Connecting wireless headphones to Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro via Bluetooth: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is still a popular choice among users who value the balance of performance and price. However, even with such a proven device, you can ask questions — for example, how to connect wireless headphones via Bluetooth. It would seem difficult? But in practice, many face problems: headphones are not located, connected with a delay, the sound is interrupted or absent.

In this article, we'll explore not only the basic pairing process, but also the nuances that the manufacturer often fails to address, such as why the Redmi 8 Pro can't see its headphones even when they're on, or how to avoid the common mistake of sound coming from the phone speaker and headphones simultaneously, and how to optimize the MIUI settings for stable performance.

1. Preparation of headphones and phone for connection

Before you start pairing, make sure both devices are ready to connect.

• 🔋 Charging: Make sure the headphones are at least 30% charged. Low charge can cause audio interruptions or inability to connect. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots) automatically turn off when the charge level is below 10%.
• 📱 Pair mode: Most wireless headphones activate the search mode by holding the power button (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator flashes blue-red or white. Redmi AirDots requires you to press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously.
• 🔄 Setting reset: If the headphones have already been connected to another device, they may need to be reset. for example, for Sony WH-1000XM4 This is done by holding the power button and Custom for 7 seconds.

Now on the phone:

• 📶 Bluetooth: Activate the module in the notification curtain or through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.On the Redmi 8 Pro, the Bluetooth icon in the curtain can be hidden - swipe the panel to the left to find it.
• 🔍 Visibility of the device: By default MIUI Hiding the phone from other devices after 2 minutes.If the headphones don't find the Redmi 8 Pro, check settings → Bluetooth → Additionally. → The device is visible and set "Always».
• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: If you’ve had connection issues before, clear your Bluetooth cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Show system-based → Bluetooth → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi headphones (like AirDots Pro or Buddy), first update your phone’s firmware to the latest version. MIUI. In older versions (below). MIUI 12) there is a bug that allows the headphones to connect only in mode HFP (low-quality).

2. Step-by-step instruction: how to connect headphones

Now, to the interface process itself, follow the instructions carefully, and even a small mistake (such as clicking on the headphone name too early in the list) can cause a failure.

1. Activate the search mode on the headphones (as described in the previous section). The indicator should flash quickly - this means that the headphones are ready to connect.
2. On your phone, open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and turn on the module (slider in the upper right corner).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones or JBL Tune 120TWS). If the name is not available, update the list by pulling the screen down.
4. Click on the headphone name. In 5-10 seconds, the "Connected to Media Audio" notification will appear, which means that the pairing was successful.

If the headphones support multipoint (simultaneous connection to two devices), after the first pairing, they will automatically switch between the phone and, for example, a laptop. On the Redmi 8 Pro, this feature can be turned off in Bluetooth settings: tip the gear icon next to the headphone name and uncheck the “Autoconnection” box.

Headphones appear in the list of connected devices |

Bluetooth icon in notification curtain turned blue |

When playing music, sound only goes through headphones |

The indicator on the headphones stopped blinking (burns constantly or went out)

-->

Important for Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: if after connecting the sound comes from the headphones and the speaker of the phone, go to Settings → Sound → Additional → Sound output and select “Bluetooth-headset”.

3. Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect

Even with the right actions, there can be failures, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.

If none of these methods worked, try the hard reset of Bluetooth settings on your phone:

Settings → System → Additional → Resetting → Network Settings Reset (includes Bluetooth reset)

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 11 and below may cause a conflict between Bluetooth and the module NFC. If the headphones refuse to connect, turn off. NFC In the notification curtain or through the settings → Connections → NFC.

4. Sound optimization: settings for better quality

Once connected successfully, you can improve the sound. MIUI offers several hidden features for this:

• 🎧 Bluetooth Codecs: By Default Redmi 8 Pro uses the SBC — It's a basic codec with mediocre quality, if your headphones support it. AAC, aptX LDAC, activate them in settings: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → The gear next to the headphones. → Codec For Sony WH-1000XM3/XM4 choose LDAC, for AirPods — AAC.
• 🔊 Equator: Built-in equalizer in MIUI You can customize the sound to the genres of music. → Sound. → Equator. For bass, pick preset "Bas"; for vocals, "Pop».
• 🎵 Mi Sound Enhancer: This feature improves the sound in headphones, but only works with original Xiaomi accessories. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Mi Sound Enhancer.

If you use noise-canceling headphones (such as Sony) WH-1000XM4 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, in their own app (for example, Sony Headphones Connect) you can configure the level ANC. On the Redmi 8 Pro, it doesn’t conflict with system settings. MIUI.

💡

If you have your headphones on, you'll have to turn off the "High Quality Audio" option in your Bluetooth settings, which will reduce latency but slightly reduce the sound quality.

5. How to turn off or remove headphones

If you need to temporarily turn off your headphones or remove them from the list of devices, do the following:

• 🔌 Disable: Just turn off your headphones or click on their name in the list of connected devices and select "Disable." The next time you turn on, they will connect automatically (unless the "Auto Connection" option is disabled»).
• 🗑️ Removal: To completely remove the headphones from your phone’s memory, type by their name in the Bluetooth list, then click “Forget the device” (or “Delete.

If you plan to connect your headphones to another device (like a laptop), remove them from the Redmi 8 Pro. Some models (like the JBL Live 300TWS) only remember one device and can’t connect to a new one until they’re reset.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5 and higher, when you remove your device from Bluetooth, your call history associated with these headphones may be reset. If critical, back up your Settings before you delete it. → System system → Backup.

Connecting two headphones at the same time (Dual Audio)

Few people know, but the Redmi 8 Pro supports Dual Audio — connecting two pairs of Bluetooth headphones to the same phone at the same time, which is convenient if you want to listen to music with a friend or use one earphone for music and the other for calls.

To activate Dual Audio:

1. Connect the first pair of headphones (as described above).
2. Turn on the second pair and activate the pairing mode.
3. In Bluetooth settings (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth), type on the “+” or “Add Device” icon.
4. Select the second pair of headphones. Once connected, both pairs will be active.

Please note:

• The feature only works with headphones that support A2DP and HFP profiles.
• When using Dual Audio, the sound delay can increase (up to 0.5-1 seconds).
• Not all apps (such as some games) support audio output to two devices at the same time.

7.Saving Charge: How to Reduce Battery Consumption When Using Bluetooth

Bluetooth is one of the main battery eaters on the Redmi 8 Pro, especially if the headphones are connected all the time.

• 🔋 Turn off Bluetooth when not in use. Even in standby mode, the module consumes ~5-10% charge in 8 hours.
• 📉 Turn off auto-connection for headphones you rarely use: Settings → Bluetooth → The gears are next to the device. → Autoconnection.
• 🔄 Use the codec. SBC instead AAC The latter give better quality, but increase the load on the processor and, as a result, battery consumption.
• 🛡️ Turn off device scanning in the background: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Scanning of Bluetooth devices → Choose "Never».

If you’re listening to music through headphones for more than 3-4 hours a day, consider buying a low-energy model (like Qualcomm). QCC3040 These headphones (e.g. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or SoundPeats) Air3) Reduce your phone battery consumption by 15-20%.

💡

On the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, the Adaptive Battery feature (in Settings → Battery) can automatically limit background Bluetooth activity if you rarely use headphones. This prolongs uptime, but can cause delays when connecting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting headphones to the Redmi 8 Pro