How to connect Xiaomi wireless headphones to your computer via Bluetooth: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi wireless headphones are a popular solution for listening to music, chatting in Zoom or playing games on a PC. However, connecting them to a computer via Bluetooth often raises questions: the module does not see the device, then the sound is interrupted, then the drivers are absent. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to pair Xiaomi headphones (including models Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless, AirDots and others) with a PC on Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux, and solve typical problems.

Xiaomi’s headphones feature Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which doesn’t always work well with older adapters. In addition, some models (like the Redmi Buds 4 Pro) support AAC/aptX codecs that require special drivers. We’ll look at not only basic connectivity, but also audio optimization, delay elimination, and alternative connectivity methods.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before pairing with a computer, the headphones need to be switched to search mode. Xiaomi models have this process differently:

• 🔋 Charging: Make sure the headphones are at least 30% charged.The discharged device may not appear in the list of available.
• 🎧 Case extraction: Remove both earphones from the charger case. Some models (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) automatically turn on when removed.
• 🔄 Activation of the pairing mode: For Redmi Buds 3/4: Press the touch panel on both headphones on 5 For Mi AirDots, hold the button on the case. 3 For Xiaomi FlipBuds: Open your headphones and press the power button on 8 seconds.
• 📱 Reset previous connections: If the headphones were already paired with another device (like a smartphone), reset them via the Mi Home mobile app or manually (press the button 15 seconds before resetting).

After activating the pairing mode, the headphones will be visible in the list of Bluetooth devices of the computer for 3-5 minutes. If the indicator stops flashing, repeat the procedure.

💡

If Xiaomi headphones don’t go into pairing mode, try putting them back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove and re-activate. This resets the temporary errors of the Bluetooth module.

2. Connect to a computer on Windows 10/11

The connection algorithm on Windows depends on the system version and the type of Bluetooth adapter.

1. Open Bluetooth settings: Press Win + I → go to Devices → Bluetooth and other devices. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if disabled).
2. Add a new device: Click Add Device → Bluetooth. In the list, find your headphones (the name will contain Mi, Redmi or a model, such as Redmi Buds 4).

Confirm the conjugation:

• Click on the headphones → wait for the inscription “Done!”
• If the system requests PIN-Type in 0000 or 1234 (for older models).

Headphones appear in the list of Bluetooth devices|The indicator on the headphones burns even blue / white|The sound is reproduced without distortion.|In the sound settings, the device is selected by default-->

3. Solving Connection Problems on Windows

If Xiaomi headphones don’t connect or are bugged, the reasons may be as follows:

For models that support aptX (such as Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro), you may need to install Qualcomm AptX Software. Download it from Qualcomm's official website and restart your PC.

Windows 10|Windows 11|macOS|Linux|other-->

4. Connect to a MacBook or iMac (macOS)

On Apple computers, the pairing process is easier, but there are nuances with codecs.Instructions for macOS Ventura/Monterey:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled (the icon in the menu bar should be blue).
3. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see section 1).
4. In the list, find your headphones (the name will contain Mi or Redmi) and click "Connect".

If the sound is played with a delay (relevant to Redmi Buds 3 Pro), follow these steps:

1. Open the audio.-MIDI-Setting up (find through Spotlight).
2. Select your headphones → set the sound format to 44100 Hz, 2 channels, 16 bits.
3. Turn off the "Use Sound Effects" option in the sound settings.

💡

On macOS, Xiaomi headphones can connect in Phone (HFP) mode instead of Music (A2DP). To fix this, remove the device from the Bluetooth list, restart the Mac and reconnect.

5. Linux Connection (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora)

On Linux, Xiaomi headphones are often accompanied by problems with PulseAudio or PipeWire drivers.

1. Install the necessary packages (if none are available): sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth bluez-tools
2. Reboot services: sudo systemctl restart bluetooth pulseaudio -k
3. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
4. Open Settings → Bluetooth and select your headphones.

If there is no sound after connection:

• 🔊 Check the device profile in pavucontrol (install). A2DP Sink instead HSP/HFP).
• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth module: sudo hciconfig hci0 down sudo hciconfig hci0 up
• 📋 For models with aptX, install libldac: sudo apt install libldac

💡

Some distributions (e.g. Arch Linux) may require manual installation of firmware for a Bluetooth adapter. Check logs via dmesg | grep Bluetooth and install the linux-firmware package.

6. Sound optimization and delay elimination

Even after a successful connection, users often face a delay in sound (especially in games or videos).

• 🎮 For games: Use Bluetooth Audio Receiver (Windows) or SoundWire (Android)+PC) to reduce lag.
• 🎵 For music: In headphone settings (if there is an app), choose the priority of sound quality over stability.
• 🔧 For Windows: Disable audio enhancements: Go to Control Panel → Sound, pick your headphones. → Properties → Extra, uncheck the box with "Enable sound effects".

For models that support LC3 (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), check that your Bluetooth adapter supports Bluetooth 5.2+. Otherwise, the codec will automatically drop to SBC, which will worsen the sound quality.

💡

Sound delay via Bluetooth is physically unavoidable due to the protocol’s specifics, but it can be reduced from 200-300 ms to 50-100 ms by the correct codec and driver settings.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If Bluetooth is not stable, consider alternative methods:

• 🔌 Through USB-C/Lightning: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) support connectivity via USB-adapter (requires adapter) USB-C → 3.5 mm).
• 📱 Through smartphone: Connect headphones to the phone, and the phone to the PC USB mode USB-audio (required Android 10)+).
• 🎧 Bluetooth Transmitter: Buy an external transmission (e.g, 1Mii B06) PC-connected.

For professional use (streaming, podcast recording), it is better to use wired headphones or specialized Bluetooth adapters with support for aptX LL (Low Latency).

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Let’s look at the typical scenarios that users face:

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones connect to a PC, but the sound goes only to one headphone, check the sound balance in the Windows settings (control panel) → Sound. → Also make sure that both earphones are fully charged – the discharge of one of them can lead to this effect.

⚠️ Note: Realtek Bluetooth laptops (often found in budget models) may have codec problems AAC/aptX. The solution is to roll back on Microsoft’s standard driver or buy an external Bluetooth adapter on a chip. CSR8510 qualcomm.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions