Why iPhone doesnβt show Xiaomi headphones by default
Xiaomi users often face a problem: AirDots, Buds 3/4 Pro or other models that connect to the iPhone do not display the charge level in the standard battery widget. The reason lies in the peculiarities of the Bluetooth protocol and Appleβs policy. Unlike AirPods, which are integrated into the iOS ecosystem, third-party devices do not receive automatic support for the displayed data.
The fact is that Apple restricts access to the battery API for third-party accessories, requiring manufacturers to obtain MFi (Made for iPhone) certification, most Xiaomi models do not pass this certification, so iOS simply does not βseeβ them as devices with a display function of charge.
Another nuance: even if the headphones support battery data transfer, the iPhone may not show them due to outdated firmware of the headphones themselves or iOS. For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro after upgrading to version 4.7.15 began to correctly display charge on some Apple devices, but only when connected via Bluetooth 5.2+.
Method 1: Standard notification when connected
The easiest way to do this is to wait for the pop-up notification that iOS sometimes shows when you first connect your headphones, which appears at the top of the screen and contains information about the charge level of the case and each headphone separately, but this doesn't work for all models, and it doesn't always.
- π When it appears: when you first connect after removing from the case or after rebooting the iPhone.
- β±οΈ Duration: Notification disappears after 3-5 seconds.
- β Limit: Does not work for Xiaomi AirDots Youth Edition and older models on the Realtek chip.
If the notification does not appear, try:
- Turn off the headphones in Bluetooth settings.
- Put them back in the case for 10 seconds, then remove them.
- Reconnecting β sometimes it triggers notifications.
β οΈ Note: On iPhones with iOS below 14.5, this method rarely works due to the lack of support for the Battery Level Reporting protocol for third-party devices.
Method 2: Battery Widget on Lock Screen
In some cases, the charge level of Xiaomi headphones can be seen in the standard Battery widget, which is displayed on the lock screen or in the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner).
- π± The headphones were connected via Bluetooth. LE Audio (supported in iOS 16)+).
- π The headphone model had the latest firmware (for example, Buds 4 Pro with version). V4.7.15+).
- π The widget was enabled in the settings: Settings β Point of control β Set up elements β Batteries.
If the widget doesn't show the headphones, try:
βοΈ What to do if the widget doesnβt work
In practice, this method works for less than 30% of Xiaomi models, as most do not transmit battery data in a format understandable by iOS.
Method 3: Mi Home Appendix (official method)
The most reliable way is to use Xiaomiβs official Mi Home app, which not only shows the exact charge level of each headphone and case, but also allows you to update the firmware, which can solve the problem with the display of the battery on the iPhone.
Instructions:
- Download Mi Home from the App Store (free).
- Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi/Google account.
- Connect the headphones to the iPhone via Bluetooth.
- Open the app, press + β Add the device β Headphones.
- Select your model from the list (e.g. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro).
- After connecting, go to the main page of the device - there will be a charge of the left, right earphone and case.
| Model headphones | Support for Mi Home | Charge mapping | Firmware update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro | β Yes. | β Cover + headphones | β Yes. |
| Redmi Buds 4 Lite | β Yes. | β Just a case. | β No. |
| Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro | β Yes. | β Cover + headphones | β Yes (requires iOS 15)+) |
| Redmi AirDots 2 | β Yes. | β No data. | β No. |
If the app does not find headphones:
- π Reboot your iPhone and headphones (hold the button on your case for 10 seconds).
- π± Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device (e.g. a laptop).
- π Check Internet connection β Mi Home requires network access to identify device.
β οΈ Note: In some regions (e.g. Europe), the Mi Home app may not display headphone charge due to local data collection restrictions. In this case, use Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) β it sometimes works more stable.
Method 4: Third-party applications for battery monitoring
If the official methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities that read charge data via Bluetooth.
- π Battery Bot Pro β shows the charge of headphones and case, supports Xiaomi, Sony, JBL.
- π Battery Monitor β displays a discharge graph and notifies a low level.
- π§ EarBuddy β specializes in TWS-Headphones, works with AirDots and Buds.
Examples of Battery Bot Pro:
- Install the app from the App Store (cost) ~200 β½).
- Connect the headphones to your iPhone.
- Open the app and wait for the device scan.
- Click on the name of your headphones - information about the charge will appear.
Advantages of third-party applications:
- β It works with most Xiaomi models, even the older ones.
- β Show the history of the discharge and the time of autonomous operation.
- β You can configure notifications when the charge drops below a predetermined level.
Disadvantages:
- β Paid features (free versions often show ads).
- β It may not work properly after the iOS update.
- β Requires constant access to Bluetooth, which increases the battery consumption of the iPhone.
π‘
Before buying a paid app, check itβs compatible with your headphone model in reviews.Some utilities only work with specific chips (like the Qualcomm QCC3040 in the Buds 4 Pro).
Method 5: Voice Assistant (for some models)
Some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Buds 5) support voice alerts to activate the charge level:
- Connect the headphones to your iPhone.
- Tell your voice assistant (e.g. Siri or Alice via Yandex): βWhat charge does the headphones have?β
- If the function is supported, the assistant will voice the percentage of charge of the case and headphones.
You can also use the built-in Xiaomi voice assistant (if you have one in your model):
- π€ Twice tap the headphone (set up in Mi Home).
- π£οΈ Say, "How much charge is left?" in English or Chinese.
This method only works for headphones on a BES2300 or later (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro). For older models (AirDots 2, Redmi Buds 3), voice alerts are not provided.
What to do if none of the methods work
If none of these methods helped, the problem may lie in:
- π§ Outdated headphone firmware - check for updates in Mi Home.
- π΅ iOS incompatibility β some Xiaomi models are optimized for Android only.
Algorithm of action:
βοΈ Diagnostics of the problem
If the headphones are new and the warranty is still valid, contact Xiaomi support via:
- π§ Official website: support.xiaomi.com.
- π± Telegram chats or VK (Support groups for Russia and CIS).
β οΈ Note: When contacting the service center, check if your model supports the display function of charge on iOS. Some budget headphones (Redmi Buds 3 Lite) are not originally designed to work with iPhone.