Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, even with such devices, users sometimes have difficulties when first connecting or re-syncing. This article will help you understand how to correctly connect Xiaomi headphones (including the models of Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless 2/3, Buds 4/5 Pro and others) with a phone on Android or iOS, as well as solve typical problems such as no sound or constant disconnects.
We will look at not only the basic connection algorithm, but also the nuances for different firmware versions, the features of working with Dual Mode (when the headphones are connected separately), and also give recommendations for optimizing the connection for stable operation. If your Xiaomi headphones were already paired with another device, but are now not determined by the phone, here you will find a solution for this situation.
Before you go to the instructions, make sure your headphones are charged (the indicator should flash white or red when you press a button), and the phone has Bluetooth enabled and Power Saving mode is turned off, which can block the search for new devices.
1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for connection
Before you pair it or reset it, you need to put Xiaomi headphones into a pairing mode, and depending on the model, the process may be slightly different, but the general logic is maintained.
- 🔋 Charge the headphones. If the indicator on the case of the charging case does not burn or flashes red, connect it to the power source for 10-15 minutes%.
- 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case. Most models (Redmi AirDots 3, Mi True Wireless 2) automatically turn on when they are removed. If that doesn't happen, press and hold the touchpad on one of the headphones for 3-5 seconds.
- 🔄 Activate the pairing mode:
On models with a physical button (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), press and hold it for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white alternately.
On touch-controlled models (Mi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 5) touch and hold both touch panels simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear a voice message “Pairing” or see a flashing white light.
⚠️ Note: If the headphones were previously connected to another device, they must first untie them in the Bluetooth settings of that gadget or perform a reset (instruction in section 5.
Remove the headphones from the case|Check the charge (the indicator should flash)|Hold the button/sensor for 5-10 seconds|Wait for white/red flashing or voice message-->
2. Step-by-step connection to the phone on Android
The instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi), as well as devices of other brands on Android 8.0 and later.
1. Open the settings on your phone and go to the Bluetooth section (or Connections → Bluetooth on some firmware).
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it is turned off).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones. It may look like:
- 📱 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (or other models)
- 📱 Redmi AirDots_XXXX (where XXXX — unique identifier)
- 📱 LE-Xiaomi-Buds_5-Pro (new-model)
4. Click on the headphone name in the list. The phone will request pairing — confirm it. Some models (Mi Buds 3 Pro) may require additional confirmation on the headphones themselves (touch the touchpad).
5. After successful connection, the Connected status will appear in the list of devices, and a voice message will sound in the headphones (for example, “Connected”).
If the headphones are not determined, try:
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on).
- 📱 Update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones app (see section 6).
- 🔋 Put the headphones in the case for 10 seconds, then remove and try again.
Redmi AirDots (1–3 generation)|Mi True Wireless (1–3 generation)|Xiaomi Buds (4/5 Pro)|Another model|I haven't bought it yet.-->
3. iPhone connection (iOS) - features and nuances
While Xiaomi’s headphones are optimized for Android, they also work well with iPhones (iOS 12 and later), but there are a few key points:
— No codec support AAC. Xiaomi headphones are used SBC or AptX (in newer models), which may slightly degrade the sound quality of the iPhone compared to Android.
Limited functionality of touch control, for example, calling a voice assistant (Siri) may not work.
There is no display of the charge level of the headphones in the status bar of the iPhone (unlike the AirPods).
Instructions for iOS:
- Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
- Make sure that Xiaomi headphones are in search mode (see section 1).
- In the list of Other devices, find the name of your headphones and tap it.
- Confirm pairing. Some models (Mi Buds 3 Pro) may require input PIN-code - default is 0000 or 1234.
⚠️ Warning: If the audio is interrupted or interference is heard after connecting, turn off the iPhone option Improving Sound Quality for Bluetooth Devices in Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content. This will help stabilize the connection.
| Model headphones | Support for iOS | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1–2) | Yes. | No touch controls, basic SBC sound |
| Mi True Wireless 2 | Yes. | AptX support, but only SBC works on iPhone |
| Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro | Yes. | Adaptive noise maker, but without fine-tuning in iOS |
| Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro | Yes. | LC3 support but requires iOS 16+ |
4. Problem Solving: Headphones are not connected or defined
If your Xiaomi headphones don’t appear in the list of devices or the connection is constantly broken, check the following points:
- 🔌 Headphones and case charge. If the indicator on the case is not burning, plug it into the charger on the case. 15–20 Headphones with a discharged battery (<5%) They will not be visible to the conjugation.
- 📵 Conflict with other devices: If the headphones have previously been connected to a laptop, tablet or other phone, turn them off there or reset (see Section 5).
- 📱 Firmware errors: Xiaomi headphones regularly receive updates through the Mi Home app.Old firmware can cause connection problems.
- 🛡️ Interference from other devices: Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens or other wireless gadgets running at 2.4 GHz can cause interference. Try connecting elsewhere.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones not visible on Bluetooth list | Search mode not activated | Hold the button/sensor for 10+ seconds until the indicator flashes. |
| The connection breaks down after a few seconds. | Conflict with another device | Reset the headphone settings (Section 5) and repeat pairing |
| The sound is interrupted or there is interference. | Interference at 2.4 GHz | Turn off Wi-Fi on your phone or move to another room |
| Only one headphone is connected. | Failure of synchronization between headphones | Put both headphones in the case, close the lid, then remove them. |
If the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or 5 Pro headphones are not detected after updating the firmware, try rolling it back through the Xiaomi Earphones app (section 6). In some cases, new versions of the software contain bugs that interfere with pairing.
What if the headphones are connected but there is no sound?
5. Resetting Xiaomi headphones to factory
If all the connection attempts fail, the last step is to reset the headphones completely, which will remove all the pairings saved and return the device to the factory settings.
Instructions for most models:
- Put both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
- Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds.
- The indicator on the case will flash red and white – this is a signal of a successful reset.
- Close the case cover, then remove the headphones and activate the search mode (see Section 1).
For models with a physical button (e.g. Redmi AirDots S):
- Put the headphones in the case.
- Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the side or bottom) for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
- Release the button, close the lid, then remove the headphones.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro models, the reset is performed through the Xiaomi Earphones app. For this, go to Device Settings → Hardware reset (through buttons) on this model may not work.
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If the headphones don't connect after reset, try using another device (tablet or second phone) for the first pairing, sometimes helping to wake up the Bluetooth module.
6. Update the firmware of headphones through Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones
Xiaomi headphone firmware affects connection stability, sound quality and support for new features (such as Dual Mode or ANC).
- 📱 Mi Home – Related: Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless 1/2).
How to update firmware:
- Install the Mi Home or Xiaomi Earphones app from the App Store/Google Play.
- Connect the headphones to the phone (they should be in the list of conjugated devices).
- Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
- Go to the Device Settings section → Firmware update.
- If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).
Once updated, the headphones will automatically restart. Check the firmware version in the same section of the app - it should match the last one available.
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Updating the firmware can solve connection issues, improve sound quality, and add new features (e.g., support for the LC3 codec in Buds 5 Pro).
7. Connection optimization: how to avoid breaks and interference
Even after a successful connection, users sometimes experience stuttering, delays, or self-disabling headphones. Here's how to minimize these problems:
- 📶 The optimal distance for stable communication is up to 10 meters without obstacles, walls, furniture and even the human body can weaken the signal.
- 🔋 Headphone charge. At a charge level below 20%, the Bluetooth module can be unstable. Charge the headphones to 50%+.
- 📱 Power Saving Mode. On Android, turn off Adaptive Battery and Optimization for Bluetooth in battery settings.
- 🎵 In Bluetooth settings (on Android), select the priority codec: AptX Adaptive – best quality (if supported). AAC — Balance of quality and stability. SBC — Maximum compatibility (but worse quality).
For owners of Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer:
- 🎛️ Turn on Dual Mode in the Xiaomi Earphones app – this will allow each earphone to connect to the phone separately, reducing delays.
- 🔇 Turn off Absolute Silence in the noise maker settings if interference is heard.