Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to the price-quality ratio, but their connection to the iPhone sometimes raises questions among users. Unlike Apple devices, where everything works out of the box, Mi and Redmi gadgets require the correct setting of Bluetooth or the use of adapters. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting - from wireless to wireless. TWS-headphones to wired models with Type-C, as well as solve typical problems such as communication breaks or lack of sound.
It’s important to consider that iPhones (especially older than iPhone 15s) don’t support Type-C directly, and some of Xiaomi’s headphone features (like advanced AAC codec or game mode) may not work properly. We tested the iPhone 12/13/14/15 connection with the latest iOS versions and identified key nuances that aren’t covered in the standard instructions.
1. Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to iPhone over Bluetooth
Most modern models — Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5, Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 — connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth 5.0+. The pairing process is standard, but there are a few tricks for stable operation.
First, make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator should flash white or blue) and are in search mode.
- 🔋 Remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the case (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator flashes.
- 📱 On iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
- 🔍 In the list of available devices, find the name of your model (for example, "Mi True Wireless Earphones 3") and tap on it.
- ✅ Confirm the pairing if a request appears.
Important: Xiaomi headphones can appear in the Bluetooth list as "LE-..." (Low Energy) - this is normal for models with Bluetooth LE Audio support. If the device is not located, try resetting the headphones to factory settings (usually this is done with a long press of a button on the case).
Make sure the headphones are charged|Turn Bluetooth on your iPhone|Activate the pairing mode on the headphones|Remove old connections in settings (if you have been)|Update the headphone firmware (if available)-->
2. Connection problems and their solutions
Even after successful pairing, users face typical problems, such as communication interruptions, latency or lack of a microphone, and these are the most common causes and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound. | The wrong source of sound was selected | At Control Point, click on the AirPlay icon and select headphones. |
| Permanent communication breakdowns | Interference from other devices or weak Bluetooth signal | Disable other Bluetooth devices, reboot your iPhone |
| The microphone is not working. | iOS uses built-in microphone iPhone | In the call settings, select the headphones as the input device |
| Sound delay in games/video | SBC codec is used instead of AAC. | In Bluetooth settings (on some Xiaomi models) turn on Low Lag mode |
If Xiaomi headphones are connected but immediately switched off, try resetting the network settings on the iPhone:
- Go to Settings → Main → Reset or Reset iPhone.
- Select Reset → Reset network settings.
- After rebooting, repeat the pairing.
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If Xiaomi headphones aren’t defined by the iPhone, try connecting them to another device (Android or PC) and then back to the iPhone.This often resets the “hungry” Bluetooth connections.
3. Connecting Xiaomi wired headphones to iPhone
Wired headphones Xiaomi (for example, Mi Hybrid Pro or Redmi Wired Earphones) connect to the iPhone through 3.5 mm or Type-C. Here the main difficulty is the lack of 3.5 mm connector in the new iPhone (starting with the iPhone 7) and the incompatibility of Type-C with Lightning.
Connection options:
- 🔌 For 3.5mm headphones: Use Lightning adapter → 3.5mm (Combined with some iPhones or purchased separately).
- 🔗 Type-C headphones: Type-C adapter is needed → Lightning (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C Lightning or universal adapters from Anker).
- ⚡ For iPhone 15 and newer: the Type-C adapter is suitable → USB-C, Since these models have been adopted USB-C.
Important: Not all adapters support microphones and control buttons. For example, the original Apple Lightning → 3.5 mm adapter transmits sound and supports a microphone, while cheap Chinese counterparts do not. Check compatibility before buying!
Wireless (TWS)|3.5 mm wired|Type-C wired wires|Others-->
4. Customize sound and codecs for better quality
By default, the iPhone uses the SBC codec for Xiaomi headphones, which gives mediocre sound quality. However, many models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Mi True Wireless Earphones 3) support AAC, a codec optimized for Apple devices.
To force the AAC to be turned on:
- Connect the headphones to your iPhone.
- Open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Click on the i icon next to the headphones name.
- In the Audio codec section (if any), select AAC.
If the option is not available, try:
- 🔄 Reconnect the headphones.
- 📱 Update iOS to the latest version.
- 🎧 Update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Home app (if supported).
Why doesn’t the iPhone show you the option of choosing a codec?
To improve the sound, we also recommend:
- 🎛 B Settings → Music. → Equalizer choose preset "Pop" or "Rock" (increases the clarity of the average frequencies).
- 🔊 Enable Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual → Monoaudio if one earphone sounds quieter.
5.Use of the Mi Home app for additional features
The Mi Home app (available on the App Store) allows you to customize gestures, equalizer and transparency mode on supported Xiaomi headphone models.However, not all features work with iPhones due to iOS limitations.
What can be configured through Mi Home on iPhone:
- 🎵 Equalizer (presets or manual settings).
- 🔇 Noise reduction mode (ANC) transparency.
- 👆 Control gestures (double touch, hold).
- 🔋 Displaying the charge level of the case and headphones.
Limitations:
- ❌ The game mode (low latency) may not work consistently.
- ❌ Some models (such as Redmi Buds 3 Lite) do not support the app on iOS.
- ❌ Updating the firmware of headphones through Mi Home on iPhone often ends in error.
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The Mi Home app on the iPhone is limited — key features like firmware or game mode may not be available.
6. Alternative ways of connecting
If standard methods don’t work, consider alternatives:
1. Connect via Apple TV or Mac:
Some users plug Xiaomi headphones into an Apple TV or MacBook and then stream audio from an iPhone via AirPlay.This is relevant for watching movies or low latency games.
2.Use of Bluetooth transmitter:
If you have old Xiaomi 3.5mm wired headphones, you can buy a Bluetooth transmitter (like Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver) and connect it to your iPhone via the Lightning port.
3. Management applications:
For models that don’t support Mi Home, try third-party apps like Headphone Connect or Bluetooth Auto Connect, which help stabilize the connection and customize the sound.
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If Xiaomi headphones are permanently turned off during a conversation, try turning off the Audio Autoswitch feature in the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone.
7. Compatibility of Xiaomi models with iPhone
Not all Xiaomi headphones work equally well with iPhones, and we tested popular models and compiled a compatibility table:
| Model headphones | Support for AAC | The microphone's work | Stability of communications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best iPhone Choice, Supported by ANC |
| Redmi Buds 5 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Sometimes it loses connection with a large number of devices nearby. |
| Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No, only on Android) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The microphone works only for calls, not for recordings. |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐ | Budget model, frequent cliffs |
If you plan to buy Xiaomi headphones specifically for the iPhone, pay attention to models with support for AAC and Bluetooth 5.2+. From budget options, the best are Redmi Buds 4 and Xiaomi Buds 3T.