How to connect AirPods to Xiaomi smartphone: full instructions with error solutions

Apple AirPods wireless headphones have long been the standard for listening to music, but many Xiaomi users have difficulty connecting them. Despite the fact that both ecosystems work on Bluetooth protocol, the nuances of pairing can cause errors, from lack of sound to constant communication interruptions. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic connection process, but also the hidden MIUI settings that will help optimize the work of the headphones, and also solve typical problems such as “Device not found” or “Low sound quality”.

It’s important to understand that AirPods were originally designed for Apple devices, so some features (like automatic switching between devices or activating “Hey Siri”) won’t work on Xiaomi, but with the right settings you’ll get a stable connection, good sound and minimal latency. We tested the instructions on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5 models – all the steps are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

1. Preparation before connection: what to check

Before you start pairing, make sure your devices meet the minimum requirements. AirPods (all generations including AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max) support Bluetooth 4.2 and higher, but 5.0+ is recommended for stable operation. Check out the Bluetooth version on your Xiaomi:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and find the Bluetooth string.
• 🔋 Make sure the AirPods are charged (the indicator on the case should be green or orange – red means a discharge below 10%).
• 🔄 If the headphones have already been connected to another device (such as an iPhone), reset their settings (instructions in the next section).
• 📶 Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, speakers) to avoid conflicts.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) There may be no support for codecs. AAC Or aptX, which will cause the sound to deteriorate, so in this case, select the codec in your Bluetooth settings. SBC (Path: Settings → Bluetooth → ⚙️ near the AirPods → Audio codec).

2.Reset AirPods before first connecting to Xiaomi

If your AirPods were previously paired with an iPhone, MacBook or other device, they should be returned to factory settings, which will delete all saved profiles and allow you to connect to Xiaomi without errors.

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid.
3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (for AirPods Max – Noise Control + Digital Crown button) for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange (for models with Lightning) or white (for USB-C).
4. Release the button and the headphones will drop.

⚠️ Note: After reset, AirPods will lose all user settings, including the assigned name (such as “My AirPods”). On Xiaomi, you won’t be able to change the headphone name – it will appear as standard (“AirPods Pro” or “AirPods»).

3. Step-by-step connection of AirPods to Xiaomi

Now, to the interface process itself, it's a little bit different from the iPhone on Xiaomi, because it requires manually selecting the headphone profile.

Open the cover of the case AirPods| Turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi| Remove old devices from the list of conjugated | Charge headphones up to 50%+

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1. Open the AirPods case cover (earphones must stay inside).
2. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the switch.
3. In the list of available devices, find AirPods (or your model) and tap it.
4. Confirm pairing if you request access to contacts and media (you can opt out – this will not affect the sound).
5. Wait for the inscription “Connected” under the name of headphones.

Some MIUI firmware may display a notification saying “Device supports high data rate” – agree to activate the AAC codec (it gives better sound than SBC).

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If AirPods don't appear in the Bluetooth list, close the case cover for 10 seconds, then open again and search again. Also check if the phone is power-saving, which can block scanning of new devices.

4. Sound optimization and Bluetooth customization on Xiaomi

Once connected successfully, the sound may appear quiet or distorted, because MIUI uses universal settings for all Bluetooth devices by default.

• 🎧 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth, tap on. ⚙️ near the AirPods.
• 🔊 In the "Sound" section, select "Audio Codec" and install AAC (For AirPods Pro, also activate "Absolute Volume».
• 🎛️ In “More” turn off “Optimization for Talk” (improves voice but degrades music).
• 🔋 Turn on Auto Connection so that the headphones connect when the lid is opened.

For models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14), the Spatial Sound feature is available – it can be enabled in the headphone settings, but it only works with supported applications (for example, YouTube or Netflix).

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Xiaomi has a dual connection feature with MIUI 14+ and HyperOS, but it doesn’t work with AirPods. For stability, it’s better to turn it off in Bluetooth settings.

5. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face common errors, and we will discuss the most common ways to fix them:

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

• Check if the headphones are selected as the output device to the control panel (swipe down → speaker icon).
• Reboot Xiaomi and reconnect AirPods.
• In Bluetooth settings, change the Audio Codec to SBC (if AAC was standing).

🔴 Problem: Constant communication breakdowns

• Turn off Wi-Fi during the test – sometimes 2.4GHz channels conflict with Bluetooth.
• Reduce the distance between the phone and headphones (optimally up to 5 meters).
• In the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap) disable “Limit Bluetooth scanning”.

🔴 Problem: Low volume

• In the AirPods settings, turn on "Absolute Volume".
• Check the volume limits in Settings → Sound → Safe Volume.
• Clean the speaker grid on the headphones (dust can drown out sound).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI AirPods stopped connecting, reset network settings on your phone (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings will remove all stored devices, but solve the compatibility problem.

Additional Features: What Works and What Doesn't

On Xiaomi, some of the AirPods features will be limited due to Apple’s proprietary protocols, and in the table below, what you can use and what will remain inaccessible:

For owners of AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max, noise reduction control is available through touch panels on headphones:

• 🔇 Active noise cancellation (ANC): Press the sensor until you hear the beep.
• 🔈 Transparent Mode: Press the sensor twice.
• ⏸️ Pause/playback: one tap on the sensor.

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To see the charge level of the AirPods on Xiaomi, install the AirBattery app from Google Play.It shows the percentage of charge of the case and each headphone separately, and also notifies you about the low battery level.

7. Alternative ways of connecting (for experienced users)

If standard pairing doesn't work, alternative methods can be tried, requiring additional action, but sometimes helping in difficult cases (e.g., after a phone reset or firmware update).

🔹 Connection through Developer Mode

Activate Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap), then:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
2. Find Bluetooth Debugging and turn it on.
3. Try reconnecting the AirPods.

🔹 Use of third-party applications

Apps like Bluetooth Auto Connect or AirPods Battery can help with automatic connection and monitoring of headphone status, but beware – some programs request excessive permissions (for example, access to SMS).

🔹 Resetting network settings

If AirPods were previously connected but are not currently identified, reset:

→ SIM-map and network settings → Resets Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings

After restarting the phone, try pairing again.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting network settings will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting AirPods to Xiaomi