Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to your phone: full instructions with pictures and tips

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular smartphone accessories, thanks to their combination of price, sound quality and convenience. However, even with these simple devices, users often wonder why the phone can’t see the headphones, how to switch between devices or what to do if the sound is interrupted. This article will help you understand all the nuances of connectivity, from basic pairing to solving rare problems.

We're going to look at not only the standard Bluetooth procedure, but also alternative methods for older phone models, as well as secret features that the manufacturer is not talking about. For example, did you know that some Xiaomi headphones can be connected to two devices at once? or that the Mi Home app hides additional equalizer settings? If not, read on.

1. Preparation of headphones and phone for connection

Before pairing first, make sure both devices are ready to go. Xiaomi headphones (whether Redmi AirDots 3, Mi True Wireless 2 or Buddy) require minimal preparation, but there are nuances that will speed up the process:

• 🔋 Charging headphones: Make sure the charge level of the case and the headphones themselves is not lower than 30%.When the discharge is below 10%, some models (AirDots Pro 2) automatically turn off the Bluetooth module.
• 📱 Update phone: On smartphones Xiaomi (especially on the MIUI 12 and older) it is recommended to install the latest updates - this fixes bugs with the connection of accessories.
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones were already paired with another device, they need to be reset (instructions in the next section).

Pay special attention to the charge case: in AirDots 3 Pro and later, it acts as a signal transmitter. If the indicator on the case does not burn or flashes red, the headphones will not be able to enter pairing mode. In this case, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes.

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If Xiaomi headphones don’t respond to presses, try putting them in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection

Most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Buds 4, Mi Earbuds Basic 2) are connected using a single algorithm.

1. Open the cover of the case and take out the headphones. They should automatically turn on (the indicator will flash white or blue).
2. On the phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Redmi). AirDots_XXXX). Press them.
4. Confirm pairing if you request it. Some models (AirDots Pro) will need to enter PIN-code.

If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try manually switching them to pairing mode:

• 🎧 For Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless: Press the touchpad on both headphones for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
• 🎧 For Buddy and FlipBuds: Press and hold the button on the case (near the connector) USB-C) within 10 seconds.

Headphones are charged at more than 30% |

Bluetooth on your phone turned on |

Headphones removed from the case |

Distance between devices not more than 1 meter-->

Important: Xiaomi Mi True Wireless 2 and later support Google's Fast Pair technology. If your phone is on Android 6.0+, the first time you turn on the headphones next to the phone, a pop-up with a suggestion to connect will speed up the process.

Connecting to two devices at the same time (Dual Mode)

Not many people know, but some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Mi True Wireless 2S) support connecting to two gadgets at the same time. This is handy if you want to quickly switch between your phone and laptop.

1. First, connect the headphones to the first device (phone) according to the standard instructions.
2. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone, find your headphones in the list of conjugated devices, and tap the gear next to the name.
3. Activate the option of Connecting to two devices (or Dual Mode in English firmware).
4. Now turn on Bluetooth on a second device (like a laptop) and connect the headphones in the standard way.

Note that Dual Mode may have a slight delay of up to 100 ms due to channel switching, and not all phone models support this feature – check compatibility in the table below.

Redmi AirDots 3/3 Pro|

Mi True Wireless 2/2S|

Redmi Buds 4/4 Pro|

Another model |

I don't know.-->

4. Solving Connection Problems

If the phone can't see the headphones, or if the connection is constantly breaking, the reasons can be both software and hardware, and let's look at the most common cases and how to fix them.

4.1 Phone can't find headphones

• 🔌 Reset the headphones: Put them in the case, close the lid, wait 20 seconds and pull them out again.
• 📱 Clear the Bluetooth cache: On your phone go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Bluetooth, then press Clear Cache.
• 🔄 Reset network settings: In Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

4.2 Headphones plug in, but no sound.

• 🔊 Check if Media Audio is activated on another device (for example, if the headphones were connected to the PC).
• 🎵 In the phone sound settings (Settings) → Sound) select headphones as the output device.
• 🛠️ Update the headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (instructions in the next section).

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones connect to the phone but immediately turn off, the cause may be a conflict with other Bluetooth devices (such as a smartwatch or fitness bracelet.

5. Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Home

Many users do not know that Xiaomi headphones can be updated - it fixes bugs, improves sound and adds new features.

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Home, click + → Add device → Audio and select your model.
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

Once upgraded, the headphones can automatically turn off — that's okay. Just plug them back in. New firmware versions for AirDots 3 Pro have added support for the LC3 codec, which improves sound quality in low bitrate.

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The Mi Home firmware update is only available for models released after 2020, and no updates are available for older versions (such as AirDots Youth).

6. Hidden features of Xiaomi headphones

The manufacturer doesn't always advertise all the features of their devices, but here are some useful tips that will make it easier to use:

• 🎶 Customization of controls: In Mi Home, you can reassign double/triple touch actions (for example, launching a voice assistant or switching tracks).
• 🔇 Game Sound Mode: Some models (Redmi Buds 4 Pro) have a separate profile for low latency games (included in Bluetooth settings).
• 🌙 Automatic Shutdown: Headphones can be configured to turn off via 5/10/15 minutes of inactivity (saves charge).
• 🔊 Transparent mode: AirDots 3 Pro has a function of transmitting external sounds - useful for conversations without removing headphones (activated by triple touching).

Another little-known trick is that if you palm the microphone on the earphone, you activate the noise reduction mode for better audibility of the interlocutor, it works on all models with cVc 8.0 microphones.

7. Connect to phones of other brands (iPhone, Samsung, etc.)

Xiaomi headphones are compatible not only with smartphones of this brand, but also with devices from other manufacturers.

• 🍎 iPhone: Connection is standard, but some features (like Dual Mode) may not work.
• 🤖 Samsung/Huawei: Codec issues are possible (sound can be worse than Xiaomi) In Bluetooth settings, select codec priority AAC instead SBC.
• 💻 Windows/macOS: The headphones connect like a normal headset, but the microphone can only work in Hands-Free mode (low quality).

On iPhone, after connecting, go to Settings → Bluetooth → The “i” icon next to the headphones and activate the Connect to this iPhone option to avoid automatically switching to other Apple devices.

⚠️ Note: On Samsung phones with One UI Sometimes there is a conflict between Samsung's Bluetooth stack and Xiaomi's protocol. If the sound is interrupted, try turning off the dual audio feature in Bluetooth settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones