Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life, but their first connection to a smartphone sometimes raises questions — especially when it comes to budget models like the Xiaomi Redmi 6. This phone, released in 2018, runs on the basis of MIUI (usually versions 9-12), and although its interface is intuitive, the nuances of pairing devices via Bluetooth 4.2 can be confusing. For example, why the headphones do not appear in the list of available devices? Or why the sound is interrupted after a few minutes?
In this article, we’ll look at not only the basic connection process, but also the hidden MIUI settings that affect connection stability. You’ll learn how to reset Bluetooth settings correctly if the headphones have forgotten the phone, how to turn on the aptX codec for better sound (if your headphones support it), and what to do if the Redmi 6 “can’t see” the device, and also the compatibility table of popular headphone models with this Xiaomi model.
Preparation: What to check before connecting
Before you start pairing, make sure your headphones and phone are ready to connect. Often problems arise from little things that are easy to miss:
- 🔋 Headphone Charge: Most models don't turn on search mode if the charge is below 5%. Connect them to the charger for 10-15 minutes if the indicator flashes red.
- 📱 Version. MIUI: Redmi 6 should be installed at least in the future. MIUI 10 - Earlier versions may not support current Bluetooth profiles. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
- 🔄 Resetting previous connections: If these headphones have already connected to another device, they need to “forget” on that gadget or reset the settings of the headphones themselves (usually by holding the power button long).
- 🛡️ Application permissions: Some applications (such as music players) may block access to Bluetooth. → Annexes → Permit management → Bluetooth.
Pay special attention to the power saving mode. In Redmi 6, it by default limits Bluetooth to save battery power. If the headphones are constantly turned off, turn this mode off in Settings → Battery and Performance → Power saving mode.
Step-by-step instructions: how to connect headphones
Now, the process itself. The instruction is universal for most wireless headphones (including AirPods, Sony WH, Xiaomi AirDots, JBL, etc.), but there may be slight differences depending on the model.
- Turn Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode. This usually requires holding the power button for 3-5 seconds until the light flashes blue/white quickly. For AirPods, open the case cover and hold the button on the back.
- On your phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth (or swipe down from the top edge of the screen and hold the Bluetooth icon).
- Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it's off) and wait for the phone to start searching for the devices. This can take up to 30 seconds.
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds or JBL Tune 510BT) and tap it.
- Confirm the pairing if a request appears (sometimes you need to enter) PIN-code - default is 0000 or 1234).
- Wait for the message “Connected” – now the headphones are ready to use.
☑️ Checking a successful connection
If the headphones are connected, but the sound is coming through the speaker, check the profile of the audio device. In some cases, Redmi 6 automatically selects an HFP profile (for calls) instead of an A2DP (for music) to fix this:
- Open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Put the pin on the gear icon next to the name of your headphones.
- Choose Media Audio (or A2DP).
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If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted, try turning off the Wi-Fi on your phone. Xiaomi's budget models sometimes have interference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth due to a shared chip.
Compatibility table: which headphones work best
Not all wireless headphones work equally well with the Xiaomi Redmi 6. Below are the data on popular models based on user reviews and tests. Note the Codec column: if your headphones support aptX or AAC, the sound will be cleaner than when using a standard SBC.
| Model headphones | Compatible with Redmi 6 | Supported codecs | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots (Redmi AirDots) | ✅ Great. | SBC, AAC | Automatic connection after first pairing. May lose connection at a distance of >8 m. |
| Apple AirPods (1-2 generation) | ⚠️ Medium | AAC | They work, but without the automatic switching between devices, and there's a possibility of delays in games. |
| Sony WH-1000XM3/XM4 | ✅ Good. | SBC, AAC, aptX | To activate aptX, you need to manually select it in the headphone settings (via the Sony Headphones Connect app). |
| JBL Tune 510BT | ✅ Great. | SBC, AAC | It’s a stable connection, but bass may sound weaker than on an iPhone. |
| Baseus Encok WM01 | ✅ Good. | SBC | A budget alternative to AirDots. Sometimes you need to reconnect after a long downtime. |
If your model is not in the table, don’t worry: Redmi 6 supports most Bluetooth 4.0 headphones and above, and the main thing is to make sure that they are in pairing mode (this is indicated by the flashing indicator).
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even after a successful connection, Xiaomi Redmi 6 users are faced with common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
1.The phone doesn't find headphones
- 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module: Turn off and turn on the Bluetooth on your phone again. If it doesn't work, restart the phone itself.
- 📱 Update. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.
- 🔌 Reset network settings: Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Reset network settings. This will delete all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.
2.The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound.
- 🎵 Check your audio profile: In Bluetooth settings (cog next to the headphone name) select Media Audio.
- 🔊 Turn off Monopoly: Some apps (like Google Maps) can block sound. Close them through the latest app menu.
- 🔧 Reset your headphone settings: For most models, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and blue.
3. Permanent breaks of connection
- 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi: Redmi 6 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are running on the same frequency, which can cause interference.
- 🔋 Check the headphone battery: At low charge, the connection becomes unstable.
- 🛠️ Turn off battery optimization for Bluetooth: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management and select “No Limits” mode for Bluetooth».
Why is the sound late in games?
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations, the headphones still do not work, the problem may be a hardware failure of the Bluetooth module. This is typical for the Redmi 6, which fell or were exposed to moisture, in which case only repairs in the service center will help.
How to improve sound quality
Xiaomi Redmi 6 is not famous for its audio system, but even on it you can achieve acceptable sound.
- 🎛️ Turn on the equalizer: In the standard Mi Music player or Google Play Music, find the equalizer settings and select the preset Bass or Rock for a more saturated sound.
- 🔊 Use the codec. AAC or aptX: If your headphones support these codecs, force them into Bluetooth settings (cogs) → Audio codec).
- 🎧 Turn off sound processing: In Settings → Sound. → Sound effects turn off all bass amplifiers and 3D-effects – they often spoil the sound.
- 📱 Install a third-party player: Apps like Poweramp or Neutron Music Player offer more flexible audio settings than standard ones.
To check the current connection codec:
- Install the Bluetooth Codec Info app from Google Play.
- Connect the headphones and open the application.
- Look at the Active Codec bar and you will see the current protocol (e.g. AAC 256 kbps).
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If your headphones support aptX, but your phone uses SBC, manually select aptX in Bluetooth settings, which will improve sound quality by 20-30%.
How to turn off or “forget” headphones
If you no longer plan to use headphones with Redmi 6 or want to connect them to another device, you need to turn them off correctly.Just tapping "Disable" is not enough - the device will remain in the phone's memory and can automatically connect in the future.
To completely remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices:
- Open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Find your headphones in the list and tap the gear icon next to their name.
- Select Forget this device (or Delete it).
- Confirm the action.
If the headphones don't want to connect to another device after that, reset their settings. For most models, this is how you do it.
- Place the headphones in the case (if any).
- Hold the button on the case or headphones themselves for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and blue.
- Remove the headphones from the case – they should automatically go into pairing mode.
⚠️ Note: Some headphones (such as Sony) WH-1000XM4) The reset is done through a special application, without which the device may not be able to "forget.
FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions
Here we have collected the questions that owners of Xiaomi Redmi 6 often ask when working with Bluetooth headphones.