How to connect Xiaomi headphones to another brand’s phone: all the ways

Xiaomi wireless headphones (Redmi AirDots series, Mi True Wireless, Mi Earbuds and others) are optimized for working with branded smartphones of the brand, but they can be successfully connected to devices of other manufacturers - Samsung, iPhone, Honor or Realme. The main thing is to know the nuances of compatibility and the correct sequence of actions. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of connection, including solving typical problems when the phone "can't see" headphones or connection is constantly cut off.

Xiaomi headphones are unique in that some models (like the Redmi Buds 4 Pro or Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) use proprietary codecs for improved sound that may not be supported on other brands. However, basic Bluetooth or 3.5mm connection (for wired models) works universally. Next, step-by-step instructions for different types of headphones and phones.

1. Connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones to an Android phone

If you have Xiaomi headphones with Bluetooth support (like Redmi AirDots 3, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Xiaomi Buds 4), they can be connected to any Android smartphone, including Samsung, Honor, Oppo devices and others.

First, make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the body should flash white or red) and are in pairing mode.

• 🔋 Get your headphones out of the case (if that's it) TWS-model - they will automatically turn on.
• 📱 Press the button on the case case case or touchpad on one of the headphones for 5-10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing quickly (usually white and red alternately).
• 🔍 On the phone, open Settings. → Bluetooth and enable device search.

The list of available devices should include headphones called Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds or similar (depending on the model). Click on them, confirm the pairing is ready. If the device does not appear, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull them out).
• 📵 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and turn it on again.
• 🔋 Check the charge of the case (if the indicator does not burn, connect the case to charging for 5 minutes).

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If Xiaomi headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted, try selecting an A2DP profile for them (for music) instead of an HFP (for calls) in your phone’s Bluetooth settings.

2. Connection to iPhone (iOS)

Xiaomi headphones are compatible with iPhones, but there may be nuances with codecs. By default, iOS uses AAC or SBC, which provides acceptable sound quality, but some features (such as Game Mode in Redmi Buds 4 Pro) may not work.

1. Place the headphones in pairing mode (see section above).
2. On the iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth.
3. In the list, find headphones (the name will contain Mi or Redmi) and tap them.
4. Confirm the connection if a request is made.

If the sound is distorted or delayed, try:

• 🔊 Disable the function of improving sound in the settings of the iPhone (Settings) → Universal access → Audiovisual content).
• 📱 Update the headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (if available for your model).
• 🔋 Make sure that the headphones are charged at least 50% – with a low charge, failures can occur.

3. Connecting Xiaomi wired headphones to another phone

Xiaomi’s wired headphones (such as the Mi Hybrid Pro or Redmi Hi-Res Audio) connect via a standard 3.5mm connector or USB-C (depending on the model).

1. Insert the headphone plug into the corresponding connector on the phone.
2. If your phone doesn’t recognize your headphones, check: 🔌 Clean connector (dust or dirt may interfere with contact). 🔊 Sound settings – sometimes you need to manually select the source (Settings) → Sound. → Sound output). 📱 Connector compatibility – some phones (such as iPhones without adapters) do not support USB-C headphones.

For models with USB-C (For example, the Mi Dual Driver may be required. OTG-Adapter if the phone doesn't support analogue sound through this port. Also note that some Xiaomi headphones have a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that can conflict with the phone's audio system:

• 🔧 Try using headphones with another device to check their performance.
• 📲 Update your phone’s firmware – sometimes bugs are fixed in new software versions.

4. Solving Connection Problems

If Xiaomi’s headphones don’t connect to another brand’s phone, the reasons can range from software failures to hardware limitations.

If none of these things worked, try resetting your headphones to the factory.

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 20–30 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Take out the headphones and repeat the pairing.

Check the charge of the headphones and case

Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode

Disconnect other Bluetooth devices from your phone

Restart your phone and headphones

Update the headphone firmware (if available)

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5. Features of connecting specific models

Some Xiaomi headphones have unique features that affect compatibility with other phones.

• 🎧 Redmi AirDots 3 Pro: Supported by LC3 (a new Bluetooth codec that may not work on older phones (before Android 10) in which case the sound will be transmitted over the phone. SBC lesser.
• 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro: has a function ANC (active noise reduction, which may be switched off when connected to a non--Xiaomi To enable it, use the Mi Home app (if available for your model).
• 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2: require firmware to work properly with iPhone. Update them through official software.
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Active: can automatically shut down when the phone's battery is low (below 15.

Important: Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro and Redmi Buds 4 Pro headphones use Mi TrueSync technology, which is optimized for Xiaomi smartphones. Other devices can experience a delay of up to 100-150 ms, which is critical for games or video. In this case, it is recommended to use headphones in Game Mode (if available) or connect them through a Bluetooth 5.2 adapter with support for aptX Low Latency.

6.Use of the Mi Home app for advanced features

Even if you’ve connected Xiaomi headphones to a different brand phone, some features (like setting up EQ, updating firmware or managing gestures) may not be available without an official app. The Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for some models) lets you:

• 🔄 Update the firmware of headphones (important for compatibility).
• 🎛️ Set up equalizer and sound modes.
• ⚙️ Reassign the functions of touch panels.
• 🔋 View the charge level of each headphone and case.

To connect headphones through Mi Home:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. In the main menu, select Add the device → Headphones.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to confirm your connection via Bluetooth).

If the app does not find headphones:

• 📱 Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone via Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Restart the application and repeat the search.
• 📋 Check if your headphone model is supported in the Mi Home (some budget models only work through Xiaomi Wear).

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The Mi Home app may not show all the features for headphones connected to non-Xiaomi phones, such as setting up the ANC or Transparency Mode may be limited.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t work or the sound quality doesn’t work, you can try alternative methods:

• 📡 Bluetooth transmitter: if the phone does not support modern codecs (for example, aptX or LDAC), You can use an external transmitter connected through USB-C or 3.5mm connector.
• 🎵 Audio adapter: for wired headphones with USB-C (Mi Dual Driver may require an adapter USB-C → 3.5 mm if the phone does not have analogue output.
• 🔌 Aux-cable: for headphones with a 3.5 mm jack and phones without it (for example, iPhone without an adapter) you will need a Lightning adapter → 3.5 mm.

When using adapters, consider:

• ⚠️ Sound quality may deteriorate due to the additional DAC/amplifier in the adapter.
• ⚠️ Some adapters do not support the microphone (e.g., simple adapters). USB-C → 3.5 mm cable).
• ⚠️ For iPhone you need a certified Apple adapter (non-original may not work).

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For Xiaomi gaming headphones (such as Black Shark JoyBuds), it is recommended to use Low Latency mode in Bluetooth settings when connecting to non-Xiaomi phones (if any).

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you connect Xiaomi headphones to other people's phones, users often make the same mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to avoid them:

⚠️ Warning: Never update your headphone firmware through third-party apps (not Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear) this can lead to a "bricking" device and loss of warranty.

• 🚫 Ignoring instructions: Many users miss the step of putting the headphones into pairing mode, which makes the phone not see them.
• 🚫 Use of non-original chargers: cheap cables or adapters can damage the headphone battery, which will lead to connection problems.
• 🚫 Connect to multiple devices at once: some Xiaomi models do not support multi-connection (e.g. Redmi AirDots 2.
• 🚫 Neglecting updates: Outdated firmware on headphones or phone can cause crashes. check for updates regularly.

Another common mistake is trying to connect your headphones to your phone via NFMI (technology for connecting to laptops or PCs). Xiaomi headphones do not support this protocol, so only use Bluetooth or a wired connection.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is distorted after connecting the headphones to the iPhone, turn off the Speech Improvement feature in the settings (Settings) → Universal access → Audiovisual content. This function conflicts with the codec. AAC, Which is used by Xiaomi headphones.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions