How to connect Huawei headphones to Xiaomi phone: all ways + mistake-making

Connecting Huawei headphones to a Xiaomi smartphone may seem like a simple task, but in practice, users often face problems, from the lack of sound to the inability to detect the device via Bluetooth. The reason lies in the differences in wireless protocols, branded chips and even Android versions that both brands use: for example, Huawei FreeBuds headphones are optimized to work with the HarmonyOS ecosystem, and Xiaomi smartphones (especially on the mobile phone). MIUI 14+) Can block the connection of “foreign” accessories due to security policy.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting, from a standard Bluetooth connection to the use of adapters for wired models, as well as solve common errors like "device not found" or "connected, but no sound." Huawei FreeBudds 5i, P40 Pro, Mate 50, and more. If you've tried to connect and you've got an error, skip the basic instructions and go straight to the "Problem Solving" section".

1. Connecting Huawei headphones to Xiaomi over Bluetooth

The most common way is to wirelessly connect via Bluetooth, but there are pitfalls: some Huawei models (like FreeBuds 4 or FreeBuds Pro 2) require a special profile. AAC or LDAC, It can be disabled by default in Xiaomi. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones: 🔋 For FreeBuds: Press the button on the case case case for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue-red. 🎧 For wired models (e.g. Huawei) AM115): Hold the power button until the beep.

Xiaomi

Settings → Bluetooth

"Huawei FreeBuds 5i"

Confirm the pairing on both devices (if required).

If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module on your smartphone (disable / turn on in the notification curtain).
• 📱 Update Xiaomi firmware to the latest version (in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🔌 Reset the network settings on headphones (click the reset button on the case for 10 seconds).

Press the pairing button on the headphones|Turn Bluetooth on on Xiaomi|Make sure the headphones are charged (>30%)|Update. MIUI last-minute-->

Important: Huawei headphones with Kirin chip A1 (For example, FreeBuds 3 or FreeBuds Pro may not support the aptX codec on Xiaomi smartphones, which will lead to a deterioration in sound. AAC Bluetooth settings (if available).

2. Wired connection: do you need adapters?

If your Huawei headphones have a connector USB-C 3.5mm and Xiaomi smartphone is only USB-C (Like the Xiaomi 13 Pro, you'll need an adapter:

To connect 3.5 mm headphones to Xiaomi without a headphone jack:

1. Buy a certified adapter (we recommend the original one from Xiaomi or Google).
2. Connect the adapter to the USB-C port on your smartphone.
3. Put your headphones in the adapter. If there's no sound, check the audio output settings in Settings. → Sound.

💡

If the sound is distorted after connecting the adapter, try to disable the option "USB-C audio tuning" in the Xiaomi engineering menu. To do this, type in the Phone app code ##36446337## and select Hardware Testing. → Audio → USB-C Headset.

⚠️ Cheap uncertified adapters can damage the port USB-C on your smartphone because of unstable voltage. Use only standard-enabled adapters. USB Audio Class 2.0.

3. Connectivity Features for Popular Huawei Models

Some Huawei headphones have unique connectivity requirements, and consider the most common models:

Huawei FreeBuds 5i / FreeBuds 4i

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.2 protocol with Dual-Device Connection (simultaneous connection to two devices) to connect them to Xiaomi:

• 🔋 Make sure the case is at least 50% charged (otherwise the pairing mode is not activated).
• 📱 On Xiaomi, turn off the “Visibility for Nearby Devices” option in Bluetooth settings (it may interfere with detection).
• 🔄 If the headphones have already been connected to another device, reset them: press the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes white.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2

This model supports the codec. LDAC (High quality audio, but it may not work on Xiaomi due to limitations MIUI. To turn on LDAC:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth and tap on the gear icon next to FreeBuds Pro 2.
3. Choose Sound Quality → LDAC (If the option is not available, update the headphone firmware through the Huawei app AI Life).

Wired headphones Huawei (AM115, AM61)

So for these models, the key is to get the right adapter, and if the sound is missing or distorted,

• 🔊 Check if the “Micon Only” mode is activated in Xiaomi’s audio settings.
• 🔌 Try another adapter (some cheap models don't support a microphone).
• 📱 B Settings → Sound. → Select the sound quality (Hi-Res).

4. Problem Solving: Headphones are not connected or not working

If standard methods do not work, use this troubleshooting instruction:

Problem 1: Headphones are not detected in Bluetooth

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Case/earphones discharged: Charge them to at least 30%. The indicator on the case should burn green.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: Disable Bluetooth on all other gadgets (laptop, tablet).
• 🔄 Failure in MIUI: Reboot your smartphone and reset your network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting the network).
• 🛠️ Protocol incompatibility: Check if your Xiaomi supports Bluetooth 5.0+ (In Settings → The phone. → Bluetooth version).

Problem 2: Headphones are connected, but there is no sound

This is most often due to the wrong choice of the audio output device:

1. When playing music or video, tap on the speaker icon in the notification panel.
2. Select your Huawei headphones from the list of output devices.
3. If the option is not available, go to Settings. → Sound. → Output devices and select headphones manually.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12) after connecting the headphones, the default sound may remain on the speaker. MIUI 14 – it can only be solved by restarting the phone.

Issue 3: Persistent communication breakdowns

If the sound is interrupted or the headphones are turned off:

• 📶 Check if other wireless devices (Wi-Fi router, microwave) interfere).
• 🔋 Replace the battery in the case (if the headphones discharge quickly).
• 📱 In Bluetooth settings, turn off the option “Adaptive frequency” (if any).
• 🛠️ Update the headphone firmware through Huawei AI Life.

Headphones not detectable|They're plugging in, but there's no sound.|Permanent communication breakdowns|Another problem.|It's working fine.-->

5. Alternative ways of connecting

If Bluetooth and wired methods don’t work, try these options:

Method 1: Use of the Huawei application AI Life

Huawei’s official app can even help on smartphones from other brands:

1. Download. APK-Huawei file AI Life from an official website or a trusted source (e.g. APKPure).
2. Install the application by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Open up. AI Life, go to the Devices section → Add and select your headphones.

Method 2: Connect via Fast Pair (Google)

Some Huawei models (e.g. FreeBuds) 5i) Support Google’s Fast Pair technology, which makes pairing easier:

• 🔋 Enable Fast Pair in Xiaomi Settings: Settings → Google → Devices and exchanges → Fast Pair.
• 📱 Unlock your smartphone and activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
• 🔔 Wait for notification of a new device and follow the instructions.

Method 3: Using a Bluetooth adapter receiver

If nothing works, buy an external Bluetooth receiver (e.g. Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver):

1. Connect the receiver to the port. USB-C or 3.5mm on a smartphone.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the receiver (usually a long press of the button).
3. Connect Huawei headphones to the receiver as a normal Bluetooth device.

💡

If your Xiaomi does not support codec LDAC Or aptX, an external Bluetooth receiver with support for these codecs can significantly improve sound quality.

6.Tune the sound after connection

After successfully connecting Huawei headphones to Xiaomi, it is recommended to optimize the sound settings for better quality:

Optimization of codecs

Depending on the headphone model, choose the optimal codec:

• 🎵 AAC — Universal option for most Huawei headphones.
• 🎧 LDAC — High quality (available on FreeBuds Pro 2, FreeBuds 5).
• 🔊 SBC — if other codecs do not work (low quality but stable connection).

To change the codec:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Put it on the gear icon next to the headphones connected.
3. Select the sound quality and specify the desired codec.

Equalizer setting

Xiaomi has a built-in equalizer that can be customized for your headphones:

1. Open the settings → Sound → Equator.
2. Select a preset (e.g., Basic Boost for FreeBuds or Clear High for wired models).
3. Set up the sliders manually if necessary.

Shutdown of sound processing MIUI

Branded sound processing MI Sound Enhancer could conflict with Huawei headphones to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Sound → additionally.
2. Turn off the "Sound Improvement" and "Adaptive Sound" options.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Model compatibility: support table

Not all Huawei headphones work equally well with Xiaomi, and the table below shows the compatibility of popular models:

⚠️ Note: Huawei headphones with HarmonyOS support (such as FreeBuds Lipstick) may have limited functionality on Xiaomi - for example, gestures or noise cancellation won't work. Check the specifications of your model on the official Huawei website.

FAQ: Frequent questions