How to properly connect headphones Xiaomi True Wireless: instructions for all models

Xiaomi True Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life due to their convenience, compactness and high sound quality. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty connecting or re-pairing after a reset. This article will help you understand how to properly connect headphones with different devices from Xiaomi smartphones to laptops on Windows or macOS, and what to do if the gadget refuses to connect.

We're going to look at not only the standard procedure, but also the nuances for popular models — Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 and others. We're going to focus on the typical errors that make headphones not defined by the system, and how to fix them. If you have a problem when one headphone doesn't work or the sound is interrupted, here's a solution.

Important: The instructions are valid for firmware 2023-2026, and if your headphones are released before 2020 (e.g., Redmi AirDots Basic), some features may not be available.

1. Preparation of headphones for pairing

Before you first connect, make sure the headphones are charged and paired.Most Xiaomi True Wireless models automatically switch to this mode when first turned on, but manual activation may be required after reset or prolonged inactivity.

To check the charge, look at the indicators on the case case case case case:

• 🔋 White/green light – charge more than 50%, you can connect.
• 🔋 Red/orange light – charge below 20%, recharge required (minimum 10-15 minutes).
• 🔋 Blinking red - discharged completely, connect the case to the charging.

If you've used headphones before, you'll need to reset them to the factory settings.

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (usually one) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or red and blue in new models).
3. Release the button, reset complete.

After reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode when the next extraction from the case. Some models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro) require to hold the touch panel on one of the headphones for 3-5 seconds until the voice message “Pairing mode” sounds.

2.Pairing with Android-smartphone (including Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)

Connecting to Android smartphones is the easiest way, especially if you have a Xiaomi device. MIUI automatically recognizes the headphones and offers additional settings through the Mi Earphones app (or Xiaomi Earphones in newer versions).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone and turn on the module.
2. Get the headphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on and go into pairing mode (the indicator on the case will start flashing white).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your model (for example, Redmi Buds 5 or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing if a request appears.

After a successful connection, a notification about the availability of a branded app may appear on the screen. Install it via Google Play or Mi App Store to access:

• 🎵 Equator with pre-set profiles.
• 🔊 Setting up the noise maker (ANC) and transparent regime.
• 📊 Statistics of use and the level of charge of each headphone.
• ⚙️ Update the firmware (if available for your model).

If the headphones are not determined, check:

• 🔄 Are they already on the list of associated devices (sometimes you need to delete the old entry).
• 📱 Is Visibility Mode enabled in Bluetooth settings (on some smartphones it is hidden in Additional settings).
• 🔋 Is the case charge sufficient (at a level below 10%, the headphones may not be turned on).

Make sure that Bluetooth is on on your smartphone

Check the charge of the case (minimum 20%)

Delete the old device entry in Bluetooth settings (if any)

Get the headphones out of the case and wait for the indicator to blink-->

3. Connection to iPhone (iOS) and features of the work

While Xiaomi is optimizing its Android headphones, they work well with the iPhone, but some features (like transparent mode or customized touch gestures) may not be available without a proprietary app that isn’t supported on iOS.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the module.
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait until the indicator starts flashing white/blue.
3. In the list of Other devices, find the name of your model (may appear as Mi True Wireless or Redmi Buds) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing.

Once connected, the headphones will automatically switch between Apple devices (if you have a MacBook or iPad with the same iCloud account).

• ❌ No support. LDAC or AAC (Standard will be used SBC, Which can impair the sound quality).
• ❌ Sensory gestures do not work (except basic ones:.play/pause, answer the call).
• ❌ There is no way to update the firmware.

If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted or behind the video, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out).
• 📱 In Bluetooth settings on iPhone, disable the option “Low sound quality” (if any).
• 🎧 Check if the mode is activated ANC (It can cause delays on iOS).

💡

On iPhones, Xiaomi headphones can be displayed in Bluetooth settings without a logo — that's OK. As long as the sound is stable.

4. Pair with a laptop or PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Connecting to a computer is a bit more complicated than a smartphone, but following the instructions, you can do it in 1-2 minutes, the main thing is to make sure that your PC is on Bluetooth and installed current drivers (especially for Windows).

For Windows 10/11:

1. Press Win + I, select Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider.
3. Click Add Add the device → Bluetooth.
4. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for them to appear in the list. Select them and press Connect.

If the headphones are not displayed:

• 🖥️ Check if the Bluetooth adapter is enabled in Device Manager (click Win) + X and select the appropriate item).
• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put in the case, then pull out).
• 📥 Update the Bluetooth driver via Device Manager (right click on the adapter) → Update the driver).

For macOS:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure the module is on.
3. Take the headphones out of the case, they should appear on the list. Press Connect.

On Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.), use Bluetooth Manager (usually available through the app menu). If the headphones are connected but only sound is coming through one earphone, do it in the terminal:

pactl set-card-profile [card_name] a2dp_sink

(Replace. [card_name] to your Bluetooth device, which can be recognized by the pactl list cards command.)

5. Solving interface problems

If Xiaomi True Wireless headphones don’t connect or are unstable, the cause may be a software failure, device conflict, or hardware malfunction.

Critical information: If the headphones stop turning on after the reset (the indicator does not burn), this may indicate damage to the charging controller in the case, in which case repair or replacement of the battery unit is required.

If the problem persists, try updating the firmware (for models that support it). OTA-for this purpose:

1. Connect the headphones to the Xiaomi smartphone.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app.
3. Go to the Firmware Update section and follow the instructions.

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Most pairing problems are solved by resetting your headphones to factory settings, and don't neglect this step, even if it doesn't seem to help.

6. Additional settings after pairing

After successful connection, it is recommended to adjust the headphones to your needs. Depending on the model, the following options are available:

Through the Mi Earphones (Android) app:

• 🔇 Noisemaker (ANC): Adjustment of noise reduction level (available on Xiaomi Buds) 3/4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 Pro).

On iPhone or PC:

• 🎵 Use a system equalizer (e.g., Equalizer) APO Windows or Boom 3D macOS).
• 🔊 In the sound settings, select high quality (A2DP) instead of a telephone (HSP).

For models with transparent mode (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) you can adjust the level of external sounds, which is useful if you run outside or work in a noisy office, but want to hear others.

If you use headphones to play games or watch videos, reduce the latency of the sound:

• 🎮 On PC: In Bluetooth settings, select Low Latency profile).
• 📺 On your smartphone: Enable game mode in the Mi Earphones app (if available).

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To quickly switch between devices (for example, from smartphone to laptop), just turn off Bluetooth on the first gadget and turn on the second.

7 How to Reset Headphones If They Don't React

If Xiaomi True Wireless headphones stop turning on, don’t respond to touch, or permanently turn off, a hard reset may be required, which removes all saved settings and returns the device to factory condition.

Method 1: via the button on the case (for most models)

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to charging (optional, but recommended).
3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 20-30 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or red and blue in new models).
4. Release the button, reset complete, and the headphones automatically go into pairing mode the next time you pull it out.

Method 2: via touch panels (for models without a button on the case)

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds until the voice message "Reset successful" or the indicator flashes.
3. Put the headphones back in the case for 5 seconds, then pull out - they are ready for a new pairing.

Method 3: via the app (if the headphones are connected but not working properly)

1. Open Mi Earphones.
2. Go to Settings → Reset settings.
3. Confirm the action.

Once reset, the headphones will lose all stored device profiles, so they will have to be paired again. If the reset did not help, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, a discharged battery of one of the headphones or a damaged Bluetooth module).

8. Frequent questions and answers