Connecting wireless headphones to Xiaomi Redmi via Bluetooth: full instruction with error solutions

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life, and Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are among the most popular devices to use them, but even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with first connecting or re-pairing gadgets. This article will help you understand all the nuances: from the basic settings of Bluetooth to solving rare errors that are specific to firmware. MIUI.

We will consider not only the standard connection procedure, but also the features of working with different types of headphones (TWS, on-ear, over-ear, audio optimization through hidden Xiaomi settings, and ways to diagnose problems when devices can’t see each other. 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and POCO X5, where the interface algorithm may differ from the classical.

If you're in a situation where your headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted or your phone forgets them after you reboot, here's a proven solution. And for those who want to make the most of their audio equipment, we'll reveal the secrets of customizing aptX codecs, AAC and LDAC on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14/15.

Before you get to the instructions, make sure your headphones are charged (the indicator should flash or burn in a stable color), and your phone is on Bluetooth and on-plane mode is turned off, these simple steps save up to 30% of the time to diagnose problems.

1. Preparing Xiaomi Redmi phone for connection

Before pairing devices, you need to check several key parameters on your smartphone, starting with activating the Bluetooth module and updating the software, since outdated versions are used. MIUI They may not support new communication protocols.

Open the Settings. β†’ About the phone and make sure you have the latest firmware installed.For Redmi Note 12 Pro models+ and more critically important update to MIUI 14.0.5 or higher – these versions fix bugs with devices connected to the Qualcomm chip WCN6855, The same headphones used in Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Redmi Buds 5.

Next, go to Settings. β†’ Connections and sharing β†’ Bluetooth. Here, turn the switch on to the "On" position and wait for the phone to complete the scan of the available devices. 9A) Additional location permission may be required to enable Bluetooth to work properly – this is a security requirement for Android 12+.

If you've previously connected other headphones, we recommend clearing the list of conjugated devices, clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the Bluetooth screen and select "Clear List" to help avoid conflicts when connecting new gadgets.

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi Redmi model do you use?
Redmi Note 12/13
Redmi 10/11
POCO X3/X4/X5
Redmi 9/9A/9C
Another model

2. Step-by-step instruction for connecting headphones

The pairing algorithm depends on the type of headphones you have. TWS-Models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active is the same as the:

Activation of the pairing mode on the headphones:

- Get both earphones out of the case (if it's one). TWS).

Press the power button (or touchpad) for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (for Redmi Buds) or blue (for Xiaomi AirDots).

For over-ear headphones (such as Xiaomi Mi Headphones), hold the on button until the beep.

2. Search for the device on the phone:

- On the Xiaomi smartphone, open Settings β†’ Bluetooth.

In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, "Redmi Buds 5 Pro" or "Mi True Wireless Earphones 2").

Click on the name and the pairing process will begin.

Confirmation of connection:

- On some models (Redmi Note) 11 Pro+ and later) a request for code confirmation may appear PIN. Standard code for headphones Xiaomi/Redmi β€” 0000 or 1234.

After successful connection, the indicator on the headphones will burn in a stable color (usually blue or white), and the inscription β€œConnected” will appear in the list of devices on the phone.

Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator flashes when removed from the case)|

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for the scan to be completed|

Remove old connections with the same device name|

Check that the headphones are in pairing mode (flashing indicator)-->

Important for owners of Redmi Note 10 Pro and older: if the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one channel, go to Settings β†’ Special facilities β†’ Audio Mono and turn off this option. Also check the sound balance in Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ The balance of audio – it should be in the middle.

3. Solving common connection problems

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi Redmi users sometimes encounter errors. Let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone can't see the headphones

⚠️ Note: If the headphones don’t appear in the list of available devices, first check if your Redmi model supports Bluetooth 5.2 protocol.+. Like Redmi. 9C It only works with Bluetooth 5.0, which can cause problems with the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro (requires 5.2).

Decisions:

Reboot both devices (earphones and phone).

- Turn on the developer mode on the phone (7 times click on the version) MIUI In Settings β†’ About the phone), then activate Bluetooth Debugging in Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers.

- Check if the connection is blocked by third-party software (such as Clean Master or Security Antivirus). β†’ Annexes β†’ Manage permissions and disable Bluetooth access for suspicious programs.

Problem 2: Headphones are plugged in, but no sound is available

Make sure the headphones are selected as the audio output device, so as you play music, swipe down the notification panel and click on the headphone icon in the media player.

Check if the Call Only mode is activated in the Bluetooth settings (sometimes triggered after the call).

- For models of Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14: Go to Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ Sound quality and effects and disable the β€œAdaptive Sound” option – it may conflict with headphone codecs.

Issue 3: Persistent communication breakdowns

- If the headphones turn off every 5 to 10 minutes, check your energy saving settings. β†’ Battery and performance β†’ Battery management and add Bluetooth app to the exclusion list.

- For TWS-Headphones: Take both headphones out of the case and reset them to factory settings (usually by pressing the button for 10-15 seconds before flashing red).

What if the headphones are connected to only one ear?
This is a problem that is common with Redmi Buds. 3 Pro and Xiaomi Air 2S When you connect to the Redmi Note 10/11. Decision: 1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings. 2. Drop your headphones (5 Once press the touch panel when the state is off). 3. Connect first the right earphone, then the left (for this, put the left in the case on the left). 10 seconds after connecting the right).

4.Optimize the sound for headphones on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They offer advanced audio settings that many users don’t use. The right configuration can significantly improve the quality of playback, especially for models that support aptX Adaptive or LDAC.

Configuring Bluetooth codecs:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone.

2. Go to Settings β†’ Connections and sharing β†’ Bluetooth.

3. Click on the gear icon next to the name of your headphones.

4. Select "Sound Quality" and set the priority codec:

- For music: LDAC (Maximum quality but more latency or aptX Adaptive (balance of quality and stability).

- For games and video: AAC (minimum delay).

- For talking: SBC (best-compatibility).

Equalizer and effects:

- B Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ Equator select Preset Bass for Electronic Music or Voice for Podcasts.

- Activate "Mi Sound Enhancer" to improve spatial sound (only works with headphones that support the sound). AAC or).

Hidden settings for Redmi Note 12/13:

Enter the phone code ##36446337## to open the sound menu.

- In the Audio section β†’ Bluetooth Audio Install Sample Rate at 48 kHz for better compatibility with most headphones.

πŸ’‘

If after connecting the headphones the sound became quieter than through the phone speakers, check the volume limit in Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ Safe volume. Turn off this option or set a maximum level limit.

5. Connectivity features for different Redmi models

The pairing algorithm may differ depending on the phone model and version. MIUI. Below are the key nuances for popular devices.

Model phoneMIUI versionFeatures of connectionRecommended headphones
Redmi Note 12 Pro+14.0.5+Supports LE Audio and LC3. To activate, you need to enable bidirectional sound in Bluetooth settings.Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 Pro
Redmi 10/1113.0.4–14.0.2AptX problems in early firmware versions. Requires manual codec installation through Developer Options.Xiaomi AirDots 3, SoundPEATS Air3
POCO X5 Pro14.1.2+Automatically switches to AAC Bluetooth settings have a separate "Game Mode" switch".Redmi Buds 4 Active, Realme Buds Air 3
Redmi 9A/9C12.5.1Limited support for Bluetooth 5.0. Not compatible with Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later.Redmi AirDots 2, Baseus WM01

For Redmi models on a MediaTek Helio chip G96/G99 (For example, Redmi Note 11S) There's a problem with stuttering when you use aptX. Solution: force codec. AAC In the device settings or roll back on MIUI 13.0.6, where this bug was fixed.

Important for the Redmi Note 13 Pro+: These phones support Bluetooth. LE Audio, but the feature only activates after connecting headphones with a Qualcomm chip QCC5141 (For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. For other headphone models LE Audio will be automatically disabled.

6. How to reset Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi Redmi

If all attempts to connect the headphones fail, a complete reset of Bluetooth settings can help, which will remove all the associated devices and return the communication parameters to the factory.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings β†’ System and device β†’ Resetting.

2. Select "Network Settings Reset" (on some models - "Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth Reset").

3. Confirm the action and wait for the phone to restart.

4. Once turned on, re-activate Bluetooth and try reconnecting the headphones.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14 reset network settings also resets the Smart Resolve settings (smart switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data). After the procedure, it is recommended to reset the connection priorities in Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Smart Resolve.

If the reset didn’t help, try an alternative method through Developer Mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).

2. Go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For developers.

3. Find the option "Reset Bluetooth settings" and confirm the action.

For the Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO X3 Pro has a bug that stops turning on Bluetooth after reset. Solution: Update the firmware to MIUI 13.0.8 or higher, or complete the phone reset to factory settings (with data saved via Mi Cloud).

7. Alternative ways to connect headphones

If a standard Bluetooth connection is unstable, consider alternatives, especially for older Redmi models (e.g. Redmi). 8A) or when using third-party brand headphones.

1. Connection via Mi AIoT (for headphones) Xiaomi/Eco-system):

Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.

Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.

Click "Add device" and select your headphone model.

Follow the instructions on the screen – the application will automatically configure the optimal communication parameters.

2.Use of Developer Options for forced connection:

- Activate Developer Mode.

- Go to Settings. β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers.

- Find the option "Enable Bluetooth" HCI Sniffer and activate it.

Try to reconnect the headphones – this bypasses some firmware limitations.

3. Connect via FastConnect (for the purpose of POCO new Redmis):

- In the models with MIUI 14 and Snapdragon chip 7/8 FastConnect technology available 6900, speed-up.

- To activate it, go to Settings. β†’ Connections β†’ FastConnect and enable the option "Bluetooth Priority".

For headphones with Multipoint support (such as Soundcore Space) Q45) Redmi Note 12 can configure simultaneous connection to two devices:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone.

2. Press the button on the headphones for 3 seconds until you hear the voice message "Multipoint mode".

3. Connect the headphones to a second device (for example, a laptop) – they will automatically switch between sound sources.

πŸ’‘

On the Redmi models with MIUI 14+ and Snapdragon chip 8 Gen 1/2 Bluetooth functionality available LE Audio, which reduces the latency of sound to 50 MS (against) 100–200 To activate it, plug in your earbuds that support Bluetooth. LC3 and select a profile LE Audio in the device settings.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect headphones from iPhone (AirPods) to Xiaomi Redmi?
Yes, AirPods (including Pro and Max models) are compatible with Xiaomi Redmi, but with limitations: - Automatic switching between devices (Seamless Switching feature) will not work. - Sound quality is limited by codec AAC (no support for aptX or LDAC). - To connect: Open the cover of the AirPods case, press the button on the back until you flash white light, then select the device in Bluetooth settings on Redmi.
Why are the headphones connected, but the sound is late?
Sound latency is typical for a Bluetooth connection, but it can be reduced: AAC or SBC in headphone settings (they have a lower latency than aptX or LDAC). - On the Redmi Note 11 Pro models+ and later activate "Game mode" in the Bluetooth settings. - For video: use players with synchronization correction (for example, VLC or MX Player, where you can manually move the soundtrack.
How to connect headphones to Xiaomi Redmi if the Bluetooth button is inactive?
If the Bluetooth switch is locked (grey), follow the following steps: 1. Check if the In-plane mode is activated (turn it off in the notification bar). 2. Go to Settings β†’ Special facilities β†’ Hearing aids and disable the option "Bluetooth hearing aids." 3. If the problem persists, reset your network settings (as described in Section 6) or update your firmware through Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system.
Can I use Xiaomi headphones with a phone of another brand?
Yeah, headphones. Xiaomi/Redmi Compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device 4.2+. However, some features may be limited: - The iPhone will not run Mi Sound Enhancer and LDAC. - Samsung phones may not display the charge level of the headphones. - For connecting to a MacBook or Windows PC Use the standard pairing algorithm via the Bluetooth menu on your computer.
How to check the Bluetooth version on my Xiaomi Redmi?
You can find out the Bluetooth version in two ways: - Through settings: Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Full specification (section "Bluetooth"). - Through the engineering menu: enter the Phone code in the application ##232338## β€” A page will open with information about the Bluetooth module (including version and supported profiles). 12 and the newest version of Bluetooth 5.3, for Redmi 10/11 β€” 5.2, And for Redmi. 9 older β€” 5.0.