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

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life: they are convenient for listening to music, calling and even watching videos. Xiaomi Redmi 8 owners often face questions about how to properly sync the headset with the phone, especially if it is a first setup or custom models. Despite the apparent simplicity of the process, there are nuances here, from choosing the Bluetooth protocol to solving connection problems.

In this article, we will not only analyze the basic pairing algorithm, but also consider the typical errors that can occur on Redmi. 8 version MIUI 11/12. You'll learn how to check headphone compatibility, optimize sound, and what to do if your phone doesn't see the device, and you'll also learn a unique life hack to speed up the Qualcomm aptX headphone connection on Redmi. 8, which is rarely mentioned in the standard instructions.

If you've tried to connect your headphones and you've had trouble, don't be quick to blame the technology. 80 percent of the time, the problem is with the phone or the headphones themselves, and then a step-by-step guide with illustrations (in text format) and answers to frequent questions.

1. Connection Preparation: What to Check Before Pairing

Before you start setting up Bluetooth, make sure both devices are ready to go.

• 📱 Battery Charge: Redmi 8 should have a charge level of at least 20%. When charged low, the system can automatically turn off power-intensive modules, including Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Software Updates: Check the relevance of firmware in Settings → The phone. → System update. Outdated version MIUI It may not support new Bluetooth protocols (e.g, LE Audio).
• 🎧 Headphone compatibility: Check if your headset model supports profiles A2DP (For example, Xiaomi AirDots headphones work with Redmi 8 without problems, but here are some Sony models. WH-1000XM4 You may need to manually select a codec.

Now on the headphones:

1. Make sure they are charged (the indicator should flash or burn green).
2. If the headset has previously been paired with another device, reset its settings (usually this is done with a long press of the power button until red/blue flashes).
3. Check if the pairing mode is enabled (on most models it is activated automatically when first turned on or after reset).

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If your headphones support multiple Bluetooth profiles (e.g, AAC and aptX), Redmi 8 can default to lesser quality. To fix this, go to Settings after you connect. → Bluetooth → Settings of the sound and select the priority codec manually.

For the first connection, place your phone and headphones no more than 1 meter apart, avoiding obstacles (walls, metal objects) and minimizing the risk of disruption due to interference.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect headphones to Redmi 8

Now, to the process itself, follow the instructions carefully, and even a small mistake (such as a missed step) can cause the phone to fail to detect the headphones.

Step 1: Activate Bluetooth on your phone

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (or Bluetooth, depending on the MIUI version).
3. Move the Bluetooth slider to the right to turn on the module. Wait for the Bluetooth icon to appear in the top panel (white on a blue background).

Step 2: Search and selection of headphones

1. Click Device Search (or Add a new device).
2. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (usually signaled by a flashing blue/red light).
3. The list of devices you find will show the name of your headset (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones or the name of your headset). JBL Tune 120. Stick on it.

Step 3: Confirmation of connection

1. If required, enter PIN-code (by default it is 0000 or 1234, unless otherwise specified in the instructions for headphones).
2. Wait for the message Connected and the inscription "Device for playing sound next to the headset name" appears.

Headphones are displayed in the list of connected devices|Bluetooth icon in notification panel is active|When playing sound, it goes through headphones, not the phone speaker.|The indicator on the headphones burns even blue (does not blink)-->

If it's a success, you can start listening to music or making calls, but sometimes it doesn't go as planned. Read more about the most common problems and solutions.

3. Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you do the right thing, you might not be able to connect, and let's look at the most common scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone can't find the headphones

• 🔋 Check the charge of headphones – the discharged headset will not appear in the list.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module: turn it off and turn it back on in the settings.
• 📱 Make sure that the headphones are in pairing mode (on some models, you need to hold the on button for 5-10 seconds to do this).
• 🚫 Check if the headphones are connected to another device (like a laptop or tablet.

Problem 2: Connection is interrupted or sound is lost

• 📶 Make sure there is no interference between your phone and headphones (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).
• 🔊 In Bluetooth settings, select Sound Quality Priority (if available) to reduce latency but may shorten range.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: forget the device in the Bluetooth settings, then pair again.

Problem 3: The sound only goes through one earpiece

• 🎧 Check if your headphones support True Wireless Stereo (TWS). If yes, reset their settings (usually with a long push of a button on both headphones).
• 🔊 In the phone sound settings (Settings) → Sound) make sure that Mono mode is not activated.
• 🔄 Try connecting the headphones to another device. If the problem persists, a malfunction in the headset.

If none of the tips helped, it may be the phone’s firmware or Bluetooth hardware malfunction, in which case we recommend updating the software or contacting the service center.

4. Sound optimization: settings for better quality

Once connected successfully, the sound quality can be improved. Redmi 8 supports multiple audio codecs, and choosing the right one can make a huge difference to the listening experience.

Choosing a Bluetooth codec

The default phone is used SBC — It's universal, but not the highest quality codec, if your headphones support it. AAC, aptX LDAC, Choose them manually:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Put the pin on the gear icon next to the name of your headphones.
3. Select the Sound Codec and select the priority (e.g. aptX) HD bitrate).

Equalizer setting

V MIUI There is a built-in equalizer that allows you to adjust the sound to your preferences:

1. Open the settings → Sound → Equator.
2. Choose a preset (like Bass, Rock) or set up the sliders manually.
3. Activate the option Apply to Bluetooth so that the changes affect wireless headphones.

Reducing sound delay

To watch videos or games, it is important to minimize lag.

• 🎮 Enable Game Turbo Mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Game turbos: This reduces delays by optimizing system resources.
• 📱 Turn off the energy saving mode (Settings) → Battery → Power saving mode, as it can limit Bluetooth performance.
• 🔊 In Bluetooth settings, select Speed Priority (if available) to lower sound quality but eliminate delays.

5. How to disable or remove headphones from your phone memory

If you no longer plan to use the headset or want to connect it to another device, properly shutting down will save battery power and avoid conflicts.

Temporary shutdown

To simply stop playing sound through the headphones, but keep them in the phone's memory:

1. Open the notification bar (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Slap on the Bluetooth icon to turn off the module.
3. Or turn off the headphones themselves - the connection will break automatically.

Complete removal (forgetting the device)

If you want to remove your headphones from the list of connected devices:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headset in the list and tap the gear icon next to its name.
3. Select Forget this device and confirm the action.

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Removing the device from the phone's memory doesn't reset its settings. If the headphones were paired with other gadgets, they'll keep those connections until manually reset.

Once removed, the headphones will become “new” again for the phone, and the next connection will require re-pairing.

6.Compatibility: Which Headphones Work Best With Redmi 8

Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports Bluetooth 4.2, which provides a stable connection with most modern headsets. However, some models may work better than others due to the optimization of protocols.

Recommended headphone models

What to avoid

• 🚫 Headphones with Bluetooth 5.0+, if they are not backward compatible with 4.2. some functions (e.g, LE Audio will not work.
• 🚫 Headsets with proprietary codecs (such as Samsung Scalable Codec) that are not supported on the Redmi 8.
• 🚫 Cheap No-Name Models Without Bluetooth Certification SIG — They can interfere or shut down.

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If you plan to use headphones for calls, pay attention to models with profile support HFP 1.7 (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots Pro) They provide better voice and noise cancellation.

7 Energy Saving: How to Reduce Battery Consumption When Using Bluetooth

Wireless headphones and Bluetooth itself consume battery power. On the Redmi 8 with a 5,000 mAh battery, this is not critical, but when you use it heavily, you can see the difference. Here's how to cut back on your consumption:

Optimizing the phone settings

• 🔋 Turn off Permanent Device Search in Bluetooth settings if you’re not using it.
• 📴 Activate Bluetooth Energy Saving Mode (if available in your version) MIUI).
• 🔄 Turn off Bluetooth when the headphones aren’t in use (for example, through a widget on the home screen).

Headphone settings

• 🎧 Turn off features like Always On or Voice Assistant if you don’t need them.
• 🔊 Reduce the volume – the higher it is, the more energy is spent to amplify the signal.
• 🔋 If the headphones have Eco mode (for example, in Sony) WH-1000XM3), Turn it on to extend the working time.

Additional advice

• 📱 Use a dark theme (Settings) → Screen. → Dark theme – this reduces the overall power consumption of the phone.
• 🔋 Close background apps that may conflict with Bluetooth (such as fitness trackers or voice-call instant messengers).

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When listening to music via Bluetooth, Redmi 8 consumes ~5-7 percent charge per hour, compared to 10 to 12 percent per hour on a headset because of the microphone's activity.

8.Alternative ways to connect headphones to Redmi 8

If Bluetooth is not suitable for some reason (for example, due to interference or incompatibility), consider alternatives.

Connection through AUX-cable (3.5 mm)

The Redmi 8 comes with a standard headphone jack, so you can use a wired headset:

• 🎧 Connect the headphones to a 3.5mm connector on the top of the phone.
• 🔊 The phone will automatically switch the sound to wired headphones.
• 📱 In sound settings (Settings) → Sound) can be configured separately for wired connection.

Use of the USB-C adapter

If your headphones support the connection USB-C (For example, Google Pixel Buds A-Series, you can use an adapter:

• 🔌 Buy an adapter. USB-C → 3.5mm (for example, original from Xiaomi).
• 🎧 Connect the headphones to the adapter and the adapter to the phone.
• ⚠️ Note that this connection will not work microphone (if it is built into the headphones).

Connection through FM-transmitter

This method is suitable for older car systems or headphones with support FM:

• 📻 Buy a Bluetooth-FM transmitter (e.g. Baseus) FM Transmitter).
• 🔊 Connect it to the lighter or USB-port.
• 🎧 Synchronize headphones with a transmitter over Bluetooth, and the phone – through AUX or FM-radio.

These methods are less convenient than Bluetooth, but can help in situations where wireless connection is not possible.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions