How to connect Xiaomi headphones with your phone: all ways and solutions to problems

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

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, even with such devices, users face problems: Bluetooth connection is constantly cut, the phone “can’t see” the headphones, the sound is distorted, and most often the fault is in the settings of the smartphone or the headphones themselves, not a hardware defect.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting, from standard pairing over Bluetooth to manual resetting of headphones. Separately, we will focus on the unique feature of models with a Qualcomm QCC3040 chip (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), which require a firmware update for stable operation with Android 12+. If your headphones are already connected, but work incorrectly, go straight to the section “Problem Solutions”.

Note: the instruction is relevant for all Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco headphone models (including AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds) and Android 8.0+ or iOS 12+ phones. Additional steps may be required for older versions of the OS.

1. Preparation before connecting: what to check in the phone and headphones

Before you try to connect devices, make sure both gadgets are ready to pair, and neglecting these steps is the cause of 60% of failed connections.

• 📱 On your phone: Turn on Bluetooth (in the notification panel or in Settings) → Connected devices. Make sure Invisible mode is off.
• 🎧 Headphones: check the charge level (the indicator should flash white/blue when turned on). If the indicator is red, charge the case for at least 10 minutes.
• 🔄 Compatible: Xiaomi headphones with a chip QCC3040 (Like Redmi Buds. 4 Pros may not work with phones on MediaTek Helio G35/G80 due to conflicting protocols.
• 📦 First connection: if the headphones are new, remove them from the case - they will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator will start blinking quickly).

Pay special attention to the Bluetooth version of your phone. For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 headphones support Bluetooth 5.3, but if your smartphone is equipped with a Bluetooth 4.2 module (like in Redmi). 7A), part of the functions (e.g, LC3-Low-latency codecs will not be available.

⚠️ Warning: If you connect headphones to your iPhone, pre-disable the Automatic Sound Switch function in Settings → Bluetooth.Otherwise, iOS can arbitrarily switch between headphones and a phone speaker.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection: step-by-step instructions

This method works for 95% of Xiaomi models. If the headphones have already been paired with another device, reset first (see section 4).

Remove the headphones from the case (they must turn on automatically)

Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone

Click Device Search or Add a New Device

Choose your model from the list (e.g. Redmi Buds 4)

Confirm pairing (PIN 0000 or 1234 if necessary)

Wait for the message Connected-->

On Android, after a successful connection, a headphone icon will appear in the list of devices with the words Connected for sound and calls. On iOS, check that your headphones are selected from the Control Point menu (swipe down from the upper right corner) as the audio output device.

If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try:

1. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone again.
2. Reboot your phone (sometimes helps in conflicts with other Bluetooth devices).
3. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove again.

💡

If the headphones are connected but the sound is only in one channel, check the sound balance in the phone settings. On Android, this is Settings → Sound → Stereo Balance.

Connecting Xiaomi wired headphones (Type-C/3.5 mm)

Despite the popularity of wireless models, Xiaomi continues to produce wired headphones with a Type-C connector (for example, Mi Basic Type-C) or 3.5 mm (for example, Mi Hybrid Pro HD).

• 🔌 For Type-C: just plug the plug into the phone port. On Android 10+ You may be asked to select a mode (Analog/Digital) – select Digital for better sound.
• 🎵 For 3.5mm: If your phone doesn’t have an audio output (like the Xiaomi 12 Pro), you’ll need a Type-C adapter. → Xiaomi’s original 3.5mm adapters support Hi-Res Audio.
• 🔊 On iPhone (without 3.5 mm connector) use the Lightning adapter → 3.5mm or Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver wireless transmitter.

Problems with wired headphones are usually related to:

• 🔋 Faulty cable (check on the bends near the plug).
• 🔊 Connector contamination (clean the phone port with a wooden toothpick soaked in alcohol).
• 📵 Bluetooth conflict (turn off Bluetooth if it's on - some phones prioritize wireless devices).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 13+ When you connect wired headphones, the Mi Sound Assistant application can automatically start. If the sound is distorted, turn off all effects (Settings) → Sound effects → Off.).

4.Resetting Xiaomi headphones: when and how to do

If the headphones have been previously connected to another device, are not detected by the phone or are unstable, perform a hard reset, which removes all stored pairings and returns the headphones to the factory settings.

Instructions for most models:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
3. Open the case cover - the headphones will go into pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).

For models without a button on the case (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro):

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset beep.

⚠️ Note: After reset, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Redmi Buds 4 Active headphones may require a firmware update via the Mi Earphones app. Without an update, microphone problems may occur during calls.

5. Connect via Mi Earphones app: additional features

The official Mi Earphones app (available for Android and iOS) not only makes it easier to connect, but also gives you access to hidden settings:

• 🎛️ Equator with presets for different genres of music.
• 🔋 Display the charge level of each headphone and case.
• 🔄 Update firmware (critical for models with a chip) QCC3040).
• 🎤 Noise reduction setting (for models with ANC, For example, Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro).

How to connect through the application:

1. Download Mi Earphones from Google Play or App Store.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and remove the headphones from the case.
3. Launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions (usually you need to confirm pairing in your phone settings).

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 📱 Reinstall Mi Earphones (sometimes cache cleaning helps).
• 🔄 Reset your headphones (section 4).
• 📋 Check compatibility: the app does not support headphones older than 2019 (e.g. Redmi AirDots Basic).

6. Solving common connection problems

Even after successful pairing, users are faced with typical problems, and here's how to fix them:

🔊 Problem: The sound is interrupted or distorted

• 📶 Reason: weak Bluetooth signal or interference from other devices (Wi-Fi, microwaves).
• 🛠️ Solution: Move closer to the phone (maximum distance for stable connection - 10 meters). In the Bluetooth settings of the phone, select Sound Quality Priority (if any), turn off Wi-Fi or switch to 5 GHz (less prone to interference).

🎧 Problem: Headphones are connected, but there is no sound

• 🔇 Reason: The audio output device is incorrectly selected or the headphones are not recognized as an audio device.
• 🛠️ Solution: On Android: In the notification bar, click on the headphone icon and select Use for Sound. On iOS: swipe up for Control and select the headphones in the audio section. Reboot the phone.

🔋 Problem: Headphones are quickly discharged

• ⚡ Reason: background processes, outdated firmware or battery wear.
• 🛠️ Solution: Update your firmware through Mi Earphones. Disable unnecessary features (such as Noise Reduction or Low Lag). Check the case: if its indicator doesn't burn when you connect to charging, the power controller may be faulty.

💡

If the headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 discharge in 1-2 hours, most likely, the fault of the battery. Contact the service center - for such cases, the warranty applies (provided that the headphones did not drop or charge with unoriginal cable).

7. Connection to multiple devices (multipoint)

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active) support simultaneous connection to two devices (such as a phone and laptop).

1. First, connect the headphones to the first device (such as a phone) in the standard way.
2. Open Mi Earphones, go to Settings → Multipoint and turn on the function.
3. On a second device (like a laptop), search for Bluetooth devices and select your headphones.
4. Confirm pairing. Now the headphones will automatically switch between devices depending on the active sound source.

Multipoint limitations:

• 🎮 Does not work with PlayStation or Xbox (a separate pairing is required).
• 📱 On iOS, you may need to manually switch at the Control Point.
• 🔊 When simultaneous sound playback from two devices may delay.

8. Alternative ways of connecting

If a standard Bluetooth connection doesn’t work, try these methods:

🔗 Connection via Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver

This device allows you to connect wired headphones to your phone over Bluetooth, useful if your smartphone does not have a 3.5 mm connector and headphones do not have a Type-C.

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and transmitter (hold the power button for 3 seconds).
2. In the list of available devices, select Mi Bluetooth Audio Receiver.
3. Connect the wired headphones to the transmitter.

💻 Connection to a PC or Mac

Xiaomi headphones are compatible with computers:

• 🖥️ Windows: Start → Parameters → Devices → Bluetooth → add.
• 🍎 Mac: System settings → Bluetooth → pick up headphones from the list.

If the sound is interrupted, in the Bluetooth device settings on your PC, select Sound Quality Priority instead of Communication Priority.

💡

For stable PC experience, update your Bluetooth drivers via Device Manager (Windows) or install the latest macOS updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)