Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite: How to connect to your phone in 3 minutes

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite (codenamed TWS Lite) has become one of the most popular budget solutions for music lovers due to its combination of compactness, high-quality sound and stable connectivity. However, even with such simple devices, users often have questions: how to perform the first pairing, what to do if the headphones are not on the list of available devices, or how to connect them to a second smartphone. This instruction closes all the nuances from basic settings to solving non-standard problems.

Unlike flagship models like Xiaomi AirDots Pro or Redmi Buds 4, the Lite version doesn’t support fast Mi Pop-up connectivity or automatic switching between devices, but it’s simpler to reset and lower power consumption. We’ll break down the connection to Xiaomi smartphones (based on MIUI), other Android devices and even iPhones β€” taking into account the features of each platform. And if you encounter an error, β€œDevice failed to connect”, at the end of the article there is a section with diagnostics and solutions.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with the phone, you need to activate the search mode on the headphones themselves. Unlike the more expensive models, the Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite does not have a physical on button, instead it uses touch control.

  • πŸ”‹ Charge headphones. Make sure there's a charge in the case (the indicator on the front should flash white when you open it). If the indicator is red, plug the case into charging for 10-15 minutes. Minimum charge level for pairing: 10%.
  • 🎧 Remove the headphones. Take both of the headphones out of the case, they'll automatically turn on (red/white LED flashes). If one of the headphones doesn't respond, check the contacts in the case for dirt.
  • πŸ”„ Activate the pairing mode. Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (this is a signal of readiness to connect).

Note that if the headphones have already been paired with another device, they will automatically try to connect to it. To avoid this, reset (instruction in section 5). Also check that the weight is not in Mono mode (one earphone is disabled) - this can block pairing.

πŸ“Š What brand of wireless headphones do you use?
Xiaomi
Apple AirPods
Samsung Galaxy Buds
JBL
other

2. Connection to Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)

On Xiaomi, Redmi or other devices POCO firmware MIUI 12+ The process of pairing is as simplified as possible thanks to built-in support TWS-Follow the steps:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth and activate the module.
  2. In the list of available devices, find Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite (may appear as TWS Lite or Mi Basic).

After successful connection, the headphone icon with the charge indicator will appear in the top notification bar, and additional settings are also available in MIUI:

  • πŸ”Š Monosound: here you can turn on the "Mono" mode to use one headphone.

If the headphones don't appear on the list, try updating your MIUI to the latest version or restarting your phone. In rare cases, disabling the "Visibility for Neighborhood Devices" feature in Bluetooth settings helps.

Charge the case to 30%|

Remove both earbuds |

Activate Bluetooth on your phone |

Make sure your headphones flash red/white|-->

3. Android-smartphone pairing (not Xiaomi)

On other brands (Samsung, Honor, Realme, etc.), the connection algorithm is similar, but you may need to manually adjust the audio profile.

  1. From the list of devices, select Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite. If the name does not appear, update the list (Update or Scan button).

After connecting, check the following points:

ParameterRecommended valueWhere to set up
Bluetooth codecAAC or SBCBluetooth settings β†’ Headphones β†’ Additional β†’ Audio codec
Priority of soundMedia-audioSound settings β†’ Output devices
Absolute volume.Included.Settings for developers β†’ Absolute volume Bluetooth

Some firmware (e.g. ColorOS or EMUI) may not support AAC, in which case the sound will be transmitted over SBC, which slightly degrades the quality, and this can only be solved by updating the firmware or using third-party players (e.g. Poweramp).

πŸ’‘

If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted, try disabling the dual audio function (if it is in Bluetooth settings). TWS-device.

4. Connection to iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Although Xiaomi is an Android-based brand, the Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite headphones are fully compatible with iPhone and iPad, but there are nuances with codec and controls:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth and turn on the module.
  2. Remove the headphones from the case and wait until they appear on the list as Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite.
  3. Click on the name to pair. The process can take up to 10 seconds -- that's normal for iOS.

After connecting, consider the following restrictions:

  • 🎡 Codec: iOS only uses the app AAC, This ensures good sound quality, but can cause delays when watching videos.

If the headphones are connected but no sound, check the audio output settings: go to Control Point β†’ Sound icon β†’ Select device and select Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite.

How to fix the sound delay on the iPhone?
Lag (delay) when watching YouTube or Netflix videos is linked to buffering AAC-Codec. Solutions: 1. Use players with manual synchronization settings (e.g, VLC). 2. Enable Low Lag mode in Bluetooth settings (if available). 3. Connect your headphones to your Android device to watch video - there are fewer latency.

5. Resetting headphone settings

If the headphones don't connect, periodically shut down or malfunction, do a full reset, which will remove all the stored pairings and return the device to the factory settings.

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Open the lid and press the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds. The indicators will flash red (first fast, then slowly).
  3. Release the buttons, the headphones will reset, and now you can reconnect them, just like when you first use them.

After reset, the headphones may not be clear on the case, which is normal. Just remove them and wait for activation (blinking white). If the reset doesn't work, check:

  • πŸ“± Bluetooth on your phone: remove headphones from the list of associated devices and restart the smartphone.

πŸ’‘

Resetting headphones is a universal solution for 90% of connectivity problems, and always start your diagnosis with this step if the device has previously worked normally.

6. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after successful pairing, users are faced with common errors, and we have collected proven ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Headphones are not on the Bluetooth listThe pairing mode is not activatedPress the touch panels for 5 seconds until flashing red/white
The sound is interrupted or lost.Interference from other devicesTurn off Wi-Fi or go somewhere else
One earpiece is down.Discharge or synchronization failurePut both in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out.
Low volume.Limitation in phone settingsTurn off "Safe Volume Level" in the sound settings

If the headphones are connected but immediately switched off, check:

⚠️ Note: Some Samsung smartphones with One UI There's a bug that causes low-signal Bluetooth devices to automatically shut down. β†’ Connections β†’ Bluetooth β†’ Additionally, and disable the option "Automatic disabling of audio devices".

For iPhone owners, the problem with automatically switching the sound to the speaker during calls is relevant.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Universal Access β†’ Audiovisual.
  2. Turn off the "Routing of Call Sound" option.

7. Optimization of the headphones

To extend the life of Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite and improve sound quality, follow these tips:

  • πŸ”‹ Charging: Use the original cable USB-A β†’ USB-C (certified USB-C β†’ USB-C). Charging from powerful adapters (>10W) can reduce battery life.
  • 🎧 Storage: Always put your headphones in a case - this prevents discharge and physical damage. Avoid storage in places with high humidity.
  • πŸ”Š Clean: Clean the speaker grids with a soft brush once a month. Do not use sharp objects!
  • πŸ“± Updates: For Xiaomi smartphones, check for updates MIUI β€” They can improve compatibility with TWS-device.

If you use headphones for sports, it is recommended to:

  • πŸƒ Fixation: Choose the right ones (there are 3 sizes in the kit) Bad fit leads to loss and deterioration of sound.
  • πŸ’¦ Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite has a level of protection IPX4 β€” They can withstand sweat and light rain, but not submersion in water.

πŸ’‘

To improve the sound quality in your headphones, set an equalizer on your phone (such as Wavelet or Equalizer FX) and select the preset β€œXiaomi TWS”.

FAQ: Frequent questions

Can I connect Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite to a laptop or PC?
Yes, but with limitations. On Windows 10/11, the headphones will connect as a headset, but there may be no controls (play/pause). MacOS is stable but without charge indication. To connect: Activate Bluetooth on your computer. Put the headphones in pairing mode (press the touchpads for 5 seconds.) Select Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite in the list of devices. To listen to music through Zoom or Discord in the app settings, select the headphones as the output device.
Why do headphones discharge quickly?
The lifetime of a single charge in the Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite is 4 hours (with a case - up to 12 hours). If the battery goes down faster: Check if the Mono mode is turned on (one earphone discharges 2 times faster). Turn off unnecessary notifications - constant signals reduce the time of operation. Use headphones at 10-35 Β° C - extreme conditions accelerate the discharge. If the problem persists, reset.
How to check the version of the headphone firmware?
Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite has no official way to check the firmware version through your smartphone. However, you can indirectly determine the relevance of the software: Connect your headphones to a Xiaomi phone with the latest version of MIUI. Open Bluetooth Settings β†’ Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite. If there is a firmware update button, then the current version is outdated. The firmware update occurs automatically when you connect to a Xiaomi device with the Internet.
Can I use one headphone separately?
Yes, Mi True Wireless Earphones Lite supports Mono mode. To activate it: Take out only one headphone (right or left) from the case. It automatically connects to the phone in mono mode. To return to stereo, remove the second earphone. In mono mode, the running time increases to 5 hours, but the control functions (double touch) are turned off.
How to Reset Headphones If They Don't Respond to Touches?
If the touchpads don't work, try an alternative reset method: Put the headphones in the case and plug the case into the charger. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds. Open the lid and press the touchpads for 20 seconds (instead of the standard 15). If the indicators don't blink, repeat the process with another charger. If that didn't work, the problem may be a hardware malfunction - contact the service center.