How to connect to Xiaomi wireless headphones: full instruction with problem solving

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets on the market due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users sometimes have difficulties when first connecting or re-pairing. This article will help you to understand how to properly connect Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds, Xiaomi FlipBuds and other models to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and what to do if the device is not detected or disconnected.

We're going to look at not only the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure, but also the nuances for different operating systems, the way headphones are reset, and the typical bugs that interfere with stable performance. If you're faced with a problem like no sound in one earphone or constant communication breaks, here you will find proven solutions.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for the first connection

Before you start pairing, make sure your Xiaomi headphones are ready to go. Most models (like the AirDots Pro 2 or Redmi Buds 4) come in standby mode, but some require pre-activation.

Here's what we need to do:

• 🔋 Charge the case — even if the indicator shows a charge, connect the case to the power source for 10-15 minutes. 3T) not included in the discharged case.
• 📦 Remove the headphones from the case, and in most cases, they automatically go into pairing mode when you first remove them. If that doesn't happen, put them back in the case and pull them out again.
• 🔄 Check the indicators - on headphones or case should flash white/blue LED (search mode). If red is on, charge is required.

If the headphones have been used before, they may need to be reset to factory settings, which we will discuss in one of the following sections.

2. Connecting to a smartphone on Android

Matching with Android devices (including Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) usually takes a few simple steps. Importantly, if you have a Xiaomi smartphone, use the branded Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play) for advanced features like uniform charge or gesture settings.

Instructions for connection:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone and turn on the adapter.
2. Get the headphones out of the case – they should appear in the list of available devices called Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds 4 or LE-B12 (for older models).
3. Click on the headphone name in the list. If you have a request for code confirmation (usually 0000 or 1234), type it in.
4. Wait for the message "Connected." In some models (for example, AirDots 3 Pro) after pairing, you will need to confirm the connection in both headphones.

If the headphones are not listed:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone (turn off/on the adapter).
• 📱 Remove old connections – sometimes entries with the same name conflict.
• 🔋 Check the charge – if the indicator on the case flashes red, the headphones will not be able to broadcast the signal to pair.

3. Connection to iPhone or iPad (iOS)

While Xiaomi is a brand focused on the Android ecosystem, their headphones are also successful with Apple devices, but there are a few nuances:

First, some features (such as the transparent mode in AirDots Pro 2) may not be available without the Mi Earphones app, which does not support iOS. Secondly, the iPhone does not have a separate menu for managing headphone gestures - they will have to be manually configured through Settings → Bluetooth → (i) next to the headphone name.

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the adapter.
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait until they appear in the list of "Other devices" (can take up to 30 seconds).
3. Click on the headphone name. If a notification appears, "Not supported," ignore it -- it's not critical for basic work.
4. After connecting, check the sound: sometimes on the iPhone you have to manually select headphones as the output device in the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone headphones Xiaomi can display as "LE-B12" Or a similar designation instead of the full model name, which is normal, as many Bluetooth devices are stitched together.

If the sound is interrupted or one earphone is not working:

• 🔄 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 📱 Turn off power saving for Bluetooth in Settings → Bluetooth → (i) → Turn off low power consumption.
• 🔊 Check the sound balance in Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Stereo balance (should be in the middle).

4. Computer connection (Windows/macOS/Linux)

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones can be used with computers, but there are more problems with drivers or conflicts with other Bluetooth devices.

Windows 10/11

In most cases, it is sufficient:

1. Press Win + I, go to Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and press "Add device" → Bluetooth.
3. Get the headphones out of the case and select them in the list.

If the headphones are not defined:

• 🔧 Update the Bluetooth driver through Device Manager.
• 🔄 Remove old entries in Settings → Bluetooth and restart the PC.
• 🖥️ Check compatibility – some older adapters (e.g. Bluetooth 4.0) may not support Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro with codec LC3.

macOS

On a Mac, the process is similar to the iPhone:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for them to appear in the list.
3. Press "Plug in."

If the sound goes only to one headphone, check the settings of the output of sound in System settings → Sound → Output.

Linux

Distros like Ubuntu or Fedora may require additional customization:

sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth


pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover

After installing the packages, restart PulseAudio:

pulseaudio -k && pulseaudio --start

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Buds) are on Linux 3 Pro) can only be connected in mode HSP/HFP (To correct, you will need to manually switch the profile to pavucontrol.

5.Resetting Xiaomi headphone settings

If the headphones don't connect, are permanently turned off or malfunctioning, it can help (hard reset), this procedure removes all the stored connections and returns the device to the factory settings.

For most people. TWS-Headphones (AirDots, Redmi Buds, Buds) 3/4)

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (usually located behind) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Release the button and the headphones will drop.

For Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Place the headphones back in the case - the reset is complete.

Once reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode, and now they can be reconnected, just like when you first use them.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users experience typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem 1: One earphone is not working.

If the sound is only in one headphone:

• 🔋 Check the charge - the often silent earphone is discharged. Place both in the case for 5-10 minutes.
• 🔄 Reset your headphones (instructions in the previous section).
• 📱 Update your firmware through the Mi Earphones app (if available for your model).

Problem 2: Constant communication breakdowns

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Interference from other devices – disable unnecessary Bluetooth gadgets (fitness bracelets, smart watches).
• 🔋 Weak signal – keep your smartphone and headphones at a distance of no more than 10 meters without obstacles.
• 🔧 Outdated firmware – check for updates in Mi Earphones or on the official Xiaomi website.

Problem 3: Headphones are not defined by the device

If the headphones don't appear in the Bluetooth list:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones - put them in the case, close the lid, then remove them.
• 📱 Clear the Bluetooth cache on your smartphone (in Settings) → Annexes → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔧 Check codec compatibility – some older smartphones don’t support codecs LC3 or AAC.

💡

If Xiaomi headphones are connected but the sound is distorted (cracking, stuttering), try turning off the Absolute Volume option in Bluetooth settings, which often solves the problem on Android smartphones.

7. Compatibility of Xiaomi models with different devices

Not all Xiaomi headphones work equally well with different gadgets, and below is a table of compatibility of popular models with major platforms:

Important: Xiaomi headphones with support for LE Audio (such as Buds 4) require Android 13 or later to work properly. On older versions of Android or iOS, they will work in compatibility with stripped-down features.

8 Additional functions and configuration

Xiaomi headphone users are often unaware of the hidden capabilities of their devices.

Mi Earphones appendix

The official app (available for Android) allows you to:

• 🎧 Set up gestures (double touch, hold).
• 🔊 On/off ANC (for supported models).
• 📊 View the charge level of each headphone and case.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (critical for stability).

Low Delay Mode (Game Mode)

For gamers in some models (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro) there is a mode with a delay of < 80 ms.

1. Open Mi Earphones.
2. Go to the sound settings → Game mode.
3. Turn on the option (in this mode, the sound quality deteriorates slightly, but lag decreases).

Uniform Charging (Balanced Charging)

By default, the case charges the headphones sequentially (first one, then the other) to enable simultaneous charging:

1. In Mi Earphones, select Settings → Charging → Uniform Charge.
2. Activate the option – now both headphones will be charged in parallel (longer in time, but more convenient).

💡

Use the Mi Earphones app, even if the headphones are running out of the box, and often after updating the firmware, the connection and sound problems disappear through it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones