Connecting Xiaomi headphones to iPhone via Bluetooth: full instruction

Xiaomi wireless headphones are a popular accessory among iPhone owners, but their connection sometimes raises questions. Despite the fact that both devices support the Bluetooth 5.0+ standard, the features of the Apple and Mi protocols can create nuances when pairing. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic connection algorithm, but also common errors that occur when working with models AirDots, Buds 3/4 Pro and others.

The main problem lies in the differences in the implementation of Bluetooth codecs: the iPhone defaults to AAC, while many Xiaomi headphones are optimized for SBC or aptX. This does not block connection, but can affect the sound quality. We will tell you how to initialize the pairing correctly, which iOS settings should be checked in advance, and what to do if the headphones refuse to connect after updating the iPhone firmware.

Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection

Before pairing with an iPhone, you need to bring Xiaomi headphones into search mode, a process that varies depending on the model, but the general principle remains: the device must be turned off, fully charged (at least 30%) and not connected to other gadgets.

For most models (AirDots 2/3, Buds 3 Pro) the algorithm is as follows:

• 🔋 Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case is white or green).
• 📦 Get both earphones out of the case – they should automatically turn on.
• 🔄 Press the touchpad (or mechanical button) on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white (pairing mode).
• 📱 On iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth and wait for the device to appear in the list.

Important: If the headphones have already been connected to another device (for example, an Android smartphone), they must first be reset.

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red (reset settings).
3. Repeat the procedure for switching on the pairing mode.

Headphones charged (>30%)|The case is not connected to other devices|Bluetooth on iPhone is on|Headphones in pairing mode (blinking red and white)-->

Step-by-step instructions for connecting to the iPhone

When Xiaomi’s headphones are ready to pair, we move on to the iPhone settings. Importantly, if you’re connecting the headphones for the first time, iOS can request confirmation through a pop-up — don’t ignore it.

Act on the algorithm:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
2. Make sure that the Bluetooth slider is active (green).
3. In the list of Other devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro).
4. Put the name on it, and the connection process will begin.
5. If you see a request "Allow connection?", click Connect.
6. Wait for the status “Connected” and the icon headphones in the top panel of the iPhone.

Once paired successfully, the headphones will automatically connect to the iPhone the next time you remove it from the case (if Bluetooth is on), but some models (AirDots Pro 2) may require re-confirmation after the phone is restarted.

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If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try turning off and back on Bluetooth on your iPhone, and reboot the case (press the button for 5 seconds).

Set up sound and codecs on iPhone

After connecting Xiaomi headphones to the iPhone, it may turn out that the sound is worse than on Android.This is because Apple defaults to AAC or SBC codecs, which do not always work optimally with third-party devices. To improve the quality, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and tap the "i" icon next to the headphone name.

2. In the Sound section, select High Quality (if available).

3. disable the Automatic Switch option (if active) – this will prevent accidental connection breaks.

AptX-enabled models (such as Buds 3 Pro) may require a third-party player such as Poweramp or UAPP, which allows you to manually select codecs. However, note that iOS limits such capabilities at the system level.

Excellent, no complaints.|Acceptable, but worse than Android|Bad, noise heard.|Not connected at all.-->

⚠️ Warning: If you interrupt the sound or hear clicks after you connect, try turning off the Low Latency feature in your headphone settings (if any.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, the connection can fail, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list: - Reboot iPhone and case headphones. - Make sure that the headphones are not connected to another device (for example, a laptop). - Check if the iPhone is not enabled mode On the plane.
• 🔊 There is only one sound in the headphone: - Place both headphones in the case, wait for synchronization (the indicator will light up green). - On the iPhone, forget the device (Settings) → Bluetooth → "i" → Forget this device and connect again.
• 🔄 Permanent connection breaks: - Turn off Wi-Fi for 10 seconds - sometimes 2.4GHz channels conflict with Bluetooth. - Reduce the distance between iPhone and headphones (optimally - up to 1 meter).

If the problem persists, check the firmware version of the headphones. Some models (AirDots 3 Pro) require an update via the Mi Home app (only available on Android), in which case you will have to temporarily connect the headphones to the Android device, update the software, and then re-spoil with the iPhone.

Features of working with different models of iPhone

The process of connecting Xiaomi headphones may vary depending on the iPhone model and iOS version. For example, devices with an A12 Bionic chip (iPhone XS and later) support Bluetooth 5.0, which provides a more stable connection. whereas iPhone 8/7 (Bluetooth 4.2) may experience audio delays.

It is also worth considering:

• 📱 iPhone. 12/13/14 iOS 16+ Spatial sound is available, but it may not work properly with Xiaomi headphones - it is better to disable it in Settings → Music. → Spatial sound.
• 🔋 iPhone. SE (2020) and iPhone 11 sometimes triggers a bug where the headphones connect as an "Input Device" (microphone) rather than as headphones. → Mainstream → Transfer or discharge → Resetting network settings).
• 🎧 iPhone 15 Pro with iOS 17 support LE Audio, but Xiaomi headphones (except Buds 5 Pro) do not support it - this can cause conflicts when connecting.

If you are using an iPhone with a jailbreak, Bluetooth issues may be related to modified system files, in which case it is recommended to temporarily disable tweaks associated with audio or network.

How to turn off headphones and connect them again

If you need to temporarily disconnect Xiaomi headphones from your iPhone (for example, to connect them to another device), do the following:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and tap the "i" icon.
3. Select Disable (this will break the connection, but save the pair in the memory of the iPhone).

To completely remove the headphones from your iPhone’s memory (for example, before selling or resetting), select Forget this device.

If Xiaomi headphones automatically connect to your iPhone, even though you want to use them with another device, turn off the autoconnect option on your iPhone in Bluetooth settings (if it’s available for your model).

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To Xiaomi headphones do not connect automatically to the iPhone, it is enough to turn off Bluetooth on the phone before removing the headphones from the case. iOS will not look for known devices if the adapter is turned off.

Xiaomi headphones compatibility with iPhone: what you need to know

Not all of Xiaomi’s headphone features work fully with the iPhone, but here are the key limitations:

To manage additional features (for example, setting up the equalizer), you will need to use an Android device with the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Earphones. However, the basic options (on/off, changing tracks) work on the iPhone through touch panels.

⚠️ Note: If you upgraded your headphone firmware via Android and then connected it to your iPhone, some features (like adaptive noise cancellation) may not work properly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s iPhone connection