How to connect Sony wireless headphones to Xiaomi smartphone via Bluetooth: instruction 2026

Why connecting Sony headphones to Xiaomi can be difficult

Sony’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular on the market for sound quality and usability, but when trying to connect them to Xiaomi smartphones (especially the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 13 models), users often face problems: devices can not find each other, the connection is interrupted or the sound is transmitted with a delay, the reason lies in the peculiarities of implementing the Bluetooth protocol in MIUI and Sony’s proprietary codecs (for example, LDAC or AAC).

In this article, we'll look at not only the standard pairing procedure, but also the hidden MIUI settings that will help stabilize the connection. You'll learn how to reset your headphones correctly before connecting, which codecs to choose for better sound, and what to do if your phone doesn't "see" the headset. And for owners of Sony's flagship models, the WH-1000XM5 or WF-1000XM4, we've prepared separate optimization guidelines.

Before you start, make sure your headphones are charged (the indicator should flash blue or white), and your phone is on Bluetooth and turned off the energy saving mode for the headset. If you have already tried to connect and got an error, reset the network on the headphones (instructions below).

Preparing Sony headphones for connection

Before the first pairing, Sony earphones should be in search mode. The activation process for this mode is different for different models. Here is the universal instruction:

• 🎧 For full-size headphones (WH-1000XM5, WH-CH720N): Hold the power button 3-5 for seconds until the indicator flashes blue quickly (for XM5 white).
• 🎧 For inserts (WF-1000XM4, WF-C700N): Remove both earbuds from the case, then hold the touchpad on the right earbud for 5 seconds until you hear the beep and see the indicator blink.
• 🔄 If the headphones have already been connected to another device, reset. To do this, on the headphones off, hold the power button + the Custom button (or NC/Ambient) for 10 seconds. The indicator flashes red, then blue.

Important: after reset, all previous pairings will be removed, and if you use headphones with multiple devices (for example, a phone and a laptop), you will have to connect again to all gadgets.

Charge headphones (indicator not red)

Remove from the case (for TWS- models)

Activate the search mode (blind blue/white light)

Reset your settings (if you have previously been connected)

Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device-->

⚠️ Warning: Sony WF-1000XM4 and newer headphones support automatic reconnection to the latest device. If they were previously paired with a Xiaomi phone but are not now connected, try manually selecting them from the list of already paired devices in Bluetooth settings.

Step-by-step: how to connect Sony headphones to Xiaomi

Now, to the interface process itself, the manual is suitable for all Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark).

1. Activate Bluetooth: go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth. Switch the slider to the On position.
2. Start searching for devices by clicking Add Device (or Find Devices in older versions of MIUI). The phone will start scanning.
3. Select the headphones in the list: find the name of your model (for example, WH-1000XM5 or LE_WF-1000XM4).
4. Confirm pairing: the phone will request connection. Press Connect or OK. Some Sony models will need to confirm the connection on the headphones themselves (for example, touch the touchpad).

If it's successful, your headset will appear on the device list marked "Connected." Now you can test the sound -- play music or video. Note: there may be a slight delay in the first 5-10 seconds after you connect -- that's okay, because the phone sets the optimal connection settings.

Customize Bluetooth codecs for better sound

By default, Xiaomi uses a standard SBC codec, which provides stable, but not the best sound. Sony headphones support more advanced codecs:

• 🎵 AAC Balanced quality and stability (recommended for most users)
• 🎵 LDAC is high resolution (up to 990 kbps), but can cause delays on weak smartphones.
• 🎵 aptX is low latency, but not supported by all Xiaomi models.

To change the codec:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Press the badge. ⚙️ near the name of your headphones.
4. Select the Audio Codec (or Audio Quality in older versions of MIUI).
5. Try alternately AAC and LDAC, testing the sound after each change.

Critical Feature for Xiaomi Owners on Snapdragon: Codecs LDAC and aptX may not appear in the settings, even if the phone supports them. To unlock them, activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version). MIUI" About the phone" and then in the settings. → Additionally. → Developer options enable Bluetooth debugging and reboot your phone.

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If the audio starts to break after changing the codec, go back to AAC and turn off the Adaptive Sound Transmission function in the headphone settings (via Sony Headphones Connect).

Solving common connection problems

Even after successful pairing, failures can occur, and here are the typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

1.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

• 🔊 Check if the microphone only mode is activated in the Bluetooth settings (turn it off).
• 🔊 Re-start Media Service: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Media → Stop.
• 🔊 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and reconnect.

Permanent breaks of connection

• 📶 Turn off power saving mode for Bluetooth: Settings → Battery → Energy saving → Settings → Disable for Bluetooth.
• 📶 Reset network settings: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Network Reset.
• 📶 Update your headphone firmware through the Sony Headphones Connect app.

3. Sound delay (lag) when watching video

• 🎬 Switch to the aptX Low Latency codec (if available) or AAC.
• 🎬 Enable "Games Mode" in the headphone settings (via the Sony app).
• 🎬 Close background apps that use a microphone (such as WhatsApp or Zoom).

⚠️ Warning: If you use Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi Note 11 or POCO M5), the LDAC and aptX codecs may not work smoothly due to hardware limitations, in which case the AAC with a bitrate of 256 kbps would be the best choice.

Optimizing Connectivity for Specific Sony Models

Sony’s flagship headphones require additional customizations to unlock their potential, and the following are recommendations for popular models:

🎧 Sony WH-1000XM5

These headphones support multipoint (simultaneous connection to two devices), but in MIUI, this feature may not work properly.

1. In the Sony Headphones Connect app, turn off Automatic Sound Switching.
2. In Bluetooth phone settings, allow high quality audio (if there is such a point).
3. For calls, activate Prioritize Connection mode in the headphone settings.

🎧 Sony WF-1000XM4

For these liners, it is critical to properly adjust the balance between sound quality and stability:

• 🔋 Turn off Adaptive bitrate in the Sony app if there are cliffs.
• 🔋 Enable DSEE Extreme only when listening to high-resolution music (FLAC, WAV).
• 🔋 Use the SBC codec for calls, which provides the lowest voice latency.

🎧 Sony WI-C310 / WI-C200

Budget models often suffer from interference when connecting to Xiaomi.

• 📡 Keep your phone and headphones at a distance of no more than 1 meter when you first connect.
• 📡 Turn off Wi-Fi while pairing (rarely interferes).
• 📡 Use only the AAC codec - others may not be supported.

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For Sony models with support for LDAC (XM3/XM4/XM5) on Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2, it is recommended to manually limit the bitrate to 660 kbit / s in the settings of the Sony Headphones Connect application - this will reduce the load on the processor and reduce delays.

Additional Features: How to Get the Most from Sony Headphones on Xiaomi

After successful connection, you can configure advanced functions for comfortable use:

1. Setting up sensor control

In the Sony Headphones Connect app, you can reassign gestures:

• 👆 Touching on right earpiece: switching tracks or calling a voice assistant.
• 👆 Double-touch: pause/playback or enable transparent mode.
• 👆 Retention: Noise Reduction Activation or Google Assistant.

For Xiaomi, it is recommended to disable the Mi AI call through the headphones, as this may conflict with Sony's gestures.

Optimization of noise reduction

Adaptive noise cancellation in Sony headphones works better if:

• 🎛 Enable Adaptive Sound Control in the Sony App.
• 🎛 Calibrate your headphones to fit your ears (in the Noise Reduction Settings menu).
• 🎛 For conversations, activate Conversation mode through headphones (allows you to hear your own voice).

3 Use with Xiaomi without Sony app

If you don’t want to install Sony Headphones Connect, you can set up the basic features through:

• 📱 Phone Bluetooth settings (codecs, audio priority).
• 📱 Quick Settings: Some Sony models display the control panel when swiping down (for example, to switch noise reduction modes).
• 📱 Voice commands: Headphones support control via Google Assistant (activated by touchbar retention).

Important: Without a branded app, you won’t be able to update your headphone firmware, which could lead to compatibility issues in the future.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions