How to connect Sony headphones to Xiaomi phone: full instruction with error solutions

Sony’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular on the market for sound quality and reliable Bluetooth connectivity. However, owners of Xiaomi smartphones (especially the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 13 models) sometimes face problems when pairing: devices do not find each other, connection is interrupted or sound is delayed. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of connecting, including hidden MIUI settings, and solve typical errors.

It's important to understand that the connection algorithm depends not only on the headphone model (WH-1000XM5, WF-C700N, WI-C310, etc.), but also on the version of MIUI on your Xiaomi. For example, MIUI 14 changed the Bluetooth menu interface, and in older versions (before MIUI 12) there may have been no Dual Audio mode for connecting two devices simultaneously. We will take into account all the nuances.

If you've tried to connect your headphones to your phone, but you've failed, don't rush to reset, and 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved by simply rebooting one of your devices, updating your firmware, or changing your codec, and let's start with the basic instructions.

1.Preparing Sony headphones for connection

Before pairing, make sure Sony headphones are ready to connect.Most models (such as WH-1000XM4 or WF-1000XM5) automatically go into search mode when they first turn on, but if they have already been connected to another device, they need to be reset.

Here’s how to do it for different types of headphones:

• 🎧 Full-size headphones (WH-1000XM5, WH-CH720N): Press the power button for 7 seconds until the indicator flashes red and blue (reset mode). Then hold the same button for another 2 seconds - the headphones will reboot and be ready for a new pairing.
• 🎧 Including True Wireless (WF-1000XM4, WF-C700N): Put both headphones in the case, open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
• 🎧 Consignment note/sports (WI-C310, WI-C200): press the power button and + (volume) simultaneously for 5 seconds.

After reset, the headphones should appear in the list of available devices on the phone called WH-1000XM5, WF-1000XM4 or similar (depending on the model). If the indicator does not blink, check the battery power: at a discharge below 10%, some Sony models do not go into pairing mode.

⚠️ Warning: Sony earphones can remember up to 8 devices, but can only be connected to one at a time. If the list of conjugated gadgets is full, they can ignore new connections. | Headphones Connect (System Settings section) → Reset).

2. Step-by-step instruction for Bluetooth connection on Xiaomi

Now, the interface process itself. The manual is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones on MIUI 12-14 (including Android 13/14). If you have an older version of the system, update it through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Follow this algorithm:

1. Activate Bluetooth on your phone: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon (or go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth). Switch the slider to the On position.
2. Start Device Search: Click Device Search (or Add a new device in older versions of MIUI). Make sure Sony headphones are in pairing mode (the indicator flashes blue/white).
3. Select headphones in the list: In the list, find the name of your model (for example, LE_WH-1000XM5 or WF-1000XM4). Click on it, the pairing process will begin.

Confirm the connection:

• Some Xiaomi models may have a code confirmation request (usually 0000 or 1234).
• On Sony headphones, the indicator should stop flashing and burn blue (connected) or green (playback).

If the headphones don’t appear on the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth module: Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again on your phone.
• 📱 Reboot your phone: Sometimes a simple Xiaomi reboot helps.
• 🔋 Check the headphones: if the battery is discharged below 5%, they may not show up.

Headphones in pairing mode (flashing indicator)

Bluetooth on your phone is on

Distance between devices not more than 1 meter

The headphones are not connected to another device.

The phone is not in energy saving mode-->

3. Customize sound and codecs for better quality

Once successfully connected, you should optimize your audio settings. Xiaomi defaults to a standard SBC codec that provides average quality. Sony headphones (especially flagship models) better choose AAC or LDAC – they support high-resolution audio.

How to change the codec:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Click on the icon. ⚙️ next to the name of Sony headphones.
4. Select Sound Quality or Audio Codec (depending on the MIUI version).
5. Set the priority codec: LDAC for maximum quality (up to 990 kbit/s, but there may be a delay); AAC is a balanced option (good quality + stability); aptX is if your headphones support it (rarely for Sony).

Important: The LDAC codec is only available on Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm chipset (e.g., the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Mi 13). On phones with MediaTek processors (e.g., the Redmi Note 12 with the Helio G99), LDAC may not be available.

We also recommend you to include in the headphone settings (via the Sony | Headphones Connect app):

• 🎛️ DSEE Extreme – Improves compressed audio (e.g. from Spotify or YouTube).
• 🔊 360 Reality Audio – for surround sound (works with supported services).
• 🎧 Adaptive noise reduction – automatically adjusts the level ANC.

SBC (default)

AAC

LDAC

aptX

I don't know/I don't set up-->

4. Solving typical connection problems

Even when paired correctly, errors can occur, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the network settings on your phone:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (this will remove all saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices!).
3. Reboot the phone and reconnect.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 13 and later) there is a bug that can shut down Bluetooth in power saving mode. To fix this, go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Energy saving regime → Settings and add Bluetooth to the exclusion list.

Connect to two devices at the same time (Multipoint)

Many Sony headphones (such as the WH-1000XM5 or WF-1000XM4) support Multipoint, which is a simultaneous connection to two devices (such as a phone and a laptop), but this feature may not work as stable on Xiaomi due to the features of MIUI.

To activate Multipoint:

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (such as a phone).
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see section 1).
3. Connect them to a second device (for example, a PC).
4. In the Sony | Headphones Connect app, go to System Settings → Connect to two devices and turn on the option.

On Xiaomi, the following nuances may occur:

• 📞 When you call in, the headphones will automatically switch to the phone, but after the conversation, they won't go back to the previous device. To return the sound, manually select the source in the Bluetooth settings.
• 🎵 Listening to music from two devices can cause interference at the same time, in which case, turn off one of the connections.

6. Battery optimization and connection stability

A common problem with Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones is fast battery drain or connection breaks, which is due to aggressive power optimization in MIUI. Here's how to fix:

Disable optimization for Bluetooth:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find Bluetooth in the list and open its settings.
4. Choose the Battery. → No restrictions.

Set up the performance mode:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Performance mode.
• 📊 Choose High Performance (this will increase battery consumption but stabilize Bluetooth).

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware of headphones through Sony | Headphones Connect.
• 📵 Avoid using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at maximum power (e.g. when downloading large files).
• 🔋 Turning off the headphones when they are not in use will save the charge of the phone and the headphones themselves.

💡

If Sony headphones quickly discharge when connected to Xiaomi, try turning off the Adaptive Noise Cancel feature in the Sony | Headphones Connect app. It actively uses microphones and a headphone processor, which increases battery consumption.

7. Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth does not work)

If Bluetooth pairing is not possible (for example, due to a hardware failure), alternative methods can be used:

Connection via NFC (for supported models):

• Make sure that NFC is enabled on your phone (Settings → Connections & Sharing → NFC).
• Apply Sony headphones (usually on the right body there is a label N) to the back of the phone.
• Confirm the connection on the screen.

⚠️ It only works with models that support NFC (for example, WH-1000XM4, WF-1000XM5).

2.Using a Bluetooth adapter (for older phones):

If you have an older Xiaomi model (like the Redmi 4X) with an unstable Bluetooth 4.0, you can buy an external Bluetooth transmitter (like the Avantek BTA-200) and plug it in via 3.5mm or USB-C.

3. Wired connection (for full-size headphones):

Many Sony models (such as the WH-1000XM5) come with a 3.5mm cable or USB-C. Connect it to the phone – sound will go through the wire, and the microphone and control buttons will remain active.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Sony's connection to Xiaomi