Connecting AirPods to Xiaomi: Full Instruction with Solutions to Typical Problems

Apple’s AirPods have long been the standard for wireless sound, but they don’t always use iOS devices. If you have a Xiaomi smartphone (or other Android device), connecting the possible complications can be ranging from the lack of automatic pairing to problems with sound or sensors. In this guide, we’ll look at all the stages of settings, from basic Bluetooth connectivity to fine-tuning to improve sound quality and solve common bugs.

It's important to understand that AirPods are optimized for the Apple ecosystem, so on Xiaomi, some features (such as automatic switching between devices or activating Siri with a voice) will not work. However, the basic features - sound, microphone, control gestures - are available in full. Next, you will find step-by-step instructions, compatibility tables and answers to the questions that users often have.

If you encounter a specific problem (e.g., headphones are undetectable, the sound is interrupted, or one of the AirPods is not working), go straight to the "Problem Solutions" section. For beginners, we recommend starting with a basic setup - it will take no more than 5 minutes.

Xiaomi-compatible AirPods: What works and what doesn’t

Before setting up, you should specify what AirPods features will be available on your Xiaomi. In the table below, compare the capabilities depending on the headphone model and the MIUI version:

Key limitations:

• 🔄 There's no automatic switching between devices (like in the Apple ecosystem). You'll have to plug in manually.
• 🎧 Sound quality may be worse than on iPhones due to the use of the SBC codec instead of AAC (some Xiaomi models support AAC, but the stability depends on the firmware).
• 🔋 The charge indicator is not always displayed correctly (especially on older versions MIUI).
• 🎤 The microphone may perform worse due to a lack of optimization for noise cancellation on Android.

If you are using AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max, we recommend upgrading your smartphone firmware to the latest version of MIUI – this will improve codec compatibility and reduce sound delays.

Basic setup: how to connect AirPods to Xiaomi

The process of pairing AirPods with Xiaomi is not different from connecting any other Bluetooth headphones, but there are nuances.

1. Open the cover of the AirPods case and make sure the headphones are inside.A white light bulb should light up on the back of the case (if not, press and hold the button on the back until you blink).
2. On a Xiaomi smartphone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and activate the function. Wait for your AirPods model (such as AirPods Pro) to appear on the list of available devices.
3. Click on the headphone name in the list. In a few seconds, you'll see a pairing request, confirm it. If you want to type in PIN- code, use 0000.
4. Once the connection is successful, the status will change to Connected, and now you can close the cover of the case, so the headphones will remain in the memory of the device.

Important: If AirPods were previously connected to an iPhone, they must be reset, otherwise they may not appear in the list of devices on Xiaomi.

1. Open the cover.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.
3. Close the lid and repeat the process of connecting to Xiaomi.

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only through one AirPod, check the audio balance in the Xiaomi settings: go to Settings → Sound → Audio balance and set the slider in the middle.

💡

If AirPods are not defined, try rebooting the Bluetooth module on Xiaomi: turn off Bluetooth, turn on the aircraft mode for 30 seconds, then return to the settings.

How to Improve Sound Quality on Xiaomi

By default, Xiaomi uses SBC or AAC codecs to transmit audio to AirPods. One provides a stable connection but worse quality, the other provides better sound but there may be delays.

1. Install Developer Options (if not already activated). Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI 7 times.
2. Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and find Bluetooth Codecs.
3. Choose AAC (Priority for Music) or AptX (if your AirPods model supports).

Additional settings for better sound:

• 🎵 Equator: in Settings → Sound → Equalizer, select Preset Bass or Jazz for a more saturated sound.
• 🔊 Turn off audio processing: In the same settings, deactivate Sound Improvement and Adaptive Sound – these may distort the original signal.
• 📱 Developer Mode: Turn on the absolute volume level to avoid automatic volume reduction.

If the sound is interrupted or interference is heard, try the following:

• 📶 Go to a place with fewer Bluetooth devices (e.g., in another room).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and pair again).
• 📴 Turn off Wi-Fi while you listen, which can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth.

Critical information: Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2+ processor (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro) support LDAC and aptX Adaptive codecs, but AirPods do not use them - maximum sound quality is limited to AAC.

Customization of gestures and controls

Gestures on AirPods work on Xiaomi, but their setting depends on the headphone model. Below are instructions for different versions:

AirPods 1/2 and AirPods 3

• 👆 Double tap (on AirPods 1/2) or press (on AirPods 3) on the sensor:

AirPods Pro 1/2 and AirPods Max

• 👆 Press (on AirPods Pro) or turn Digital Crown (on AirPods Max):

To change the purpose of the gestures:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the gear icon next to the connected AirPods.
3. Select Media Management or Gesture Settings (name depends on the version of MIUI).
4. Assign the necessary actions for the left and right earphone.

💡

Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ has support for automatic switching between ANC/transparency modes when you click on the AirPods Pro 2 sensor, but only if the headphones are connected through the Apple Music app.

If the gestures don't work:

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones.
• 🧹 Clean the sensors of dirt (use a cotton swab dipped with alcohol).
• 📱 Update the firmware MIUI last-minute.

How to check the charge of AirPods on Xiaomi

The display of the charge level of the AirPods on Xiaomi is unstable, but there are several ways to get accurate information:

Method 1: Bluetooth Widget

1. Open the notification bar and hold your finger on the Bluetooth icon.
2. In the list of connected devices, find AirPods – next to it will be displayed the percentage of charge of the case and each headphone (if supported).

Method 2: Third-party applications

Install one of the applications:

• 📱 AirBattery (shows real-time charge in the notification panel)
• 🔋 Battery Widget Reborn (additionally displays running time)
• 🛠️ MaterialPods (advanced settings for Android AirPods)

Important: If the charge indicator is not updated, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones;
• 📴 Turn off and turn on Bluetooth.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.

💡

To quickly check the charge without apps, open the AirPods case next to Xiaomi – some models (such as Xiaomi 13) will have a pop-up with a charge level.

If the case is discharged to 0%, and the headphones do not respond to the connection to charging:

⚠️ Warning: Wait 5-10 minutes after the case is connected to the mains - the charge indicator may not burn immediately. If after 15 minutes the light bulb does not light up, try another cable or adapter (recommended power - 5W).

Typical problem solving

Even after a successful connection, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and below are solutions for the most common cases.

Problem 1: AirPods are connected, but there is no sound

• 🔊 Check if AirPods are selected as the audio output device in Settings → Sound. → Output device.
• 🔄 Reset the headphones: Put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull them out.
• 📱 Update the firmware MIUI — older versions have bugs with audio routing.

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or interfered with

• 📶 Make sure there are no interference sources nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).
• 🔧 In the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Developers), change Bluetooth Codecs to AAC.
• 📴 Turn off Wi-Fi and Mobile Data while you listen.

Problem 3: Only one AirPod is working

• 🧲 Take both headphones out of the case and put them back for 10 seconds.
• 🔄 Forget the device in Settings → Bluetooth and plug it back in.
• 🛠️ Clean the contacts in the case with a cotton swab (sometimes oxidation interferes with the charge of one of the headphones).

Problem 4: AirPods are not detected when connected

• 🔋 Make sure the case is charged (the indicator should burn when the cover is opened).
• 🔄 Reset AirPods: Press the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone and try again.

⚠️ Warning: If AirPods have previously been connected to a MacBook or iPad, they can automatically switch to those devices. To turn off this feature, on an Apple device, go to Settings → Bluetooth, click on the i icon next to the AirPods, and select Forget this device.

Useful Apps for AirPods on Xiaomi

The standard MIUI settings do not reveal the full potential of AirPods, which will help to expand the functionality of:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔋 If you want to monitor your charge, AirBattery or MaterialPods.
• 🎵 To adjust the sound, Wavelet (allows you to select codecs manually).
• 🤖 For voice control, Assistant Trigger (sets up Google Assistant call through gestures).

When using third-party applications, consider:

• 🛡️ Some functions (e.g., control ANC) may not work as well because of limitations MIUI.
• 🔄 After the firmware update, Xiaomi’s app settings may reset.

Frequent questions