How to connect headphones Xiaomi True Wireless to your phone, laptop or tablet: instructions for all models

Xiaomi True Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life – they are compact, convenient and offer excellent sound quality. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with the first connection or re-synchronization after reset. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting for different models (AirDots, Buds 3/4, FlipBuds, etc.), including solutions to typical problems such as no sound or constant communication interruptions.

Xiaomi headphones are unique in terms of using Qualcomm’s QCC3040 chip (in new models) or Realtek (in budget versions), which affects the pairing algorithm, and we’ve taken these nuances into account and compiled a universal instruction manual that will work for both Android and iOS/Windows. If you encounter a device not found error or headphones refuse to work together, here you will find proven solutions.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with a phone or PC, you need to activate the search mode on the headphones themselves. This process varies depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: the headphones should be in the charging case and the case should be open.

• 🔋 Charge the headphones. Make sure that the case has at least 20% charge (the indicator should flash or burn white/red). In Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro models, a minimum of 30% charge is required to activate pair mode.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case. In most cases, they will automatically turn on and go into pairing mode (indicators will flash red and white). Except for Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro, where you need to hold the button on the case for 3 seconds.
• 📱 Disable other Bluetooth devices. If your phone already has speakers, watches or other headphones connected, this can cause conflict when searching.

Important for models 2023-2026: headphones Xiaomi Buds 5 and later uses the LE Audio protocol, which requires support for Bluetooth 5.2+ on a smartphone. If your phone is older than 2020, you may need a firmware update.

⚠️ Attention: If the indicators on the case do not respond to pressing, check the headphone contacts for oxidation. Often the problem is contamination of the connectors - wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Charge the case to 30%+

Remove the headphones from the case

Hold the button on the case (if required)

Disable other Bluetooth devices

Update your phone firmware (for LE Audio)

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2. Connecting to a smartphone on Android

The process of pairing with Android devices is as simplified as possible, but there are nuances for different versions of the OS. Consider a universal algorithm that works on MIUI, ColorOS, One UI and pure Android:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
2. Click on Add Device (or Device Search in older versions).
3. In the list, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Xiaomi Buds 3T).
4. Confirm pairing. Some models (FlipBuds Pro) will require additional access to contacts and microphones.

If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module on your phone: turn it off and turn it back on.
• 📦 Reset the headphones to factory settings (instructions in Section 5).
• 📱 Update the firmware of the phone. For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 requires MIUI 13+ Android 12+.

Xiaomi AirDots (1/2/3 generation)

Xiaomi Buds 3/3T/4

Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro

Another model

I haven't bought it yet.

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3. Connection to iPhone (iOS) and Mac

While Xiaomi is a brand with an emphasis on Android, their headphones work well with Apple devices, but there are a few things to be aware of:

• 🍎 Limited functionality: No branded chips like Dual Device or equalizer settings via the Mi Home app will be available on iOS.
• 🔊 Codec AAC. iPhone uses this codec by default, which can affect sound quality (some Xiaomi models work better). SBC).
• ⚡ Fast connection. Unlike Android, on iOS, headphones connect almost instantly after the first pairing.

Step-by-step instructions for iPhone/iPad:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Wait until the name of your headphones appears on the list (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic 2).
3. Tap the name to pair. On iOS 15+, a connection notification may appear.
4. Now the headphones will automatically connect when you remove them from the case.

To connect to a Mac, the algorithm is similar, but there is a nuance: in System Settings → Bluetooth, you sometimes need to manually confirm the connection through the “Connect” button.

⚠️ Attention: On iOS 16+ Some users face a problem when the left headphone Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro connects separately from the right.Solution: reset the headphones (section 5) and repeat pairing.

💡

If the audio on your iPhone is interrupted, try turning off the Low Bluetooth power function in the accessories settings, which improves connection stability but reduces the time you have to work a little.

4. Connect to a laptop or PC with Windows

Pairing with a Windows 10/11 computer is usually not a problem, but there are specific points, especially if you have an old Bluetooth adapter.

1. Press Win + I, select Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and click "Add Device".
3. Select "Bluetooth" from the list of device types.
4. Wait for your headphones to appear on the list and click on them.
5. Confirm pairing. In some cases, you'll need to enter the code "0000" or "1234".

If the headphones are not identified, check the following:

• 🖥️ Bluetooth Driver Update It Through Device Manager (especially for Lenovo and Lenovo laptops) HP Qualcomm-powered adapters).
• 🔌 USB-If you use an external Bluetooth adapter, try connecting it to another port (preferably). USB 3.0).
• 🎛️ Sound settings. Once connected, go to the Control Panel. → Sound and install headphones as the default device.

5.Reset headphones Xiaomi True Wireless to factory settings

If the headphones are glitching, not synchronizing with each other or refusing to connect, hard reset will help.

• 🔄 Xiaomi AirDots (all generations): Put both headphones in the case, open the lid, then hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.

After reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode. If this does not happen, remove them from the case and wait 10 seconds - the indicators should blink.

⚠️ Note: Reset removes all information about previously connected devices. If you used Dual Device (for example, in Buds 3 Pro), you will have to configure the connection again.

💡

Resetting headphones is a universal solution for 90% of connection problems, and if the headphones still don’t work after this procedure, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, a damaged Bluetooth module in the case).

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face common errors, and we will discuss the most common ways to fix them:

🔇 No sound in one of the headphones.

Reasons:

• On Android, the Mono mode is selected in the sound settings.

Solution: Put both earbuds in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove them. If the problem persists, reset the headphones (section 5).

🎵 Intermittent sound or stuttering

It's usually external interference or codec incompatibility.

• Distance to the device (must not exceed 10 meters without obstacles).
• There are other Bluetooth devices in the vicinity.
• The headphone firmware version (update may solve the problem).

🔋 Fast battery discharge

If the headphones are discharged in 1-2 hours, the reasons may be as follows:

• Active ANC (Noise Reduction) or Transparency Mode.
• Use at maximum volume.
• Unoriginal charging cable or power supply.

💡

For models with ANC (like FlipBuds Pro), turn off noise cancellation in the Mi Home app settings if you don't need it, which will increase your uptime by 20 to 30 percent.

7. Update to Xiaomi headphone firmware

Xiaomi’s branded headphones periodically receive firmware updates that improve connection stability, add new codecs or fix bugs.

📱 Through the Mi Home app (for Android)

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open Mi Home, find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. Go to the device settings → Update the firmware.
5. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

🖥️ PC (for all models)

Some firmware (for example, for Xiaomi Buds 4) can only be updated through the official Xiaomi Earphones software for Windows:

1. Download the utility from the official website of Xiaomi.
2. Connect the headphones to the PC.
3. Start the program and follow the prompts.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the update process and do not remove the headphones from the case! In case of failure, they may stop turning on, and you will need to contact the service center.

8. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard pairing does not work, you can try non-obvious methods:

🔄 Connection through Developer Mode (Android)

Sometimes it helps to force the inclusion of Bluetooth audio codecs:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Build Number in your phone settings).
2. Go back to Settings → System → Developer Mode.
3. Find the Bluetooth Audio Codec option and select SBC or AAC.
4. Reconnect the headphones.

🎛️ Use of third-party applications

For advanced sound settings, suitable:

• Wavelet (to set up the equalizer).
• Bluetooth Auto Connect (for automatic connection)
• Developer Options (for forced LDAC or aptX enabled)

Important: Xiaomi Buds 5 and later supports the LC3 codec (part of the LE Audio standard), but it only works with Android 13+ or iOS 16+ phones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi True Wireless