Xiaomi headphones pairing with a phone: the basics
Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets due to their combination of price, sound quality and functionality. 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 fix audio interrupts. This article will help you understand everything from basic pairing to solving rare problems.
It’s important to understand that the connection process can vary slightly depending on the headphone model (e.g. Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones, Xiaomi FlipBuds) and the phone’s operating system (Android, iOS, or even HarmonyOS). We’ll look at the universal steps as well as device-specific features. If you’re first to encounter Bluetooth gadgets, don’t worry: the instruction is tailored to beginners.
Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection
Before pairing, make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator should flash or burn white/red) and are in search mode. Most Xiaomi models activate this mode automatically when they are first turned on. If the headphones have been used before, they should be reset.
How to transfer headphones to pairing mode:
- 🔋 For new headphones: Take them out of the case – they will automatically turn on and go to search mode (the indicator will flash white/red-white).
- 🔄 For previously connected: Put both headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case (usually 5-10 seconds) until the indicator flashes quickly white.
- 🎧 For touch-controlled models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4): touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 3 seconds.
If the indicator does not flash or is lit red, it means a discharged battery. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes and try again. Some models (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro) require to reset the button on the case 3 times in a row - this information is specified in the instructions for your model.
Step-by-step: connecting to an Android smartphone
The process of pairing with an Android phone (including Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme and others) is as standardized as possible.
- Open Settings → Bluetooth on your phone and activate the module (slider in the "On" position).
- Take the headphones out of the case (or put them into search mode as described above).
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, "Redmi"). AirDots_XXX" Or "Mi True Wireless Earphones").
- Click on the name, the pairing process will begin. Confirm the connection if a request appears.
☑️ Checking a successful connection
On some Xiaomi smartphones (such as the Redmi Note 10/11 or POCO X3), a notification may appear after you connect to the company’s Mi Earphones app (formerly Mi Headset), which allows you to customize gestures, check the charge level and update the headphone firmware.
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If the headphones don’t appear on the list, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on your phone, and reboot the headphones (put them in the case for 10 seconds and pull them back out).
Connection to iPhone (iOS) and compatibility features
While Xiaomi’s headphones are optimized for Android, they work well with the iPhone, but there are a few nuances:
- 📱 Limited functionality: the proprietary Mi Earphones app will not work on iOS, so gesture settings and firmware will become unavailable.
- 🔊 Codec of sound: iPhone uses codec AAC, which supports all modern Xiaomi models, but the sound quality may slightly inferior to aptX on Android.
- 🔋 Charge Display: The headphone battery level will be shown in the Batteries widget (scroll down on the home screen).
Instructions for iOS:
- Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
- Activate the search mode on the headphones (see the section "Preparation").
- In the list of "Other devices" find your headphones and tap them.
- Wait for the status of "Connected".
Why iPhones can’t have a microphone in their headphones?
If the audio is interrupted or there is interference after you connect, try turning off the Call Quality Improvement feature in the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone. Also make sure the headphones are no further than 10 meters from the phone – despite the stated range of 15-20 meters, stable connection is guaranteed only at a shorter distance.
Problem Solving: Headphones are not connected or not working
If Xiaomi headphones are not detected by the phone or connect with errors, use this table for diagnosis:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones don’t appear in the Bluetooth list | The pairing mode is not activated | Translate the headphones into search mode (see the section "Preparation") |
| The connection is interrupted after a few seconds. | Conflict with another connected device | Disconnect all other Bluetooth devices from your phone |
| The sound is only in one headphone. | Unsynchronized headphones | Put both headphones in the case, pull out and connect again |
| The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound. | The correct sound source is not selected. | In the phone notification panel, select headphones as the output device |
| Persistent interference with reproduction | Interference with other wireless devices | Turn off Wi-Fi or move to another location without interference |
Critical error: if the headphones Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro after updating the firmware stopped connecting, reset them to the factory settings. To do this, press the button on the case 4 times in a row (the indicator flashes red).
⚠️ Warning: If the headphones were previously connected to another phone, they may automatically try to connect to it. To avoid this, remove them from the list of conjugated devices on the old phone or reset the headphones.
Additional settings: sound, gestures, firmware
Once you've successfully connected, you're advised to customize your headphones to suit your needs. If you have an Android smartphone, install the official Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play).
- 🎛️ Customize control gestures (e.g., double touch for playback/pause).
- 🔊 Select sound profiles (bass/high frequency balance).
- 🔄 Check the charge level of the case and each headphone separately.
- 📥 Update firmware (important for bug fixes and stability improvements).
For models with ANC (active noise reduction, such as Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro) support, the app can adjust the noise reduction intensity or enable Transparency mode for ambient sounds. On iPhone, these features will not be available, but noise cancellation usually works by default.
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Updating your headphone firmware through the Mi Earphones app can solve connectivity issues, improve sound quality, and add new features. Do this regularly (every 2-3 months).
If you use headphones to make calls, check the microphone settings in the app. For example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro can enable voice enhancement, which suppresses noise during a conversation, but keep in mind that this can slightly increase the latency.
Compatibility with other devices: PCs, laptops, TV
Xiaomi headphones can be connected not only to phones, but also to other Bluetooth gadgets. Here are brief instructions for popular devices:
- 💻 Windows 10/11: open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth, turn on the module and select the headphones from the list. For the correct operation of the microphone in the audio settings, select the headphones as the default communication device.
- 🖥️ MacOS: Go to System Settings → Bluetooth, activate the search mode on the headphones and confirm the connection. on some Macs, you may need to restart for stable operation.
- 📺 Smart TV (Mi) TV, Samsung, LG): If you go to the TV menu, find the Bluetooth section, turn on the search, and select the headphones. Note that the delay in sound can be noticeable when watching videos.
When connecting to a laptop or PC, you may have a problem with audio codecs. If the sound is interrupted or distorted, in your Bluetooth device settings (Windows), select an SBC codec instead of an AAC or aptX. This will slightly degrade the quality, but stabilize the connection.
⚠️ Note: when connecting to Xiaomi Mi TV Bluetooth 4.0 TVs may not support aptX codecs. AAC. In this case, the sound will be transmitted through SBC, which will reduce its quality.