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

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to their combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users sometimes have difficulties when first connecting or re-pairing. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to connect Xiaomi headphones (including Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless, Buds and wired versions) to smartphones, tablets, PCs and even TVs.

We'll focus on the common bugs that prevent successful pairing, from power saving mode on to outdated headphone firmware, and you'll find instructions for resetting if the device doesn't see the headphones, and tips for optimizing sound for different use cases, whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, there are answers to all the questions about connectivity.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for the first connection

Before you start pairing, make sure the headphones are fully charged and in good condition. Most Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro or Xiaomi Buds 5) have charge indicators on the case case case โ€” if they burn red, the device requires recharging. Green or white signals readiness to work.

Also check that your smartphone or other device is Bluetooth enabled.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ On Android: Swipe down the screen (quick settings panel) and make sure the Bluetooth icon is highlighted.
  • ๐ŸŽ On iPhone: Go to Settings โ†’ Bluetooth and activate the switch.
  • ๐Ÿ’ป Nana Windows/PC: press Win + A and enable Bluetooth in the notification panel.

โš ๏ธ Note: If Xiaomi headphones were previously connected to another device, they must be reset to factory settings (instruction in section 4.

For models with touch control (for example, Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro) before the first connection, it is recommended to read the user manual - some functions (for example, enabling pairing mode) are activated by a long touch.

2. Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to a smartphone

The pairing process for most Xiaomi models is the same, but there are nuances depending on the version of the headphone firmware and the phone operating system.

  1. Remove the headphones from the case. They must automatically turn on (the indicator on the case will light up).
  2. Activate the pairing mode: ๐Ÿ”„ For most models: Press the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or only white). ๐ŸŽง For Redmi AirDots (1-3 generations): Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the side) until the indicator flashes.

On a smartphone:

Settings โ†’ Bluetooth

"Mi True Wireless Earphones 2"

Confirm the pairing.

0000

1234

After successful connection, the indicator on the headphones will stop flashing and will light up with constant light (or go out - depending on the model).In some cases, the Xiaomi smartphone will offer to install the Mi Earphones branded application (available in Google Play or AppGallery) for advanced audio settings.

Headphones charged (green/white indicator)

Bluetooth is on on the phone

Headphones removed from the case and included

The pairing mode is activated (blinking indicator)

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If the headphones are not determined, try:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Reboot the headphones (put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull them out).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Reboot your smartphone.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Manually update the Bluetooth Device List (click Update in the Bluetooth Menu).

3. Connection to a PC or laptop (Windows/macOS/Linux)

The pairing of Xiaomi headphones with a computer is not much different from connecting to a smartphone, but there are specific nuances for different operating systems.

Windows 10/11

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Devices โ†’ Bluetooth and other devices.
  2. Click Add Add the device โ†’ Bluetooth.
  3. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (as in Section 2).
  4. Find your model (e.g. Redmi Buds 4) and select it.
  5. Wait until the driver installation is complete (it can take up to 30 seconds).

macOS

  1. Go to System Settings. โ†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and click Connect next to the headphone name.
  3. When you request, click Connect again.

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Most Linux distributions use the Bluez manager to connect:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Click Add Device and select headphones from the list.
  3. If the device is not detected, check if the pulseaudio-module-bluetooth package is installed (set via terminal: sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth).

Once connected, Xiaomi headphones can be defined as a โ€œHeadsetโ€ or "A2DP" (stereo device. Select a profile for better sound A2DP Bluetooth.

๐Ÿ’ก

If Windows headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one ear, go to the Control Panel โ†’ Sound, select your headphones and press Set up. Make sure you're stereo, not mono.

4.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If Xiaomi headphones don't connect, periodically turn off or "glut", you may need a complete reset, which removes all the stored pairings and returns the device to its original settings.

Model headphonesResetting methodSign of successful discharge
Redmi AirDots (1โ€“3 gen)Put the headphones in the case, open the lid. Press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times.The indicator flashes red/white (pairing mode).
Xiaomi Buds 3/4/5Remove the headphones from the case. Press the touchpads on both earphones for 10 seconds.The indicator on the case flashes orange, then white.
Mi True Wireless Earphones 2Put the headphones in the case, close the lid. Press the button on the case 4 times in a row (with an interval of 1 second).The indicator lights up with purple for 3 seconds.
Redmi Buds 4 ProPress the touchpads on both headphones for 15 seconds until the voice message "Reset successful" sounds.Voice confirmation + flashing.

Once reset, Xiaomi earphones automatically go into pairing mode, now they can be connected to any device as a first time. Note: after reset, the equizer settings may be lost (if they were changed through the Mi Earphones app), so they will have to be reconfigured.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro) reset results in zero usage statistics in the proprietary application. If you care about listening time, take screenshots before resetting.

5. Connection to TV or other devices

Xiaomi headphones can be connected not only to smartphones and PCs, but also to smart TVs, game consoles (for example, Nintendo Switch) and even some fitness bracelets (for example, Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro).

Televisions (Android) TV, Smart TV)

Most modern TVs support Bluetooth, but the connection algorithm may differ:

  • ๐Ÿ“บ Android TV (Sony, Philips, Xiaomi TV): Go to Settings. โ†’ Devices โ†’ Bluetooth, select headphones from the list.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Samsung Smart TV: Settings โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Sound output โ†’ Bluetooth Speaker.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ LG WebOS: Settings โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Bluetooth devices.

On Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV 4S/5 Pro) may require firmware updates if the headphones are not identified. โ†’ On TV. โ†’ Updating the system.

Game consoles

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Nintendo Switch: Bluetooth adapter is required (e.g., Nintendo Switch, 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter, as the original console does not support Bluetooth headphones.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ PlayStation 4/5: Go to Settings. โ†’ Devices โ†’ Bluetooth devices and select headphones.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Xbox Series X/S: Only Xbox Wireless headphones are officially supported, but you can use a Bluetooth transmitter to 3.5-mm connector.
Why can't the TV see Xiaomi headphones?
Most of them are smart. TV Bluetooth only works in receiver mode (for remotes, keyboards), but does not support the transfer of sound to headphones. Check the specifications of your model โ€” if there is no protocol specified there. A2DP, In this case, a Bluetooth transmitter for audio output (for example, Avantek) will help. APTX).

6. Solving Connection Problems

Even after pairing correctly, Xiaomi headphones can work unstable: interrupt, give out low sound quality or spontaneously disconnect.-5 problems and solutions:

1.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

  • ๐Ÿ”Š Check the volume on headphones (on some models it is regulated by touch gestures).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ On your smartphone, go to Settings โ†’ Sound and make sure that headphones are selected as the output device.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds).

2. Interruption of sound or stuttering

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the device (walls, metal objects).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Check the charge of the headphones - at a low level of the battery, interference may occur.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ On Android, turn off power saving mode for Bluetooth in Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimizing the battery.

3. Headphones turn off after 5-10 minutes

This problem is often related to the power saving settings on the smartphone.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Nana Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Go to Settings. โ†’ Battery โ†’ Select applications, find Bluetooth and select "No restrictions".
  • ๐ŸŽ On iPhone: Turn off Low Power in Settings โ†’ Battery.

4. Low sound quality (wheezing, hissing)

Possible causes and solutions:

  • ๐ŸŽต In Bluetooth settings, a profile is selected HSP/HFP (for calls instead A2DP (Change it manually.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Turn it on. LDAC or APTX (if supported) in Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Earphones app.

5 Headphones are defined but not connected

Try the following steps:

  1. Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and try to connect again.
  2. Reset the headphones (section 4).
  3. Check if the headphones conflict with other Bluetooth devices (such as smartwatches).

Headphones are not determined when searching|The sound is interrupted or stuttered|Poor sound quality (wheezing)|Unintentional shutdown|Another problem.-->

7. Sound optimization and additional settings

Once successfully connected, you can improve the sound quality with branded and third-party instruments.

The Mi Earphones branded app

The app is available for Android and iOS and allows you to:

  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Set up the equalizer (bass, middle, high frequencies).
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Select sound profiles (e.g. Bass, Voice, Balance").
  • ๐Ÿ“Š View usage statistics (listening time, battery charge).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Update the firmware of headphones.

The application can be downloaded by references:

  • ๐Ÿค– Google Play (Android)
  • ๐ŸŽ App Store (iOS)

Sound settings on a smartphone

On Xiaomi devices (MIUI) Additional options available:

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Bluetooth sound quality.
  2. Select the codecs: SBC โ€” universal but average quality. AAC โ€” Better for iPhone and music. APTX/LDAC โ€” High quality (requires headphone support).

"Absolute Volume"

Third-party equalizers

If built-in settings arenโ€™t enough, try the apps:

  • ๐ŸŽต Wavelet (Android) โ€“ supports audio tuning for specific headphone models.
  • ๐ŸŽต Equalizer FX โ€” pre-setting.
  • ๐ŸŽต Boom 3D (Windows/macOS) โ€” for improving sound on PC.

๐Ÿ’ก

For better sound, always use a codec. APTX or LDAC, If your headphones and your device support them, it greatly improves the detail at high and low frequencies.

8. Connecting Xiaomi wired headphones

While most of Xiaomiโ€™s current models are wireless, the company also makes wired headphones (like the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones or Redmi Wired Earphones).

Connecting to a smartphone

  1. Insert the plug 3.5 mm or USB-C (depending on the model) in the corresponding connector.
  2. On smartphones without a 3.5 mm connector (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) use an adapter USB-C โ†’ 3.5 mm.
  3. If no sound: Check if the "Headset Only" mode is activated (try switching to Settings) โ†’ Clean the jack from dust (use a toothpick or compressed air).

Connection to PC

On laptops and desktops:

  • ๐Ÿ’ป If the green connector is the headphone exit, pink is the microphone input.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š If there is no sound, check the settings: On Windows: right-click on the sound icon โ†’ Open sound parameters โ†’ Sound control panel โ†’ Select your headphones as your default device. On macOS: System settings โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Exit.

For Xiaomi wired headphones with a built-in microphone (such as Mi Basic Earphones), you may need to choose the right input device in the audio settings.

What if the earphones only work in one ear?
This is a typical problem when you damage a wire or oxidize the contacts in the connector: 1. Carefully bend the wire at the base of the plug - if the sound appears / disappears, the problem is in the cliff. 2. Clean the plug contacts with an alcohol tampon. 3. Connect the headphones to another device to rule out a faulty connector on the phone/PC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones

๐Ÿ”น Can you connect Xiaomi headphones to two devices at the same time?
Most Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro or Xiaomi Buds 5) support multipoint, which is connecting to two devices at once. To do this: First, connect the headphones to the first device. Activate pairing mode (as in section 2) and connect to the second device. Note: sound will only play from one device at a particular time. To switch between sources, it is usually enough to play audio on the second device.
๐Ÿ”น Why Xiaomi headphones are quickly discharged?
Battery life depends on the model, but if the headphones discharge in 1-2 hours, check: ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery status โ€“ if the headphones are more than 2-3 years old, the capacity could be significantly reduced. ๐ŸŽต Volume โ€“ at maximum volume, energy consumption increases 1.5โ€“2 times. ๐Ÿ“ถ Bluetooth codecs โ€” LDAC and APTX They consume more energy than SBC. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Background apps on your smartphone โ€“ some messengers (like Telegram) can keep a connection to the headphones at all times. Also try to reset the headphones (section 4) โ€“ sometimes this helps to return the original running time.
๐Ÿ”น How to update the firmware of Xiaomi headphones?
To update your firmware: Install the Mi Earphones app (links in section 7). Connect your headphones to your smartphone. Open the app and go to the Firmware Update. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it's finished (don't turn off your headphones!). Important: during the upgrade, don't remove your headphones from your case or close the app. Interrupting the process can cause the device to fail.
๐Ÿ”น Can you use Xiaomi headphones with iPhone?
Xiaomi headphones are fully compatible with iPhone, but there are limitations: ๐ŸŽ Not all codecs are supported โ€“ iPhone only works with codecs. AAC and SBC, Sound quality may be worse than Android. ๐Ÿ“ฑ The Mi Earphones app on iOS has a stripped down functionality (for example, there is no equalizer). ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery life may be reduced due to the power management features of iOS. Follow the standard instructions (Section 2) to connect. PIN-code.
๐Ÿ”น What to do if you lose one headphone Xiaomi?
If you lose one headphone in a pair, there are two options: Buy a replacement: some models (for example, Redmi AirDots 3) allow you to purchase a separate headphone from official Xiaomi dealers. The cost is about 30-50% of the price of the full set. Use mono-connection: some headphones (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4) support mono-mode. To do this: Put the remaining headphone in the case. Pull it out and hold the touchpad for 5 seconds until the signal sounds. Connect to the phone as usual. Note: in mono-mode, there will be about 20% less time.