Why Bluetooth Headphones Are the Best Choice for Xiaomi TV
Wireless headphones are becoming an integral part of home theater, especially when it comes to Xiaomi TVs. These devices support modern audio codecs such as AAC and aptX, which guarantees high audio quality without the wire interfering under your feet. But how to properly connect headphones to Xiaomi TV via Bluetooth if you have never done this?
Many users face problems: the TV does not find headphones, the sound is interrupted or there is a delay. Most often this is due to improper settings or outdated firmware. In this article, we will discuss the unique features of connecting Bluetooth devices to Xiaomi TV series Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1/Q2 and Redmi Smart TV, which are not always described in the standard instructions.
You'll learn not only the basic synchronization algorithm, but also how to fix common bugs, and hidden features that will improve sound quality, such as how to turn on Low Latency mode to minimize the latency of sound when watching movies.
Which headphones are compatible with Xiaomi TV over Bluetooth
Not all wireless headphones work equally well with Xiaomi TVs. The main criterion for compatibility is support for Bluetooth 4.2 or later. Most modern models (for example, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones, Sony WH-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro) will do, but there are nuances:
- 🎧 TWS-headphones (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Pro) – connect without problems, but short-term communication breaks may occur when the signal is weak.
- 🎧 Full-size headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Hybrid Pro) HD) — provide a stable connection, but require regular recharging.
- 🎧 Gaming headphones with support for aptX Low Latency (for example, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless) are ideal for watching movies, as they minimize the latency of sound.
- 🚫 Outdated models with Bluetooth 3.0 or lower (e.g. some of the most common ones) JBL T450BT Early releases – may not connect or work with constant failures.
For example, the PatchWall 3.0-based Mi TV 4S only supports AAC, while newer models on Google TV (such as the Xiaomi TV A Pro) work with aptX and LDAC.
Step-by-step: how to connect headphones to Xiaomi TV
The connection process takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow a clear algorithm, and below is a universal instruction for all Xiaomi TV models, including Mi TV 5, Mi TV Q1E and Redmi Smart TV X.
- Activate pairing on the headphones. Usually, you need to hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue and red (for Xiaomi Mi True Wireless) or white (for AirPods).
- Open Bluetooth settings on your TV: On the remote, press the Settings button. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on with the switch to the On position.
Find headphones in the list of available devices
Mi True Wireless Earphones 2
Select headphones and confirm the pairing
Mi TV P1
0000
1234
Check the sound.
Settings → Sound → Sound output
Headphones charged (at least 30%)
Bluetooth is on on on the TV
Headphones in pairing mode (blinking indicator)
The TV is within a radius of 1 meter from the headphones-->
If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try the following:
- 🔄 Reboot the TV: Settings → On TV. → Reboot.
- 📱 Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device (such as a smartphone).
- 🔧 Reset Bluetooth settings on your headphones (usually by holding the button for 10-15 seconds).
💡
If you have a Xiaomi TV with Google TV (like the Mi TV Q2), use a voice assistant: say “OK, Google, turn on Bluetooth” – this will speed up the process.
Problem Solving: Headphones are connected, but no sound
One of the most common problems is that the TV can see the headphones, but the sound keeps going through the speakers, and that's because of the wrong output device.
- Open the settings → Sound → Sound output.
- In the list of devices, select your headphones (for example, WH-1000XM4).
- If the option is not available, reconnect the headphones again.
Other possible causes and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The sound is interrupted. | Weak Bluetooth signal | Reduce the distance between the TV and headphones (maximum 5-7 meters without obstacles) |
| Sound delay (lag) | SBC codec is used instead of aptX Low Latency | Update your TV firmware or select a different codec in your headphone settings (if supported) |
| The headphones are turned off in 5-10 minutes | Energy saving mode on the TV | Turn off Settings → Devices → Bluetooth → Energy saving |
| Poor sound quality | Activated "Phone Call" instead of "Music" | In Bluetooth headphone settings, select the A2DP profile |
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021 may not support aptX. In this case, audio delay when watching movies is inevitable - consider updating the software or using headphones with a new headphone. AAC.
How to reduce the lag (sound delay) when watching movies
Lag is one of the main problems when connecting Bluetooth headphones to a TV, and it is especially noticeable in dynamic scenes of movies or games.
- 🔊 Use of codecs SBC or AAC (They have a delay of 100-200 ms).
- 📶 Poor quality Bluetooth connection (lots of interference on the air).
- 🖥️ Outdated firmware of TV or headphones.
Solutions to reduce delay:
- Use headphones with support for aptX Low Latency (for example, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum 4). This codec reduces lag to 30-40 ms.
- Update your TV firmware: Go to Settings → About TV → System Update. If there are no updates, check manually on Xiaomi’s support site.
Activate the "Game" or "Cinema" mode on headphones
AirPods Pro
Reduce the distance to the TV
What if the lag remains even with aptX?
Alternative ways to connect headphones to Xiaomi TV
If Bluetooth is not working or the sound quality is not good, consider alternative connectivity options:
- 🎵 3.5mm audio output (if available on TV) Suitable for wired headphones or Bluetooth transmitter (e.g. Avantek) APT-LD03).
- 🔌 Optical (TOSLINK). The optical cable transmits sound without loss. The wireless headphones will require a separate transmitter (e.g., Creative). BT-W5).
- 📡 Wi-Fi headphones (e.g. Bose QuietComfort Ultra) connect over a local network and have minimal latency.
- 🖥️ USB Bluetooth adapter: If the built-in Bluetooth TV module is weak, you can connect an external adapter (for example, TP-Link). UB500) into USB-port.
Advantages and disadvantages of each method:
| Method | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Wireless connection, simplicity | Possible noise delays, interference |
| 3.5 mm output | Low latency, stable sound | Wired connection, not all models of Xiaomi TV have a connector |
| Optical (TOSLINK) | High quality sound, no delays | A separate Bluetooth transmitter is required |
| Wi-Fi headphones | Minimum delay, high quality | Expensive devices, dependency on the network |
⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4S mi TV 4A Optical outputs are often disabled by default. To activate them, go to Settings → Sound. → Digital output (optical) and select PCM auto.
Firmware Update: Why it’s important for Bluetooth to work smoothly
Many headphone connectivity problems are solved by a simple firmware update. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix Bluetooth module errors. For example, a June 2023 update to the Mi TV Q1 fixed a bug with a connection breaking during long-term viewing.
How to update firmware:
- Open Settings → About TV → Update system.
- Click Check for updates.
- If a new version is available, click Download and install.
- Wait until the TV is finished (the TV will restart automatically).
If the automatic update does not work:
- 🔗 Download the firmware manually from the official Xiaomi website.
- 📁 Save the file to USB-storage device FAT32).
- 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → On TV. → Update through USB.
💡
The firmware update not only fixes Bluetooth bugs, but also adds support for new audio codecs (e.g. LC3 in the latest versions).