How to connect wireless headphones to Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite via Bluetooth: the complete guide

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life – they are convenient for sports, work and listening to music without tangled wires. However, owners of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite (released in 2018) sometimes have difficulties connecting the headset via Bluetooth. The reasons can be covered as in the features of the firmware MIUI, Incompatibility of protocol versions or common user errors.

In this article, we will analyze not only the standard pairing procedure, but also the nuances relevant specifically for the Mi 8 Lite: from turning on the search mode on the headphones to resetting the Bluetooth module settings when crashes. You’ll also learn how to check the Bluetooth version on your smartphone and why some headphone models (like AirPods or Sony) are on the same page. WH-1000XM3) If you're faced with a problem of "device not found" or "can't hide", here you will find solutions.

1. Connection Preparation: What to Check Before Pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure your headphones and smartphone are ready to go, and problems often arise from trivial things that users overlook.

First, check the headphone charge.Most models (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots or other models) JBL Tune 120TWS) Make sure the headset light flashes blue or white to indicate that you're ready to connect. If the light is red or not, charge your headphones for 10 to 15 minutes.

Second, disconnect your headphones from other devices. Many headsets (especially Apple AirPods or Samsung Galaxy Buds) automatically connect to the last gadget you've ever used. To avoid conflict, remove them from the list of associated devices on your laptop, tablet or other smartphone.

• 📱 On Android: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth, tap on your headphones and select “Forget».
• 💻 On Windows: Options → Devices → Headphones → Remove the device.
• 🍎 Nana iOS/macOS: Bluetooth settings → (i) next to the headphones → Forget this device.

Finally, update the firmware Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite.Outdated versions MIUI (below 12.5) may have bugs in Bluetooth 5.0, which cause the headphones to be connected with a delay or not at all:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If a new version is available, download and install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).

Step-by-step: how to connect headphones to the Mi 8 Lite

Now, to the process of pairing itself, the instruction is universal to most people. TWS-Headphones (e.g. Redmi Buds 3, Haylou) GT1) Full-size models (e.g. Audio-Technica) ATH-M50xBT). Differences can be only in the way of activating the pairing mode on the headphones themselves.

Step 1: Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone.

• 📲 Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔵 Click on the Bluetooth icon (it will turn blue). Alternatively: Settings → Bluetooth and move the slider to the right.

Step 2: Put your headphones in pairing mode, depending on the model.

Step 3: Find the headphones in the list of available devices on the Mi 8 Lite:

1. Settings menu → Bluetooth wait until the smartphone detects the headphones (can take up to 30 seconds).
2. Slip on the name of your model in the list of "Available devices".
3. Confirm the pairing if a request appears (sometimes you need to enter) PIN-code - default 0000 or 1234).

Headphone charge > 30%|

Headphones are disconnected from other devices|

Bluetooth on your smartphone enabled |

Headphones in pairing mode (flashing indicator)|

Updated firmware MIUI (version 12.5+)-->

Once you've successfully connected, your headphones will appear in the "Coupled Devices" list, and you can listen to music or answer calls. If the headphones are connected but only sound is on one channel (for example, only on the left earphone), try resetting them -- you can find instructions in the "Problem Solutions" section.

3. Features of connecting different types of headphones

Not all wireless headphones connect to the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite the same way. Let’s look at the key differences for the popular categories.

TWS-Headphones (True Wireless) - the most common (for example, Xiaomi Air 2 Pro, Realme Buds) Q2). Their main feature is that each earphone connects to the smartphone independently, but synchronizes with each other through the master-snuffle (usually the right one:

• 🔄 Reboot both headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds and re-take them).
• 🔗 Make sure they are synchronized (the indicators on both should flash the same).
• 📱 In Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, remove the device and connect again.

Full-size headphones (over-ear) – for example, Sony WH-CH710N or Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They usually support advanced aptX codec or AAC, But the Mi 8 Lite with Bluetooth 5.0 may not be able to play the sound at its maximum quality:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth and tap the icon ⚙️ headphone-name.
3. Look at the line "Audio codec." Optimal values: SBC (basic), AAC (Best for music, aptX (for Hi-Res audio).

Noise-canceling headphones (ANC) — For example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Huawei FreeBuds 3. ANC It requires a stable connection if the noise cancellation is delayed or is switched off:

• 📶 Make sure there are no interference sources nearby (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
• 🔋 Check the headphone charge (ANC consumes).
• 🔄 In the headphone settings (if there is an application), turn off the “Low Lag” mode - it may conflict with the ANC.

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If your headphones support LDAC (Like Sony. WH-1000XM4), The Mi 8 Lite settings only show up. SBC, Install the Developer Options app and manually select the codec. Enable Developer Mode (7 times tap the About Phone build number) and Settings → System system → For developers, find the item “Bluetooth Codec».

4. Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect or malfunction

Even if you do the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Headphones are not detected

If the smartphone does not see headphones in the list of available devices:

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi 8 Lite (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Remove all saved Bluetooth devices in the settings and try to connect again.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Reset → Reset network settings (this will delete all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices).
• 🛠️ If the headphones previously connected to another Xiaomi, try resetting them to factory settings (usually hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds).

Problem 2: Connection happens, but there is no sound

A common reason is that the smartphone is the default speaker, not the headphones, to fix:

1. When playing music or calling, swipe down to open the notification panel.
2. Slip the Media icon (or Sound) and select your headphones as your output device.
3. If the item is missing, check the settings of the application (for example, YouTube or Spotify may have a separate selection of the output device).

Problem 3: The sound is interrupted or interfered with

This is typical of the Mi 8 Lite due to a weak Bluetooth module or interference from other devices.

• 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone (sometimes 2.4GHz channels conflict with Bluetooth).
• 🔋 Make sure the headphones are charged >50% (at low charge, communication quality may fall).
• 🎵 In the headphone settings (if there is an application), disable "AptH Adaptive" or «LDAC» — They require a stable connection.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones, previously removing them from the list of conjugate devices.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The headphones stopped plugging in, try rolling back the firmware or wait for a patch. MIUI 12.0.3 for Mi 8 Lite was a bug with Bluetooth 5.0, which was fixed only in 12.0.5.

5. Sound optimization: settings for better quality

Even after a successful connection, the sound may not be perfect. Here's how to improve it on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite:

1. Choice of audio codec

As mentioned earlier, the Mi 8 Lite supports multiple codecs, but not all headphones can use the most advanced ones.

1. Enable Developer Mode (7 taps by Build Number in About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → System → For developers → Bluetooth codec.
3. Choose. AAC for music (compression is better) or aptX for high resolution (if the headphones support it).

2. Equalizer adjustment

MIUI has an integrated equalizer, but it's hidden, so you can activate it.

• 🎵 Open the Music app (standard player from Xiaomi).
• 🔧 Slap the icon. ⚙️ in the upper right corner and select "Equalizer».
• 📊 Choose a preset (Bas, Rock, Classic) or adjust sliders manually.

3. Reduced sound delay

If the sound in your headphones is behind the video (relevant to games or YouTube), try:

• 🎮 Turn on “Games Mode” in the headphone settings (if any).
• 📱 B Settings → Sound. → Audio Effects disable all effects (they add latency).
• 🔄 Use the codec. SBC — It has a minimal delay (but worse quality).

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For the best sound in Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, use a codec AAC (for music) or aptX Low Latency (for video). LDAC — It is demanding for the stability of the connection and can cause breaks.

6. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard Bluetooth is not working properly, consider alternatives:

1. Connection via Mi Bluetooth Audio

Xiaomi offers a proprietary application for managing audio devices. It allows you to:

• 🔗 Quickly reconnect the headphones.
• 📊 Monitor the level of charge of the headset.
• 🔧 Customize gestures (for example, double touching for pause).

Download it from Google Play or AppGallery (name: Mi Bluetooth Audio).

1. Open the app and allow access to Bluetooth.
2. Click "Add device" and follow the instructions.

2.Using a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter USB-C

If the built-in Bluetooth module on the Mi 8 Lite is not working well (for example, permanent communication breaks), you can connect an external adapter through the phone. USB-C. Any adapter with aptX support is suitable (for example, 1Mii B06 Benefits:

• 📶 More stable connection.
• 🎵 Support for Advanced Codecs (LDAC, aptX HD).
• 🔋 Does not discharge the smartphone battery (powered from USB).

To connect:

1. Insert the adapter into the USB-C port of the smartphone.
2. Put the headphones in pairing mode.
3. In Bluetooth settings, select the adapter as the sound source.

3. Connection through AUX-cable (if there is a 3.5 mm connector) Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite has a headphone jack, so you can use a wired headset or Bluetooth adapter (for example, Avantek). BTA-200). It's relevant to:

• 🎧 Full-size headphones without Bluetooth.
• 🎤 Headset with microphone (sound quality will be better than wireless connection).

7. Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

⚠️ Note: If the headphones are not connected after all the manipulations, check their compatibility with the Mi 8 Lite. Some models (for example, Apple AirPods Pro 2 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra) require Bluetooth 5.2.+ In this case, the sound can be reproduced, but with restrictions (for example, without noise cancellation).