How to connect Xiaomi headphones to a smartphone: instructions for all models

Introduction: Why Xiaomi headphones don’t connect the first time?

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, even with such devices, users often face problems when connecting for the first time: the phone does not see the headphones, the connection is interrupted after a few seconds or the sound is transmitted to only one earphone, the reasons can be due to the wrong sequence of actions and software failures.

In this article, we will analyze the universal connection algorithm for all Xiaomi headphone models – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. We also discuss how to avoid common mistakes that lead to loss of sync between the left and right earphone after updating the firmware. MIUI), iOS and even some Windows models.

Preparation before connecting: what to check in the phone and headphones

Before you start pairing, make sure your smartphone and headphones are ready to connect, often because of trivial things that users don’t pay attention to.

Here is the mandatory checklist before connecting:

Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator flashes white/red)

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth)

Remove headphones from the case (for models with auto inclusion)

Remove old paired devices from headphone memory (if you previously connected to another phone)

Update the firmware headphones through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Wear

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Pay special attention to the charge level. If the indicator on the case flashes red, this means that the charge is below 10%, in which state the headphones may not turn on or turn off during pairing. For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro models, the minimum threshold for stable operation is 15%.

⚠️ Warning: If you connect your headphones to your iPhone, pre-disable the Low Power feature in the settings (Settings) → Battery: This option restricts Bluetooth, which can cause communication breakdowns.

Step-by-step: how to connect wireless headphones Xiaomi

The pairing algorithm for most Xiaomi models is the same, but there are nuances for specific series. Below is a universal scheme that works for Redmi AirDots, Xiaomi Buds, FlipBuds and others.

Step 1: Activation of the pairing mode

1. Remove both earphones from the case. They should automatically turn on (indicators will flash white or blue).

2 If the lights don’t flash, press and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 5-7 seconds until you hear a beep (usually a double squeak).

3. For models with a button (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), press the physical button on the right earphone for 3-5 seconds.

Step 2: Search and Connect on your phone

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone.

2. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones. It may look like:

• 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (for Xiaomi Buds 2)
• 🎧 Redmi AirDots_R (right-hand)
• 🎧 FlipBuds Pro_L (left side, if connected separately)

3. Click on the headphone name and confirm pairing. If you request to connect to two devices (left + right), agree.

For models with Dual Mode support (such as Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) after connecting, check that the Bluetooth settings display both headphones as one device. If you see two separate ones, reset the headphone settings (press the button for 15 seconds before flashing in red and white).

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If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try rebooting the phone’s Bluetooth module: turn off and turn on Bluetooth again, or restart the smartphone.

Features of connecting to iPhone and other non-Xiaomi phones

Xiaomi’s headphones are compatible not only with MIUI smartphones, but also with iOS, Samsung, Huawei and other brands.

On iPhone, after you connect, you should go to Settings → Bluetooth → (i) next to your headphones and turn off the Auto Switch option, which can cause accidental communication breaks if there are other Apple devices nearby (such as a MacBook or iPad).

For Samsung phones with One UI, you may need to turn off power saving for Bluetooth:

1. Go to Settings → Device Service → Battery.
2. Press. ⋮ → Settings.
3. Select Sleep Mode for unused applications and add Bluetooth to exceptions.

Problem Solving: Headphones are connected but not working

Even after successful pairing, failures can occur, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The sound is only in one headphone

Reasons:

• 🔋 One of the headphones is discharged (check the indicators).
• 🔄 Synchronization between left and right headphones is lost.
• 📱 In Bluetooth phone settings, only one headphone is selected.

Decision:

1. Put both earphones in the case for 10 seconds, then take out.
2. On the phone, remove the device from the Bluetooth list and connect again.
3. For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro models: Reset by holding the touchpad on both headphones for 15 seconds.

Problem 2: Headphones are constantly switched off

Possible causes:

• 📶 Interference from other Bluetooth devices (such as a smartwatch or speaker).
• 🔋 The case is discharged (earphones lose communication at the charge level of the case below 5%).
• 📱 Power saving mode activated in the phone.

Decision:

If the problem persists, update your headphone firmware through the official Xiaomi Wear app (for MIUI) or Mi Home (for other Androids).

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer require to update the firmware connection to the smartphone with MIUI 13+. If you have a different version of Android, use a friend’s phone with Xiaomi or Redmi.

Sound setting and additional functions

Once connected, you should optimize the sound to your preferences, depending on the headphone model, different options are available:

1.Selection of Bluetooth codec

On Android (especially MIUI), you can manually specify the audio codec for better quality:

1. Put the headphones on.
2. Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
3. Press on. ⚙️ headphone-name.
4. Choose Sound Quality or Audio Codec.

Codec recommendations:

• 🎵 AAC — Better balance of quality and stability (suitable for iPhone).
• 🎵 aptX Adaptive – Minimum latency (for games and videos).
• 🎵 SBC — universal but inferior quality.

Activation of the “Low Delay” mode

To watch videos or games, turn on the game mode:

• On MIUI: Settings → Sound → Sound Effects → Low latency.
• On other Android: Use the Developer Options app (enable Disable absolute volume).

On the iPhone, this mode is not available — the delay depends on the version of iOS and the headphone model.

3. Sensory control setup

In the Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home app, you can reassign gestures:

• 👆 Double touch: playback/pause.
• 👇 Triple touch: next track.
• 👈 Retention: Calling the voice assistant.

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For FlipBuds Pro models, transparent mode control (transmission of external sounds) is available through prolonged retention of the touch panel.

How to connect wired headphones Xiaomi (Type-C/3.5 mm)

If you use Xiaomi wired headphones (such as Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD or Redmi Hi-Res Audio), the connection process is easier, but there are some nuances:

Headphones with a 3.5 mm connector

1. Put the plug in the phone's audio jack.

2. MIUI will automatically request to select the type of connected device - select Headphones.

If there is no sound:

• Check if the No Sound mode on the phone is activated.
• Clean the connector from dust (use a toothpick or compressed air).
• Try another audio file – some phones block the sound in certain apps.

2 Headphones with USB-C connector

For models without 3.5mm (e.g. Xiaomi USB-C Earphones):

1. Connect the headphones to the USB-C port.
2. A notification “Audio Device Discovered” may appear on MIUI – confirm the connection.
3. If there is no sound, check the settings → Settings → Additional → USB and select Sound Transfer.

On the iPhone without a Lightning → 3.5 mm adapter, wired USB-C headphones Xiaomi will not work – you will need an adapter.

Redmi AirDots (1/2/3 gen)

Xiaomi Buds (2/3/4 Pro)

FlipBuds Pro

Wired models (3.5 mm/USB-C)

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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For stable work of Xiaomi headphones regularly update the firmware through the official application and avoid connecting to several devices at the same time (for example, phone + laptop).