How to connect a Xiaomi headset to a phone: instructions for all models (2026)

Xiaomi’s wireless and wired headphones have become an integral part of the brand’s ecosystem, offering users high-quality sound, convenience and integration with other Xiaomi devices. However, even with such advanced gadgets, it can be difficult to connect first — especially if you’re first to encounter Bluetooth technology. 5.2/5.3 Or specific features like Mi TrueWireless or Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, which will help you understand how to sync your headset to your phone, avoid common errors and customize your sound to your preferences.

We will consider not only the standard pairing procedure, but also the nuances for different models - from the budget Redmi Buds 4 to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro with support LDAC. We'll focus on solving problems when the phone doesn't see the headphones or the connection is constantly reset, and for iPhone owners, we'll give you specific instructions, because the connection algorithm in iOS is different from Android.

1. Preparation of the headset and phone for connection

Before you start pairing, make sure both devices are ready to connect, which will save you most of the problems during the connection phase.

For wireless headphones (Xiaomi AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds, etc.) check:

• 🔋 Charge level of the case and the headphones themselves (the indicator should burn white or green when opening the case). If the indicator is red, charge the device for at least 10 minutes.
• 📱 Bluetooth version compatibility: new models (Buds 4 Pro) require Bluetooth 5.0+. Outdated smartphones (such as those with Bluetooth 4.2) may not support all features.
• 🔄 Pair mode: most models automatically go into search mode when first turned on. If the headphones have already been connected to another device, they must be reset (instruction in section 4).

For wired headsets (Xiaomi Piston, Hybrid Pro) is enough:

• 🎧 Check the integrity of the cable and connector (3.5 mm or) USB-C).
• 🔊 Make sure the phone connector is not contaminated – dust or oxidation of contacts can cause interruptions to the sound.

💡

If your smartphone does not have a 3.5 mm connector, use the original adapter. USB-C → Xiaomi's 3.5mm. Cheap counterparts often don't support the microphone and control buttons.

On the phone side:

• 📶 Turn on Bluetooth (for wireless models) or check the operability of the audio jack.
• 🔄 Disconnect your headphones from other devices (laptop, tablet) if they were previously connected.
• 📱 Update the phone firmware: in older versions MIUI Android may not have drivers for new headsets.

2. Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to an Android phone

Standard pairing procedure for most models (Redmi Buds 3 Pro, Xiaomi Buds) 3T etc.) looks like this:

1. Activate Search Mode: Take the headphones out of the case, they should automatically turn on. Press the button on the case (if any) or the touchpad on one of the headphones for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes white and red (pair mode).
2. Find the device on your phone: Open Settings → Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth and wait for your headset name to appear (e.g. Mi TrueWireless Earphones 2).

Confirm the connection.

• Click on the headphone name in the list of available devices.
• When you request a pair confirmation, click OK or Connect.

Headphones are displayed in the list "Connected devices"|The indicator on the case burns even white / blue|The sound is played without interruption.|Microphone is working (check through voice recording)

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For models with dual connectivity support (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4):

• 📱 You can connect your headphones to your phone and laptop at the same time, and after the first pairing, press the button on your case for 7 seconds until you hear a voice confirmation "Dual connection activated".
• 🔄 To switch between devices, double tap the touchpad on any headphone.

Redmi Buds 3/4|Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro|Xiaomi AirDots|FlipBuds|Another model|I don't know.

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3. Features of connection to iPhone (iOS)

iPhone owners may encounter nuances when connecting a Xiaomi headset, as iOS has restrictions on working with devices that are not certified by MFi (Made for iPhone).

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

1. Open the case of the headphones and make sure they are in pairing mode (blinking indicator).
2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth on iPhone.
3. Wait for the headphones to appear in the list of "Other devices" and tap them.
4. Confirm the connection. If the warning "This device is not certified" appears, click "Manually Connect".

Restrictions on iOS:

• ⚠️ There is no display of headphone charge level in the status bar (unlike AirPods).
• ⚠️ Some control gestures don’t work (such as calling Xiao voice assistant) AI).
• ⚠️ Possible audio delays when watching video due to the features of the codec AAC iOS.

For models with ANC (Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro):

• 🎧 The noise reduction function will work, but its settings (level) ANC) You can only change it through the Mi Home app, which is not available on iOS.
• 🔊 Alternative: Use third-party apps like Headphones Battery to monitor your charge.

4.Resetting the settings of the Xiaomi headset

If the headphones are not connected, constantly switched off or malfunctioning, hard reset will help.

Once reset, the headphones lose all the connections they've saved, and they'll have to be re-connected to all the devices.

💡

Resetting is a universal solution for 90% of connection problems, including errors like “Device not found” or “Impossible to connect”.

If the dumping didn't help:

• 🔋 Check the charge of the case and headphones (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
• 📱 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Update your headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (available only for Android).

5. Sound optimization and gesture tuning

Once you've successfully connected, you're advised to adjust the sound and control to your needs.

On Android (via Mi Home):

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.
2. Add headphones to the app: Profile → Add the device → Headphones.
3. In the headset settings section, select: 🎛️ Equalizer (preset profiles or custom profiles). 🔇 Level. ANC (noise-canceling). 👆 Gestures (assign actions to single/double touch).

On iOS:

• 🎧 Use System Equalizer: Settings → Music. → equalizer.
• 🔊 For ANC: In Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual turn on “Noise suppression when talking” (partially compensates for the lack of settings).

💡

For better gaming sound, turn off the aptX Bluetooth codec (if available) and switch to AAC — This will reduce the delay by 30-50 ms.

Useful gestures (by default):

• 👆 Single touch: playback/pause.
• 👆👆 Double touch: the next track.
• 👆👆👆 Triple touch: previous track.
• 👆 Retention: Calling the Voice Assistant (Xiao) AI/Google Assistant).

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

Problem 1: Headphones are connected, but there is no sound

• 🔊 Check the volume level on your phone and headphones (sometimes they are controlled separately).
• 📱 Make sure the headphones are selected as the output device: Settings → Sound. → Output device.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headset (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and mate again).

Problem 2: Constant communication breakdowns

• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the phone and the headphones (walls, metal objects).
• 🔋 Case charge below 20% can cause unstable operation – recharge the device.
• 📱 Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, smartwatches) that may cause interference.

Problem 3: The microphone is not working during calls

• 🎤 Check that the headphones are selected as the input device: Settings → Sound. → Input device.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Update the firmware headphones (via Mi Home).

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If the microphone doesn’t work only in a particular app (like WhatsApp), check the microphone access permissions in that app’s settings.

Problem 4: Headphones are quickly discharged

• 🔋 Turn off the function. ANC, If you don’t need it, it increases battery consumption by 20-30%.
• 📴 Reduce volume: at maximum volume, the operating time is reduced by 1.5-2 times.
• 🔄 Turn off your headphones when not in use: Some models (AirDots 2) continue to consume energy in standby mode.

7. Connecting a Xiaomi wired headset

Wireless headphones Xiaomi (Piston, Hybrid Pro) connect easier wireless, but here there are nuances:

For a 3.5 mm connector:

1. Put the plug in the phone's audio jack.
2. If no sound: Check if the "Hearphones Only" mode is activated in the sound settings. Clean the dust jack with a wooden toothpick (do not use metal objects!).

For USB-C:

1. Connect the headphones through the adapter (if the connector on the phone) USB-C).
2. If the phone doesn't recognize the headset: Try another adapter (original from Xiaomi). USB" In Settings → For developers (sometimes helps with recognition problems).

💡

For models with built-in DAC (For example, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD) Use high quality audio files (FLAC, WAV) — The difference in sound will be noticeable even on budget smartphones.

Problems with wired headphones:

• 🔊 The sound is interrupted: check the cable for inflections, especially at the plug.
• 🎤 Mik: Make sure the connector is inserted to the end (sometimes a light swaying of the plug helps).
• ⚠️ One earphone doesn't work: clean the speaker mesh of earwax with a soft brush.

8 Additional functions and secrets

The Xiaomi headset supports a number of hidden features that many users are unaware of:

1. Low Delay Mode (for games and videos)

• 🎮 Included in the Mi Home app: Headphone settings → Game mode.
• 📉 Reduces latency to 80–100 ms (versus 150–200 ms in standard mode).

2. Voice notifications

• 🗣️ Enable in Mi Home: Settings → Voice prompts.
• 🔊 Headphones will voice the charge level, the name of the connected device and the status ANC.

3.Tune in. ANC manually

• 🎧 In Mi Home you can select the noise reduction level: "Weak", "Mediocre", "Strong".
• 🚆 For trips in the subway recommended "Strong", for the office - "Weak".

Mono mode (use of one headphone)

• 👂 Take out only one headphone from the case - the second will automatically turn off.
• 🔄 To return the stereo mode, put the earphone back in the case for 5 seconds.

FAQ: Frequent questions