How to set up pairing between headphones Xiaomi Earbuds: the complete guide

Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi, such as the popular models Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, AirDots 3 or flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, have become the standard of quality in the budget and mid-market segment. Their compactness, excellent autonomy and clean sound make them ideal for both Android smartphones and iOS devices. However, the initial setup process often raises questions for users who are first encountering the ecosystem. TWS-The sleeve of the True Wireless Stereo).

Unlike wired accessories, you don't have to look for connectors or adapters, but you need the right sequence of steps to activate Bluetooth visibility. Mistakes at this point can lead to the phone not "seeing" the headphones, or the sound will play only in one of the ears. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the nuances of connection, from basic steps to solving complex software conflicts.

Before starting the procedure, make sure that your Xiaomi Earbuds have a sufficient battery charge. If the case or the headphones themselves are discharged to zero, they may not respond to touch or not turn on at all. It is also worth unlocking your smartphone screen in advance, since many modern versions of the MIUI or Android operating system require confirmation of actions on a locked screen.

Preparation of headphones and smartphone for synchronization

The first and most important step is the physical preparation of the devices. Often users try to find headphones in the Bluetooth list, forgetting that they may be in sleep mode or already paired with another gadget. Remove both headphones from the charging case. On most Xiaomi models, the indicators on the headphones themselves or on the case should light up, signaling the start of work.

If the indicators do not light up, check for protective films on the charging contacts inside the case (relevant for new devices) or charge the device for 15-20 minutes. It is important to understand that the pairing mode is activated automatically when first turned on or forcibly when the touch zone is held.

  • πŸ”‹ Make sure that the charge of the case and headphones is at least 30-40% steady-work.
  • πŸ“± Turn off Bluetooth on other devices nearby that were previously associated with these headphones to avoid automatically intercepting the connection.
  • πŸ” Keep the case with headphones at a distance of no more. 1-2 meters from the smartphone during the setup.

There is a caveat that not everyone knows about: if the headphones were previously connected to another phone, they may try to reconnect with it by ignoring your new smartphone, in which case you need to force them to search mode, which we will talk about in the next sections.

Standard algorithm for connecting via Bluetooth settings

The main method of activating the headset is universal for most models, including Redmi Buds and Mi True Wireless. Once you remove the headphones from the case, they go to the standby mode of connection. On your smartphone, you need to go to the settings menu and select the Bluetooth partition.

Turn on the wireless slider if it's turned off. The system will start scanning the available devices. The Available Devices list should show the name of your model, for example, Mi True Wireless EBs. Basic_R or Xiaomi Buds. 3T Note: Sometimes only one ear appears first (right or left), this is normal for primary synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If two names appear on the list (e.g. Left and Right separately), it means that the headphones have lost sync with each other. Do not connect to them separately - reset the settings first (instruction below).

Click on the device name in the list. The smartphone can request a pairing confirmation or enter PIN-code (usually 0000 or 1234, although modern models do not). Once successfully connected, you will hear a characteristic beep in the headphones, and the voice assistant will report the status of "ConnectedΒ».

β˜‘οΈ Checking a successful connection

Done: 0 / 4

After the first successful connection, further work will occur automatically: it will be enough to simply open the case, and the headphones themselves will connect to the last device used.

Use of Mi Wear and Xiaomi Earbuds

For owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, as well as users of other Android brands, the use of specialized software is highly recommended.The Mi Wear app (formerly Mi Earbuds) allows you not only to connect the device, but also to unlock its full potential, including firmware updates and gesture customization.

Download the app from the Google Play Store or through a scan QR-Once installed, launch the program and click "Add device." The app will ask you to turn on geolocation, which is a requirement of the Android system for the Bluetooth scanner to work, you can't ignore it.

In an app, the connection process is often faster and more stable than through the standard system menu. Mi Wear automatically determines the model of your Xiaomi Earbuds and offers to update firmware if a new version is available. This is critical, since many problems with audio desynchronization or communication breaks are solved by software updates.

Why do you need a firmware update?
Updating firmware fixes bugs, improves noise reduction, optimizes battery consumption and adds support for new codecs. You can’t interrupt the update process categorically β€” it can turn headphones into a β€œbrick”.

The app’s functionality also allows you to rename the device, adjust the equalizer, and assign touch actions.Without using Mi Wear or Xiaomi Earbuds, many of these features remain unavailable.

Specificity of connection to iPhone (iOS) and PC

Connecting Xiaomi Earbuds to Apple devices is easy, as it uses the standard Bluetooth protocol. The algorithm is similar to connecting to Android: remove the headphones, find them in the Bluetooth settings on the iPhone and click Connect.

However, the limitations of the Apple ecosystem are worth considering. Features like a battery pop-up or quick gesture settings won’t work without third-party apps. For advanced functionality on iOS, try the Xiaomi Earbuds app (if available in your area) or Mi Wear, although their functionality on iOS is often cut down compared to Android.

When connecting to a computer (Windows or macOS), the process is also standard. Go to Settings β†’ Devices β†’ Bluetooth (Windows) or System Settings β†’ Bluetooth (macOS).

PlatformFeatures of connectionRequired SOFTWARELimitations
Android (MIUI/HyperOS)Automatic pop-up windowMi Wear (recommended)Full functionality
iOS (iPhone/iPad)Standard Bluetooth menuXiaomi Earbuds (optional)No gesture settings in the system
Windows 10/11Manual addition of the deviceNot requiredNo battery control
macOSThrough the Bluetooth menuNot requiredMinimum functionality

If the signal is weak or interrupted, try bringing the USB-Bluetooth adapter closer to the headphones or using the built-in laptop module, removing metal barriers.

Quick pairing mode and Google Fast Pair

Many modern Xiaomi models, especially those released after 2021, support Google Fast Pair technology, which allows you to connect headphones to an Android smartphone instantly, simply by bringing an open case to the unlocked screen of the phone.

To work this feature, the phone must have Bluetooth enabled and geolocated, and a Google account logged in, so when you open the case next to the phone, an animation will appear on the screen with your headphones and a plug-in button, which is the fastest way to do it without having to wander through the settings menu.

πŸ“Š Do you use branded headphone apps?
Yeah, always put Mi Wear on.
No, I just connect via Bluetooth.
I use third-party apps.
I have an iPhone, it's different.

If the automatic window doesn’t appear, check if the Fast Pair feature is enabled in your phone’s Google settings (Settings β†’ Google β†’ Settings for apps β†’ Fast pairing). Also make sure that the Bluetooth version on your smartphone is at least 4.2, although 5.0 and higher is better for stable operation.

Connection problems and their solution

Even if you follow all the instructions, you can crash, and the most common problem is that the headphones are not visible in the list or are not connected, in which case, first try "forgetting the device" in your phone's Bluetooth settings and repeat the search.

If that doesn't work, it probably requires a full reset of the headphones to the factory. For most Xiaomi Earbuds models, this is done as follows: place the headphones in the case, leave the lid open, and press 5-10 times on the touch areas of both headphones simultaneously (or hold the sensors for 10-15 seconds, depending on the model).

  • πŸ”‡ Make sure the headphones are not automatically connected to another device within a 10 meter radius.
  • πŸ”„ Reboot your smartphone – it solves 90% of software conflicts Bluetooth stack.
  • 🧹 Clear the Bluetooth cache in Android app settings if the problem is system-specific.

⚠️ Warning: When you reset your headphones will delete all saved profiles, and after the procedure, you will have to re-couple them with all your devices, as for the first time.

It's also worth checking if the case is completely discharged. Sometimes the headphones light up, but there's not enough power for the Bluetooth module. Charge the case from the network for at least 30 minutes.

Management settings and additional functions

Once paired successfully, you should adjust the controls. By default, the sensors can be set to play/pause, but you can reassign actions through the Mi Wear app, such as setting a triple tap to call a voice assistant or activate low-latency game mode.

The app also has a headphone search feature available. TWS-And if you have headphones in the room, you can run a test sound that can help you find the device by sound, and it also shows the exact percentage of charge in your left ear, right ear, and case.

πŸ’‘

Turn on Game Mode in the app if you notice a delay in the sound in games or videos. This will slightly increase battery consumption, but synchronizes the audio and video sequence.

Remember to regularly clean speaker grids and charging contacts. Mud and earwax can block sensors, which will prevent the headphones from responding to touch or charging in the case, indirectly affecting the connection process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why only one headphone (left or right) works?
Most likely, the synchronization between the headphones is broken. Place both earphones in the case, close the lid, then pull them out at the same time. If it doesn't work, perform a full reset (5-10 touches of the sensors), then remove the device from the phone's Bluetooth list and reconnect.
Can you connect Xiaomi Earbuds to two phones at the same time?
Most models support Multipoint, but it must be activated in the Mi Wear app. Without activating this feature, the headphones will only work with one device that the last one connected to.
The headphones are seen as "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic," is that normal?
Yes, it’s the standard factory name for many Xiaomi budget models (like Redmi AirDots). Once connected in the app, you can rename them to a more understandable name, like β€œMy Xiaomi.”
What if the Mi Wear app can’t see the headphones?
Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone via the standard Bluetooth menu.The app works as an add-on and requires a base connection already installed. Also check the permissions for the app: location access and Bluetooth should be allowed.
How to enter the pairing mode if the headphones are new?
New headphones usually enter pairing mode automatically when first removed from the case. If the indicators flash white (or red/white alternately), the mode is active. If they are just burning, they may have already been in use and need to be reset.

πŸ’‘

The main secret of stable operation of Xiaomi Earbuds is timely update of firmware through the Mi Wear application and periodic resetting of settings when changing the main smartphone.