Why AirPods and Redmi Note are not obvious but workable
At first glance, the combination of Apple’s wireless headphones and Xiaomi’s Redmi Note seems exotic: two ecosystem giants with different approaches to technology. However, in practice, AirPods work perfectly with Android devices, including the Redmi Note line — whether it’s the Note 10 Pro, Note 12 or the latest Note 13.
In this article, we’ll look at not only the basic pairing process, but also the hidden AirPods features that remain available on Android (such as control gestures or charge level checks), as well as typical problems – from communication interruptions to the lack of sound in one earphone. We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note models with MIUI 14+, where the connection algorithm has changed due to the updated Bluetooth stack.
Spoiler: You don’t need root rights or third-party apps for basic work, but some chips (like automatic switching between devices) will still be unavailable, but you will save on buying Xiaomi branded headphones – the sound quality and microphone AirPods is objectively higher in its price segment.
Preparation: What to check before connecting
Before you start pairing, make sure your Redmi Note and AirPods are ready to go.
- 🔋 Headphone and case charge: AirPods must be charged at least 20% (indicator on the case is lit white or green.
- 📱 Version. MIUI: On smartphones with MIUI 12.5 and older supported Bluetooth 5.0 protocol+, This guarantees a stable connection. You can check the version in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
- 🔄 Reset previous connections: If AirPods were already paired with another device (for example, iPhone), they must be “forget” in the settings of that device or reset manually (click the button on the case for 15 seconds before the white indicator flashes).
- 🛠️ Firmware updates: AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 require the latest version of the headphone firmware, which can be checked through the AirBattery app (available on Google Play).
Special attention to owners of Redmi Note 11/12 with Snapdragon 680/685 chipset: in these models there is a bug with automatic Bluetooth shutdown when locking the screen.
Step-by-step: how to connect AirPods to Redmi Note
The pairing process takes less than a minute, but requires precise steps to follow. Here is a universal algorithm for all Redmi Note models (from Note 8 to Note 13 Pro+):
- Open the case cover with AirPods and make sure the headphones are inside. The indicator on the front should flash white (pair mode). If it does not blink, press and hold the button on the back of the case for 5-10 seconds.
- On Redmi Note, go to Settings → Connections & Sharing → Bluetooth (or just swipe down and hold the Bluetooth icon in the notification bar).
- Activate Bluetooth and wait for your AirPods model to appear on the list of available devices (e.g., "AirPods Pro (John's)").
- Confirm the pairing on the smartphone screen. If you request access to contacts or microphone, allow (this is necessary for the microphone to work correctly during calls).
- Wait for the message "Device connected." Now AirPods are ready to use.
For AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3, you may get a firmware update notification after you connect. Don't ignore it, it improves Android compatibility. However, you can only flash your headphones through your iPhone or iPad.
☑️ Checklist before first use
Customizing gestures and controls: what works on Android
Unlike the iPhone, the Redmi Note doesn't have all AirPods features out of the box, but basic gestures and settings can be manually configured:
| Function | AirPods 1/2 | AirPods 3 / Pro | How to set up on Redmi Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double touch. | Reproduction/pause | No (replaced by a force sensor) | Through Bluetooth Settings → ⚙️ near the AirPods |
| Sensor retention | — | Switching noise reduction modes | It works automatically (not configured) |
| Automatic pause | Yeah (when you take off your headphone) | Yes. | Included in Bluetooth settings |
| Charge check | Only through the widget. | Widget + voice assistant | Install AirBattery or Assistant Trigger |
For advanced control (for example, adjusting gestures for each headphone separately), you will need third-party applications:
- 🎧 AirBattery – shows the charge of the case and headphones, notifies about the connection.
- 🔧 Assistant Trigger – allows you to assign a double touch to a voice assistant call (Google Assistant or XiaoAI).
- 🔊 SoundAssistant – manages volume balance between headphones (useful if one sounds quieter).
⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models with MIUI 13 and below may not work automatic switching between devices (e.g. phone to laptop).This is a limitation of Bluetooth protocol on the Android side, not a headphone problem.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even after a successful connection, users are faced with typical bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
1. AirPods are plugged in, but no sound
Reasons:
- 🔇 The headphones are chosen as the output device, but the sound goes to the speaker of the phone. Solution: swipe down the notification panel and manually select AirPods in the list of audio devices.
- 🎵 In the audio settings, "Displayer Only" mode is activated. Solution: Go to Settings → Sound. → Output of sound and select Bluetooth device.
- 🔌 The headphones are connected to another device (like a MacBook) Solution: disconnect them from that device or reset the connection (press the button on the case).
Communications or interference
Most commonly occurs on Redmi Notes with MediaTek chipsets (e.g. Helio G88/G96).
- 📶 Switch the Bluetooth codec from SBC on AAC (In the developer settings:
- 🔄 Turn off the “Adaptive Bluetooth” function in Settings → Battery → Saving charge.
- 📱 Update the firmware headphones (requires iPhone).
3.The microphone is not working during calls
The problem is typical for the AirPods Pro on the Redmi Note with MIUI 14.
- 🎤 Manually select AirPods as the input device during the call (mic icon in the call interface).
- 🔧 Turn off the Voice Improvement feature in Bluetooth settings.
- 📞 Use the Google Phone app instead of a standard call MIUI.
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI AirPods stopped connecting at all, try resetting the network settings on your phone: → Connections → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings will remove all stored devices, but often solve compatibility issues.
Why are AirPods running faster on Android?
How to check the charge of AirPods on Redmi Note
On the iPhone, the charge level is automatically displayed when you open the case. On the Redmi Note, there are three ways to do this:
- Widget on lock screen: Install the Bluetooth Devices widget on the lock screen. When the AirPods are connected, it will display the percentage of charge of each earphone and case.
- AirBattery: Download AirBattery from Google Play. Launch the app and allow notifications. Now, when you open the case, you'll see a charge-level pop-up.
Voice assistant
- Activate Google Assistant or XiaoAI with a voice that says, “OK Google, what’s the charge of the AirPods?”
- The assistant will announce the current level of charge.
If the indicator does not flash white, the case is discharged. Charge it for 10-15 minutes and repeat the procedure.