How to connect Xiaomi headphones to another phone: instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, when changing a smartphone, many users face the problem: how to reconfigure already paired headphones to a new phone? Unlike wired counterparts, Bluetooth devices remember the last connected device, and without the right reset, they may simply not appear in the list of available gadgets.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi headphones (Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless 2/3, Buds 4/Pro, etc.) are linked to another phone — whether it’s an Android, iPhone, or even a MIUI device from another account. We’ll focus on resetting headphones, as this is a key step for successful connectivity. You’ll also learn why the phone can’t see the headphones and how to fix it without going to the service center.

If you’ve used an Android headphone before and now want to connect it to your iPhone (or vice versa), the algorithm will be slightly different. We’ll look at both options, and we’ll give you tips for eliminating common errors like “Device failed to connect” or “Hearphones not detected.” For owners of devices with MIUI, we’ll add a separate section on the nuances of working with Xiaomi’s firmware.

Before proceeding to the instructions, make sure that:

• 🔋 Headphones charged (the indicator should flash or burn white/red).
• 📱 Bluetooth on your phone is on and in search mode.
• 🔄 Headphones are not connected to another device (for example, a laptop or tablet).

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for a new connection

Before you tie your headphones to another phone, you need to remove them from the automatic connection mode to the old device. There are two methods for this: soft reset (breaking communication) and full reset to factory settings. The first is suitable if you temporarily connect your headphones to another phone, the second is if you want to “forget” the old device forever.

Mild reset (disconnection from the last device):

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Pull them out and hold the touch button on both headphones for 5-7 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white.
3. The headphones will go into search mode and will be available for a new connection.

Full reset (factory settings):

This method erases all saved connections and returns the headphones to their original settings, and the instructions are relevant for most Xiaomi/Redmi models:

1. Place the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind or inside) for 10-15 seconds.
3. Indicators on the case and headphones will start flashing red and then white – this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Get the headphones out of the case: they will automatically go into mating mode.

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and Redmi Buds 4 Active models, the reset process may be different:

• 🎧 Buds 3 Pro: Hold the touchpads on both headphones for 20 seconds until the voice message “Reset settings” sounds».
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Active: Trick the left earphone touchpad three times, then hold it for 10 seconds.

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If Xiaomi headphones do not blink after reset, check the charge of the case. At a level below 20%, the reset function may not work. Connect the case to charging for 15-20 minutes and try again.

2. Step-by-step connection to an Android phone

After resetting, the headphones are ready to pair. Consider the process of connecting to a smartphone on Android (including Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, etc.).

Step 1: Activate the search mode on the headphones

Take the headphones out of the case, and they're supposed to automatically turn on and go into mating mode (the indicators flash white).

• 🔄 Place the headphones back in the case, then pull them out again.
• 🔋 Make sure the case is charged (the indicator on the case should burn).
• 📱 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth → Off./On.).

Step 2: Search and Connect via Bluetooth

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone.
2. Activate Bluetooth and wait for your headphones to appear on the list (e.g. Redmi AirDots 3 or Mi True Wireless 2).
3. Click on the headphone name and confirm the connection.

Step 3: Checking the performance

After successful mating:

• 🎵 Turn on music or video – the sound should be automatically transmitted to the headphones.
• 🎤 Check the microphone (for example, by recording a voice message).
• 🔊 Adjust the volume directly on the headphones (if the model supports touch control).

Headphones charged (indicator on)|Bluetooth on phone enabled | Headphones in mating mode (blinking) |Old device disconnected from headphones-->

If the headphones don't connect, try:

1. Remove them from the list of paired devices on the old phone.
2. Reboot the new phone.
3. Reset network settings on your new phone (Settings → System → Reset → Reset settings Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

Redmi AirDots (1/2/3 generation)|Mi True Wireless (1/2/3)|Xiaomi Buds (3/4/Pro)|Redmi Buds (3/4 Lite/Active)|Another model-->

3. Features of connection to iPhone (iOS)

Connecting Xiaomi headphones to iPhone is not fundamentally different from Android, but there are a few nuances associated with the Bluetooth protocol and Apple restrictions. for example, on iOS may not display the level of charge of the headphones or not work some touch controls.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for the flashing indicators.
2. Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
3. In the list of Other devices, find the name of your headphones (such as Mi True Wireless 2) and tap it.
4. Confirm the connection. The headphones will appear in the My Devices section.

Problems and solutions for iOS:

Important for iPhone: Xiaomi headphones may not support AAC codec on some models, which degrades the sound quality. To fix this, go to Settings → Bluetooth → I badge next to the headphones and turn off the High-quality audio option (if available).

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On iOS, Xiaomi headphones can only work in mono mode (one earpiece) when listening to music through some apps (e.g. YouTube). For stereo sound, use the standard Music app or Apple Music app.

4. Connect to Xiaomi Phone (MIUI)

If the new phone is also Xiaomi (or Redmi/POCO on MIUI), the connection process is simplified by branded features, such as the system can automatically recognize headphones and offer quick setup.

Quick connection via MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Take the headphones out of the case. At the top of the screen, a notification will appear, "New headphones detected."
3. Slip on the notification and follow the instructions on the screen.

Additional settings in MIUI:

• 🎛 Settings → Connections and sharing → Headphones Xiaomi: here you can configure touch control, eQUALIZER and noise reduction (if supported).
• 🔊 Sound settings → Sound Effects: Activate Mi Sound Enhancer to Improve Sound Quality.
• 🔄 Settings → Special facilities → Hearing devices: Enable Low Lag for games and videos.

Problems specific to MIUI:

⚠️ Note: If the headphones were previously linked to a Mi Account account on another phone, you may need to log out on the old device, otherwise the new settings will not be saved.

For models with MIUI 12/13/14, the Quick Switch function is available:

1. Connect your headphones to your new phone.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Quickly switch devices.
3. Activate the option – now the headphones will automatically switch between devices with your Mi Account.

5. Removal of typical connection errors

Even after reset, the headphones may not connect to the new phone, so let's look at some of the most common errors and how to fix them.

Error: “The device failed to connect”

• 📱 Cause: Conflict with other Bluetooth devices.
• 🛠 Solution: Disable all other Bluetooth gadgets (fitness bracelets, smart watches) and try again.

Error: Headphones only connect in mono mode

• 🎧 Reason: One of the headphones is not synchronized with the main one.
• 🛠 Solution: Put both earbuds in a case. Pull them out and hold the touch buttons on both earbuds for 10 seconds. Wait until the lights start flashing in sync.

Mistake: Permanent communication breaks

• 📶 Cause: Interference from other wireless devices (Wi-Fi, microwaves).
• 🛠 Solution: Move to another location or turn off Wi-Fi on your phone. In Bluetooth settings, activate "Sound Quality Priority" (if you have one).

Error: Headphones are not defined by the phone

• 🔍 Reason: Outdated firmware headphones or phone.
• 🛠 Solution: Update the phone firmware (Settings) → The phone. → System Update. For headphones, use the Mi Home app (if they were previously connected to the device on the device). MIUI).

6. Set up additional functions after connection

After successful pairing, it is recommended to adjust the headphones for maximum convenience. Consider the key options available on most Xiaomi models.

Sensory management:

Each model has its own gestures:

• 🎧 Redmi AirDots 3: 👆 1 touch: Reproduction/pause. 👆👆 2 touches: Next track. 👆👆👆 3 touches: Previous track. 👆 Retention: Calling the voice assistant.
• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro: 👆 1 touch: Accept/complete the call. 👆👆 2 touches: On/off noise reduction. 👇 Swipe down: Turn down the volume.

Sound setting:

In the Mi Home app (for MIUI) or Xiaomi Earphones (for Android) you can:

• 🎛 Equalizer: Preset profiles (Bases, Bright, Voice) or manual settings.
• 🔇 Noise reduction: Adaptive modes, Transport, Office (for models with a ANC).
• 🎤 Transparent mode: Allows you to hear surrounding sounds without removing headphones.

Optimization for games and video:

To reduce the sound delay:

• 🎮 On Android: Turn on Game Mode in Bluetooth settings or in the headphone app.
• 📺 Nana MIUI: Activate Low Latency in Settings → Sound. → Sound effects.
• 🍎 On iOS: Use headphones in mode AAC (Turn off high-quality audio).