Why Xiaomi doesn’t show AirPods by default
Apple AirPods owners using Xiaomi smartphones (or any other Android devices) face the same problem: the system does not display the charge level of the headphones and case in the standard interface. The reason lies in the proprietary Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol that Apple uses to transmit battery data. Unlike the iPhone, where this information appears automatically when you open the case, Android (including the MIUI shell) does not have built-in support for such functionality.
But that doesn’t mean that Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 or Mi 11 Ultra owners will have to wonder when to charge their headphones. There are several workarounds, from third-party apps to hidden MIUI features that allow them to get charge data, and the key is to choose the method that fits your smartphone model and Android version.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways, including those that don’t require root permissions and no additional software installation, and why some methods may not work on older versions of MIUI and how to fix them.
Method 1: AirBattery App is the most reliable option
The AirBattery app (available on Google Play) is specifically designed to display the charge level of the AirPods on Android. It supports all Apple headphone models, including the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max, and also works on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later. The main advantage is the display of charge in real time right in the notification bar, without having to open the application.
To set up AirBattery:
- 📥 Install the app from Google Play.
- 🔗 Connect AirPods to your smartphone through Settings → Bluetooth.
- 🔄 Open AirBattery and give you access to notifications.
- 🔔 Enable the option to Show in the notification panel.
After that, when you open the AirPods case in the top curtain of the MIUI, a notification will appear with the percentage of charge of each headphone and case. If the notification does not appear, check if the application is blocked in Settings → Applications → Autostart Management.
Method 2: Widget "Bluetooth Charge Level" in MIUI
Not many people know, but in MIUI 13/14 There's a hidden function of displaying the charge of connected Bluetooth devices through widgets. This method does not require the installation of third-party applications, but it does not work on all Xiaomi models. 11 Pro, Xiaomi 12T and POCO F4 GT.
Instructions for setting:
- Press and hold the empty space on the home screen, then select Widgets.
- Find the Device widget (or Bluetooth) and drag it to the screen.
- Connect the AirPods to your smartphone.
- Open the case of headphones - in a few seconds the percentage of charge will appear in the widget.
If the widget doesn’t show charge, try:
- 🔄 Reconnect AirPods to Settings → Bluetooth.
- 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (in some firmware, the function is disabled).
- 🔧 Reset widget settings in Settings → Main screen screen → Reset the settings.
☑️ Preparation for charge check through widget
Method 3: MaterialPods Application – An Alternative with Extended Functions
MaterialPods is another popular AirPods monitoring app on Android that features a minimalist design and support for automatic charge display when you open a case. Unlike AirBattery, it also shows battery life and supports a dark theme.
Features of MaterialPods:
- 📊 Battery discharge schedules for the last 24 hours.
- 🔔 Low charge notifications (configurable threshold).
- 🎧 Support for all AirPods, including Beats.
- 🔒 No Ads (Free Version with Basic Features).
To set up automatic charge display:
- Install MaterialPods from Google Play.
- Connect AirPods and open the app.
- Go to Settings → Notifications and turn on the option to Show when opening the case.
- Set the thresholds for notifications (e.g. 20% and 10%).
💡
If MaterialPods doesn’t show charge, try turning off battery saving for the application in Settings → Battery → Charge saving.
Method 4: Use of ADB (for advanced users)
If no application is stable, you can try manually requesting charge data via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that is suitable for users willing to work with the command line and requires a PC with ADB drivers installed.
Step-by-step:
- Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
- Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell dumpsys bluetooth_manager
- Find the line with the battery_level for AirPods.
This is more complex than the others, but it gives you accurate data without depending on third-party applications, but it's not suitable for constant monitoring, just for a one-time check.
What if ADB doesn’t find AirPods?
Method 5: Xiaomi Smart Watch or Fitness Bracelet
If you have a Xiaomi Mi Band 7, Watch 2 Pro or other smart appliance from Xiaomi, it can be used to indirectly check the charge of the AirPods. Some firmware for smartwatches (for example, Amazfit) supports displaying the battery level of connected Bluetooth devices.
How it works:
- Connect AirPods to Xiaomi smartphone.
- Sync your smartwatch with your phone via Mi Fitness or Zepp.
- Open the Connected Devices menu on the clock.
- Find AirPods in the list – the percentage of charge may be displayed next to it.
This method does not work on all watch models and depends on the firmware version, for example, on the Mi Band 6 feature may not be available, and on the Xiaomi Watch S1 – work stably.
💡
Xiaomi smartwatches only show the charge of the AirPods if they are connected to the phone at the time of synchronization. If the headphones are turned off, the data will not be updated.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To help determine the best way, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirBattery | ✅ Real-time notifications✅ Support for all AirPod models | ❌ Requires constant work in the background❌ Can drain the battery of the smartphone | Users who need quick access to data |
| MIUI Widget | ✅ No need for third-party applications✅ Minimum resource consumption | ❌ It doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models.❌ We need to open the case. | New smartphone owners with MIUI 13/14 |
| MaterialPods | ✅ Graphics of rank✅ Customized notifications | ❌ Sometimes you don’t update your data automatically. | Those who want to analyze battery usage |
| ADB | ✅ Accurate data without applications | ❌ Hard for beginners.❌ Just a one-off check. | Advanced users |
| Smart watches | ✅ It is convenient if the watch is always at hand. | ❌ It doesn't work on all models.❌ Depends on the firmware. | Owners of Xiaomi Mi Band / Watch |
For most Xiaomi users, AirBattery or MaterialPods is the best solution. If you prefer to do without third-party software, try the MIUI widget - it can work on your model.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after you set up one of the methods, you may encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
⚠️ Note: If AirPods are not defined by any application, check if Low Power Bluetooth is enabled in Settings. → Battery. → Charge saving: This mode restricts data exchange over the BLE, This makes applications unable to obtain charge information.
Problem 1: The app shows a 0% charge or doesn't update the data.
- 🔌 Reboot AirPods (press the button on the case for 15 seconds).
- 🔄 Turn off and reconnect the headphones in Settings → Bluetooth.
- 📱 Update the app and firmware MIUI.
Problem 2: Charge notifications appear with a delay.
- 🛠️ In the application settings (AirBattery or MaterialPods) increase the frequency of the survey (for example, from 5 to 2 minutes).
- 🚫 Make sure the application is not optimized by the system: Settings → Battery. → Choice of applications → No restrictions.
Problem 3: The MIUI widget doesn't show charge.
- 🔧 Check if your smartphone model supports this feature (see the forum for a list of compatible devices). MIUI).
- 📲 Try changing the theme to standard in Settings → Topics.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with Android 12 and older, some AirPods monitoring apps may not work due to background activity limitations.In this case, add the app to exceptions: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.