Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones are among the most popular gadgets in the brand’s lineup thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, even with such simple devices, users often have questions: how to turn on the headphones for the first time, what to do if they do not connect to the phone, or how to reset if there is a failure. This article will help you understand everything from basic activation to solving non-obvious problems.
We will consider not only the standard on-boarding procedure, but also alternative methods of connecting to different devices (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS), as well as give recommendations for eliminating typical errors. 3/4/5 Pro, Redmi AirDots and other current versions – their settings may differ from older gadgets. If you just unpacked your headphones or encountered difficulties after updating your firmware, here you will find proven solutions.
1. Preparation of headphones for the first turn on
Before you turn on the Xiaomi Redmi Buds, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps, which is especially important for new headphones that have just been removed from the package. Neglecting preparation can lead to the device not being recognized by the phone or quickly discharged.
First, check the charge level of the headphones and the case, and even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't always mean that the headphones are charged.
- 🔋 Put the headphones in the case and close the lid. In 10-15 seconds, the indicator on the front panel of the case will show the current charge level (white/green is high, orange is medium, red is low).
- 📱 If the indicator is not on, connect the case to the power source for 30 to 60 minutes. USB-C (Newer models or Micro-USB (older models).
- 🔄 Make sure the contacts on the headphones and inside the case are clean.Dust or oxidation may interfere with charging.Dry them with a dry cotton swab.
Second, look at the control buttons on your model, and the Redmi Buds 3 Lite and Redmi AirDots 3 have touch panels, and the Redmi Buds 4 Pro have a physical button on each headphone, and the type of control determines how you turn on and switch modes, and if you're not sure about the model, look at the labeling on the inside of the case or in the documentation.
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If the headphones don't respond to touch, try resetting them to factory settings (instructions in Section 5). Sometimes the touchpads are blocked after prolonged inactivity.
2. Standard way to turn on Xiaomi Redmi headphones
Most Xiaomi Redmi Buds are automatically activated when removed from the case, but if you don't, use the manual method. Here's the universal guide for all current versions (2020-2026):
- Take both earphones out of the case and wait 3-5 seconds, and they should emit an audible signal (usually a short double squeak) and flash white/blue light.
- If the lights are not on, press and hold the touchpad (or button) on any of the headphones for 5-7 seconds until you hear the sound of the switch on.
- For models with buttons (such as Redmi Buds 3 Pro), press both buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
Once successfully turned on, the headphones will go into a pairing mode, signaled by a flashing white/blue LED, in which state they are ready to connect to a phone or other device. If the indicator flashes red, this means battery drain or error - return the headphones to the charging case.
Headphones charged (green/white indicator)|
Both headphones removed from the case|
Indicators flash white/blue|
The sound of the switching on sounded
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Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Buds 5 Pro) support fast connectivity via Mi. AI. If your Xiaomi smartphone has a firmware installed MIUI 12+, When you first remove the headphones, you'll see a pop-up with a suggestion of pairing, which will speed up the process, but it won't replace the standard procedure.
3. Connect to a smartphone (Android and iOS)
The process of pairing with a phone is almost the same for Android and iOS, but there are nuances that you should be aware of.
For Android (including Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
If you have a smartphone MIUI, The system can automatically identify Xiaomi headphones and suggest you connect:
- Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the module.
- Take the headphones out of the case (they should flash white/blue).
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your model (for example, Redmi Buds 4 or Mi True Wireless) and tap it.
- Confirm the pairing if necessary.
Nana MIUI 13/14 After the connection, an additional menu with headphone settings will appear: selecting a sound profile (Balance, Bass, Voice), enabling noise cancellation (if supported) and updating the firmware. These options are available only for official Xiaomi models.
For iPhone (iOS 15 and newer)
The iPhone process is a little longer due to Apple's features:
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- Remove the headphones from the case and wait until they appear in the list of Other devices.
- Tap the model name. If you don't connect, put the headphones back in the case, then pull them out again, and it'll reset the pairing mode.
Important: On iOS, some features (such as customization controls or transparent mode) may not be available, and Xiaomi headphones do not support Apple Spatial Audio.
Smartphone Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO|
Android from another brand|
iPhone (iOS)|
Laptop or PC (Windows/macOS)|
Other-->
4. Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Connecting Redmi Buds to a computer is as easy as it is to a phone, but there are pitfalls here. 10/11 Headphones can be defined as Hands-Free, which can degrade the sound quality.
For Windows 10/11
Follow the instructions:
- Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth and press Add Device → Bluetooth.
- Take the headphones out of the case (they should flash white/blue) and select them from the list.
- After connecting, go to the Control Panel → Sound, find Redmi Buds and install them with your default device.
Critical detail: if the list of audio devices displays two headphone recordings (e.g. Redmi Buds Stereo and Redmi Buds Hands-Free), choose the option with the word Stereo - this will ensure high sound quality. Hands-Free is only for calls and has a low sampling rate.
For macOS (MacBook, iMac)
On a Mac, the process is simpler:
- Open System settings → Bluetooth.
- Activate Bluetooth and wait for Redmi Buds to appear on the list.
- Click Connect. If the headphones don't show up, upgrade macOS or reboot the Bluetooth module (in the bar menu at the top).
On Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.), use Bluetooth Manager or command in the terminal:
bluetoothctl
power on
scan on
pair [MAC- headphone address]
connect [MAC- headphone address]What if the headphones are connected but there is no sound?
5.Resetting the headphone settings Xiaomi Redmi
If Xiaomi Redmi headphones don’t turn on, plug in, or malfunction (e.g., one headphone doesn’t sync), a hard reset may be required.This procedure will return the device to factory settings and often solve software problems.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Signs of successful discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite, Redmi AirDots 3 | Place both headphones in the case, then press and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 15 seconds.The indicator on the case flashes red, then white. | Case indicator flashes white-red, headphones disappear from the list of conjugated devices. |
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 Pro | Take the headphones out of the case, then press the button on the right earphone for 10 seconds. The sound signal will confirm the reset. | Triple beep, the lights flash blue-red. |
| Redmi Buds 3 Pro, Redmi AirDots 2 | Press the button on the case 3 times in a row (the interval between presses is 1 second). | The case indicator burns red for 5 seconds, then goes out. |
When you reset, the headphones automatically go into pairing mode, and you need to reconnect them, like when you first used them.
- 🔋 Case and headphone charge level (minimum threshold for resetting is 30%).
- 🔌 Purity of contacts (oxidation can block discharge).
- 📱 Compatible with your device (e.g. Redmi Buds 5 Pro require Bluetooth 5.2)+).
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Resetting erases all information about the paired devices, and after the procedure, the headphones will be visible on the Bluetooth list as a new device.
6. Solving common problems
Even after you connect properly, you're going to have a problem with one headphone that's not working, the sound is interrupted, or the headphones are going to run out quickly, and you're going to look at the causes and the ways that you can fix them.
Problem 1: Left and right headphones are not synchronized
If one of the headphones is not connected or the sound is only in one, try:
- Return both headphones to the case, then pull them out again.
- Reset the settings (section 5) and reconnect.
- Check if the mono mode is activated (in some models it is turned on by triple touch).
Problem 2: Headphones are quickly discharged
The battery life depends on the model, but if the headphones discharge in 1-2 hours, the reasons may be:
- 🔋 Battery wear (typically after 1-2 years of use).
- 📶 Permanent Bluetooth connection in the background (turn off your headphones when not in use).
- 🔊 High volume or active noise cancellation (turn off) ANC, if you don't need it).
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To extend the life of the battery, avoid full discharge of headphones (charge when the indicator turns orange) and do not store them discharged in the case for more than a week.
Problem 3: The sound is interrupted or distorted
The interruptions of sound are usually associated with:
- 📡 Bad Bluetooth signal (make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the device).
- 🎵 Incorrect codec (on Android, select the codec) AAC or SBC Bluetooth).
- 🖥️ Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (disable other gadgets).
⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi Redmi headphones are connected to Windows in Hands-Free mode, the sound will be of poor quality.To fix this, remove the device from the Bluetooth list and connect again by selecting Stereo.
7. Update to the headphone firmware
The manufacturer periodically releases firmware updates for Xiaomi Redmi headphones, which improve stability, add new features (for example, support for the headphones). LC3 codec) or bug fixes. Update firmware is only possible through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Wear) or Xiaomi Earphones (for newer models).
Instructions for updating:
- Install the Mi Fitness app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Connect the headphones to the phone and open the application.
- Go to the Devices section → Headphones → Firmware update.
- If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't interrupt the process, it can cause the headphones to fail.
Important: During the update:
- 📱 Make sure the charge level of the headphones and phone is above 50%.
- 📶 Connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network (update can weigh up to 10MB).
- 🔇 Do not remove headphones from the case if required by the instructions.
⚠️ Warning: Once the firmware update is updated, the headphones can automatically reset the pairing settings. Be prepared to reconnect them to all your devices.
8. Care and storage tips
To make Xiaomi Redmi headphones last longer, follow simple recommendations:
- 🧼 Clean your earwax and case regularly with a dry soft brush or cotton swab. Do not use alcohol or wet wipes - they can damage the coating.
- 🌡️ Avoid overheating or hypothermia. Do not leave your headphones in direct sunlight (such as on a car torpedo) or in the cold below. -10°C.
- 🔋 Keep your headphones in your case, even if you don't plan on using them for a long time, and this will protect them from mechanical damage and discharge.
- 💧 If your model has protection IPX4/IPX5, It doesn't mean that they can be submerged in water, it only works against splashes and sweat.
And the battery life is also worth remembering, and on average, lithium polymer batteries in headphones are designed to last 300 to 500 charge cycles, to extend their lifespan.
- 🔄 Do not keep your headphones on charge longer than necessary (optimum - 1-1.5 hours).
- 🔋 Avoid full discharge (recharge when the indicator turns orange).
- 📵 If you do not use headphones for more than a week, remove them from the case and store them at room temperature with a charge. ~50%.
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Simple maintenance will increase the life of headphones by 30 to 50 percent, and most breakages are caused by moisture or mechanical damage that is easily avoided.