs allow you to connect the headset directly, and Samsung or LG may require a Bluetooth transmitter.

For Android TV (Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi TV)

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Activate your search and select Mi True Wireless.
3. In the sound settings, install the headphones as the main output device.

For Sony Bravia/LG WebOS:

These TVs don't support Bluetooth headphones directly.

• 📺 Buy a Bluetooth transmitter (e.g., Avantek APTX) and connect it to the TV's audio output (3.5mm or optical).
• 🎮 For PlayStation 4/5, use a USB-Bluetooth adapter (e.g. 8BitDo Wireless Adapter 2).

For Xbox Series X/S:

Xbox consoles do not support Bluetooth headphones. The alternative is to connect the headphones to the controller via a 3.5 mm audio jack (you will need a USB-C adapter to a jack for the new Xiaomi TWS models).

Solving common connection problems

If Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones don’t connect or are unstable, check out the following points:

Problem 1: Headphones are not found in the Bluetooth list.

• 🔋 Make sure the case and headphones are charged (the indicator on the case should burn white).
• 🔄 Perform reset (instruction above).
• 📱 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in settings).
• 🛠️ Update the headphone firmware via Mi Home (if available).

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or stuttered.

• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles (walls, furniture) between the headphones and the device.
• 🔊 In Bluetooth settings, select the SBC codec instead of AAC (on Android).
• 📱 Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, smartwatches) that may cause interference.

Problem 3: One earphone is not working.

• 🔋 Check the charge of both headphones (possibly one is more discharged).
• 🔄 Place both headphones in the case for 10 seconds, then re-extract.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware — there was a stereo pair synchronization error in older versions.

Problem 4: The microphone is not working during the call.

• 📱 On Android, check the permissions for the Phone app (access to the microphone).
• 🔊 In Bluetooth settings, select the HFP profile instead of A2DP.
• 🛠️ Clean the microphone holes on the headphones (dust can drown out sound).

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones stop connecting after you update your firmware, reset and re-pair. In rare cases, the firmware may crash when you interrupt the update process.

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For stable performance of Xiaomi TWS on PC or TV use Bluetooth 5.0 and newer. Old adapters (Bluetooth 4.0) may not support modern codecs and profiles.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi True Wireless