How to connect to Xiaomi headphones: instructions for all models (2026)

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories because of their combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users often have questions about how to sync them correctly with their phone, why the microphone does not work, or how to reset when the headphones stop connecting.

We will look at the instructions for different types of Xiaomi headphones: from budget Redmi AirDots to flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, and also tell you how to connect them not only to smartphones on MIUI, but also to devices on Android, iOS, Windows and even MacOS. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors that interfere with stable operation, and give tips on audio optimization.

If you just bought headphones or experienced problems connecting, this article will be your complete guide. Whether it’s your first connection or you’re trying to restore the connection after a reset, here you will find the answers to all the questions.

Types of Xiaomi headphones and their connection features

Before you start connecting, it’s important to understand which model you’re dealing with. Xiaomi has several headphone lines, each with its own nuances:

• 🎧 Redmi AirDots (1/2/3/4 Generations: budget series with basic functionality. Connect via Bluetooth 5.0/5.2, support AAC and SBC No active noise reduction (ANC), There is a transparency mode in the new models.
• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds (3/4/4 Pro/5) — Medium and premium segments. LDAC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, which has ANC, adaptive EQ And touch control. Bluetooth connection. 5.3.
• 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds (Pro/Diamond) — headphones with flexible neck straps, differ in increased operating time (up to) 30 hours) and support for fast charging.
• 🎧 Wired models (for example, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro) HD) — connect through 3.5 mm or USB-C, No need to sync with Bluetooth.

Not only does the type of headphones affect the connection process, but the features available. For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro can automatically switch between devices (if they are on the same Mi Account), and Redmi AirDots 3 can not do this. It is also important to consider the Bluetooth version on your smartphone – if it is lower than the headphones, some codecs (for example, LDAC) may not work.

Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to an Android smartphone

The most common scenario is to connect to an Android phone (especially with MIUI firmware), which takes less than a minute, but there are a few things that can make it harder.

Here is a step-by-step guide for most models:

1. Take the headphones out of the case. They should automatically turn on and go into pairing mode (the indicator will flash white and red or just white).
2. On your smartphone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn it on.
3. In the list of available devices, find your model (for example, Redmi Buds 4 or Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro) and tap on it.
4. Confirm pairing if required. Some models (such as the Buds 4 Pro) may request access to contacts and messages, which is required for the automatic notification read function.
5. After connecting, check the sound and, if necessary, adjust the gestures in the Mi Earphones app (we will talk about it below).

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

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on).
• 🔋 Charge the case (sometimes with a low charge, the headphones do not go into pairing mode).
• 🧲 Reset the headphone settings (click the button on the case on the 10-15 seconds before flashing red).

Important for owners of Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: if you have a smartphone on MIUI 12+, after connecting, a pop-up will appear with a suggestion to download the branded Mi Earphones app. Its installation is optional, but without it will not be available:

• 🎛️ Equalizer setting.
• 🔊 Level adjustment ANC.
• ⚙️ Update of the headphone firmware.
• 📊 View the charge level of each headphone separately.

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If the audio is interrupted or interference is heard after connecting, try selecting Sound Priority (or Audio Codec) for headphones in your Bluetooth phone settings and setting AAC instead of SBC.

Connection to iPhone (iOS) and features of work

While Xiaomi is an Android-focused brand, their wireless headphones work well with the iPhone, but there are a few things to be aware of:

1. Open the case with headphones and wait until they go into pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn it on.
3. In the list, find your headphones (such as Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) and tap on them.
4. Confirm connection. Some models may require input PIN-code - default is 0000.

What won’t work on iOS:

• 🚫 Automatic notification reading (requires) MIUI).
• 🚫 Update firmware via Mi Earphones (app does not support iOS).
• 🚫 Some gestures (e.g., double-tapping to call a voice assistant will only work with Siri).

However, sound, microphone and basic functions (pause when removing the earphone, ANC) will work normally. You can use third-party applications such as Equalizer Fx or Boom 3D to adjust the equalizer.

Connection to PC (Windows 10/11) and MacBook

If you want to use Xiaomi headphones with a computer, the process is a little different than connecting to a smartphone. Consider both Windows and MacOS.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your PC (via Taskbar or Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices).
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for the pairing mode (blinking indicator).
3. In Windows, click Add Device → Bluetooth.
4. Select your headphones from the list. If they don't show up, click Update.
5. Confirm the connection. In some cases, you may need to choose the type of device: Headphones or Speakers and headphones (choose the first option for better sound quality).

For the MacBook:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode.
3. In the list, find your model and click Connect.
4. If the sound only goes to one headphone, go to System Settings → Sound → Exit and select your headphones as the output device.

On Windows, sometimes there's a problem when the headphones are connected, but the sound is only going through one speaker.

1. Go to the Control Panel. → Sound.
2. Find your headphones in the list of playback devices, right-click and select Properties.
3. In the tab Additional, uncheck the tick with Give the application the ability to take exclusive control of this device.
4. Reboot your headphones and PCs.

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On Windows 11, for stable operation of Xiaomi headphones, it is recommended to turn off power saving for a Bluetooth adapter. Go to Device Manager → Bluetooth → Adapter Properties → Power Management and uncheck the tick from Allow disconnection of this device to save energy.

Solving Connection Problems

Even when connected properly, Xiaomi headphones sometimes don’t work well, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

Critical information: If the Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro headphones stop connecting after the firmware update, try rolling it back through the Mi Earphones app (Update → Reverse) This feature is only available for 24 hours after the update.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Windows headphones and hear an echo in the microphone, turn off the device properties sound enhancement feature (Improving tab.

Configure via the Mi Earphones app

The proprietary Mi Earphones app (formerly Mi Headphones) unlocks the full potential of Xiaomi's headphones.It's only available for Android and supports most models, starting with the Redmi AirDots S.

What can be configured in the application:

• 🎚️ Equalizer – a choice of preset profiles (Bases, Vocals, Classics) or manual setting.
• 🔇 ANC (active noise reduction - adjusting the noise reduction level or enabling transparency mode.
• 👆 Gestures – reassigning actions to touch (for example, triple touching to call a voice assistant).
• 🔄 Auto-switching – Auto-connect to the latest device (available for Buds 4 Pro and later).
• 📲 Update firmware – installing the latest versions of the software to fix bugs and add features.

How to use the application:

1. Download Mi Earphones from Google Play (it is free).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app and it will automatically determine the model.
4. Go to the desired section (for example, Sound to set up the equalizer).

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 🔄 Reconnect them via Bluetooth settings.
• 📥 Update the application to the latest version.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache in the phone settings.

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Mi Earphones has a hidden feature for testing headphone tightness. To activate it, go to Settings → About and tap 5 times according to the app. After that, the Main Menu will appear in the Seat Test - it will help to check whether you have chosen the right size of the earbuds.

Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If the headphones are starting to glitch, not connecting or are behaving unstable, resetting to factory settings will help.

For Redmi AirDots (all generations) and Xiaomi Buds (up to the 3rd series):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
3. Release the button and the headphones will drop.

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the red indicator flashes.
3. Put the headphones back in the case - the reset is complete.

Once reset, the headphones will forget all the conjugated devices, and they will have to be reconnected, and the equalizer and ANC settings may also reset.

⚠️ Note: On wear detection models, this feature may be disabled after reset. To return it, go to Mi Earphones and activate the pause option when you remove it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones