How to tie Xiaomi headphones to iPhone: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi wireless headphones are a popular choice among iPhone users due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, many people face difficulties when connecting first: devices do not find each other, the connection is constantly broken or the sound is interrupted. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of synchronization, including hidden iOS settings, which will help to avoid typical errors.

Xiaomi headphones (such as Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless or Buds 4 Pro) are optimized for the MIUI ecosystem, but work perfectly with the iPhone — when set up correctly. We’ll look not only at the standard Bluetooth pairing process, but also at alternative methods for older headphone models or non-standard situations (for example, if the headphones were already tied to another device).

Important: Some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 3T) require a pre-reset before connecting to an iPhone, which is discussed in a separate section.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before you tie your headphones to your iPhone, you need to pair them, and different models may have different activation processes. Here are the generic steps:

• 🔋 Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator should flash white or blue when removed from the case).
• 📦 Get both headphones out of the charging case - they should automatically turn on.
• 🔄 Press the touchpad (or mechanical button) on both headphones simultaneously for 5-10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white (search mode).
• 🎧 For models with a case (for example, Redmi Buds 4) you can hold the button on the case itself for 3-5 seconds.

If the indicators don't flash, the headphones are discharged or you need to reset. Xiaomi models with firmware after 2022, the pairing mode is activated automatically when you first remove from the case — just open the lid next to the iPhone.

⚠️ Note: Some headphones (e.g. Mi Air 2) SE) They may not go into search mode if there's only one earpiece in the case!

Press the button on the headphones for 10 seconds | Check the flashing of indicators (red + white) | Make sure the case is charged (the indicator on the case is burning) | Remove both headphones from the case-->

2. Standard Bluetooth connection on iPhone

The easiest way to tie your headphones is through the Bluetooth menu in iOS.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and go to Bluetooth.
2. Make sure the Bluetooth slider is turned on (green).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Redmi Buds 4 or Mi True Wireless 2).
4. Tap the name, you start pairing. Confirm the connection if you get a request.

After successful connection, the Connected status will appear in the list of devices, and the headphone icon will appear in the top panel of the iPhone.

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out).
• 📱 Reboot your iPhone (sometimes helps with Bluetooth crashes).
• 🔌 Disable other wireless devices (columns, clocks) that may interfere.

For dual-connection models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) the headphones will automatically switch between the iPhone and another device (such as a laptop) after the first pairing.

Redmi AirDots|Mi True Wireless|Buds 3/3T/4 Pro|Another model |I don't know-->

3. Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect

If your iPhone doesn’t see Xiaomi headphones or the connection is constantly breaking, check out the following points:

Xiaomi models that support the Mi Home app (such as the Mi Air 2 Pro) may need to be pre-tuned through an Android device to update the firmware. Without this, some features (such as noise maker) may not work on the iPhone.

⚠️ Attention: Headphones Xiaomi Buds 3T and newer require iOS 14+ You can use the old versions to have problems with the microphone or gesture control.

4.Reset Xiaomi headphones before connecting

If the headphones were previously tied to another device (like an Android smartphone), they should be reset.

1. Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Open the case cover and hold the button on the case (or touch panel on the headphones) for 15-20 seconds.
3. Indicators on headphones should flash red 2 times - this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Close the case cover for 5 seconds, then remove the headphones - they are ready for a new connection.

For models without a button on the case (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite):

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2. Press the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds.




3. Wait for the double red blink.

Once reset, Xiaomi headphones will disappear from the list of conjugated devices on all gadgets, you will have to connect them again as a new device.

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If the reset doesn’t work, try discharging the headphones to 0% (leave on until turned off), then charging to 100% and repeat the procedure.

5. Alternative ways of connecting

If the standard method doesn’t work, try these options:

• 🔄 Regime. DFU Headphones: Some models (e.g. Mi Air 2) support forced firmware updates via Android.
• 📱 Connect via app: Install Mi Home on iPhone (available in the App Store), but note that the functionality is limited compared to the Android version.
• 🔌 Use of the adapter: For headphones with USB-C (For example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro can connect them to the iPhone through the Lightning adapter → USB-C firmware.

For models with Google Fast Pair support (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), the iPhone connection is faster if there are no active Android devices nearby.

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Xiaomi headphones with a Qualcomm QCC3040 chip (such as Mi True Wireless 2) are better compatible with iPhone than models on Realtek (such as Redmi AirDots 2).

6. Sound and control optimization on iPhone

After connecting, set up the headphones for maximum comfort:

• 🎵 Equator: In Settings → Music. → Equator Choose Preset More Low or Rock for Best Bass.
• 🔇 Noise: Enable Concentration Mode in Control Point (swipe down from top right corner) to activate ANC (if maintained).
• ⏮️ Gesture control: Double touch: playback/pause. Triple touch: next track. Retention: voice assistant call (Siri).

For models with transparent mode (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro), the switch between ANC and transparency is triple tap left earphone. On iPhone, this mode only works when the microphone is active (for example, during a call).

If the sound is quiet, check the volume limit in Settings → Music → Volume Limit. Turn it off or set a maximum limit.

7. Frequent errors and their correction

Let’s look at the typical situations that users face:

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi Air 2 headphones can conflict with AirPods on one iPhone. Turn off Auto Connection for AirPods in Bluetooth settings (click on "i" next to the device).

If after updating iOS headphones stopped working correctly, try to forget the device in the Bluetooth settings (click on "i" → Forget this device), then connect again.

Frequently asked questions