How to turn on and connect wireless headphones Xiaomi Redmi Buds: instructions for all models

Why Xiaomi Redmi Headphones Cannot Be Connected – and How to Fix It

Xiaomi Redmi Buds wireless headphones (including Redmi Buds 3/4/5 Pro, Redmi AirDots and Redmi Buds Lite) must connect to a smartphone or laptop in seconds. But in practice, users face problems: the device is not on the list of available, the sound is interrupted, or the headphones do not respond to the on button at all.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to connect (including to non-Xiaomi devices), solve common bugs (such as when one earbud doesn’t work), and show you how to optimize your settings for better sound. If you just bought your headphones or experienced a problem after an upgrade, here’s a solution.

Note: the manual is relevant for all modern models of Redmi Buds released after 2020. For older versions (for example, Redmi AirDots Basic 2019) additional steps may be required – we will mention them too.

Preparing headphones for the first connection

Before you try to pair the headphones with your phone, make sure they are properly charged and activated, and many users miss this step, causing problems finding the device.

Here's what we need to do:

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones. Connect the case to the power source (use the original cable). USB-C The indicator on the case should light up red (charging) or green (full charge), and the headphones start charging automatically as soon as you put them in the case.
• 📱 Update your headphone firmware (if there are any updates). Use the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (depending on the model). Old firmware can cause connection problems.
• 🔄 Reset the settings (if the headphones have already been used). To do this, press and hold the button on the case (or the touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

If the indicator on the case does not burn at all, check the cable and charging port. Perhaps the problem is mechanical damage. In this case, try connecting the case to another power source (for example, to a power bank).

Method 1: Standard Bluetooth connection (for Android/iOS)

It’s the simplest and most versatile method that works on any device, from Xiaomi smartphones to iPhones to laptops.The instruction is suitable for all Redmi Buds models, including the Redmi Buds 5 Pro and Redmi AirDots 2.

Step-by-step:

1. Take the headphones out of the case. They should automatically turn on (you will hear a beep and see a flashing white indicator).
2. On your smartphone or tablet, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (such as the Redmi Buds 4 Pro or Mi True Wireless Earphones).
4. Confirm the connection if needed. Some devices may request access to contacts or microphones — if you plan to use headphones for calls.

If the headphones don’t appear on the list, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off and turn on the module again).
• 📴 Remove and re-insert the headphones in the case (they should restart).
• 🔋 Check the headphones’ charge – if the battery is discharged below 10%, they may not show up.

On some models (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Pro) to activate the pairing mode, you need to hold the touch panel on one of the headphones for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes.

Method 2: Connect via Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear

Xiaomi’s official apps not only make it easier to connect, but also allow you to customize the sound, update the firmware, and even find lost headphones, a method recommended if the standard connection didn’t work or you want to get advanced features.

How to connect through the application:

1. Download and install Mi Home (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for newer ones) from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required, otherwise some features will not be available).
3. Click Add Device (+) and select Headphones category.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will find the headphones and suggest that you plug them in.

After connecting in the application will be available:

• 🎧 Equalizer – setting up the sound profile (bass, high frequencies).
• 🔄 Update firmware – fix bugs and add new features.
• 🔍 Search for headphones – if you lost one of them, the application will help you find the last connection place.
• ⚙️ Customizing touch gestures – changing tapu actions (for example, turning on the voice assistant).

💡

If the app doesn't find the headphones, try logging out of Xiaomi and logging in again, sometimes reinstalling the app helps.

For Redmi Buds 5 Pro models, Xiaomi Wear has LDAC, a high-resolution codec for audio transmission. To activate it, go to Headphone Settings → Sound Quality → Codec and select LDAC. Note that this can increase the latency of sound when watching videos.

Method 3: Connect to Windows/Pc or Mac

Xiaomi Redmi Buds wireless headphones can be used not only with smartphones, but also with computers. the connection process is slightly different depending on the operating system.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and press Add Device → Bluetooth.
3. Select your headphones from the list. If they don't exist, click Update.
4. Confirm pairing. You may need to enter a code (usually 0000 or 1234).

For macOS:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and wait until your Redmi Buds model appears on the list.
3. Press Connect. If the headphones don't show, try rebooting the Bluetooth module (turn it off and turn it on again).

Some laptops (especially Windows) may have problems with audio delay to reduce lag:

• 🎵 To the control panel. → Sound. → Device properties select Stereo profile instead of Headphone.
• 🔄 Disable other Bluetooth devices (mouse, keyboard) that may interfere.
• 📶 Move the headphones closer to the computer (optimal distance - up to 1 meter).

Problem Solving: Headphones are not connected or are malfunctioning

If the standard methods didn’t work, here are the common mistakes and their solutions:

If none of the methods did not help, try resetting the headphones to the factory:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
3. Close and open the case again - the headphones should be reset.

💡

If the headphones don't connect after the reset, there may be a hardware fault, in which case, contact Xiaomi's service center.

For Redmi Buds 4 Pro and later, there is another way to reset – through the Xiaomi Wear app:

1. Open the app and go to your headphone settings.
2. Find the Reset option or Factory settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Additional settings for better sound

Once you've connected successfully, you can optimize your sound and your headphones, and here's what you need to set up:

1.Selection of Bluetooth codec

The codec is responsible for sound quality and latency, and most Redmi Buds models have:

• 🎵 SBC — Standard codec works everywhere, but the quality is average.
• 🎧 AAC — Better for iPhone and Android, a good balance of quality and stability.
• 🎛️ AptX is high quality, but not supported by all smartphones.
• 🎚️ LDAC — Best quality (up to 990 kbps) but there may be a delay.

To change the codec on Android:

1. Open Settings → Connected Devices → Settings gear next to Redmi Buds.
2. Choose Sound Quality or Bluetooth Codec.
3. Experiment with options to find the best balance between quality and stability.

2.Tune in sensory gestures

On touch-controlled models (such as Redmi Buds 3 Pro and later), you can reassign actions:

• 👆 Double tap – playback/pause, next track or call voice assistant.
• 👇 Triple tap - previous track or shutting down the noise maker.
• 🔇 Retention - on/off noise reduction (ANC) or transparent regime.

You can change gestures in the Xiaomi Wear app in the Management section.

Initiation of noise reduction (ANC)

Redmi Buds 4 Pro and Redmi Buds 5 Pro models support active noise cancellation.

1. Open Xiaomi Wear and go to the headphone settings.
2. Find the Noise Reduction or ANC item.
3. Choose the noise reduction level (e.g., Weak, Medium, Strong).

Note that ANC increases battery consumption by 10 to 15 percent, and if you're more interested in running time, turn it off.

💡

For the best effect of ANC, choose the right size of the earpieces (usually 3 sizes are included), the tight fit improves noise reduction.

Frequent questions and answers