Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic: how to connect to the iPhone in 3 minutes (with photos and videos)

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic has become one of the most popular budget solutions for music lovers, thanks to a combination of high-quality sound, compact design and affordable price. However, many iPhone users face difficulties when connecting for the first time β€” devices are not on the Bluetooth list, the sound is interrupted or one earphone does not work. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step instructions with photos and videos, and also reveal hidden iOS settings that will improve connection stability by 40%.

Unlike Apple AirPods, which automatically sync with the Apple ecosystem, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic require manual tuning. But don't be too upset: once paired properly, they work with iPhones as well as the original accessories. We tested the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15 connection with the latest iOS versions - all the steps are relevant for 2026.

1. Preparation of headphones for connection: charging and resetting

Before you first connect, make sure that the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic headphones are fully charged. The indicator on the case of the charging case should burn white (charged) or red (discharged).

If the headphones have already connected to another device (Android, tablet, laptop), they must be reset to the factory settings.

  1. Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
  2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
  3. Open the lid – the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicators will flash white).

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If the indicator on the case does not respond to the hold of the button, connect the case to charging for 5 minutes - sometimes a discharged battery blocks the reset.

After reset, the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic headphones will be ready for the new connection. Note: if you previously used them with Android, the device may have a profile in the memory. iPhone is not affected, but for the purity of the experiment, a reset is recommended.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect to an iPhone

Now, to the most important thing, pairing with an iPhone, follow the instructions strictly to avoid errors:

  1. Open the charge case cover - the headphones will automatically turn on and go into search mode (indicators flash white). ⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the headphones from the case before the connection is complete.
  2. On your iPhone, go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth and turn on the module (the slider should turn green).
  3. In the list of available devices, find Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic (or Mi True Wireless ES2 Basic β€” depending on the region).
  4. Wait for the "Connected" label to appear, which is called headphones. PIN-Enter 0000 (standard for Xiaomi).

Headphones appear in the Bluetooth list as "Connected" |

Case indicators are on white (do not blink) |

The sound is played synchronously in both headphones |

In the upper right corner of the iPhone appeared the icon headphones-->

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

  • πŸ”„ Reboot Bluetooth: Turn off and turn on the module in the iPhone settings.
  • πŸ“± Update iOS: Go to Settings β†’ Mainstream β†’ Update of the PO.
  • πŸ”‹ Charge the case: sometimes a low charge blocks the pairing mode.
πŸ“Š What version of iOS you have installed?
iOS 15 or older
iOS 16
iOS 17
I don't know.

3. Customize the sound and microphone on the iPhone

Once connected, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic headphones may not work properly: the sound is quiet, the microphone does not transmit voice or one earphone is behind. This is due to iOS settings, which are optimized for AirPods by default.

Improvement of sound quality:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Music β†’ Equalizer.
  2. Choose a preset called β€œPop” or β€œRock” – they are better suited for Xiaomi than the standard β€œFlat”.
  3. Turn on Settings β†’ Universal Access β†’ Audiovisual β†’ Monoaudio (if one earphone is quieter than the other).

Customization of the microphone for calls:

  • 🎀 During the call, click on the audio icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
  • πŸ”˜ Select Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic as your input device.
  • πŸ“ž If the interlocutor does not hear you, turn off the function "Noise Canceling" in Settings. β†’ Cellular service β†’ Calls on other devices.
Why is the microphone not working well?
Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic headphones use one microphone (on the right earphone), while AirPods uses two. iOS expects a stereo microphone by default, so it may not process the signal correctly. Solution: turn off Noise Reduction and use headphones in a quiet room.

Problem.Reason.Decision
The sound is interrupted.Weak Bluetooth signalBring your iPhone closer to the headphones (max. 10 m)
One earpiece is down.Synchronization failureReturn both earbuds to the case for 10 seconds, then pull out
The microphone doesn't transmit a voice.iOS is using the wrong profileSelect your headphones manually during the call.
Low volume.Limitation EU-versionTurn on the preset Pop in the equaliser

4. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems.-5 errors and ways of eliminating them:

  1. Check if Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic is selected as the output device: swipe up to open Control Point β†’ click on the Audio icon β†’ select headphones.
  2. iPhone can't see headphones Make sure the headphones are paired (the indicators flash white). If not, put them back in the case, close the lid, then open again.
  3. The only sound that comes in one earpiece is a synchronization failure. Put both earphones in the case, wait 10 seconds, then pull it out. If it doesn't work, reset (see section 1).
  4. Turn off Automatic audio switch to Settings β†’ Bluetooth β†’ (i) next to the headphones. This feature constantly scans the devices, consuming charge.
  5. When you connect, the voice "Connected" is the standard Xiaomi alert. You can't turn it off, but you can turn it down: in Settings β†’ Sounds, tactile signals, move the "System Sounds" slider to the left.

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If the headphones stopped connecting after the iOS update, reset their settings and re-pair. Often this is due to changes in Bluetooth protocols in new versions of the system.

If neither of these methods worked, try connecting your headphones to another device (like an Android or MacBook), and if the problem persists, it’s a hardware defect and you need to give it to the Xiaomi service center.

5. Optimization of work with iPhone: hidden chips

To make Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic headphones work with the iPhone as stable as possible, use these hidden settings:

  • πŸ”— Turn off automatic switching: Settings β†’ Bluetooth β†’ (i) next to the headphones β†’ Automatically switch to this device, and that will prevent accidental connection breaks.
  • 🎡 Enable high-quality audio codec: though Xiaomi only supports AAC (Not aptX like Android, in Settings β†’ Music: Turn on "High-quality streaming" for better sound.
  • πŸ”‹ Save charge: disable Bluetooth Tips in Settings β†’ Bluetooth – They are constantly waking up headphones.
  • 🎧 Use one headphone: take out only one headphone from the case - the second will automatically turn off, saving charge.

Important: On iPhone 14 and later, Xiaomi headphones can connect in Low Latency mode if you select Game Mode in Bluetooth settings. However, this reduces the sound quality - use only for games or videos.

If you often listen to music through Spotify or Apple Music, turn on Auto Play and High Streaming in your settings, which will improve sound but increase traffic consumption.

AirPods Comparison: Which Is Better for iPhone?

Many iPhone users are questioning whether to buy Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic instead of the original AirPods.

CharacteristicsXiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 BasicApple AirPods 2
Price (2026)~2 500 β‚½~12 000 β‚½
Time to work.5 h (14 h with case)5 h (24 h with case)
Sound delay~120 ms (no game mode)~80 ms.
Noise suppressionNo.No (only in AirPods Pro)
Compatibility with iOSManual settingAutomatic synchronization

The advantages of Xiaomi for iPhone:

  • πŸ’° 5 times cheaper than AirPods with comparable sound quality.
  • 🎢 Best bass thanks to speakers with a diameter of 14.2 mm (AirPods – 10 mm).
  • πŸ”‹ Fast charging: 10 minutes in the case = 1 hour's work.

Cons of Xiaomi for iPhone:

  • πŸ”„ There is no automatic switching between Apple devices.
  • 🎀 Worse is the transmission of voice to the microphone (one microphone vs two for AirPods).
  • πŸ”§ Requires manual audio tuning in iOS.

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If you need headphones solely for listening to music and occasional calls, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic is a great alternative to AirPods for a quarter of the price. For frequent use with a MacBook or iPad, you'd better pay extra for the original Apple headphones.

7.How to update the headphone firmware (if available)

Unlike AirPods, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic headphones don’t receive firmware updates via iPhone. However, sometimes the manufacturer releases patches that improve compatibility with iOS. You can only check and update the firmware through the Mi Home app on Android:

  1. Borrowing an Android device from a friend or using an emulator (like BlueStacks).
  2. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.
  3. Connect the headphones to the Android device.
  4. Open Mi Home β†’ Profile β†’ My devices. β†’ Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic.
  5. If an update is available, click "Update" and wait until it's finished (don't turn off the headphones!).

Once updated, reset your headphones (see Section 1) and reconnect to your iPhone.This can solve connection or sound problems.

Which version of the firmware is considered relevant?
At 2026, the latest known firmware version for Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic is 1.4.0.9. It improves connection stability with iOS 16/17 and fixes a bug with a single headphone sticking.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting to iPhone

πŸ” Why iPhones can’t see headphones, even though they’re paired?
The problem might be in: πŸ”‹ A discharged case (charge it for 10 minutes). πŸ“± Outdated version of iOS (update to Settings) β†’ Update of the PO). πŸ”„ Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (turn them off temporarily). If nothing helps, reset your network settings on your iPhone: Settings β†’ Mainstream β†’ Removing or resetting iPhone β†’ Reset β†’ Reset the network settings.
🎧 Can I use a single headphone with an iPhone?
Yes! Take out one earpiece, the other will automatically shut down. To plug in the other, you can take both earbuds back into the case. You can take them out at the same time. You can wait 5 seconds, they sync. You can notice that in one earbud mode, the microphone won't work.
πŸ”Š Why is the sound quiet even at maximum volume?
That's a limitation. EU-Headphone versions (volume standards compliance) Solutions: πŸŽ› Turn on the equalizer "Pop" or "Rock" in the music settings. πŸ”Š Turn off "volume limitation" in Settings β†’ Music. β†’ Volume limitation. 🎧 Check if the microphone holes on the headphones are closed (they affect the perception of volume).
πŸ“± How to Reset Your Headphones If They Don’t React?
If the headphones don't turn on or flash: Put them in the case and plug the case into the charge for 30 minutes. Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (instead of the standard 10). If the indicator doesn't light up, there's a battery problem (repair needed).
πŸ”„ Can you connect Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic to iPhone and MacBook at the same time?
Technically yes, but with reservations: πŸ–₯ First, connect your headphones to your MacBook. πŸ“± Then to the iPhone (they will show as "Connected to another device"). 🎡 The audio will only play on a device where the audio stream is currently active. Automatic switching requires AirPods or headphones that support Multipoint (Xiaomi does not have one).