Connecting Xiaomi Selfie Stick to iPhone: A Complete Guide to Problem Solutions

Xiaomi selfie sticks are some of the most popular mobile photography accessories, thanks to a combination of compactness, functionality and affordable price. However, iPhone owners often have difficulty syncing a device: Bluetooth can’t see monopods, shutter buttons don’t work, and connection errors occur, due to differences in Bluetooth protocols between Apple devices and accessories on Android-oriented chips.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to connect Xiaomi selfie sticks (including Mi Selfie Stick Tripod, Mijia Bluetooth Selfie Stick and others) to the iPhone – from standard Bluetooth synchronization to the use of adapters and specialized applications. Pay special attention to common errors (for example, error code). 4E Or flashing blue lights and how to fix them. If you've tried to connect but failed, check our checklist under Diagnostics of Problems».

1. Xiaomi selfie stick compatibility with iPhone: what you need to know

Before you start connecting, it’s important to make sure your Xiaomi selfie stick model supports iOS at all. Most of the brand’s monopods are designed with Android devices in mind, but some versions have universal Bluetooth protocols that allow you to sync with the iPhone.

Here are the key points of compatibility:

• 📱 iOS-enabled models: Mi Selfie Stick Tripod (2020), Mijia Bluetooth Selfie Stick (2021), Xiaomi Mi Pocket Selfie Stick. These devices use Bluetooth 4.0 protocol+ The iPhone should be defined as a “wireless button».
• ❌ Android-only models: Xiaomi Mi Selfie Stick (1st version, 2018) and some OEM-They can connect to an iPhone, but the shutter button won't work.
• ⚡ iPhone Requirements: iOS 12 or later is needed to work smoothly. iOS 11 and below devices may have sync failures.

If your selfie stick is not on the list of compatible, do not despair: in the section “Alternative ways of connecting”, we will tell you how to circumvent restrictions using adapters and third-party applications.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection: step-by-step instructions

The most obvious way to sync is to use the built-in Bluetooth module, but there are nuances: the iPhone does not always correctly define a selfie stick as a “photo accessory”, so manual adjustment may be required.

Follow this algorithm:

1. Turn on the selfie stick. Most Xiaomi models need to hold the power button for 3 seconds until the indicator flashes blue (device search mode).
2. Activate Bluetooth on your iPhone. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and switch on. Make sure your iPhone is not connected to other devices (e.g. headphones), as this may interfere with synchronization.
3. Start looking for devices. Your selfie stick name should appear on the list of available devices (e.g., selfie sticks, MI_SELFIE or XIAOMI_BT). If it is not, update the list by pulling the screen down.
4. Connect to a monopod. Click on the device name in the list. If you request a password confirmation, enter the standard code 0000 or 1234 (as indicated in the selfie stick instructions).

Once successfully connected, the indicator on the selfie stick should be permanently blue (or green depending on the model). Now the shutter button should work in the standard Camera application. If the button does not respond, check the settings in the next section.

3. Set up the shutter button on the iPhone

Even if the selfie stick is connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth, the shutter button may not work, because iOS by default blocks access of third-party accessories to the shooting feature, and you need to unlock it:

1. Open Camera. Run the standard Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Allow access. The first time you press the selfie stick button, a pop-up window should appear asking, "Allow me to do this „MI_SELFIE“ control the camera? press Allow.
3. Check your privacy settings. If the window doesn't show up, go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Bluetooth and make sure your selfie stick has access to the camera.

If the button still doesn’t work, try the following:

• 🔄 Reconnect the device. Forget the selfie stick in the Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⓘ → Forget this device and connect again.
• 📱 Use a third-party app. Some of the shooting apps (like Camera)+ 2 or ProCamera) interact better with external accessories. Install them from the App Store and check the button.
• ⚡ Update the firmware of the selfie stick. Some Xiaomi models require firmware updates to work correctly with iOS. For instructions, see the "Firmware Update" section».

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If the selfie stick plugs in but the button is delayed, try turning off the Energy Saving feature in Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → Energy saving. This will reduce signal delay.

4. Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth is not working)

If standard Bluetooth connectivity fails (e.g., the iPhone can't see the device or the button doesn't work), alternative methods can be used.

Method 1: Using the Lightning adapter → 3.5 mm

Some Xiaomi selfie sticks (such as the Mi Selfie Stick Tripod) support connection via a 3.5mm audio jack. → 3.5mm (original from Apple or certified MFi) Action algorithm:

1. Connect the adapter to the iPhone.
2. Connect the selfie stick to the adapter via a 3.5mm cable (included in some models).
3. Launch the Camera app. The shutter button on the monopod should work without any additional settings.

⚠️ Warning: This only works with selfie stick models that have a headphone jack.

Method 2: Applications for remote camera control

If hardware connectivity is not possible, remote applications can be used that emulate the pressing of the shutter button over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Popular options are:

• 📲 Bluetooth Remote Shutter – supports most Xiaomi selfie sticks and allows you to adjust the delay of shooting.
• 📲 CamKix Remote – a universal application for controlling the camera from external devices.
• 📲 Selfie Stick Remote – a specialized solution for monopods with support for iOS.

To work these apps, the selfie stick must be connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth (even if the standard button doesn’t work). In the app settings, select your monopod model and follow the instructions on the screen.

5. Update of the firmware selfie stick for compatibility with iOS

If your Xiaomi selfie stick is released before 2020, chances are that its firmware isn’t optimized for iOS, and it’s a firmware update that helps. Xiaomi doesn’t officially provide tools for iPhone-based hardware firmware, but it can use workarounds.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows or Mac.
• 🔌 Micro-USB or Type-C cable (depending on the selfie stick model).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (you can download it on the forums) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
• 🛠 Firmware (for example, MiFlash or Flash Tool).

Instructions:

1. Connect the selfie stick to your computer in firmware mode (usually you need to press the power button). + shutter button for 5 seconds).
2. Run the firmware program and select the downloaded file with the firmware.
3. Start the upgrade process. Don't turn off the selfie stick until it's finished (usually 2-3 minutes) - this can cause it to break.
4. After the update, reconnect the device to the iPhone.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware may contain errors or malicious code. download files only from trusted sources and back up the original firmware.

6. Diagnostics and elimination of common errors

If Xiaomi’s selfie stick doesn’t connect to your iPhone or doesn’t work properly, use this table to diagnose the problem:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🔋 Selfie stick charge.Discharged device can be detected by iPhone but not work correctly.charge it for at least 30 minutes.
• 📱 iOS Updates: Some versions of iOS 15-16 have bugs with Bluetooth accessories. Update to the latest version in Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
• 🔧 Reset network settings. Go to Settings → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Reset the network settings. This will delete all the stored Bluetooth devices, but it can solve the problem.

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If the selfie stick plugs in, but the shutter button goes off once, try turning off the Bluetooth Low Power feature in your iPhone settings.

7. Tips for Using Xiaomi Selfie Sticks with iPhone

To avoid problems in the future and make the most of the selfie stick, follow these guidelines:

• 📸 Xiaomi models with retractable legs (for example, Mi Selfie Stick Tripod) can be used as a mini-station for group photos or videos.
• 🔋 Keep an eye on the charge. The selfie stick battery lasts 3 to 5 hours of active use. Charge it through the battery. USB at least once a month, even if you do not use.
• 🎥 Set your timer. In a standard iPhone Camera, you can set a delay of 3 or 10 seconds to take position.
• 🔄 Reconnect your device regularly. If the selfie stick hasn't been used for a long time, iOS may forget its settings. Remove it periodically and add it back to Settings. → Bluetooth.

For shooting videos with a selfie stick, we recommend using image stabilization applications, for example:

• FiLMiC Pro – professional exposure and focus settings.
• ProMovie Recorder - support for shooting in 4K externally.
• InShot is a convenient editor for fast video processing directly on the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)