How to connect wireless headphones to the phone Xiaomi: instruction + problem solving

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life — they are convenient for listening to music, calling and even watching videos. Xiaomi smartphone owners (including the Redmi and POCO lines) often face questions: how to connect Bluetooth headphones correctly, why the device does not find the headset, or how to fix interrupts. In this article, we will examine all the nuances from basic settings to solving rare errors.

The process of connecting seems simple, but in practice, users face the features of MIUI firmware, the limitations of Bluetooth versions (4.2, 5.0, 5.2) or conflicts with other devices. For example, AirDots or Xiaomi’s Buddy headphones can automatically connect to the last used gadget, ignoring the new phone. And owners of flagships (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K60) sometimes do not know how to activate dual audio to connect two headsets simultaneously.

We’ve gathered up-to-date data for MIUI 14 and later, given the features of Qualcomm and Mediatek chips used in the brand’s smartphones, and if you’ve never connected a wireless headphone or encountered an error called “I couldn’t connect” – this guide will help you figure it out without going to the service.

1.Preparation: What to check before connecting

Before you start pairing, make sure your phone and headphones are ready to go, and often problems arise from trivial things like a dead battery, an airplane mode is on, or outdated firmware.

Minimum requirements for successful connection:

• 🔋 Headphone charge level: at least 30% (at low charge, the connection may be interrupted).
• 📱 Version. MIUI: 12 or later (older versions may have Bluetooth bugs) LE Audio).
• 🔄 Headphone pairing mode: activated (usually the power button is clamped for 3-5 seconds before the indicator flashes).
• 🚫 No interference: Turn off other Bluetooth devices within a 10 meter radius (columns, smartwatches, keyboards).

Pay special attention to the Bluetooth version of your phone. For example, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is equipped with a Bluetooth module 5.1, and POCO X3 Pro – 5.0. If the headphones support Bluetooth 5.2 (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4), some features (e.g., like the ones in the phone). LC3-Codec for better sound may not be available.

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

The pairing process is the same for most Xiaomi models, but may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI. We will consider a universal algorithm that works on the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13 Lite and other devices.

Step 1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones

• 🎧 For Xiaomi AirDots: Press the touchpad on both headphones for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
• 🎧 For Sony. WH-1000XM5: Hold the power button and Custom at the same time.
• 🎧 For JBL Live 300: Press and hold the Bluetooth button on your right earphone.

Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth on your Xiaomi phone

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Translate the slider to the position On (if it is gray, click on the Bluetooth bar to activate).
3. Wait until the name of your headphones appears on the list (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones).
4. Then, put the name of the device and confirm the pairing (if required).

Make sure the headphones are charged

Enable the pairing mode on the headset

Disable Bluetooth on other devices

Update MIUI last-minute-->

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) after connecting, a notification will appear about the possibility of activating dual audio - this will allow you to simultaneously use two audio output devices (for example, headphones and a speaker).

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If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try rebooting the phone’s Bluetooth module: turn it off and turn it back on through the notification bar.

3. Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect

If after the instructions, the headphones did not appear in the list of devices or the connection is broken, the reasons may be as follows:

A critical feature for Xiaomi phones on a Mediatek chip (e.g. Redmi 10C): some firmware has disabled the A2DP protocol for audio transmission. To activate it, go to the engineering menu by code ##36446337## and select Bluetooth → A2DP → Enable.

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

4. Sound tuning: how to improve quality

Once connected successfully, you should optimize your sound. MIUI has hidden features that can help improve bass, reduce noise or synchronize the latency of sound when watching videos.

The main sound settings for Bluetooth headphones:

• 🎛️ Equator: Go to Settings → Sound. → Equalizer and select preset (such as Bass or Rock).
• 🔊 Low frequency amplification: activate Mi Sound Enhancer in the same settings (not available on all models).
• 🎬 Sound sync: To reduce latency in games or videos, enable Low Latency in Bluetooth settings (requires support for aptX Low Latency).

For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as POCO F4 or Xiaomi 11T), the aptX Adaptive codec is available, which automatically adjusts the bitrate to the communication conditions.

1. Connect headphones that support aptX (such as Sony WH-1000XM4).
2. In Bluetooth settings, tap the icon ⚙️ headphone-name.
3. Select Audio Codec → aptX Adaptive (if the option is not available, the codec is not supported).

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Xiaomi phones with MIUI 13+ have a feature Space Audio for surround sound, it works only with headphones that support Bluetooth LE Audio (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro).

5. simultaneous connection to several devices

Many modern headphones (such as the AirPods Pro or Samsung Galaxy Buds2) support multipoint, which allows you to connect to two devices at once, but in MIUI, this feature is unstable due to firmware limitations.

How to set up multipoint on Xiaomi:

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (such as a phone).
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones without disconnecting them from the phone.
3. On a second device (like a laptop), find the headphones in the Bluetooth list and connect.

Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14 have an experimental dual audio feature that allows you to output sound to two devices at the same time (e.g. headphones and a speaker).

1. Connect both devices via Bluetooth.
2. In the notification panel, tap the Bluetooth icon and hold it.
3. Select the Dual Audio and tick the desired devices.

⚠️ Note: Dual audio may increase the latency of sound to 200-300 ms. This feature is not recommended for gaming or video.

6 Energy saving: how to reduce battery consumption

Bluetooth module, especially in Bluetooth 5.0+ mode, consumes a significant amount of power. If you notice that the phone discharges faster than usual after connecting the headphones, use these tips:

Ways to reduce battery consumption:

• 🔋 Turn off Bluetooth when not using headphones (even in standby mode, the module consumes) ~5% charge per hour).
• 📵 Use the codec. SBC instead AAC or aptX – it is less demanding on the processor.
• 🛑 In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times) disable Bluetooth Debugging and Bluetooth Logistics HCI.
• 🔄 Reduce the scan spacing in Bluetooth settings (available on some firmware via the engineering menu).

On phones with MIUI 12.5+, there is an Adaptive Battery feature that limits background Bluetooth activity.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Settings
2. Activate the Adaptive Battery and add Bluetooth to your list of optimized apps.

⚠️ Note: On models with Mediatek Helio G (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Long-term use of Bluetooth can cause the chip to overheat. → The phone. → Battery status.

7.Compatibility: Which Headphones Work Best With Xiaomi

Not all wireless headphones work equally well with Xiaomi phones, and it's related to audio codec support, Bluetooth, and firmware optimization, and we tested some popular models and made a compatibility table.

For gamers and video enthusiasts, we recommend headphones with support for aptX Low Latency (for example, Razer Hammerhead True Wireless or Creative Outlier Air V3). They provide a sound latency of less than 80 ms, which is critical for shooters or watching movies.

How to check supported codec on your phone:

1. Put the headphones on.
2. Install the Bluetooth Codec Info app from Google Play.
3. Run it and see the current codec in the Active Codec section.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions