Connecting Bluetooth headphones to Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: full instruction with expert advice

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 Note 7. Despite the fact that the process of pairing devices via Bluetooth is standardized, each manufacturer has its own nuances: hidden settings, features of the MIUI firmware or even the hardware limitations of the old Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset installed in this model.

In this article, we’ll not just show you how to turn on Bluetooth and find headphones on the list of available devices, but we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from connecting new AirDots to reconnecting with old headphones that suddenly stopped being defined by the phone. You’ll learn how to get around common bugs (such as “Unconnected” or “Device Unfound”), which code supports the Redmi Note 7, and why the sound sometimes gets interrupted even with a stable connection. And if you encounter a problem after the MIUI update, we have a separate section with solutions.

1.Preparation: What to do before connecting

Before you start pairing, make sure your headphones and phone are ready for the process.Neglecting these steps often leads to errors like "Device is unresponsive" or endless searches in the Bluetooth menu.

First, check the headphone charge. Even if the indicator is green, some models (such as Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) may not be in pairing mode at a charge level below 20%. Second, make sure that the headphones are not connected to another device - many models automatically connect to the last used gadget, ignoring new requests. To reset the connection, you usually need to hold the power button on the headphones for 5-10 seconds (until the indicator flashes red and blue simultaneously).

Charge headphones to 50% and above

Disconnect headphones from other devices (laptop, tablet)

Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled

Place the headphones in pairing mode (see model instruction)

Update firmware MIUI Up to the latest version, if available)-->

It is equally important to check the MIUI version on your Redmi Note 7. Old builds (below MIUI 12) had bugs that supported aptX and AAC codes, which could distort or interrupt the sound. You can update the firmware in Settings → Phone → System Update. If there are no updates, but sound problems persist, try manually installing regional firmware (for example, MIUI EU) - they often fix errors in global versions.

⚠️ Note: If you use headphones with support LDAC (Like Sony. WH-1000XM4), They'll have to switch to codec. AAC or SBC Handheld: Redmi Note 7 does not support LDAC Due to the limitations of the Snapdragon 660 chipset.

Step-by-step: how to connect headphones to the Redmi Note 7

Now, the process itself. The instruction is universal for most wireless headphones, but we'll point out the nuances for the popular Xiaomi, JBL and Sony models.

Step 1: Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.

• 🔋 For Xiaomi AirDots: remove the headphones from the case and hold the touch panel on both headphones for 3 seconds (up to double blinking white).
• 🎧 For JBL Tune 510BT: Hold the power button for 5 seconds (the indicator will flash blue and red).
• 🎵 For Sony. WF-1000XM3: pinch the touchpad on both headphones for 7 seconds (voice assistant will tell "Bluetooth pairing»).

Step 2. Turn on Bluetooth on the Redmi Note 7. You can do this in two ways:

• 📱 Through the notification bar: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen and click on the Bluetooth icon.

Step. 3. Find the headphones in the list and pair. In the Bluetooth menu, your Redmi Note is a good one. 7 It will start scanning available devices when the name of your headphones appears on the list (e.g. Mi True Wireless EBs). basic_R or LE_JBL_T510BT), If necessary, confirm the connection on both devices (sometimes you need to press the button on the headphones or type in the button). PIN-code -- by default, 0000 or 1234).

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If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on your phone, and reboot the headphones (remove from the case and put back for 10 seconds).

3. Typical errors and how to fix them

Even if you do the instructions right, you may not get the connection, so let's look at some of the most common problems and their solutions.

Error 1: “Unable to connect” or the connection is interrupted.

• 📱 Reset your network settings on Redmi Note 7. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Reset the network settings. This will delete all stored Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi networks.
• 🔊 Check the codec. MIUI You can manually select the codec: after connecting the headphones, open their settings in the Bluetooth menu and select SBC (the most stable, but with the worst sound, or AAC (balance-sheet).

Error 2: The headphones are connected, but the sound only goes to one earpiece.

This problem often arises from TWS-headphones (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi Buds) and is associated with incorrect synchronization between left and right earphones:

• 🔋 Place both earbuds in the case for 10 seconds, then remove and wait until they synchronize with each other (indicators should flash synchronously).
• 🔄 Reset the headphones to factory settings (usually holding the button for 15-20 seconds before flashing red).
• 📲 Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone and connect again.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Headphones stopped connecting, check the Settings section → Connections and sharing → Bluetooth → Additional settings. Some versions of the firmware have a "Limit Detection" option that you need to turn off.

4. Sound optimization: code, bitrate and MIUI settings

The Redmi Note 7 supports several audio codecs that affect sound quality and connection stability, and by default, the system selects the codec automatically, but sometimes this leads to problems such as interruptions in sound or high latency (lag) when watching videos.

To manually select the codec:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Click on the gear icon next to the name of your headphones.
4. Select the "Audio Codec" option (in some versions of MIUI it is hidden - you need to click "Additional settings").
5. Try alternately SBC (most compatible), AAC (best quality for music) or aptX (if the headphones support).

Important: The Redmi Note 7 does not support the LC3 codec (used in Bluetooth 5.2), so new headphones with this technology (like Nothing Ear 2) will only work via SBC or AAC, which can reduce the sound quality.

Xiaomi AirDots/Redmi Buds

JBL, Sony or other brands

Apple AirPods

Others TWS-headphones

Floor/overhead with Bluetooth-->

5. Features of connection after the MIUI update

Firmware updates often bring not only new features, but also bugs — especially the Bluetooth module. If after the update, the headphones stopped connecting or began to work unstable, try the following steps:

Method 1: Reset Bluetooth settings.

Go to Settings → System and Device → Settings Reset → Network Reset. This will delete all stored devices and reset the connection settings. After restarting your phone, try reconnecting your headphones.

Method 2: Reverse to the previous version of MIUI.

If the problem occurred after the last update, you can return the old firmware.

1. Download the archive with the desired version of MIUI for Redmi Note 7 (codename: lavender) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots (menu) → Select a firmware file.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Firmware rollback can cause data loss if you don't back up. Also, after rollback, the phone can block updates for 7 days.

Method 3: Use of alternative firmware.

If the official updates don’t solve the problem, try installing custom firmware like MIUI EU or Pixel Experience. These are often better optimized for Bluetooth devices. Installation instructions can be found on the XDA Developers forum (Redmi Note 7 section).

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If the headphones are connected after the MIUI update, but the sound is interrupted, try turning off the “Absolute Volume” option in the developer settings. To do this, turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI Version in Settings → About Phone), then go to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn off “Absolute Volume Bluetooth.”

6. How to connect headphones to Redmi Note 7 in guest or second user mode

If your Redmi Note 7 has multiple users set up (such as the main profile and guest), the Bluetooth devices don’t sync between them, which means that headphones connected to the main profile will not be available in the guest and will have to be paired again.

To connect headphones in guest mode:

1. Switch to the guest profile through the notification panel (user icon in the upper right corner).
2. Turn on Bluetooth and activate the pairing mode on the headphones (as described in Step 1).
3. Find the headphones in the list and connect.

If the headphones don’t show up, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone in guest mode.
• 📱 Remove headphones from the main profile (sometimes this helps to avoid conflicts).
• 🔋 Remove and re-insert the headphones in the case (for the purpose of the TWS-model).

Note: In guest mode, some MIUI features may be limited, such as unavailable codec settings or even volume.

7. Alternative ways to connect: if Bluetooth does not work

If the Bluetooth module on the Redmi Note 7 is out of order (for example, after falling or getting moisture), but the headphones support other ways of connecting, you can use:

Method 1: Connect via a 3.5mm audio jack (if the headphones support wired mode).

Some models (such as Sony WH-1000XM3 or JBL Live 650BTNC) come with a 3.5mm cable plug, plug it into your headphones and paste it into the Redmi Note 7 audio jack.

Method 2: Use of a Bluetooth transmitter.

If the phone itself doesn’t catch the headphones, but they are good, buy an external Bluetooth transmitter (for example, Avantek). APTX or 1Mii B06 Plus. Connect it to the Redmi Note 7 audio jack, then pair it with headphones (~100-150 ms).

Method 3: Connect via USB-C (for headphones with USB audio support).

Some headphones (such as Bose QuietComfort USB) can connect via USB-C cable directly to your phone.

1. Connect the headphones with a cable to the USB-C port on the Redmi Note 7.
2. In sound settings (Settings) → Select the sound USB-audio.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through USB-C The phone may not charge. To avoid discharge, use USB-hub OTG and charging (e.g. Baseus) 3-in-1).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Bluetooth headphones to the Redmi Note 7