Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi and its sub-brands like Redmi and Black Shark have become incredibly popular due to their excellent price-to-quality ratio. However, like any Bluetooth gadget, they require the right initial setup to work smoothly. The process of establishing a connection, or pairing, can seem difficult for beginners, especially given the variety of models from budget AirDots to flagship Buds 4 Pro.
In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at how to connect your headphones to an Android or iOS smartphone, or to a personal computer or TV. We’ll look at not only the standard procedure, but also special connection modes that users often ignore.
And then we'll focus on troubleshooting, which is when you don't see a device on the list of available devices or you don't want to work properly. For active noise cancelling (ANC) models, it's critical to install an official app to calibrate microphones and customize sound profiles. Let's start with the basic training that you need before you start the procedure.
Preparation of the device and charge check
Before you try to find a device in the Bluetooth menu, you need to make sure that it is ready to go. Often, users find that the headphones do not turn on or quickly discharge because they have been in storage for a long time. Lithium polymer batteries in cases tend to self-discharge, so the first step should always be to fully charge the case and the earbuds themselves.
Put the headphones in the charger case and plug it into the power supply. The indicator inside or outside the case should light up, signaling the charging process. Usually red light means charging, and green light means full charge. For new models like the Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active, full charging time can be anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
- 🔋 Make sure there is no protective film on the case and headphones on the charging contacts.
- 🔋 Check integrity USB-cable and power supply, using original accessories.
- 🔋 Wait until the indicator shows 100% charge to avoid failures on the first turn on.
Don’t ignore this stage, as low charge can cause the Bluetooth module to work unstable or not start at all.If the indicators do not light up, try to wipe the contacts with dry cloth or slightly press the headphones in the case sockets.
Standard pairing procedure in pairing mode
The main mode of operation required for the first connection is called Pairing Mode. In most modern models of TWS (True Wireless Stereo) from Xiaomi, this mode is activated automatically when you first open the lid of the charged case with headphones inside, at which point the indicator on the front of the case begins to flash white, indicating readiness for search.
If the headphones were previously connected to another phone, automatically starting the search mode may not work, in which case you will need to force activation. This usually requires removing the headphones from the case and simultaneously touching the touch areas on both headphones, holding the finger for about 5-7 seconds until the indicators start to flash quickly. The exact combination depends on the model: for Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 you need to take them out and wait, and for Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro to press the button on the case.
☑️ Preparedness
Once you activate the search mode on the gadget, take your smartphone. Open the settings and go to the Bluetooth section. Make sure the slider is activated and the phone has started scanning the surrounding space. The name of your model should appear on the list of available devices, for example, Redmi AirDots or Xiaomi Buds 3.
⚠️ Note: If two identical names appear on the list (e.g., two AirDots), it means that the headphones are out of sync with each other.
Click on the device name in the list. The screen may have a request for confirmation of pairing or input. PIN-The standard code for most Xiaomi devices is 0000, but most often the connection is automatically without a password request. Once successfully connected, you will hear a voice message "Connected" or a characteristic beep.
Using the Xiaomi Earbuds app to customize
While the basic connection allows you to listen to music, to unlock the full potential of the gadget, it is highly recommended to use a specialized application. For devices under the brand Xiaomi and Redmi, this is the Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly Mi Buds M8), and for Black Shark gaming models, Shark Fun. These utilities allow you to update the firmware, which often fixes connection errors.
Download the app from the Google Play Market or App Store. Launch it and click the add-on button. The app will find the connected headphones and suggest updating firmware. Updating the firmware is a critical process that improves Bluetooth connectivity stability and noise reduction.
Why do you need a firmware update?
Inside the app, you can set up control gestures, such as triple tapping the left earphone to call the voice assistant and the right earphone to switch tracks, and you can also set up equalizer and noise reduction modes (ANC) if supported by your model.
Connection to a computer and Smart TV
Using Xiaomi headphones with a PC or TV requires a slightly different approach, as these devices do not have a mobile interface for fast pairing. First, make sure that your computer or TV is equipped with a Bluetooth module. If you do not have one on a PC, you can use an external one. USB-Adapter that is defined as a standard audio device.
Turn your headphones into pairing mode (blinking white indicator). On a Windows 10 or 11 computer, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices. Press "Add Bluetooth or other device" and select "Bluetooth." From the list, find your headphones and click "Connect".
For Android TV or MIUI TV TVs, the process is similar: go to Settings → Remotes and Accessories → Add Accessory. The TV will start searching. Once the device is found, confirm remote interface., some older TV models may not support high-quality codecs like aptX, so sound may be standard quality.
| The device | The Way to Bluetooth Settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | Parameters → Devices | Possible delay of sound in video |
| macOS | System settings → Bluetooth | Automatic switching between Apple devices |
| Android TV | Settings → Remote and accessories | Remote confirmation required |
| iOS (iPhone/iPad) | Settings → Bluetooth | Quick connection via widget |
Multi-point mode and connection to multiple devices
Flagship models like the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro support Bluetooth Multipoint technology, which allows headphones to communicate with two devices at the same time, such as a laptop and a smartphone. If a phone receives a call, the music on the laptop will automatically pause and you can respond.
To activate this feature, you first need to connect the headphones to the first device, and then, without turning them off, transfer them to pairing mode and connect to the second. Importantly, multi-point management is only through the Xiaomi Earbuds application. In the settings menu, you need to find the item "Connect to two devices" and activate it.
It's worth noting that when you're in multi-point mode, you're going to increase your battery consumption, and if you're away from the headphones, you might have delays when you switch the sound source, and for games, you'd better turn it off to minimize latency.
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Multi-point mode is convenient for work, but can reduce the stability of the connection in places with large concentrations of Wi-Fi networks.
Problem Solving: Resetting and Re-Synchronization
Sometimes the headphones stop working in pairs, the sound coming from only one ear, or the phone sees them as two different devices, which means de-synchronization of the left and right channel, and the only way to solve this problem is to completely reset to the factory settings.
The reset procedure depends on the model. For most models without a button on the case (for example, AirDots), you need:
1. Remove the device from the Bluetooth list on the phone ("Forget the device").
2. Put the headphones in the case.
3.Push and hold the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators flash red several times.
4. Re-activate the pairing mode.
For models with a button on the case (for example, Buds 3), you need to open the lid without removing the headphones, and press the button on the case case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
⚠️ Warning: Do not put your headphones in the case during reset and do not close the lid until the procedure is complete.
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If after reset the problem remained, try to clean the headphone contacts with an alcohol napkin - the oxidation of the contacts often interferes with proper synchronization.