Connecting wireless headphones to Xiaomi Mi 9: a complete guide to problem solving

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life – they are convenient for listening to music, calling and even watching videos. However, users of the Xiaomi Mi 9 sometimes face difficulties when connecting the headset for the first time: the device does not find the headphones, the sound is interrupted or there are problems with the microphone. In this article, we will analyze not only the standard pairing procedure, but also the nuances of working with different Bluetooth protocols, codec settings, and give recommendations for solving typical problems.

The Mi 9 features support for modern audio codecs such as aptX, AAC and LDAC, But not all headphones automatically switch to optimal mode — sometimes manual adjustment is required. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5. MIUI 14) the menu interface may be different, which confuses beginners, and we have taken all these points into account and prepared a universal instruction that is relevant for any wireless headphones, from the budget Redmi AirDots to premium Sony WH-1000XM5.

Preparation for connection: what to check before pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure your headphones and smartphone are ready to go, and problems often arise from basic omissions that are easy to fix in advance.

First, check the charge of the headphones. Even if the indicator is green, some models (such as AirPods or Galaxy Buds) may not display the real battery level until the first connection. Connect the headset to the charger case for 5-10 minutes if in doubt. Second, update the firmware of the smartphone: older versions of MIUI may have bugs with Bluetooth 5.0, which are fixed in new builds. Check the relevance of the software in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

• 🔋 Headphone charge: Make sure the battery level is above 20%.Some models (e.g, JBL Tune 125TWS) refuse to be activated at low charge.
• 📱 Version. MIUI: Bluetooth is recommended for stable operation MIUI 12.5 or later, earlier versions may have communication breakdowns.
• 🎧 Pair mode: Most headphones activate it with a long press on the power button (usually 3-5 seconds.
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones were already paired with another device, reset their settings (the instruction is usually in the user manual).

⚠️ Note: If you use headphones with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), check the kernel's compatibility with Bluetooth stack.Some custom builds may not support aptX or LDAC.

Standard Bluetooth connection: step-by-step instructions

The process of pairing the headphones with the Xiaomi Mi 9 takes no more than a minute if you follow the correct sequence. Below is a universal instruction, suitable for most headsets models.

First, activate the search mode on the headphones.

1. Remove the headphones from the case (for TWS-AirDots or Galaxy Buds models).
2. Hold the power button (or touchpad) for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes blue and red (or white – depending on the model).

Next on the smartphone:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it is turned off).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Redmi AirDots 2 or WH-1000XM4) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing if a request appears (sometimes you need to enter) PIN-code - default is 0000 or 1234).

After successful connection, a Bluetooth icon will appear in the status bar, and the headphones will be marked as Connected in the device menu. If the sound is not played automatically, check the audio output in the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen and hold the Bluetooth icon).

Customizing sound codecs: how to improve sound quality

Xiaomi Mi 9 supports several audio codecs that affect the quality of audio transmission over Bluetooth. By default, the system chooses SBC - the most versatile, but not the highest quality option. If your headphones support aptX, AAC or LDAC, you can manually switch to them for better sound.

To change the codecs:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Put the pin on the gear badge (⚙️) near the name of your headphones.
4. Select Sound Quality or Audio Codecs (name depends on MIUI version).
5. In the list of available codecs, mark the priority one (for example, aptX HD for high resolution or AAC for balance of quality and stability).

Important: AptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs can cause communication disruptions in severe interference (e.g., in the subway or near the microwave), in which case it is better to switch to AAC.

⚠️ Note: If the sound starts to break after changing the codec, return to the SBC Check if a background application (such as Greenify or Battery Saver) is blocking Bluetooth.

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To check the current codec, install the Bluetooth Audio Codec Checker app from Google Play, which will show you which protocol is used in real time.

Solving Typical Connection Problems

Even after successful pairing, Xiaomi Mi 9 users may face a range of problems, from lack of sound to constant communication interruptions, and we will analyze the most common cases and ways to fix them.

1.The phone doesn't find headphones

If your headphones don’t appear in the list of available devices:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones: Place them in the case for 10 seconds, then remove and re-activate the pairing mode.
• 📱 Reset Bluetooth settings on your phone: Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Additionally. → Reset the settings.
• 🚫 Disconnect other devices: If other gadgets are connected to the phone (such as the Mi Band or speaker), they can cause interference.
• 🔧 Check the energy saving settings: C Settings → Battery → Power saving mode disable Bluetooth restrictions.

2.The sound is interrupted or distorted

The reasons can be both software and hardware:

• 📶 Interference from other devices: Make sure there are no running microwaves, 2.4GHz routers or other sources of interference around.
• 🎵 Incompatible Codecs: Try to change audio codecs to AAC or SBC (see previous section).
• 🔋 Low headphone charge: Some models start to "brake" at a battery level below 15%.
• 📱 Application Conflict: Close all background programs, especially voice-call messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram).

3.The microphone is not working during calls

If the interviewer does not hear you:

• 🎤 Check the call settings: In Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Permits to make sure that the microphone access permission is enabled.
• 🔄 Change Bluetooth profile: In the headphone settings (cog next to the name), select Phone Calls or Media Audio.
• 📱 Update the headphone firmware: For some models (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM4) Requires an update through the company application.

Features of connecting headphones of different brands

Not all wireless headphones work equally well with the Xiaomi Mi 9. Some models require additional customization or even special applications.

Apple AirPods (all generations)

While AirPods are designed for iPhone, they are compatible with Android devices, but with limitations:

• 🔋 There's no charge indicator in the status bar, and you can only check the battery level through applications like AirBattery.
• 🎵 No support. AAC It's going to be in high resolution. SBC, reduces quality.
• 🔄 Automatic switching between devices doesn't work. You'll have to manually disconnect AirPods from your iPhone if they're connected to it.

Sony WH-1000XM3/XM4/XM5

These headphones support LDAC and aptX HD, but for full operation it is recommended:

• 📱 Install the Sony app | Headphones Connect to customize noise maker, equalizer and firmware updates.
• 🎛️ Turn on DSEE Extreme in the application settings to improve compressed tracks (for example, from Spotify).
• 🔋 Disable Adaptive Sound if the headphones are frequently reconnected – this feature may conflict with the MIUI.

Redmi AirDots / Buds

Xiaomi budget headphones are optimized for the brand ecosystem, but have their own features:

• 🎵 Support only SBC and AAC. More advanced codecs are not available.
• 🔄 Automatic connection only works if the headphones were the last connected device.
• 📱 For firmware, use the Mi Home app (although it’s designed for a smart home, sometimes headphone updates are available through it).

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Samsung Galaxy Buds headphones require the installation of the Galaxy Wearable app, but it doesn't officially support Xiaomi.In this case, use the Buds Controller from Google Play for basic customization.

How to reset Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi Mi 9

If none of these things worked, and the headphones are still not connected or are not working properly, you may need to reset your Bluetooth settings completely, which will remove all the stored devices and return the settings to factory settings.

To reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Additional (or More, depending on the version of MIUI).
4. Click Reset settings and confirm the action.

After resetting, reboot your phone and try reconnecting your headphones. If the problem persists, check if it is caused by a hardware defect (such as a Bluetooth malfunction), which may require you to contact a service center.

⚠️ Note: Resetting Bluetooth will also remove all stored smart home devices (Mi Home), fitness trackers (Mi Band) and other gadgets. Write down their names in advance to quickly connect back to the new device.

Additional features: Multipoint and low latency

The Xiaomi Mi 9 supports several advanced Bluetooth features that can be useful in everyday use. Consider two of them: multipoint (connecting to two devices at once) and low latency mode for games and videos.

Multipoint (Multipoint)

This feature allows the headphones to be connected to two devices at once (e.g., a smartphone and a laptop), but not all headphone models and MIUI versions support it correctly.

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 9).
2. Activate pairing mode on the headphones and connect them to a second device (such as a MacBook or iPad).
3. In the Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi, find Multipoint or Multi-Device Connection (not available in all versions of MIUI).

Note that when you connect to two devices at the same time, communication stability can deteriorate, especially if both devices are actively using headphones (for example, for calls and music).

Low Latency (Low Latency) mode

For gamers and video enthusiasts, minimal sound latency is important. In the Xiaomi Mi 9, you can turn on low latency mode, but it does not work with all codecs:

• 🎮 The best choice is aptX Low Latency, if your headphones support it (for example, Razer Hammerhead or the other one). 1More Triple Driver, select this codec in the settings.
• 🎵 For AAC or SBC delay will be higher (~100–200 ms), which is noticeable in shooters or rhythm games.
• 📱 Enable the game mode in the headphone settings (if there is such an option in the proprietary application).

To check for a delay, use the AudioCheck test or install the Sound & Latency Tester app from Google Play.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting headphones to Xiaomi Mi 9