Xiaomi Buds are some of the most popular wireless headsets on the market, thanks to their combination of sound quality, convenience and affordable price. However, even with such devices, users often have questions about how to connect them to a smartphone, why you can’t find headphones in the list of available devices, or how to reset if the connection is constantly interrupted.
We will cover the connection process for all current Xiaomi Buds models (including Buds 4 Pro, Buds 3T Pro, Buds 3 Lite and others), as well as give recommendations for audio tuning and gesture management. We will focus on the typical errors that prevent successful connection, and how to fix them without going to the service center. If you just bought headphones or encountered problems after updating the firmware, here you will find the answers.
1. Preparation of headphones Xiaomi Buds to connect
Before you pair the headphones, you need to make sure they are charged and searchable. Even if you take them out of the box, you better check the charge level - the discharged headphones will not appear in the list of available devices.
To activate the pairing mode:
- 🔋 Remove the headphones from the case and wait until the indicator on the case flashes white or red (depending on the model). Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro indicator is located on the front panel, Buds 3 Lite – inside the case.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone is Bluetooth enabled (check the Quick Settings Panel or Settings section). → Connections → Bluetooth).
- 🔄 If the headphones have already been connected to another device, they must be reset (instructions in the next section).
Important: models Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro and newer pairing mode is activated automatically when you first remove from the case. If the indicator does not flash, press and hold the button on the case for 5-10 seconds.
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If the indicator on the case is green, the headphones are fully charged, red or flashing white means low charge or pairing mode.
2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect Xiaomi Buds to Android
The process of pairing with Android smartphones (including devices Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme and others) takes no more than a minute if the headphones are ready to connect.
- Open Settings on your phone and go to the Bluetooth section (or Connections → Bluetooth).
- Make sure the Bluetooth slider is on. Click Device Search or Add a new device.
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2).
- Confirm pairing if you request it. Some models (e.g. Buds 3 Pro) may require input. PIN-code - standard code 0000.
Once you've successfully connected, Connected status will appear in the device list, and the headphone case will stop flashing (or light up blue), so you can listen to music or answer calls.
Headphones appear in the Bluetooth list|The indicator on the case is lit blue/green|The sound is played without delay|Control gestures work (e.g. double touching)-->
Note: Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later may have a pop-up when first connected offering to install the Mi Earphones app (formerly Mi True Wireless Earphones) that is optional but is recommended for access to advanced sound settings and firmware updates.
3. Connect Xiaomi Buds to iPhone (iOS)
While Xiaomi Buds are optimized for Android, they work well with the iPhone. The connection algorithm is almost the same, but there are a few nuances:
- Open Settings on your iPhone and select Bluetooth.
- Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see section 1). On the iPhone, click Other devices and wait for Xiaomi Buds to appear on the list.
- Click on the headphone name. If you get a confirmation request, select Connect.
There is no official Xiaomi Buds management app on iOS, but basic features (playback, pause, call response) work through standard gestures. For advanced settings (e.g. equalizer), you can use third-party apps like Headphones Control.
4. Xiaomi Buds Settings Reset: When and How to Do It
If the headphones don't connect, are constantly turned off or malfunctioning, you may need to reset to factory settings, which will remove all the stored devices and return the headphones to the "out of the box" state.
Resetting instructions for most models:
- Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Open the case cover and press and hold the button on the back (or the pairing button if it is handed out separately) for 15-20 seconds.
- The indicator on the case will flash red and white, which is a signal for a successful reset, and then the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode.
Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Buds 3T Pro models reset differently:
- 🔄 Remove the headphones from the case.
- 👆 Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
What to do if the reset does not work?
⚠️ Note: after reset, Xiaomi Buds headphones may temporarily lose communication between themselves (left and right earphone will work separately).To restore stereo, place both headphones in a case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove them and repeat pairing.
5. Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones are not on the Bluetooth list | Case discharged, headphones are not in pairing mode, conflict with other devices | Charge the case, reset the headphone settings, turn off Bluetooth on other devices |
| The sound is interrupted or stuttered | Weak Bluetooth signal, interference from other devices, outdated firmware | Move closer to your smartphone, disable other Bluetooth devices, update your firmware |
| Only one earpiece works. | Failure of synchronization between headphones, the discharge of one of them | Place both headphones in the case, reset the settings, check the charge |
| Low volume level | Restrictions in phone settings, "Safe Sound" mode is enabled | Check the sound settings in Settings → Sound, disable restrictions |
If the problem persists, try connecting the headphones to another device, and if they work normally, it's a problem in your smartphone (maybe you need to reset your network settings).
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In 90% of cases, connection problems are solved by resetting headphones or updating the firmware through the official application.
6. Sound optimization and gesture control
Once you're connected, you'll have to adjust your sound and gestures to your preferences.
- Install the Mi Earphones app (available for Android on Google Play: 🎵 Select a sound profile (balance, bass, voice). 🔊 Set up the equalizer manually. 👆 Change the control gestures (for example, assign a triple touch to call the voice assistant).
Check the audio effects settings on your phone (on Xiaomi: Settings → Sound → Sound Effects). Turn off unnecessary processing (like Mi Sound Enhancer) if it degrades quality.
The standard gestures for most Xiaomi Buds models are:
- 👆 Double touch – playback/pause (or answering a call).
- 👇 Triple touch - next track (on Buds 4 Pro - voice assistant call).
- 👈 Touch and Retain – Turning off noise reduction (if supported).
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, gestures may work differently due to iOS limitations. For example, triple tapping may not work – in this case, use the standard controls on the lock screen.
7. Update firmware: why and how to do it
The manufacturer regularly releases firmware updates for Xiaomi Buds, which improve connection stability, sound quality and add new features.
- Install the Mi Earphones app and connect the headphones to your phone.
- Open the app and go to the Firmware Update (or Firmware Update) section.
- If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t remove the headphones from the case!).
The update takes 2-5 minutes. Once it's done, the headphones will automatically restart. Don't interrupt the process, it could cause firmware to crash.