How to connect headphones to Xiaomi TV Stick: 5 working ways + mistake-making

Xiaomi TV Stick is a compact device that turns any TV into a “smart” with support for Android TV. But what if you want to watch a movie or play a game at night without waking your household? Or if the built-in TV speakers leave much to be desired? Connecting headphones to a console solves these problems, but it's not always obvious how to do it correctly.

In this article, all current ways to connect (including Bluetooth, USB-C And there's also a unique life hack for models with no 3.5mm audio output that's not written in the official manuals.

1. Which headphones are compatible with Xiaomi TV Stick?

Not all headphones work equally well with the console, but here are the key compatibility criteria:

• 🎧 Wired headphones - only with USB-C or through an adapter (3.5 mm) → USB-C). 3.5mm entry on the Xiaomi Stick itself is missing!
• 📶 Bluetooth headphones – any with profile support A2DP (Music and (calling) AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM5, Xiaomi Buds and others.
• 🔌 USB-headphones - only with external power (for example, gamers with USB-The console does not provide enough power for passive USB-device.
• 🎙️ Headsets with microphone – work only on Bluetooth (microphone through the phone) USB-C unsupported).

Important: Xiaomi TV Stick 4K Xiaomi TV Stick S have the same connectors, but they have different codec support. 4K The sound is in aptX, and the Stick S is in aptX. SBC/AAC. This affects the sound quality in wireless headphones.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi Stick model does not support USB-C audio (e.g. audio, SE), Trying to connect wired headphones directly will cause the error to say, "Device not supported." Use Bluetooth or external USB-sound adapter.

2. Connecting Bluetooth headphones: step-by-step instructions

The most universal way is wireless connectivity. Works on all Xiaomi models TV Stick, including SE.

Charge your headphones until 100%|Turn on the pairing mode (usually hold the power button). 5-7 sack)|Make sure the headphones are not connected to other devices|Check the distance to the console (no more) 10 meters)-->

Step 1. Put your headphones in search mode.

• 🔄 On AirPods: Open the cover of the case and hold the button on the back.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi Buds: Hold the touchpad on both headphones for 10 seconds.
• 🔄 On overhead headphones (for example, Sony) WH-1000XM4): Hold the power button until the blue indicator flashes.

Step 2. On the console:

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider.
3. In the list of available devices, select your headphones.
4. Confirm the conjugation (if required) PIN, It's usually 0000 or 1234).

Step 3. Set up the output.

• Go back to the Settings → Sound.
• Select "Audio device" → your headphones.
• Turn off "Scale" (may cause delays).

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If the sound is interrupted, reduce the bitrate in the Bluetooth headphone settings (if there is such an option) or switch to codec. SBC ptX.

3. Connecting wired headphones through USB-C

This method only works with models with support. USB-C audio (Xiaomi TV Stick 4K and Stick S. For SE The first generation will require an adapter.

Important: The console does not support the microphone through USB-C — For voice chats in games, use a Bluetooth headset.

Instructions:

1. Connect the headphones with the connector USB-C straight-to-port. ⚠️ Warning: If headphones require drivers (e.g., the gamers SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro), they won’t work – Android TV Does not support the installation of audio drivers.
2. For headphones with 3.5 mm use an adapter USB-C → 3.5mm (e.g. original from Xiaomi or Google).
3. Settings menu → Sound. → Select the audio device "USB-audio".

If there's no sound:

• 🔌 Check if the plug is tightly inserted (port) USB-C smack-in»).
• 🔊 Make sure the headphones are not in "Mic Only" mode (switch the slider on the plug if there is one).
• 🔄 Reboot the console by holding the button on the remote for 10 seconds.

4. Alternative ways of connecting

If not Bluetooth, neither USB-C They don't fit, there are workarounds:

Method 1: USB-sound-card

Connect an external sound card (e.g. Sabrent) USB External Stereo Sound Adapter to the port USB-A It has 3.5mm headphones, which is the only way to get a full audio input/output on Xiaomi. TV Stick SE.

Pros: Works with any headphones, including microphone headsets.

Cons: occupies the port USB-A (You can't plug the flash drive at the same time).

Method 2: HDMI-arc (for sound panels)

If you have a sound panel or AV-receiver HDMI ARC:

1. Connect Xiaomi Stick to the port HDMI ARC TV-wise.
2. Connect the TV and sound panel with a cable HDMI (or optical cable, if supported by).
3. In the settings of TV, turn on "Output sound through HDMI ARC".

Now the sound will go to the panel, and you can connect headphones to it via Bluetooth or 3.5 mm.

Method 3: Applications for synchronizing sound

To listen through headphones connected to another device (for example, a smartphone), use:

• 📱 SoundSync (Android) – synchronizes sound from TV over a local network.

The delay in sound will be ~200ms, which is critical for gaming but is suitable for movies.

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HDMI-Arc is the only way to get 5.1 surround sound through headphones on Xiaomi TV Stick. Other methods are limited to stereo.

5. Solving sound problems

If the headphones are connected, but there is no sound or it is interrupted, check:

To diagnose problems with Bluetooth:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ near the connected headphones.
3. Check the "Connection Quality" and "Signal Level".

If the signal indicator is red, try:

• 📶 Move the console closer to the headphones (ideally - up to a distance of 3 meters).
• 🔌 Disable other wireless devices (Wi-Fi router, wireless keyboard).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (forget the device and hide again).

6. Life hacks to improve sound

Even with headphones, the sound on Xiaomi TV Stick may not be perfect. Here's how to improve it:

• 🎛️ Equator: Install Equalizer App FX from Google Play and adjust the frequencies to your headphones. 60-100 Hz, for vocals — 1-4 keto.
• 🔊 Volume normalization: Enable in Settings → Sound. → Normalizing volume to avoid sharp volume jumps between tracks.
• 🎧 Spatial sound: In games, turn on "Dolby Digital Plus" in the sound settings (only works via the sound settings). HDMI ARC).
• 🔋 Battery savings: In Bluetooth headphone settings, turn off "Active noise cancellation" (ANC), If not, it will reduce the delay of sound.

For gamers:

• In the game settings, select "Audio output: Stereo" (not "Audio output: Stereo") 5.1/7.1), to reduce the delay.
• Use headphones with low-latency aptX support (e.g. Audio-Technica) ATH-M50xBT2).

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If you watch movies from Netflix or Disney+, in the application settings, turn off "Adaptive Volume" - this will remove the automatic reduction of basses.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Error 1: “Device is not supported” when connecting 3.5mm headphones.

Solution: Your Xiaomi Stick model does not support analog audio output.

• 🔌 adapter USB-C → 3.5mm with external DAC (e.g. Apple) USB-C to 3.5 mm).
• 📶 Bluetooth transmitter (e.g. Avantek) APTX), plugged USB-A port.

Mistake 2: The headphones are connected, but the sound is coming through the TV.

Solution: In the Settings menu → Sound. → You can manually select your headphones, if they're not on the list, reboot the console.

Mistake. 3: Bluetooth headphones are turned off through 5-10 minute.

Solution: This is power saving. Turn it off.

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Choose your headphones. → "Additionally".
3. Turn off Automatic Shutdown.

Mistake 4: Noise in USB-C headphone.

Solution: Port USB-C It's not shielded, so it's catching interference:

• 🔌 Connect the headphones through the extension cord USB-C (shielded).
• 📵 Disable Wi-Fi on the console (if you use a cable connection).
• 🔋 Use a ferrite ring on the headphone cable.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions