How to connect Xiaomi Earphones 2 Basic to iPhone: a complete guide to error solutions

Xiaomi Earphones 2 Basic wireless headphones are a budget-friendly but functional solution for music lovers, but their connection to the iPhone often raises questions. Unlike Apple devices, where you just open the case cover, you need to manually activate the pairing mode. Moreover, users face typical problems: headphones are not defined by the system, the sound is interrupted or only one earphone is running.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step instruction with visual cues, a compatibility table with iOS versions, and unique solutions for common errors - from resetting to fixing audio delay. We tested the process on the iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 17.4) and iPhone SE 2022 (iOS 16.7), so the instruction is relevant for all current models.

The Earphones 2 Basic feature is that it doesn't support the AAC codec that's the default codec in the Apple ecosystem, and it can affect sound quality, but we'll show you how to get around the restriction without losing functionality.

1. Preparation of headphones for connection

Before pairing with an iPhone, make sure the headphones are fully charged (the indicator on the case burns white) and are in the original state. If they were previously connected to another device (for example, an Android smartphone or MacBook), reset settings - this will eliminate conflicts of Bluetooth profiles.

To activate the coupling mode:

1. Remove both headphones from the case - they will automatically turn on.
2. Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (this is a signal of readiness to connect).

⚠️ Important: If the lights only flash white, the headphones are already in the mode of connecting to the last device. In this case, re-place them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out and repeat the procedure.

• 🔋 Case charge below 20%? connect it to charging for 15 minutes - with low charge, the headphones may not enter pairing mode.
• 📱 Turn off Bluetooth on other devices within a 10 metre radius to avoid automatically connecting to them.
• 🔄 If the headphones have previously connected to the iPhone, remove them from the list of devices in the settings (Settings) → Bluetooth).

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If the headphones do not respond to touch, wipe the touch panels with an alcohol napkin - fat or moisture can block the operation.

2. Step-by-step instruction for connecting to the iPhone

The pairing algorithm is the same for all iPhone models with iOS 12 and later. Open Settings and follow the instructions:

1. Turn Bluetooth on in your iPhone settings

2. Remove the headphones from the case and activate the pairing mode

3.Look for the "Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic" list of devices

4.Confirm the connection on the iPhone screen

5. Wait for the sign "Connected" to appear"-->

Once successfully connected, the iPhone status bar will have an icon for headphones, and Bluetooth status for Connected. Note that unlike AirPods, there won't be automatic switching between Apple devices (like iPhones on MacBooks), and you'll have to manually disconnect your headphones from one gadget before connecting to another.

To check the performance:

1. Run any audio (music, podcast or video).
2. Turn to the touch panels on the headphones - an audio signal should sound (single or double depending on the model).
3. Make sure the sound is played synchronously in both headphones.

3. Sound tuning and headphone control

By default, Xiaomi Earphones 2 Basic use SBC (basic) or AAC codecs (if supported by the device). On the iPhone, AAC is given priority, but due to the implementation features in Xiaomi headphones, audio delays (up to 200 ms) or artifacts at high frequencies can occur.

To improve the quality of reproduction:

• 🎵 In the music settings (Settings) → Music) Turn off the equalizer – it can worsen the sound when transmitted over Bluetooth.
• 🔊 Reduce the bitrate of streaming in services (Spotify, Apple Music). To do this, select Quality in the application settings → Low (up to 96 kbps).
• 📱 Close background applications that use Bluetooth (fitness trackers, smart watches).

Headphones are controlled through touch panels:

⚠️ Warning: Touch panels respond only to short and clear touches. Prolonged retention (more than 3 seconds) can cause the headphones to reset or turn off.

4. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users are faced with typical errors, and here are exclusive solutions that you will not find in the standard instructions:

Problem 1: There is only one sound in the earphone

The reason is because the headphones are desynchronized to each other, to fix:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Pull them out and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
3. Reconnect to the iPhone.

Problem 2: Constant communication breakdowns

The culprits are interference from other wireless devices or outdated headphone firmware.

• 📶 Move closer to the router (if you use Wi-Fi) – headphones run at 2.4 GHz, which can conflict with the network.
• 🔄 Update your headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (available only for Android, but improves iOS compatibility).
• 📱 Turn off the Low Power Consumption feature in iPhone settings – it limits Bluetooth performance.

Problem 3: The microphone is not working during calls

By default, the iPhone can use a built-in microphone instead of headphones. To force you to choose Earphones 2 Basic:

1. During the call, tap the audio icon in the call interface.
2. Select Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic from the list of devices.

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If the problems persist after all the manipulations, try connecting the headphones to another device (Android or PC), if they work normally, the problem is with the iPhone settings, not the headphones.

5. Battery optimization and autonomy

The Xiaomi Earphones 2 Basic can run for up to 5 hours on a single charge (with a case of up to 20 hours), but on iPhones, this figure can be reduced by 20-30% due to Bluetooth control features.

• 🔋 Turn off Bluetooth headphones when not in use – even in standby mode, they consume up to 5% charge per hour.
• 🎧 Store headphones in a case - it not only charges them, but also automatically turns off power.
• 📴 In iPhone settings, turn off Automatic audio switching (Settings) → Bluetooth → i (near the headphones) → Automatic switching).

To monitor the level of charge:

1. Open the case cover next to the iPhone – a pop-up with a percentage of charge will appear.
2. Add the Battery widget to the home screen (hold your finger on the screen → + → Batteries).

⚠️ Warning: If the case stopped charging the headphones, clean the contacts inside with a toothpick dipped in alcohol. Do not use metal objects - this can damage the coating.

6.Resetting headphones to factory settings

Extreme measure, if other methods don't work, reset removes all the conjugated devices and returns the headphones to the "out of the box" state.

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (back) for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
3. Remove the headphones from the case – they will automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white light).

After reset, you will have to reconnect the headphones to the iPhone, as described in section 2. Note: the reset does not affect the firmware of the headphones, only the connection settings.

If the headphones do not work after reset:

• 🔌 Check the integrity of the case charging cable – use the original USB-C or lightning cable.
• 📦 Make sure that the headphones do not have physical damage (cracks on the body, moisture ingress).
• 📡 Try connecting them to another smartphone – if the problem recurs, contact the service center.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If the standard method doesn’t work, try these options:

Method 1: Connect via the Mi Home app (for iPhone)

Although the Mi Home is officially designed for Android, it can be installed on an iPhone via the App Store (search for "Mi Home").

1. Install and open the application, allow access to Bluetooth.
2. Select Add Device → Headphones → Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (scanning may be required) QR-box-code).

Method 2: Manually Adding Device to iOS

If the headphones are not listed:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Press the other device... (bottom of the screen).
3. Enter the name Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic manually and confirm the connection.

Method 3: Use of DFU mode (for power users)

This method requires a Mac or a Windows PC and is used to flash the headphones.

8. AirPods Comparison: Which Is Best for iPhone?

If you are choosing between Xiaomi Earphones 2 Basic and AirPods (2 or 3 generations), consider the key differences:

✅ Choose Xiaomi Earphones 2 Basic if you want to:

• We need a budget option with an acceptable sound.
• It is not a fundamental integration with the Apple ecosystem.
• Ready to put up with manual connection management.

❌ Give preference to AirPods if you:

• Use several Apple devices (iPhone, Mac, iPad).
• It is important to have a stable sound without delay.
• Are willing to pay for brand and additional features (e.g., Spatial Sound).

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Earphones 2 Basic is a great choice for those looking for inexpensive headphones for sports or one-off tasks (calls, podcasts). For music and multimedia on iPhone, it is better to consider models with AAC support (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)