How to sync Xiaomi wireless headphones: a complete guide to problem solving

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users face synchronization problems: the headphones do not connect to the phone, do not connect to each other in stereo mode or constantly break the connection. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of synchronization for different models (Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Airdots 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, etc.), and give clear instructions for eliminating typical errors.

Xiaomi headphones are unique in their own chips and protocols (such as Mi TrueWireless Stereo Plus), which sometimes conflict with standard Bluetooth on Android or iOS. If you are first encountering wireless technology or switching from a different brand, our recommendations will help avoid common mistakes. For example, many users are unaware that some models require a forced reset before the first connection, otherwise the headphones can only work in mono mode.

In the article you will find:

• 🔹 Step-by-step instructions for connecting to Android, iPhone and PC/laptop.
• 🔹 How to synchronize headphones with each other (left) + stereo.
• 🔹 Solving Connection Problems: Headphones are not located, connect only one at a time, disconnect after 5 seconds.
• 🔹 Resetting settings and updating firmware for stable operation.
• 🔹 Tips for customizing sound and reducing latency when watching videos.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for synchronization

Before you first connect, you need to make sure that the headphones are fully charged and in pairing mode. Many problems arise from a discharged case or improper removal of the headphones.

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones to at least 50% (the indicator on the case should burn white or green).
• 📦 Remove both headphones from the case at the same time – they must automatically turn on and synchronize with each other (blitzes white / red indicator).
• 🔄 If the indicators don’t flash, return the headphones to the case, wait 10 seconds, then remove again.
• 🎧 For touch-controlled models (such as the FlipBuds Pro), hold the touchpad on both headphones for 3 seconds to activate pairing mode.

Note that if the headphones have been previously connected to another device, they can automatically try to connect to it, in which case they need to be reset to the factory settings (instructions in the next section).

⚠️ Note: Some models (Redmi Buds 3 Lite, Buds 4 Youth) do not support multithreaded connectivity.If you try to connect them to two devices at the same time (for example, a phone and a laptop), the connection will be unstable.

2. Synchronization of Xiaomi headphones with the phone (Android/iOS)

The process of connecting to a smartphone is almost the same for Android and iOS, but there are nuances. Let's consider both options.

For Android (MIUI, Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.)

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the adapter.
2. Remove the headphones from the case – they should appear in the list of available devices as Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds or similar.
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" and check the sound in both headphones.

For iPhone (iOS 15 and newer)

An additional step may be required on the iPhone due to Bluetooth limitations in iOS:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Remove the headphones from the case and wait for the list to appear (it can take up to 30 seconds).
3. Click on the headphone name. If you don't connect, put the headphones back in the case, then retrieve them, and it'll reset their state.
4. For models with ANC (Active noise reduction may require firmware updates through the Mi Home app.

If the headphones are connected, but only one of them is playing, then they're not synchronized with each other, and the solution to that problem is in the next section.

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If Xiaomi headphones don’t connect to your iPhone, try turning off the Auto Switch Audio Device feature in Bluetooth settings.This often solves the connection break problem.

3. How to synchronize left and right headphones with each other

If you only have one headphone on when you connect to your phone, you don't have a stereo pair, and that's a Typical problem for Redmi Airdots and Buds 3.

Method 1: Manual pairing

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Take out the right earpiece and wait until it flashes red/white.
3. Get the left earphone – it should automatically connect to the right (indicators on both blink synchronously).
4. Now connect the right earphone to the phone - the left will pull up automatically.

Method 2: Reset and re-synchronization

If the first method did not work:

1. Hold the touchpad on both headphones for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
2. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 15 seconds.
3. Get both headphones out – they should sync automatically (indicators blink white).

The FlipBuds Pro and Buds 4 Pro models may need to update the firmware through the Mi Home app if the headphones are stubbornly out of sync.The update fixes bugs in the pairing algorithm.

4.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If the headphones are buggy, out of sync, or plugged in with errors, a complete reset often solves the problem.

For models with mechanical buttons (Redmi Airdots S, Buds 3 Lite):

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Open the case cover and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red/white.
3. Close the lid, then remove the headphones - they will be reset.

For touch-controlled models (FlipBuds Pro, Buds 4 Pro):

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Hold the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear the beep and see the flashing red.
3. Return the headphones to the case, then remove them again – they are ready for a new connection.

Once reset, the headphones will lose all the stored connections and have to be synchronized again, which can also help if the headphones connect to other devices (for example, after buying used ones).

⚠️ Note: On Buds 3 Pro and later, touch panel reset only works at headphone charge levels above 30.

5. Connecting Xiaomi headphones to a PC or laptop (Windows/macOS)

Computer synchronization has its nuances, especially on Windows, where manual installation of Bluetooth drivers is sometimes required.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and click "Add Device".
3. Select Bluetooth and wait for the headphones to appear on the list (the name may appear as LE-Xiaomi or Mi TrueWireless).
4. Press the headphones and wait for the connection. If the sound is only in one headphone, go to the Control Panel. → Sound, select headphones and set them up as "Stereo".

For macOS:

On Mac, Xiaomi headphones sometimes connect in "Phone Call" (mono) mode to fix:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Remove the headphones from the list of devices (if there are any).
3. Remove the headphones from the case and wait for the appearance in the list.
4. After connecting, open the audio.-MIDI-setup (via Spotlight) and select the headphones as the output device in the format AAC.

If your headphones are connected on Windows but the sound is interrupted, try turning off "Absolute Volume" in your Bluetooth settings (via Device Properties).

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On Windows PCs, Xiaomi headphones can run unstable due to outdated Bluetooth drivers. Update them through Device Manager or download from the adapter manufacturer’s website (such as Qualcomm or Intel).

6. Solving common synchronization problems

Even after connecting correctly, users are faced with common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔌 Headphones plug in but immediately shut down: Check the charge level of the case and headphones (should be) > 20%. Turn off Bluetooth on other devices nearby (may be address conflict) In your phone settings, forget the device and reconnect.
• 🎵 The sound is only in one headphone: Reset your headphones (see section 4). Check if Mono is enabled in the Bluetooth settings on your phone. For iPhone: go to Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Balance stereo sound and set the slider in the middle.
• 🔊 Noise, crack or breaks of sound: Switch the codec in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Build Number – tap 7 times, then in Developer Settings, select Bluetooth Audio Codec and install SBC or AAC). Reduce the distance between your phone and your headphones (maximum 10 meters without obstacles). Turn off your phone's Wi-Fi, which can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth.

If the problem persists, check the headphone firmware version.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
3. In the app, find the headphones in the list of devices and check for updates.

7. Sound optimization and delay reduction

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones support a variety of audio codecs that affect sound quality and latency, and here’s how to customize them for different scenarios:

Codec selection:

• 🎶 SBC: Universal, but with mediocre quality, suitable for conversation.
• 🎵 AAC: Best for music on iPhone and Android (but there may be a delay on some devices).
• 🎧 AptX: High quality, but not supported by all Xiaomi models (e.g. FlipBuds Pro).
• 🎮 Low Latency: Minimum latency for games and videos (available on Buds 4 Pro and later).

To change the codec on Android:

1. Activate Developer Mode (Tap 7 times on the Build Number in your phone settings).
2. Go to the Developer Settings → Bluetooth Audio Codec.
3. Choose your preferred codec (recommended) AAC For music or aptX Low Latency for video).

Reduced delay when watching videos:

If the sound is 0.5-2 seconds behind the video, try:

• 📱 Enable the "Game" mode in the headphone settings (if supported).
• 📺 Use players with manual synchronization settings (for example, VLC or MX Player).
• 🔄 Reconnect your headphones in Low Latency mode (if available).

On Windows, latency can be reduced through the Control Panel → Sound. → Device properties → In addition, where to disable "Allow applications exclusive control".

8. Update of Xiaomi headphone firmware

The firmware of the headphones affects the stability of the connection, sound quality and support for new features, and you can update it only through the official Mi Home app:

1. Install Mi Home from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app, press "+" → Wireless headphones and choose your model.
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click "Update" and wait until it's finished (don't turn off the headphones!).

Important points:

• 🔋 Make sure the headphone charge level is > 50%.
• 📶 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi – the firmware is downloaded via the Internet.
• ⏳ Don't interrupt! This can cause the headphones to lose their performance.

⚠️ Note: After updating the firmware, the headphones can reset all settings (for example, device binding.

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The firmware update via Mi Home isn't available for all models, like Redmi Airdots 2 and older Buds versions don't support OTA-Check compatibility on the official Xiaomi website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones