Connecting Xiaomi headphones to your computer: instructions for all models (2026)

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets due to the combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, many users face difficulties when trying to connect them to a computer: the PC does not see the device, the sound is interrupted, you need to enter a pairing code that is not in the manual. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting, from standard pairing via Bluetooth to solving problems with drivers and codecs.

Xiaomi headphones (such as Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4 or FlipBuds Pro) are often proprietary protocols for sound enhancement, which can cause conflicts with universal Windows drivers. In addition, some models (such as AirDots Youth Edition) require a special sequence of actions to translate into pairing mode, which is not written in the official documentation.

This article is relevant for all modern operating systems: Windows 10/11, macOS Ventura/Sonoma Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora) and we will also touch on the nuances of connecting to Bluetooth laptops. 4.0/5.0 and a fixed PC with external adapters.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before trying to pair the headphones with a computer, make sure they are ready to pair.Most problems arise from users missing this step or performing it incorrectly.

For Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and similar models:

• 🔋 Charging headphones: Make sure the charge level is at least 30%. If the indicator flashes red, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes.
• 🎧 Case extraction: Get both headphones out - some models (AirDots 3 Pro) don't go into pairing mode if one headphone stays in the case.
• 🔄 Reset: If the headphones have already been connected to another device, reset. To do this, press and hold the button on the case (or the touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.

For touch-controlled models (Xiaomi Buds 4, FlipBuds Pro):

• 👆 Touch and hold: Touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 5 seconds until you hear a voice message "Pairing mode" or see a flashing white light.
• 🔊 Sound signal: Successful transition to pairing mode is accompanied by a short beep. If it is not, repeat the action.

⚠️ Attention: Headphones Xiaomi Mi ANC and FlipBuds Pro can require firmware updates through the Mi Home app before first connecting to a PC.

2. Bluetooth check on the computer

If the headphones are ready to pair, but the computer can not see them, the problem may lie in the hardware or software of the PC.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Make sure that the Bluetooth switch is in the “On” position.
3. Click Add Add the device → Bluetooth.

For macOS:

1. Go to System Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click Turn Bluetooth on if it is disabled.
3. Make sure there are no old headphone connections on the list - remove them if there are any.

Common checks for all OSes:

• 🖥️ Hardware button: On some laptops (e.g. Lenovo or Lenovo) HP) There is a physical button or a combination of Fn + F-key to enable Bluetooth.
• 🔌 External Adapter: If you have a fixed PC, check if the Bluetooth adapter is connected to the PC. USB-Cheap adapters (especially on a chip) CSR 4.0) may not support the aptX codecs used in Xiaomi headphones.
• 🔄 Reboot Service: In Windows, Open Task Manager → Find Bluetooth Support Service and restart it.

💡

If your PC can't see the headphones, try plugging them into your phone and then re-pairing them, sometimes "waking up" the Bluetooth module.

3. Step-by-step instruction for connecting to Windows

Consider the process on the example of Windows 11 (for Windows 10 steps are similar, may differ slightly interface).

Step 1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones

How to do this, we discussed in the first section: Make sure that the indicator on the headphones or case flashes white / blue (depending on the model).

Step 2: Adding a Device to Windows

1. Open the Start menu → Parameters → Bluetooth and devices.
2. Press Add Device.
3. Select Bluetooth.
4. Find your headphones on the list (the name will include Xiaomi, Redmi or a model, such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2).
5. Click on them and wait for the connection to complete.

Step 3. Customize the sound

After connection:

1. Right-click on the sound icon in the tray → Open the sound parameters.
2. In the Withdrawal section, select your headphones from the list of devices.
3. Click on Device Properties and check that the stereo profile is selected (not Headphone or Hands Free).

Step 4: Codec Check (to improve sound)

By default, Windows uses SBC — It's a basic codec with mediocre quality, so you can turn on aptX or AAC (If your headphones support them):

1. Open the control panel. → Sound.
2. Choose your headphones. → Properties → tab Additional.
3. In the default format section, try to select 16 bits, 44100 Hz (quality) CD) or aptX, if available.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is distorted or interrupted after you connect, try turning off the audio amplification in the headphone settings (the Improvement tab). Also check if the antivirus (such as Avast or Kaspersky) conflicts with the Bluetooth connection.

4. Connection to macOS: features and nuances

MacBooks and iMacs usually work better with Bluetooth devices, but there are pitfalls here too.For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro can connect as two separate devices (left and right earphone), which interferes with stereo sound.

Instructions for macOS Sonoma/Ventura:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (white indicator flashes).
3. In the list, find your headphones and click Connect.
4. If you have a request to enter code, try 0000 or 1234. Most Xiaomi models don't require a code.

Solving common problems:

• 🔊 No sound after connection: Go to System Settings → Sound. → Output and select your headphones.
• 🔄 Headphones plug in like Headset: Disable them, remove them from the list of devices and reconnect. Mac reboot sometimes helps.
• 📱 iPhone conflict: If the headphones were previously connected to the iPhone, they can automatically switch to it.Switch off Bluetooth on the iPhone or forget the device in its settings.

To improve sound quality:

macOS uses a codec by default AAC, better SBC, But worse than aptX. Unfortunately, aptX on Mac is not supported at the software level:

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Enter the command: system_profiler SPBluetoothDataType
3. Find your headphones in the output and look at the Codec line.

5. Linux Connection: Manual Setup

Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora) can be capricious with Bluetooth devices, especially if non-standard codecs are used. 22.04/24.04.

Step 1: Installation of the necessary packages

Open the terminal and do:

sudo apt update


sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth blueman

Reboot the system.

Step 2 Connect via Blueman

1. Launch Blueman (Bluetooth Manager)
2. Click Search and find your headphones.
3. Select them and click Connect.
4. If you need a code, enter 0000.

Step 3: Customize the sound in PulseAudio

If the sound is distorted or absent:

1. Open pavucontrol (or install it via sudo apt install pavucontrol).
2. Go to the Configuration tab and select a profile A2DP Sink (for stereo sound).
3. In the Output tab, make sure the headphones are selected as the default device.

Solving codec problems:

If the sound is interrupted or of poor quality, try manually setting the codec:

1. Open the configuration file: sudo nano /etc/bluetooth/main.conf
2. Find the #ControllerMode line = Double and replace it with ControllerMode = bredr
3. Save the file (Ctrl)+Oh, then Ctrl.+X) and restart the service: sudo systemctl restart bluetooth

⚠️ Note: Some distributions (e.g. Arch Linux) may require pipewire installation instead of pulseaudio.

6. Solving Connection Problems

Even if you did everything right, you can have problems, and we'll look at the most common ones and the ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Computers can't see headphones

• 🔌 Check the adapter: Connect the headphones to the phone - if they work, the problem is in the PC. USB-port.
• 🔄 Update drivers: Open Device Manager in Windows → Bluetooth, find your adapter, right-click → Update the driver.
• 📥 Install the driver manually: Download the latest version from the adapter manufacturer’s website (for example, for Broadcom or Qualcomm).

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or distorted

• 📶 Interference: Disable other Bluetooth devices, move closer to your PC, turn off Wi-Fi (if you use 2.4 GHz).
• 🔊 Codec: In Windows, select SBC AptX (sometimes it works more consistently).
• 🔋 Headphone charge: If the charge level is below 20%, sound artifacts may occur.

Problem 3: Headphones are connected as a “headphone” (monosound)

• 🎵 Reset: Open Services (services.msc) on Windows, find Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service and restart it.
• 🔄 Reconnect: Remove the headphones from the list of devices and connect again by selecting a profile A2DP.
• 📱 Phone conflict: Turn off Bluetooth on a smartphone that the headphones were previously connected to.

💡

If Xiaomi headphones do not connect to a PC, in 90% of cases the problem is solved by updating Bluetooth drivers or resetting the headphone settings.

7. Sound optimization and delay elimination

Even after a successful connection, you may experience a latency (especially noticeable in games or videos) or poor quality.

For Windows:

• 🎮 Latency in games: In the audio settings, select Low Latency (if available) or use a wired connection for critical tasks.
• 🔊 Quality Improvement: In the Control Panel → Sound. → Device properties disable all effects (e.g., Sound Amplification or Spatial Sound).
• 📀 Codecs: If your headphones support aptX Low Latency, install it via Bluetooth Settings (requires an adapter that supports this codec).

For macOS:

• 🎵 Sound distortions: Open the audio MIDI-configuration (in the Programs) → Utilities) and set the sample rate of 44.1 kHz.
• 🔌 Automatic Switching: Turn off the option to automatically switch audio in Bluetooth settings if the headphones spontaneously turn off.

For Linux:

In Linux, Bluetooth audio delay is a known problem.

1. Open pavucontrol.
2. Go to the Configuration tab and select a profile A2DP Sink.
3. In the terminal, perform: pactl set-sink-latency @DEFAULT_SINK@ 50000 (This will reduce the sound buffer, but can cause cracking at a weak signal).

General advice for all OSes:

• 📶 Distance: Keep your headphones no more than 1-2 meters away from the adapter. Walls and metal objects degrade the signal.
• 🔋 Autonomy: If the headphones discharge too quickly when connecting to a PC, turn off ANC (Active noise reduction in their settings.
• 🔄 Reconnect: If the sound starts to break, turn off and reconnect the headphones - sometimes it resets the buffer.

8. Alternative ways of connecting

If Bluetooth refuses to work consistently, consider alternative options for connecting Xiaomi headphones to a PC.

1. Through USB Bluetooth adapter

External adapters (e.g. TP-Link) UB500 Asus USB-BT500) They often work better than embedded modules, especially on desktop PCs. They support modern codecs (aptX, LDAC) and have less delays.

2. via 3.5mm audio cable (if supported)

Some models (Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) have a Type-C or 3.5 mm wired connector.

• Use the Type-C cable. → 3.5 mm (if headphones support).
• Connect to the PC via a 3.5mm entrance or USB-C (adapter-wise).
• In the sound settings, select Analog output.

3. Through the Bluetooth emulation app

If the headphones are defined as an “unknown device,” try:

• 📱 Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones: Sometimes connecting through the official app on the phone will “unlock” headphones for PC.

4. via Bluetooth router (advanced method)

If you have multiple devices, you can use a Bluetooth router (e.g. Avnera). AV6400), plug-in USB And it controls all wireless devices. It's relevant for studio work with sound.

💡

If you often connect headphones to different devices, assign them a static headphone. MAC-address in Bluetooth settings. This will speed up pairing and reduce errors.

FAQ: Frequent questions