Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 TWS: how to connect to a smartphone in 30 seconds + solving typical errors

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 TWS wireless headphones have become one of the most popular accessories thanks to a combination of sound, convenience and affordable price. However, even with such simple devices, users often have questions: how to perform the first connection, why the headphones are not determined by the phone, or how to synchronize them with each other after a reset. This article will not just tell you how to connect Redmi Buds 3 to a smartphone, we will analyze all the nuances of settings, hidden functions and give a checklist for troubleshooting.

The Redmi Buds 3 (codenamed TWSEJ03LS) is designed to support low-power Bluetooth 5.2, but requires the right sequence of steps when you first pair. If you've tried to connect your headphones and encountered an error, don't rush to carry them into service -- 90% of the time, the problem is solved by phone settings or resetting your headphones. Next, you'll find step-by-step instructions for Android, iOS, and tips for optimizing sound and increasing battery life.

1. Preparing Redmi Buds 3 headphones for the first connection

Before you connect Redmi Buds 3 to your phone, make sure the headphones are fully charged and in pairing mode.

• 🔋 Case Charging: Connect the case to the power source (preferably the original Xiaomi charger) 5V/1A) on 15–20 The indicator on the case should be red (charged) or white (fully charged).
• 🎧 Removing headphones: Take both earphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on (blitzes red/white indicator).If the indicators are not burning, press and hold the touchpad on each earphone for 3 seconds.
• 🔄 Pair mode activation: Place both headphones back in the case, then hold the button on the case (located on the back) for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

Important: If the indicator on the case flashes only red, this means a low charge (less than 10%), in which case the connection may be interrupted, so charge the device to the white indicator.

Also check what is on your smartphone:

• 📱 Bluetooth enabled (in settings or through notification panel).
• 🔍 No active connections to other Bluetooth devices (columns, clocks, other headphones).
• 📲 Updated firmware (relevant to Android 10)+ iOS 14+).

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If the headphones have previously connected to another device, reset them: place them in the case, hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes 3 times red. This will remove all the saved devices.

2. Step-by-step instruction: connecting to an Android smartphone

The process of pairing Redmi Buds 3 with an Android phone takes no more than 30 seconds, if you follow the algorithm:

1. Open Bluetooth Settings: Go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth (on) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Activate the slider if Bluetooth is off.
2. Wait for the headphones to appear on the list: The "Available Devices" section should show the name Redmi Buds 3 or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic (depending on the regional firmware). If the name does not appear, update the list by clicking "Update" or "Scan".
3. Start pairing: Tap the headphones on the list. In 2-3 seconds, a notification will appear "Connected to media audio" (on MIUI) or a similar message.
4. Confirm Connection: Some smartphones (Samsung, OnePlus) may need to confirm pairing by pressing “OK” or “Plug in.” On Xiaomi, this step is usually skipped.

After successful connection, the status "Connected" will appear in the list of devices, and in the notification panel - the icon of headphones with a charge level (on MIUI 12+).

Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (blinking red and white indicator)|Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Remove old connections to Redmi Buds 3 in the settings|Update the list of devices if the headphones do not appear|Confirm the pairing on the phone (if required)-->

Note for Xiaomi/Redmi owners: If you have a smartphone on MIUI, after connecting, a pop-up will appear with a suggestion to install the Mi Earphones branded application. Its installation is optional, but it is recommended for accessing the equalizer, adjusting touch gestures and updating the headphone firmware.

3. iPhone connection (iOS) - features and nuances

While Redmi Buds 3 is optimized for Android, it works well with the iPhone, but with some limitations, with the main difference being the lack of support for the AAC codec (used by SBC), which can slightly degrade the sound quality at high frequencies, but for most users the difference will be subtle.

Instructions for iOS:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the slider.
2. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the case for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
3. In the list of “Other devices” will appear Redmi Buds 3 – tap on it.
4. Wait for the Connected status. iOS 15+ may have a notification that you have a "device with limited functionality" on it, which is normal.

On an iPhone, you can't:

• 🎛️ Configure the equalizer through the app (only through third-party apps like Equalizer Fx).
• 🔄 Update the firmware headphones (requires Android).
• 📊 See the charge level of each headphone separately (only the total charge of the case).

Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO|Samsung|iPhone|Other Android|I don't know-->

If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted or interference is heard, try:

1. Turn off Bluetooth and turn it back on.
2. Forget the device in settings (Settings → Bluetooth → “i” next to Redmi Buds 3 → Forget this device) and reconnect.
3. Disable Wi-Fi while listening (sometimes iOS prioritizes Wi-Fi connection, which creates interference).

4. Problem Solving: Headphones are not connected or defined

If Redmi Buds 3 doesn’t appear on the list of available devices or the connection is constantly reset, use this table for diagnosis:

If none of the methods helped, perform a hard reset of headphones:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red 3 times in a row.
3. Open the case cover - the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode.

On Android, you should also check the developer’s settings:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the build number in Settings → About phone).
2. Go to Settings → System → For developers.
3. Find the Bluetooth Audio Codec option and select SBC (if available).

5. Customize sound and touch gestures after connection

After successful pairing, it is recommended to optimize the sound and control. On Android (especially MIUI), there is a branded application Mi Earphones for this:

• 👆 Touch gestures: Actions can be reassigned: Double touch: playback/pause or call voice assistant. Triple touch: next track or previous track. Holding: disable noise reduction (if supported).

On iOS, these features are not available, but you can use third-party apps:

• Bluetooth Auto Connect – for automatic headphones connection when extracted from the case.

To improve the sound quality of any device:

• 🎧 Use headphones at a distance of no more than 10 meters from the phone (optimally 1-2 meters).

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For maximum connection stability, disable the Dynamic Sound Switch function in Bluetooth settings (on Samsung) or Double Audio (on Xiaomi).

6 How to connect Redmi Buds 3 to multiple devices

Redmi Buds 3 supports multipoint (simultaneous connection to two devices), but with limitations: headphones can play sound from only one source, to connect them to a second device:

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (for example, a smartphone).
2. On the second device (laptop, tablet) activate Bluetooth and find Redmi Buds 3 in the list.
3. Connect to the headphones. Now they'll automatically switch between devices depending on which one is playing the sound.

If the multipoint doesn't work:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds and take out).
• 📱 On the first device, “forget” the headphones and connect them again.
• 🔋 Make sure the headphone charge level is above 30% (at low charge, the multipoint may not work).

On Windows (laptop/PC) to connect:

1. Open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device" → "Bluetooth".
3. Select Redmi Buds 3 from the list.

7. firmware update and hidden features

Redmi Buds 3 firmware is updated periodically to fix bugs and improve sound.

1. Install the Mi Earphones app from Google Play.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the application and go to the "Firmware Update" section.
4. If a new version is available, follow the on-screen instructions (usually a confirmation and wait of 2-3 minutes is required).

The latest firmware versions added:

• 🎶 Improved audio synchronization for video (reduced latency to 80 ms).
• 🔋 Optimizing energy consumption (up to 10% longer on a single charge).
• 👂 Automatic shutdown of the microphone when removing one headphone.

Hidden functions that few people know about:

• 🎤 Transparency mode: Hold the touchpad on any earphone for 2 seconds to turn on the external microphone and hear surrounding sounds.
• 🔇 Instantaneous sound blackout: Take off one earphone - music will pause, put it back on - playback will continue.
• 🎵 Automatic connection: Open the case cover next to the phone - the headphones will connect automatically (works only on the phone). MIUI).

Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process if, during the update:

• 🚫 Case cover will close,
• 📵 Bluetooth is out,
• 🔋 The battery of headphones is less than 10%,

Headphones may stop turning on, and this will require a reset via the service menu (see Xiaomi support).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Redmi Buds 3