How to connect Xiaomi headphones to your phone: instructions for all models (2026)

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular smartphone accessories for price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users sometimes have difficulties when connecting for the first time: the phone does not see the headphones, the connection is constantly broken or the sound is interrupted. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of synchronizing, from a standard Bluetooth connection to proprietary technologies like Mi AI and NFC, and also explain how to fix typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the connection process can vary depending on the headphone model (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Pro vs. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) and the firmware version of the phone. We’ve taken these nuances into account and put together universal instructions that work on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS. If your headphone model is not mentioned in the article, don’t worry: the connection principles are the same for the entire line.

Before you go to the instructions, check two key points:

• 🔋 Headphone and case charge: even if the indicator is on, try recharging the device for 10-15 minutes. Low charge often leads to failures when pairing.
• 📱 Bluetooth version on the phone: Xiaomi headphones require Bluetooth 5.0+. You can find the version in the Settings menu → The phone. → Full specification.

1. Standard Bluetooth connection

This is a basic method that works on all smartphones — not just Xiaomi. It is suitable for Redmi Buds 3/4, Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, AirDots and others. The main advantage is that you do not need to install additional applications.

Algorithm of action:

1. Remove the headphones from the case. Most models automatically switch to pairing mode (the indicator starts flashing white and red). If this does not happen, press the button on the case or headphones for 3-5 seconds.
2. On your phone, open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the switch.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro) and tap it.
4. Confirm pairing if you request it. Some models (like the FlipBuds Pro) will require additional confirmation in the Mi Earphones app.

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

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth module: disable and turn it back on in phone settings.
• 🧲 Reset the headphone settings: press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red (this is a reset signal).
• 📵 Remove old connections: in the Bluetooth menu, find the “Conjugated devices” section, remove the headphones and repeat the procedure.

Make sure the headphones are charged.|Check the Bluetooth version on your phone|Remove old connections in settings|Reboot the Bluetooth module-->

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If the headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted, try turning off the Absolute Volume function in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, tap 7 times).

Fast connection via NFC (for supported models)

NFC technology allows you to pair headphones with a Xiaomi phone in seconds — just attach a case to the back of the smartphone. This method works on models with an NFC chip (for example, Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) and headphones Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro.

Instructions:

1. Activate NFC on your phone: Settings → Connect and Share → NFC (or swipe down the notification bar and find the NFC icon).
2. Open the headphone cover (do not remove them!).
3. Apply the case to the top of the back of the phone (where it is located) NFC-A beep should be heard and a notification of connection will appear on the screen.
4. Confirm the pairing if necessary.

If NFC-connection is not working:

• 📍 Check the location of the chip: on some Xiaomi models, it is shifted to the camera.
• 🔋 Make sure that NFC On: Sometimes the function is turned off after the phone restarts.
• 📱 Update the firmware: on older versions MIUI There may be bugs with NFC-coupling.

Through Bluetooth.|Through NFC|Through the Mi Earphones app|In other ways.-->

3. Connect via the Mi Earphones app

The Mi Earphones (formerly Mi Headphones) app not only simplifies pairing, but also gives access to additional features: equalizer setup, headphone firmware updates, gesture management. The application is mandatory for Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, Air 2S models - without it, some functions will not be available.

How to connect:

1. Download Mi Earphones from Google Play or AppGallery (for Huawei). On Xiaomi phones, the app can be preinstalled.
2. Open the app and allow access to Bluetooth and Notifications.
3. Remove the headphones from the case, and they will automatically appear in the list of available devices.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Some models will require you to confirm pairing in the phone's Bluetooth settings.

After connecting to Mi Earphones will be available:

• 🎛️ Sound setting: selecting preset profiles (Bases, Vocals) or manual equalizer adjustment.
• 🔄 Firmware Update: Critical updates improve connection stability and add new features (e.g., new features, LDAC For Buds 4 Pro).
• 👆 Gesture management: reassigning tapu, swipe, or retention actions (such as calling a voice assistant).
• 🔋 Charge monitoring: displaying the battery level of each earphone and case in real time.

4. Connect to non-Xiaomi phones (Android/iPhone)

Xiaomi headphones are compatible not only with the brand’s smartphones, but also with other devices on Android or iOS. However, there are nuances: on the iPhone, some functions may not work (for example, transparent mode or adaptive noise cancellation), and on Android from other manufacturers, you need to manually configure codecs.

For Android (Samsung, Honor, Realme, etc.):

1. Turn on Bluetooth and put the headphones in pairing mode (see section 1).
2. In the list of devices, select your headphones. If the connection is not established, try resetting the headphones (press the button on the case for 10 seconds).
3. To improve sound, open Bluetooth Settings → Sound settings and select AAC or aptX codecs (if supported).

For iPhone (iOS):

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the module.
2. Remove the headphones from the case and wait for them to appear in the list of Other devices.
3. Slip on the headphones. An iPhone may have a notification of limited functionality, confirm the connection.

Limitations on iPhone:

• ❌ No codec support LDAC: maximum sound quality — AAC.
• ❌ Mi Earphones app does not work: equalizer and gesture settings will have to be changed on Xiaomi phone.

💡

On the iPhone, Xiaomi headphones work in basic mode. For full functionality (noise reduction, equalizer), you need an Android smartphone with the Mi Earphones application.

5. Solving Connection Problems

If the headphones don't connect or the connection is constantly breaking, the reasons could be in the headphones themselves and in the phone, and we've collected the most common errors and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods helped, try updating the firmware headphones:

1. Connect your headphones to your Xiaomi phone via Mi Earphones.
2. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.
3. If a new version is available, download it and install it. Don't interrupt the upgrade process, or the headphones may fail!

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If after updating the firmware headphones stopped working - reset them to factory settings (press the button on the case for 15 seconds) and connect again.

6. Sound and control optimization

Once you've successfully connected, you should adjust your headphones to your preferences, not only for sound quality, but also for ease of control.

Equalizer setting:

• In the Mi Earphones app, go to the Sound section.
• Choose one of the preset profiles (Bases, Classics, Podcasts) or create your own by moving sliders.
• For models with LDAC (e.g. Buds 4 Pro), enable this codec in your phone’s Bluetooth settings (Settings → Bluetooth → Sound settings → Codec).

Reassignment of gestures:

• In Mi Earphones, open the Management section.
• Select an action (for example, Double Touch) and assign it a function: playback / pause, the next track, call the voice assistant.
• For touch-controlled models (such as FlipBuds Pro), you can configure swipes up/down to adjust volume.

Activation of noise reduction (ANC):

• Noise reduction is available on Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, Buds 4 Pro models.
• In the Mi Earphones app, go to Noise Reduction and select Adaptive, Deep or Transparent.
• On the iPhone, noise cancellation will only work in base mode.

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For better sound in Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, turn on the LDAC codec in Bluetooth settings.It provides a bitrate of up to 990 kbps, but can drain the battery faster.

7. Frequent Questions and Myths About Xiaomi Headphones

There are a lot of rumors around Xiaomi wireless headphones, from “they break in a month” to “they can’t be used with an iPhone.”

Myth 1: “Xiaomi headphones are not compatible with iPhone”

✅ Reality: Headphones connect to iPhone via Bluetooth, but some features (noise reduction, equalizer) only work on Android with the Mi Earphones app.

Myth 2: “After updating the firmware, the headphones will break”

✅ Reality: Firmware updates fix bugs and add new features, and crashes only occur if you interrupt the update process or use informal firmware.

Myth 3: Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro is better than AirPods Pro

✅ Reality: Buds 4 Pro sound and functionality are not inferior to AirPods Pro, but lose in the ecosystem (no smooth integration with Mac or iPad).

Myth 4: “Xiaomi headphones discharge quickly”

✅ Reality: The operating time depends on the model. For example, Redmi Buds 4 hold up to 6 hours on a single charge (with a case - up to 30 hours), and Buds 4 Pro - up to 9 hours with a single charge. ANC. It's comparable to competitors.

Noise suppression (ANC)|Gesture management|equalizer|Transparent mode|None of the above.-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

If your question is not covered in the article, check the official documentation for your headphone model on the Xiaomi website or contact support through the Mi Community app. For the diagnosis of hardware problems (for example, if the headphones are not charging), it is better to visit the service center.