How to connect wireless headphones to the phone Xiaomi Redmi 9: full instructions with pictures and tips

Why Redmi 9 owners choose wireless headphones and what problems they face

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, especially for low-end models like the Redmi 9. This smartphone, released in 2020, supports Bluetooth 5.0, the standard that provides a stable connection to most modern headsets. However, even with such technology, users often face difficulties: headphones are not on the list of devices, the sound is interrupted, or the phone “forgets” the conjugated headset after a reboot.

In this article, we’ll look at not only basic connectivity steps, but also hidden MIUI settings that can help avoid common bugs. For example, did you know that Redmi 9 has a separate mode for low-latency headphones (ideal for gaming)? Or that some headphone models require a pre-reset before first connecting? These nuances are often overlooked even in official instructions.

If you've tried to connect your headphones and you get the message "I couldn't hide the device," don't be quick to blame the technology. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by changing one or two settings in the phone, and then Step-by-step, taking into account all the pitfalls.

Step 1: Preparing the headphones for pairing

Before you search for headphones in the Redmi 9 menu, make sure they are ready to connect. Most models (such as Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or Sony WF-1000XM4) have a pairing mode that is activated by holding the power button or touchpad. Here's how it works for popular brands:

• 🔋 Xiaomi/Redmi: Press the touch panel on both headphones on 5–7 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (for AirDots) 3 Pro or simply white (for Redmi Buds) 3).
• 🎧 Sony/JBL: Hold the power button until the beep or voice message "Bluetooth pairing".
• 🍎 Apple AirPods: Open the cover of the case and press the button on the back before the white indicator flashes.
• 🔊 Other brands: Usually, it is enough to hold the on button for 3-5 seconds. If the indicator does not blink, check the charge (earphones with a discharged battery are not visible for search!).

⚠️ Note: If the headphones have already been paired with another device (for example, a laptop), they must be reset to the factory settings:

1. Place both headphones in the case (if any).
2. Hold the reset button (usually hidden under the cover or on the case) for 10-15 seconds.
3. Wait until the indicator flashes red 3 times - this is a signal of a successful reset.

Headphones charged (indicator lights green or white)

The pairing mode is activated (blinking indicator)

Headphones are not connected to other devices

Bluetooth on your phone is on-->

Step 2: Turning Bluetooth on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Now, to the phone settings, there are two ways to turn on Bluetooth in MIUI (Redmi 9 firmware): through the notification bar and through the settings menu. The first is faster, but the second gives access to additional parameters (for example, device visibility or sound quality).

Method 1: Quick activation

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find a Bluetooth icon (a stylized "B") and tap it. If the icon is gray, the module is off, the blue icon is on.
3. Hold your finger on the icon for 1-2 seconds to go straight to the Bluetooth menu.

Method 2: Through settings

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Move the slider to the right to activate the module.

⚠️ Note: If after turning on Bluetooth phone does not find headphones, check:

• 📱 Flight mode: It disables all wireless modules, including Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Reboot module: Sometimes helps to turn off and re-enable Bluetooth (wait 5 seconds between actions).
• 📦 Updates MIUI: In older versions of firmware (below) MIUI 12.5) there were device search bugs. Update your phone to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Xiaomi/Redmi

Apple AirPods

Sony

JBL/Samsung/Huawei

Another mark.-->

Step 3: Finding and pairing headphones

When Bluetooth is on and the headphones are paired, you can start searching. → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth) click Device Search. Your headphones should appear in the list in a few seconds.

What the correct display of the device looks like:

• 🎵 Model name (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite or Redmi Buds 3 Lite) WH-1000XM4).
• 🔄 Synchronization icon or the word “Conjugated” (if the device has already connected before).
• 📶 Signal level (for headphones with support) LE Audio can be displayed as "Low latency").

If the headphones don’t appear on the list:

1. Make sure they are within 1 metre of the phone (walls and furniture can block the signal).
2. Try rebooting the headphones: put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out and activate the pairing mode again.
3. In the phone's Bluetooth settings, click the three dots in the top right corner and select Clear Cache (this will delete temporary data from previous connections).

When you find the headphones, tap their name on the list. You'll see a pairing request on the screen, confirm it. Some models (such as the Sony WH-1000XM4) may require additional confirmation on the headphones themselves (press the touchpad or button).

Step 4: Customize the sound and eliminate delays

Once paired successfully, the headphones are ready to use, but for better sound, you need to adjust several settings. MIUI has hidden options that affect the quality of communication:

1.Selection of Bluetooth codecs

Codecs determine how the sound is transmitted over Bluetooth. Redmi 9 has:

• 🎼 SBC — basic codec, works with all devices, but the compression of sound is noticeable.
• 🎧 AAC — Best for music (used in AirPods), but can cause delays in games.
• 🎮 aptX/aptX LL — Low latency (ideal for gaming), but not supported by all headphones.

To select the codec:

1. Put the headphones on.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Slip the gear icon next to the name of your headphones.
4. Choose Sound Quality or Codecs (depending on the MIUI version).

2. Low Delay Mode (for games)

If you play PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, standard Bluetooth latency (~100-200 ms) may interfere. MIUI 12.5+ has a hidden feature:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option Absolute Bluetooth Volume and turn it off.
4. Enable Low Latency Codecs (if available).

💡

If the sound is “breaking” or lagging in games, try turning off the headphone microphone in the Bluetooth settings. Some models (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Pro) automatically switch to the high-latency codec when the microphone is activated.

Step 5: Solving Typical Problems

Even after successful pairing, there may be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

1.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

• 🔊 Check the volume on your phone and headphones (sometimes they are adjusted separately).
• 🎛️ Make sure that the sound settings (Settings) → Sound) not activated "Silent" or "Do not disturb".
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: Forget the device in the Bluetooth menu, then pair it again.

2.The sound is interrupted or distorted

• 📶 Check the distance to the phone – maximum radius of stable Bluetooth operation: 10 meters without obstacles.
• 🔋 Headphones under 20% can cause a malfunction.
• 📱 Close background apps, especially voice messaging messengers (they may conflict with the audio stream).

3.The headphones automatically turn off

• ⏱️ In Bluetooth settings (Additional) → Bluetooth timeouts increase the time of inactivity to “Never".
• 🔄 Turn off your Wi-Fi autoconnection in network settings – sometimes your phone prioritizes Wi-Fi Direct over Bluetooth.
• 📦 Update the firmware of the headphones (if available).For Xiaomi AirDots, for example, updates are released through the Mi Home app.

⚠️ Warning: If Xiaomi or Redmi headphones aren’t detected by the phone even after a reset, try connecting them to another device (like a laptop).If the problem persists, it’s a hardware fault on the headphones, not the phone.

💡

Most connectivity problems are solved by sequence: resetting headphones → clearing the Bluetooth cache on the phone → re-pairing.

Step 6: Optimize the work of headphones with Xiaomi Redmi 9

To ensure that the headphones work stably, you should configure several additional parameters in MIUI:

1. Priority Bluetooth audio

In Redmi 9, you can prioritize Bluetooth devices so that the audio automatically switches to them when you connect:

1. Go to Settings → Sound → Advanced settings.
2. Select the Priority of the output device.
3. Set a tick next to your headphones.

2. Energy saving for Bluetooth

By default, MIUI limits Bluetooth to power saving mode.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Mode
2. Choose “Performance” or “Balanced” (but not “Energy Saving”).
3. In Battery Optimization, find the Bluetooth app and turn off optimization for it.

3. Using two headphones at the same time

Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports connecting two pairs of Bluetooth headphones at the same time (Dual Audio function), but only if they use an SBC or AAC codec.

1. Put the first pair of headphones on.
2. In the Bluetooth menu, click Additional → Dual Audio.
3. Activate the function and connect the second pair.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting headphones to Redmi 9