How to connect Xiaomi wireless headphones to your phone via Bluetooth: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and convenience, but even with these simple devices, users sometimes have difficulties connecting for the first time, especially when it comes to models with non-standard features like dual connectivity or Game Mode.

In this article, we’ll explore not only the basic pairing process, but also nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions, such as how to properly reset your headphones to factory settings if they’re not visible to the phone, or why Mi True Wireless Earbuds can only connect to one device out of the box, and how to check the headphone firmware version and update it if you have problems with communication stability.

The instructions are relevant for all modern models: from the budget Redmi Buds 4 to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. And if you have headphones older than 2020 (for example, Airdots Pro), we will separately note the features of their connection.

1. Preparation of headphones and telephone for pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure both devices are ready to go, which will save you from most common mistakes like “device not found” or “can’t connect.”

Let's start with the headphones.

• 🔋 Charge headphones and case. Make sure that the case has at least 30% charge (the indicator should flash or burn white/green). If the headphones are discharged, they will not go into pairing mode. USB-C (For example, Buds 4 Pro is enough 10 minutes of charging to turn on.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case. In most Xiaomi models, the headphones automatically turn on when removed. If this does not happen, press and hold the touchpad on both earphones for 3-5 seconds (until the beep).
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones were already paired with another device, they should be returned to search mode. To do this, put them back in the case, close the lid, then remove and hold the button on the case (if any) or the touchpad on the headphones for 10-15 seconds, until the indicator begins to flash red and white.

Now check the phone:

• 📱 Turn on Bluetooth. Go to Settings. → Connected devices → Bluetooth (on) MIUI) Or use the Quick Settings Panel. Make sure that Visibility for All mode is active (some phones call it Detection»).
• 🔄 Remove old connections. If your headphones are already on the list of saved devices, delete them (click on the gear next to the name and select Forget the device) to help avoid conflicts when pairing again.
• 📶 Turn off other Bluetooth devices. If you have a smartwatch, speaker or car radio on your phone, temporarily turn them off. Xiaomi headphones can conflict with other gadgets, especially if they use the protocol. LE Audio.

⚠️ Note: If you use a Xiaomi or Redmi phone MIUI 14+, Turn on the Quick Connect option in Bluetooth settings, which will speed up the pairing process and reduce sound delays.

2. Step-by-step connection instruction

When you're done, we move on to the pairing process itself, which may vary slightly depending on the headphone model, but the overall layout is the same for all Xiaomi devices.

Step 1. Transfer the headphones to pairing mode

• 🔄 For most models (Redmi Buds 4, Buds 3 Pro): Remove the headphones from the case and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing white and red alternately.
• 🎧 For FlipBuds Pro and Airdots Pro 2: open the case cover, then press and hold the button on the back of the case for 3 seconds (the indicator blinks blue).
• 🔋 For older models, remove the headphones and wait for the double beep. If there's no signal, put them back in the case, then remove them again.

Step 2: Search and connect on your phone

1. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone (or swipe down and hold the Bluetooth icon).
2. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones. It usually contains a model, for example: Redmi Buds 4 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 LE-BH*** (for older models).

0000

1234

Wait for the message “Connected” or “Device ready to use”.

Step 3: Checking the performance

After connection:

• 🎵 Play any song or video. The sound should be automatically transmitted to the headphones.
• 🔊 Adjust the volume on your phone or directly on your headphones (if the model supports touch control).
• 🔄 Make sure the microphone is working: call someone or record a voice note.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is interrupted or interference is heard after you connect, try turning off Bluetooth Absolute Volume in the phone developer settings.This feature can cause conflicts with Xiaomi headphones.

3. Features of connecting different models

Not all Xiaomi headphones connect the same way, but here are the key differences for popular models:

For dual-connected models (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Pro):

1. First, connect the headphones to the first device (phone).
2. Then open Bluetooth settings on a second device (like a laptop) and select the headphones in the list.
3. On headphones, touch the touch panel twice to switch between devices.

4. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even when connected properly, problems can occur, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem 1: The phone can't find the headphones

• 🔋 Check the charge of the case and headphones. If the indicator is not on, connect the case to charge for 15 minutes.
• 🔄 Reset the headphones (see section 5) and repeat pairing.
• 📱 Sometimes the Bluetooth module "hangs," especially on Android 12+.
• 🚫 Make sure the headphones aren’t connected to another device (like a laptop or tablet).

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or interference is heard

• 📶 Step away from interference sources: microwave ovens, Wi-Fi routers (especially at 2.4 GHz), other Bluetooth devices.
• 🔊 In your Bluetooth phone settings, turn off Absolute Volume (in the “Additional” or “Developer Settings” menu»).
• 🎵 Check the codec: go to Settings → Connected devices → Headphone settings → Sound quality and select AAC instead SBC.
• 🔄 Update the firmware headphones (instructions in section 6).

Problem 3: The microphone is not working

• 🎤 Make sure the headphones are selected as the input device in the call settings (in MIUI: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones: remove them from the Bluetooth list and pair again.
• 📱 Check if the microphone is blocking the cover or hair (relevant for models with external microphones, such as the FlipBuds Pro).

💡

If Xiaomi headphones are permanently turned off during a conversation, try turning off the Bluetooth HD Audio feature in your phone settings.

5. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If the headphones are glitchy, not connected, or are unstable, a complete reset often helps bring them back to life.

For most models (Redmi Buds 3/4, Airdots 2 and later):

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Close the case cover for 5 seconds, then remove the headphones - they will be in pairing mode.

For headphones with a button on the case (FlipBuds Pro, Airdots Pro 2):

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
3. Release the button, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove the headphones.

For older models (Airdots Basic, Mi Basic):

1. Remove the headphones from the case.
2. Hold the touchpad on the right earpiece for 15 seconds until you hear the reset sound.
3. Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
4. Put both headphones back in the case for 30 seconds.

⚠️ Note: After reset, Xiaomi headphones may lose communication with each other (for example, the left “bin” will not sync with the right). In this case, put them in the case for 1-2 minutes – they must automatically reconnect.

💡

Resetting the headphones removes all saved connections and returns the factory codec settings. After reset, it is recommended to update the firmware (if available).

6. Update to the headphone firmware

Many issues with communication stability or sound are solved by a firmware update. Xiaomi regularly releases patches for its headphones, but doesn't always notify users.

How to check the firmware version:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Install the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (for newer models).
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. Go to Device Settings → About the program. It will indicate the current version of the firmware.

How to update firmware:

• 📱 Through the Mi Home app: Open the headphone card in the app. If an update is available, the "Update firmware" notification will appear. Confirm the update and wait until it's completed (the headphones should lie in the case with the lid open).

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (the support section of your model).
2. Connect the case to the PC via a USB-C cable.
3. Follow the instructions from the firmware archive (usually a special utility like MiFlash is required).

Setting up sensor control

In the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app, you can reassign gestures:

• 🎵 Double touch: playback / pause, next track, call voice assistant.
• 📞 Triple touch: Deflection of call, enable Game Mode.
• 🔇 Retention: switching noise reduction modes (for models with ANC).

💡

If your headphones have LDAC (like FlipBuds Pro) but your phone doesn’t support it, install the LDAC Codec Enabler app from Google Play, which force the codec to be activated on devices without official support.

8 Frequently Asked Questions