Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to a laptop: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories, thanks to their combination of price, sound quality and convenience, but even with these devices, users often have difficulties connecting to a laptop for the first time, especially when it comes to models with non-standard pairing modes (such as the Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 or Buds 4 Pro), which require specific actions to activate the search.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all operating systems (Windows). 10/11, macOS, Linux), and solutions to typical problems: when headphones are not defined by a laptop, connect, but there is no sound, or permanently disconnect through a computer. 5–10 We'll take a look at the nuances for different models, from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro.

If you've tried to plug in your headphones and you've encountered an error, skip the basic steps and go straight to the "Problem Solutions" section, and for beginners, we've prepared visual checklists and an OS compatibility table for models.

What Xiaomi models support connection to the laptop

Not all Xiaomi wireless headphones work equally well with computers, for example, some budget models (such as the Redmi AirDots S) may have problems with Bluetooth codecs on older laptops.

If your model is not in the table, check the Bluetooth version on your laptop:

• 🔹 Bluetooth 4.0–4.2: Only basic models (AirDots) are used. 1/2), Possible problems with sound.
• 🔹 Bluetooth 5.0+: All modern headphones are supported, including Buds. 3/4 Pro LDAC.
• 🔹 Bluetooth 5.2+: Best for FlipBuds Pro and new low latency models.

Preparation of headphones and laptop to connect

Before pairing, make sure that:

1. Headphones are charged (minimum 30% battery) and many models (such as the Buds 4 Pro) do not activate low-charge search mode.
2. Bluetooth is on on your laptop. On Windows, check Settings. → Devices → Bluetooth, on macOS - in the menu bar.
3. Bluetooth drivers are updated. Outdated drivers are a common cause of connection failures.

For touch-controlled models (such as Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro) reset before connecting:

Hold the button on the case of the charging case for 10-15 seconds (until the flashing of red / white color)|

Remove the headphones from the case and wait for the double flashing of indicators|

Place the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds|

Open the lid – the headphones should automatically go into pairing mode-->

If the headphones don’t flash white/blue, they’re not ready to connect. For Buds 4 Pro and later, you may need to activate via the Mi Earphones mobile app (even if you’re plugging into a laptop!).

💡

On laptops with Wi-Fi + Bluetooth combo chip (e.g. Intel) AX200) Turn off Wi-Fi while connecting headphones – this will reduce interference and speed up pairing.

Connecting to a laptop on Windows 10/11

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (except FlipBuds Pro, which require a separate algorithm):

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device» → Choose "Bluetooth».
3. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones: 🎧 For AirDots. 1/2/3: Hold the button on the case. 3 seconds (the indicator should flash white). 🎧 For the Buds. 4 Pro: touch the touchpad on both headphones at the same time on 5 seconds.

Mi

Redmi

For example, AirDots 3 Pro

0000

1234

If the headphones are connected, but the sound goes only to one earphone, check the sound settings:

1. Right-click on the sound icon in the tree → «Open sound parameters».
2. In the “Output” section, select your headphones and click “Device Properties”.
3. Make sure you choose Stereo (not Headphone or Mono).

Connect to a MacBook or laptop on macOS

It's easier on macOS, but there's some nuances about codecs.

1. Open "System settings» → «Bluetooth».
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see the section above).
3. Wait for the device to appear in the list and click “Connect”.
4. If the sound is interrupted, open the audio.-MIDI-Setting up (via Spotlight) and select the format for headphones AAC (not SBC).

For models with ANC (For example, Buds 3 Pro may require additional configuration:

• 🔊 B System settings → Sound. → Exit select your headphones.
• 🔊 Activate "Use as a sound output device and microphone" (if necessary for calls).
• 🔊 To reduce delay, turn off High-quality audio (if there is such a switch).

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On macOS, Xiaomi headphones can automatically switch between devices (for example, between MacBook and iPhone) if they are tied to the same Apple. ID. To disable this, remove the headphones from the list of devices on all gadgets except the laptop.

Connect to a Linux laptop (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)

On Linux, the pairing process depends on the distribution and the version of BlueZ (Bluetooth stack).

1. Install blueman (Bluetooth graphics manager): sudo apt install blueman # For Debian/Ubuntu Sudo dnf install blueman # For Fedora
2. Run blueman-manager from the terminal or through the application menu.
3. Click "Search" and activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
4. Select the device and confirm the connection. PIN, Try 0000 or 1234.

For models with advanced codecs (for example, Buds 4 Pro with a high-end codec). LDAC) You may need to manually adjust:

• 🐧 Open the terminal and execute: pactl list sinks | grep -i Xiaomi to find your headphone ID.
• 🐧 Install the codec. AAC (if SBC bad quality: pactl set-card profile [identifier] a2dp_sink

⚠️ Note: Some distributions (e.g. Arch Linux) may need to disable FastConnectable in Bluetooth configuration (/etc/bluetooth/main.conf), Otherwise, the headphones will be constantly switched off.

Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect or no sound

If Xiaomi headphones are not defined by a laptop or connect with errors, check the following points:

1. Headphones are not in pairing mode

• 🔋 Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case should burn white, not red).
• 🔄 For models with a button on the case (AirDots) 1/2) Hold her down. 10–15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing quickly.
• 🎧 For the Buds. 3/4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro touch the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously on the 5 seconds.

2.The laptop doesn't see the headphones

• 🖥️ Reboot Bluetooth: On Windows: Run → services.msc, find Bluetooth Support and restart it. On macOS: sudo pkill bluetoothd in the terminal. On Linux: sudo systemctl restart bluetooth.
• 🔌 If you use a USB-Bluetooth adapter, try connecting it to another port (preferably a USB-Bluetooth adapter). USB 2.0).
• 📱 Remove headphones from the list of devices on all gadgets (phone, tablet) to which they were previously connected.

3.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

• 🔊 Check if the headphones are selected as the default output device (on Windows: right-click on the sound icon) → «Open sound parameters»).
• 🎛️ On Windows, open the Control Panel → Sound, pick out the headphones. → «Properties» → tab "Additional" and change the format to 16 bits, 44100 Hz.
• 🔗 For models with ANC (Buds 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro) disable noise cancellation in the Mi Earphones mobile app – sometimes it interferes with the work on the PC.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted every 2-3 seconds, the problem may be in conflict with Wi-Fi.

4.The headphones shut down in 5-10 seconds

This problem is typical for models with energy-saving mode (for example, Redmi AirDots 3).

• 🔋 In the Mi Earphones mobile app, turn off the Automatic Shutdown option (if any).
• 🖥️ On Windows, open Device Manager, find headphones in the section “Sound, video and gaming devices”, open “Properties» → «Power management" and uncheck the box with "Allow disconnection of this device to save energy».
• 🐧 On Linux, add headphones to the list of trusted devices in the /etc/bluetooth/main.conf: AutoEnable=true FastConnectable=false

Advanced settings: codec, delay, microphone

If the basic connection works, but the sound quality or stability leaves much to be desired, try optimizing the settings.

1.Selection of Bluetooth codec

The codec determines the sound quality and delay:

• 🎵 SBC — The basic codec works everywhere, but the quality is mediocre.
• 🎵 AAC — Best for Music (supported on Windows 10)+ macOS).
• 🎵 aptX – low latency but requires support from a Bluetooth adapter.
• 🎵 LDAC — Maximum quality (for Buds only) 4 Pro and newer on Windows 11/macOS).

To change the codec to Windows 11:

1. Open the settings → System → Sound.
2. Choose your headphones. → «Device properties».
3. In the "Code" section, select the available option (if you have an option).

On macOS codec changes through Audio-MIDI-setting up" (appendix to /Programs / Utilities/).

2. Reduced sound delay

If the video or video is not synchronized with the video:

• 🎮 On Windows, open the Control Panel → Sound, pick out the headphones. → «Properties» → tab “Additional” and set “Exclusive management».
• 🎮 On Linux, use PulseAudio with module-bluetooth-discover and force the aptX codec to install. LL (if maintained).
• 🎮 For FlipBuds Pro models, turn on the Low Lag mode in the Mi Earphones mobile app (this will continue when you connect to a laptop).

3. Microphone setup

If the microphone on the headphones is not working:

• 🎤 On Windows, open the settings. → System system → Sound. → Device Properties and make sure that the Format section selects “1 channel, 16 bits, 16000 Hz” (for voice).
• 🎤 On macOS in "System settings" → Sound. → Enter" select headphones and adjust the microphone volume level.
• 🎤 If the microphone still does not work, try to connect the headphones in the mode “Headset» (HSP) instead of Stereo» (A2DP).

Frequent questions