How to use Xiaomi wireless headphones via Bluetooth: full instruction from connection to fine tuning

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are not just an accessory, but a complete tool for listening to music, calls and podcasts comfortably without getting confused wires. However, even with the most advanced models — be it Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4 or AirDots 3 Pro — users often have questions: how to connect them correctly over Bluetooth, why the sound is interrupted, or how to activate additional features like noise cancellation. This article will help you understand all the nuances from basic pairing to hidden settings that the manufacturer does not always advertise.

We will not be limited to the standard instruction “turn on Bluetooth and find the device”. Instead, you’ll learn how to connect headphones to different types of devices (Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS), what to do if Xiaomi doesn’t appear in the list of available gadgets, and how to set them up for maximum comfort. We will focus on common errors that cause connection breaks or poor sound quality, such as why Xiaomi headphones can automatically shut down via a phone. 5-10 minutes of inactivity, even if not provided by the settings.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for the first connection

Before you connect your headphones to your phone or laptop, you need to activate them correctly. Most Xiaomi models have the same on-set process, but there are nuances depending on the series. For example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite is turned on with a long press on the touchpad, and Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro is automatically when extracted from the case.

General algorithm of preparation:

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones to a minimum of 30% (the indicator on the case should burn white or green.
• 📦 Take both earbuds out of the case, they must automatically turn on. If this does not happen, press and hold the power button (usually located on the back of the case) during the course of the session. 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red.
• 🔊 Make sure the headphones emit an audible beep (usually a short squeak) – this is a confirmation that they are ready to pair.

Important: if you connect Xiaomi headphones for the first time, they automatically go into the pairing mode (pairing mode), but if they were already connected to another device, you will have to reset the settings (more about this in the next section).

2. Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do it

If the headphones have previously been connected to another device (like a friend's phone or an old smartphone), they can automatically try to connect to it, ignoring your gadget.

⚠️ Warning: After reset, all previous connections will be deleted, including the uniform sound settings (EQ) And you'll have to reconfigure it, if you've ever used Find My Device to find your headphones.

If the reset didn’t work and the headphones still don’t appear on the list of available devices, the problem may be the software, in which case try updating the firmware through the official Mi Earphones app (about it in section 5).

3. Connect to a smartphone on Android and iOS

The process of pairing with Android and iOS is similar, but there are key differences, especially when it comes to models with support. LDAC (For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. Let’s look at both options.

Connection to Android (MIUI, Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.)

On Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI The process is simplified as much as possible thanks to built-in optimization for ecosystem devices:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate Bluetooth and wait for your headphone model to appear on the list (e.g. Redmi Buds 4).
3. Click on the device name. If the headphones are new, the system will prompt you to download additional software (for example, a plugin for the device). ANC Or Transparency Mode. You can agree, it's going to improve the sound quality.
4. After connecting, check that the status of the headphones is displayed Connected for sound and calls.

Other Android devices (such as Samsung or Google Pixel) have a similar process, but without automatically downloading plugins. To activate all features (such as noise reduction), install the Mi Earphones app from Google Play.

Connection to iPhone (iOS)

On the iPhone, Xiaomi headphones connect as a standard Bluetooth device, but with limitations:

• 🍎 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth.
• Wait for the headphones to appear on the list (it can take up to 30 seconds).
• 🔗 Click on the device name. If you request permission to access contacts or microphone, let me (this is necessary for correct operation during calls).

⚠️ Note: On iOS, some features of Xiaomi headphones may not work properly:

• Noise suppression (ANC) It is often shut down automatically due to Apple restrictions.
• Customization of gestures (e.g., double touching to switch tracks) may not be retained.
• Codec AAC (The default iPhone is inferior in quality LDAC or aptX available on Android.

To get around these limitations, try manually selecting a codec. SBC Bluetooth settings (if available).

4. Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows, MacOS, Linux)

The pairing of Xiaomi headphones with a computer has its nuances, especially when it comes to Windows. 10/11, where you often have problems with Bluetooth drivers. Let's take a step-by-step instruction for each platform.

Windows 10/11

Connection algorithm:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and press Add Device → Bluetooth.
3. Select your headphones from the list. If they are not available, click Update or restart your Bluetooth adapter (via Device Manager).
4. After connecting, check that in the Sound section, the headphones are selected as the default output device.

⚠️ Warning: Windows often has a problem when the headphones are connected, but the sound is delayed or interrupted (HFP) instead A2DP. To correct:

1. Open the control panel. → Sound.
2. Find your headphones, select Properties → Additionally.
3. Uncheck the tick to Allow applications exclusive control over this device.
4. Bluetooth tab → choose A2DP Sink instead of Hand-Free.

MacOS

On a MacBook or iMac, the process is simpler:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click Connect next to the headphone name.
3. If there is no sound, check the sound output settings in System settings → Sound.

On Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.), you may need to install additional packages to support Bluetooth 5.0:

sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth


sudo systemctl restart bluetooth

5. Customize sound and additional features through Mi Earphones

The official Mi Earphones app (available for Android and iOS) allows you to fine-tune Xiaomi headphones, activate hidden features and update the firmware.

• 🤖 Google Play
• 🍎 App Store

After connecting headphones in the application, the following options will be available:

• 🎛️ equalizer (EQ): Pre-settings (bass, vocals, classics) or manually adjusting bands.
• 🔇 Noise suppression (ANC): Controlling the level of suppressed noise (weak / medium / strong).
• 🎧 Transparency mode: passing external sounds for safety on the street.
• 👆 Gestures: setting up touch actions (e.g., double touching to switch tracks).
• 🔄 Auto-disconnection: timer of inaction (5/10/15 minutes) to save battery.

⚠️ Note: In some models (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite) ANC If the Mi Earphones app does not have a noise reduction tab, check for updates in the Firmware section.

Also in the annex, it is possible:

• 🔍 Find lost headphones through Find My Earphones (if they were linked to your Mi Account).
• 📊 View usage statistics (listening time, charge level).
• 🔋 Optimize battery consumption (e.g., disable the wear sensor if it discharges the headphones too quickly).

💡

If your headphone model doesn’t appear in the Mi Earphones app, try reinstalling it or clearing the cache through Settings. → Sometimes it helps to change the region of the Mi Account to China (via profile settings).

6. Solving common connection problems

Even after successful pairing, users face typical problems: headphones go off, the sound is interrupted, or the microphone is not working, and we'll look at the most common cases and how to fix them.

If the problem is not solved, try updating the headphone firmware through Mi Earphones.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the application and go to the Firmwer section.
3. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't interrupt! This can cause a crash.

⚠️ Attention: If after updating the firmware headphones stopped turning on or emit a continuous squeak, this may indicate an unsuccessful update:

• Place the headphones in the case and plug it into charging for 30 minutes.
• Reset the reset (see section 2).
• If the problem persists, please contact Xiaomi with the model and firmware version (you can find it in Mi Earphones before resetting).

7. Optimization of the headphones: tips for advanced users

To maximize the potential of Xiaomi headphones, it is not enough just to connect them over Bluetooth. Here are some tips to help improve sound quality, increase the time of operation and avoid typical problems:

• 🎵 Codec Choice: On Android in Bluetooth settings (Section Additional or Sound Quality) select the codec LDAC (This will significantly improve the detail of the sound compared to the standard sound. SBC.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off ANC Transparency, if not necessary, will increase the time of work. 20-30%. You can also lower the volume to 70-80%: At maximum volume, headphones discharge twice as fast.
• 📱 Connection Priority: If the headphones are connected to multiple devices (like a phone and a laptop), they can automatically switch between them. To prioritize one gadget, remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices on the rest of the devices.
• 🔊 Customize microphone: For better voice transmission during calls, turn on the voice enhancement option (if available) in Mi Earphones. Also avoid using the microphone outside in high winds - this leads to noise.

For models with multipoint support (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), you can connect headphones to two devices at the same time (for example, a phone and a laptop).

1. Connect the headphones to the first device.
2. Activate the pairing mode (see Section 1).
3. Connect to the second device. The headphones will remember both connections.

⚠️ Attention: Multipoint may impair connection stability, especially if both devices are actively transmitting sound (e.g., while calling on your phone and listening to music on your laptop.

8.Safety and care for Xiaomi headphones

To make headphones last a long time, follow simple rules of operation:

• 💧 Avoid getting moisture, even if the model has a certificate. IP54 or IPX4. It is a protection against splashes, but not from being completely immersed in water.
• 🧴 Clean your speaker and microphone grids regularly with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔥 Do not leave your headphones in the sun or near heat sources (such as the dashboard of a car) and this can cause battery discharge or plastic deformation.
• 🔋 Charge the case with original cable or certified accessories. Using cheap chargers can damage the power controller.

If the headphones stop turning on or charging, try the following steps:

1. Clean contacts on headphones and in the case with dry soft cloth.
2. Connect the case to the charging on 15-20 minutes, even if the indicator does not burn.
3. If the indicator on the case flashes red, it may indicate a malfunction of the battery.

For models with touch control (for example, Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro) avoid pressing the panels hard, which can cause them to break.

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Regular cleaning of contacts and firmware updates through Mi Earphones extends the life of headphones on the Internet 20-30%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi headphones