How to connect wireless headphones to Xiaomi smartphone: step-by-step instructions and problem solving

Wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life — they allow you to listen to music, answer calls and watch videos without entangled wires. However, many Xiaomi users face difficulties when connecting for the first time: the smartphone does not see the device, the sound is interrupted or the headphones turn off after a few minutes. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard pairing procedure, but also nuances that the manufacturer often does not say.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have their own MIUI shell that can make adjustments to Bluetooth. For example, some firmware versions have a default power saving feature that forces the headphone connection to be turned off after 10 to 15 minutes of inactivity. We’ll explain how to avoid this, and we’ll also look at the specific settings for popular headphone models, from the budget Redmi Buds to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro.

1. Preparation of headphones and smartphone for connection

Before pairing, make sure both devices are ready to connect. Headphones should be charged (charge indicator usually flashes red when the battery is low) and be in search mode.

• 🔋 Battery level (less than 15% can cause Bluetooth crashes).
• 📱 Version MIUI (In Settings → On the phone. MIUI 12 possible problems with support for modern codecs (for example, aptX or LDAC).
• 🔄 Lack of active connections to other Bluetooth devices (columns, fitness bracelets).

For headphone models with an on button (e.g. Redmi AirDots), hold it for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes white and blue (pair mode). In touch-controlled headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), tap and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously.

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If the indicator on the headphones does not respond to pressing, place them in the charge case for 10 seconds, then remove - this will reset the current state.

On your smartphone, turn off Power Saving mode (Settings → Battery and Performance → Power Saving mode), as it can block the background work of Bluetooth. It is also recommended to temporarily disable the VPN - some applications for traffic protection conflict with the pairing protocol.

2. Standard connection via Bluetooth menu

The most reliable way to connect is through system settings.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it is turned off).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones). If the device does not appear, click Update (circle arrow icon).
4. Tap the headphones and confirm the pairing (if necessary, enter the headphones). PIN-code - usually 0000 or 1234).

After successfully connecting, the headphone name will be marked Connected. Some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO F5) may require additional confirmation in the pop-up window – allow access to contacts and call history if you plan to use headphones for voice calls.

Headphones are displayed in the list of connected devices | Headphone indicator is constantly blue/green | Sound is played without distortion | Microphone is working (check through voice recording)

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Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 14+ automatically set the profile of A2DP (for streaming music) and HFP (for calling) after the first connection. If the sound is transmitted only in mono mode, reconnect the headphones or reset their settings.

3. Quick connection via notification panel

If you often connect and disable headphones, it is more convenient to use the Quick Settings Panel:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Bluetooth icon (stylized letter "B") and hold it for 1-2 seconds, and Bluetooth settings will open.
3. In the list of saved devices, tap the name of your headphones.

On smartphones with MIUI 13 and later, you can add a Bluetooth widget to the home screen:

• 📱 Keep an empty space on the main screen → Widgets.
• 🔍 Find the Bluetooth widget (usually in the Systems section").
• 🖱️ Drag it on the screen and select the size (4×1 or 2×2).

The widget allows you to turn Bluetooth on/off and quickly connect to the last device you used. Note: if the headphones were connected to another gadget (for example, a laptop), the Xiaomi smartphone may not see them in the list until you disconnect them from the previous device.

Redmi Buds 3/4|Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro| Other Xiaomi | Headphones of another brand (Sony, JBL, etc.)

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4. Solving Connection Problems

If your smartphone doesn’t see the headphones or the connection is constantly breaking, check the following points:

Xiaomi models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (such as Xiaomi 13 or POCO X5 Pro) have a problem with Bluetooth codecs. If the sound gets distorted at high volume, try manually selecting the codecs:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Touch the gear next to the connected headphones.
3. Choose Audio Codecs and try SBC (the most stable) or AAC (the best quality for Apple Music).

On some firmware, MIUI helps disable the dual audio function (Settings → Bluetooth → Additional → Dual Audio).This option allows you to connect two audio devices at the same time, but sometimes causes conflicts with wireless headphones.

5. Sound optimization after connection

After successful pairing, it is recommended to adjust the sound parameters for better perception:

• 🎧 Equator: Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Equalizer and select a preset (e.g., Bass for Electronic Music or Voice for Podcasts).
• 🔊 Bass amplification: In the same sound settings, activate the Mi Sound Enhancer (available on flagship models).
• 🎵 Adaptive sound: Turn on Adaptive sound in Bluetooth settings – the smartphone will automatically adjust the volume depending on the surrounding noise.

For headphones with ANC support (active noise cancellation, for example, in Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro), adjust the noise suppression level:

1. Open the Mi Earphones app (download from Google Play if it isn’t).
2. Select your headphones in the list of devices.
3. Go to Noise Reduction and adjust the slider (the optimal value is 60-80% for the office, 30-50% for the street).

If you use headphones to watch videos, activate Low Lag in Bluetooth settings.This will reduce the lag between the image and sound, but may slightly degrade the audio quality.

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For ANC to work properly, the headphones must fit tightly to the ears, and in the Mi Earphones app, you can take a leakproofness test and find the right earpieces.

6. Connect to Multiple Devices (Multipoint)

Some Xiaomi headphone models (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 or FlipBuds Pro) support Multipoint, which allows you to connect to two devices at the same time (such as a smartphone and a laptop).

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (smartphone).
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (hold the button 5-7 seconds until you hear the voice message "Multipoint ready").
3. Connect the headphones to the second device via its Bluetooth menu.

To switch between devices:

• 📱 On a smartphone: temporarily turn off Bluetooth or play audio – headphones will automatically switch.
• 💻 On a laptop: start playing audio (for example, a YouTube video).

Note that Multipoint mode may have a slight delay in switching (1-2 seconds). Some functions (such as ANC) may not work smoothly. If the headphones start to "glue", turn off Multipoint in the Mi Earphones app.

7. Features of connection for specific Xiaomi models

Depending on the smartphone model and the MIUI version, the connection process may have nuances:

On smartphones with MIUI 14 and later, Bluetooth LE Audio is available, which improves sound quality and reduces power consumption.

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Touch the gear next to the connected headphones.
3. Enable the LE Audio option (available only for compatible headphones, such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro).

If your smartphone model does not support LE Audio, but the headphones are compatible, check for firmware updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

8.Security and privacy when using Bluetooth

Bluetooth communication, while convenient, can become a vulnerability for attackers, and the following measures will help protect your data:

• 🔒 Turn off Bluetooth when not using headphones (especially in public places).
• 🚫 Do not connect to unknown devices with suspicious names (for example, "FREE_AIRPODS").
• 🔄 Regularly update your smartphone and headphone firmware (via the Mi Earphones app).

In MIUI, you can limit the rights of Bluetooth devices:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Bluetooth.
2. Check which apps have access to Bluetooth and disable permissions for suspicious programs.

If you suspect that an unknown device has connected to your smartphone:

⚠️ Attention: Remove it from the list of associated devices (Settings) immediately → Bluetooth, then restart your smartphone. If the problem recurs, reset your network settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings).

For additional protection, activate Connection Notifications in Bluetooth settings – the smartphone will alert you every time a new device tries to establish a connection.

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Never enter. PIN-codes or confirm pairing unless initialized by themselves.Attackers can use Bluetooth to steal data or install malware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting headphones to Xiaomi