How to connect Xiaomi headphones to your phone: all ways + error solving

Why Xiaomi Headphones Don’t Connect – and How to Fix It

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are among the most popular smartphone accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. If you're going to have a Bluetooth connection that's interrupted, if you're going to have a single headset, if you're going to have a phone that doesn't see the headset at all, then in this article, we're going to look at all the ways you connect, from the classic 3.5mm wired models to the flagship models. TWS-Headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5) and specific solutions for typical bugs.

It's important to understand that the connection process depends not only on the headphone model, but also on the version of MIUI on your smartphone. For example, in MIUI 14, the Bluetooth menu changed, and in older versions (before MIUI 12) some functions like dual connection (simultaneous work with your phone and laptop) may not be available.

If you're first to connect Xiaomi headphones, start with the Bluetooth pairing section. For wired models or adapters, go to the physical connection instructions. And if the device was already paired with a smartphone but stopped working, see the troubleshooting section.

Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones over Bluetooth

Most of the modern models are from the budget Redmi Buds. 3 Lite to premium Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro – connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0/5.2. The process of pairing is the same for everyone, but there are nuances for TWS-headphones (with separate left and right modules) and mono headsets (for example, Xiaomi Mi Neckband Bluetooth).

To connect Xiaomi headphones over Bluetooth:

1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones: 🔋 For TWS-Models: remove both headphones from the case and press the button on the case (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator flashes red and white. 🎧 For mono headsets: Hold the power button until the beep or blue light flashes.

Settings → Bluetooth

"Redmi Buds 5"

"Mi True Wireless Earphones 2"

0000

1234

Once successfully connected, the headphones will stop flashing (or light up blue/green), and the Bluetooth menu will show the words "Connected" next to the name. If the headphones support dual connectivity (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro), you will be able to connect them to the phone and tablet at the same time - to do this, press the button on the case for 10 seconds before the double signal.

Connection of wired headphones and adapters 3.5 mm

Since 2020, most Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Mi 10 and Redmi Note 9) have lost the standard 3.5mm connector. However, that doesn’t mean that wired headphones don’t work anymore. There are three ways:

1. Use the Type-C adapter → 3.5 mm (included in some models, for example, Xiaomi Mi 11).
2. Connect headphones with a USB-C connector (for example, Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD).
3. Use a wireless Bluetooth transmitter (e.g., Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver).

Important: Type-C → 3.5mm adapters from third-party manufacturers may not support a microphone or control buttons. Xiaomi’s original adapters (MDZ-23-DB) are more stable.

Customization of sound and control after connection

After successfully pairing the headphones with the phone, it remains to adjust the sound and gestures, depending on the Xiaomi model, different functions are available:

For models with Mi Earphones app support (available on Google Play):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Select your headphone model from the list.
3. Set up gestures, ANC and check the case charge level.

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 📱 Update the headphone firmware through Settings → About the programme in the annex.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones to your phone (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and pair again).

💡

To quickly switch between noise reduction modes on Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, press the touch panel for 1 second – the device will cyclically switch ANC/Transparent Mode/Off.

Problem Solving: Headphones are not connected or are malfunctioning

If Xiaomi headphones are not determined by the phone or connect with errors, the reasons can be both software (Bluetooth module failure) and hardware (discharged battery, damaged cable).-5 problems and solutions.

1.The phone doesn't see headphones in the list of Bluetooth devices

Reasons:

• 🔋 Headphones are discharged (the indicator does not burn when you press the button).
• 📱 Headphones are already paired with another device (for example, a laptop).
• 🔄 The Bluetooth phone module is not working properly.

Decisions:

Charge the headphones (put in the case for 10 minutes)

Reset your headphone settings (press the button for 15 seconds before flashing red)

Reboot your smartphone

Update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Earphones app-->

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones have previously been connected to another device, they can automatically connect to it.To force them to pair, remove them from the Bluetooth list on all devices they have connected to.

2.The sound is interrupted or delayed

This is a typical problem for Bluetooth 4.2 (older models like Redmi AirDots), but sometimes it also occurs on new headphones.

• 📶 Interference from other wireless devices (routers, microwaves).
• 📱 Use of outdated codec (for example, SBC instead AAC or).
• 🔋 Low battery charge headphones (below 20%).

Decisions:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth → Settings gear next to the headphones → Audio codec and select AAC or aptX (if supported).
2. Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelet, smart watch).
3. Charge the headphones to 50% or more.

3.Only one earphone works

If the sound is only in the left or right earphone:

• 🧲 Take both earbuds out of the case and put them back for 10 seconds – they sync automatically.
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings (press the button on the case for 15 seconds).
• 🎧 Check if the contacts on the headphones or in the case are not contaminated (wipe with an alcohol napkin).

⚠️ Attention: On models of Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro problem with one earphone can occur due to the discrepancy between the left and right firmware versions. Update the firmware through the Mi Earphones app.

How to connect Xiaomi headphones to multiple devices at the same time

Multipoint (simultaneously connecting to two devices) is available in Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro and later, which is convenient if you want to listen to music from your phone but take calls on your laptop.

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (for example, a smartphone).
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (press the button on the case for 5 seconds before the double signal).
3. On the second device (laptop, tablet) find the headphones in the Bluetooth list and connect.

To switch between devices:

• 📱 On your smartphone: open the notification panel and tap on the headphone icon.
• 💻 On a laptop: select headphones in the list of audio devices (usually in the lower right corner of the screen).

If the multipoint doesn't work:

• Update the headphone firmware.
• Make sure both devices support Bluetooth 5.0+.
• Reset the headphone settings and reconnect.

💡

Multipoint only works with devices on Android 10+, iOS 13+ or Windows 10+. On older versions of the OS, headphones will automatically disconnect from the first device when connected to the second.

Update of the firmware headphones Xiaomi

The manufacturer regularly releases headphone updates that fix bugs, improve sound and add new features (such as support for LC3 codecs for LE Audio).

1. Install the Mi Earphones app from Google Play or AppGallery.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the application, go to Settings → About the program.
4. If an update is available, click "Update" and wait until it's finished (don't turn off the headphones!).

Example of current firmware versions (June 2026):

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process, this can lead to loss of performance of the headphones. If the firmware is "hang", put the headphones in the case for 30 seconds, then try again.

Compatibility of Xiaomi headphones with other devices

Headphones Xiaomi work not only with smartphones of this brand, but also with other gadgets:

• 📱 Android smartphones: Full compatibility, but some features (like gestures) may not be customizable without the Mi Earphones app.
• 🍎 iPhone/iPad: Bluetooth connections, but noise reduction and equalizer are only configured through third-party applications (e.g. Equalizer)+).
• 💻 Laptops (Windows/macOS): Works like a standard Bluetooth headset, but multipoint may not be supported.
• 🎮 Game consoles: ✅ PlayStation 5: All models are supported. ⚠️ Nintendo Switch: Desktop Console only (Bluetooth adapter required). ❌ Xbox Series X/S: Not officially supported (a separate adapter is needed).

To connect to PlayStation 5:

1. Go to Settings → Sound → Output device.
2. Choose your Xiaomi headphones from the list.
3. In the microphone settings, turn off "Controller Login" if you use the headphone microphone.

💡

On a MacBook for stable connection Xiaomi Buds, disable the function "Automatic switching of audio devices" in System settings → Bluetooth → Additional.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones