Xiaomi’s Mi AI voice assistant has long since ceased to be just “smart search” – it is now a full-fledged control center for the brand’s ecosystem of devices. If you bought Xiaomi’s new wireless headphones (be it Redmi Buds 5 Pro, Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 or even budget POCO Buds X1), setting them up through Mi AI will save you time and open up access to functions that are not in the standard Bluetooth menu. But how do you do it correctly so as not face typical problems like “does not see” or “does not work voice control”?
In this article, we’ll take a step-by-step guide to setting up Xiaomi headphones through Mi AI, from first connectivity to fine-tuning sound and gestures. You’ll learn which models support advanced features (spoiler: not all!), how to get around common bugs, and even how to turn on the hidden Game Sound mode to reduce latency in shooters. And if you’ve tried to connect but you haven’t succeeded, there’s a section at the end of the article that addresses 90% of common bugs.
1.What Xiaomi headphones support customization through Mi AI
Not all Xiaomi headphones can be customized via Mi AI, depending on the chipset and firmware version. Here is the current list of models with full support (2026):
- 🎧 Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 3/3 Pro – full support including equalizer and gesture settings
- 🎧 Redmi Buds 5/5 Pro – All functions work except adaptive noise maker
- 🎧 POCO Buds X1 — basic setting (connection, charge check)
- 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro – advanced settings ANC and transparent regime
- 🎧 Redmi AirDots 3 Pro+ — only connection and status verification
Important: Even if your model is on the list, make sure you have the latest version of the Mi AI app installed (at least 2.4.5) and the headphone firmware updated. Check the firmware version in the Settings menu → About the program in the Mi Home app.
2. Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting
Before you go to Mi AI, follow these steps – they will save you 20 minutes of nerves.
- Update the headphone firmware via Mi Home (if available).Odd firmware can block voice commands.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and make sure the headphones are at least 30% charged.
- Remove old connections – if the headphones have already been paired with another device, reset them to factory settings (usually hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until red/white light flashes).
- Check out the region in Mi Account – some features (like voice translation) only work in China or Global.
Mi AI works best on Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI 14+ shell. On other brands (such as Samsung or iPhone), some of the features may not be available due to the limitations of Android or iOS.
☑️ Preparation for setting up through Mi AI
3. Step-by-step instruction: how to connect headphones to Mi AI
Now, let's get to the process. Follow the instructions carefully, the order of the action is important.
Step 1. Open Mi AI (voice say "Hey, Sia!" or find an app icon). If the assistant doesn't respond to the voice, check the permissions in Settings → Applications → Mi AI → Permissions (Microphone, Bluetooth and Notifications should be enabled).
Step 2. Tell the team:
Connect my Xiaomi headphonesor (if the model is specific):
Connect Redmi Buds 5 ProMi AI
Step 3. On the headphones, activate the pairing mode:
- For Redmi Buds 5 Pro: Hold the touchpad on both headphones for 3 seconds.
- For Mi True Wireless Earphones 3: Press and hold the button on the case charger.
Headphones should flash white/blue.
Step 4: Wait for the message from Mi AI: "Hearphones are connected. Do you want to adjust?" Say yes or press the appropriate button in the interface.
Step 5. Follow the voice prompts to set up:
- Selection of sound profile (Balance, Bass, Voice).
- Customize gestures (for example, double touch for pause).
- Activation of noise reduction (if supported).
💡
If Mi AI doesn’t see the headphones, try manually turning them on in the list of Bluetooth devices in your smartphone settings, and then repeat the voice command.
4. Hidden Features: What You Can Configure Through Mi AI (But Not Everyone Knows)
Most users are limited to basic setup, but Mi AI allows you to activate features that are not in the standard Bluetooth menu.
| Function | Team for Mi AI | Supported models |
|---|---|---|
| Game mode (reduces the sound latency to 80 ms) | Turn on the playable headphone sound. | Redmi Buds 5 Pro, Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 Pro |
| Adaptive ANC (automatically regulates noise reduction) | Turn on adaptive noise maker for headphones | FlipBuds Pro, Mi ANC Earphones |
| Voice translation (translates speech in headphones in real time) | Include translation from Chinese into Russian | All models with MIUI 14+ (Internet required) |
| Battery Alert (Voice Discharge Notification) | Remind me of the headphone charge. | All models. |
An alternative command can also be used to activate the game mode:
Reduce the sound delay in the headphonesThis feature is especially useful for games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, where synchronization of sound and image is important.
How do I check if the game mode is on?
5 Common mistakes and how to fix them
Even with the right setup, users face problems. Here's the top-5 mistakes and their solutions:
⚠️ Note: If after connecting the headphones are constantly switched off through 5-10 In a second, the problem may be in conflict with other Bluetooth devices. Disable all other gadgets (fitness bracelets, smart watches) and repeat pairing.
- 🔴 Mi AI No headphones see Solution: Reboot your smartphone and headphones. In Mi Home, check if the headphones are tied to another Xiaomi account.Update Mi AI via Play Market or App Store.
- 🔴 Voice commands do not work Solution: Check the permissions for Mi AI in the phone settings. Switch the voice input language to Russian (Russia). VPN — It can block cloud-based command processing.
The headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted.
Decision:
- Enable High Sound Quality in Bluetooth settings (may increase latency!).
- Turn off Double Audio (if enabled).
- Change the codec to SBC or AAC in the developers (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times).
Advice for iPhone owners: on iOS Mi AI works with limitations. Use the Xiaomi Wear app (available in the App Store) for basic customization.
7. Sound optimization: Equalizer and codec
Even the most expensive Xiaomi headphones sound different depending on the chosen codec and equalizer settings.
Codec selection:
- AAC is a balanced quality, suitable for music and podcasts.
- AptX is the best quality for Android (but requires support from a smartphone).
- LDAC is the highest quality (up to 990 kbps), but can cause stuttering.
For FlipBuds Pro: Hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds.