Why the phone does not see the Xiaomi bluetuz headset: a full analysis of problems and solutions

You try to connect Xiaomi Redmi AirDots wireless headphones, Mi True Wireless Earphones or Mi Portable Speaker, but the phone stubbornly “does not notice” them? The situation is familiar to many: the gadget is turned on, the indicator flashes, and the list of available devices is empty. The reasons can be in both banal smartphone settings and hardware malfunctions. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios why the phone does not see Xiaomi’s bluetuce headset – from pairing errors to firmware problems.

It's important to understand that the algorithm for finding a solution depends on whether the phone sees other bluetooth devices (for example, a smartwatch or a car radio), or the problem arises exclusively with the Xiaomi headset. In the first case, the smartphone itself is most likely to blame, in the second case, the headphones or the speaker, we structured the materials so that you can quickly diagnose the problem and fix it without going to the service center.

If you have already tried to reboot both devices and it did not help - do not rush to get upset. 80% In some cases, the problem is solved by software methods that do not require special skills. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO We have exclusive tips for working with firmware MIUI, Which you can’t find in the standard instructions.

1. Checking the basic connection conditions

Before digging deep into the settings, make sure that the basic requirements for pairing devices are met. Often users miss the obvious points, spending hours looking for non-existent faults.

First, check the headset: if the headphones are discharged below 10%, they may not be included in the search mode. Xiaomi AirDots and Mi True Wireless at low charge, the indicator flashes red, not white. Mi Portable Speaker speakers when discharged emit an audible signal. Connect the headset to charging for 10-15 minutes and try again.

Second, make sure the headset is in pairing mode. For most Xiaomi models, it looks like this:

• 🎧 Headphones: Remove both earphones from the case and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white-blue (or fast white).
• 🔊 Columns: Hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the beep or blue light flashes.
• 🎙️ Headsets with microphone: press the call response button for 5 seconds.

The third point is the distance between devices. Bluetooth 5.0 (used in most modern Xiaomi) has a theoretical range of up to 40 meters, but in practice, stable pairing occurs at a distance of no more than 1-2 meters. Remove interference: metal objects, other wireless devices (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves), walls.

2. Bluetooth settings on your phone: what could have gone wrong

If the basics are met, but the phone still can't see the headset, the problem is with the settings on the smartphone. Let's start with the obvious: is Bluetooth enabled? On Android, check the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down from the top of the screen) or go to Settings. → Connections → Bluetooth. On the iPhone, the path: Settings → Bluetooth.

Next, make sure that Invisible to Other Devices mode is turned off. In some firmware (such as Samsung or Huawei), this option may block the search for new devices. MIUI There is no such feature, but it is worth checking the permissions for applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your Bluetooth (or Bluetooth Share) settings.
3. Check if location and storage permissions are enabled (yes, this affects the operation of the module!).

Another common cause is conflict with previously connected devices, where if your phone has mated with this headset before (or another with the same name), it may forget it.

On Xiaomi MIUI 12+ There's a hidden Bluetooth reset feature that helps 30 percent of the time:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the version MIUI (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option to Reset Bluetooth Network (or Clear Bluetooth Data) and confirm the action.

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If the headset is still not located after reset, try to temporarily turn off Wi-Fi - sometimes both modules (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) conflict on the same chip.

3. Problems with firmware and drivers

If your phone doesn’t see any Bluetooth devices (not just Xiaomi), it may be the firmware or module drivers that are at fault, especially after system updates or when using custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

The first thing you should do is check the Bluetooth stack version. On Android, you can do this through an app. AIDA64 (Network section → If the stack version is below 5.0 and your headset supports Bluetooth 5.2, there may be compatibility issues.

For owners of Xiaomi with MIUI And there's a caveat: sometimes, after an update, you reset your Bluetooth energy saving settings:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select Settings → Additionally. → Optimizing the battery.
3. Find Bluetooth in the list and turn off optimization for it.

If the problem has occurred after the update, try to roll back to the previous version. MIUI (If possible, for this purpose:

• 📱 Download the archive with the firmware of the desired version from the official Xiaomi website.
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system, tap three points in the upper right corner and select Select firmware file.
• ⚠️ Warning: rolling back firmware will reset all phone settings! pre-backup.

For iPhones, the problem may be regional restrictions: Some Xiaomi models (especially those released for the Chinese market) use custom Bluetooth protocols that iOS blocks. → Mainstream → Language and region, connect the headset and then bring the region back.

4. Hardware malfunctions: how to diagnose

If the software methods didn't work, you should look at the hardware reasons. Let's start with the headset.

• 🔋 Status of contacts in the case (for TWS-headphones: oxidation or contamination may interfere with charge and on. wipe contacts with alcohol.
• 🎛️ The power button: if it is “stuck” or does not work, the headset will not go into pairing mode.
• 🔊 Speakers: If the headphones make a crack or don’t make a sound when connected to another device, the problem is in the hardware.

To diagnose the phone:

1. Try connecting the headset to another smartphone, and if it's detected, there's a problem on your phone.
2. Connect another Bluetooth device (such as a fitness bracelet or car system) to your phone, and if it's not there, your phone's Bluetooth module is defective.
3. Check out the Bluetooth antenna: on some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), it is located next to the camera. If the phone fell, the antenna could move away.

Pay attention to the behavior of the Bluetooth indicator on the phone:

If you suspect a malfunction of the Bluetooth module of the phone, you can test using the engineering menu (does not work on all models):

##4636## → Phone information → Test menu → Bluetooth Test

If the test shows an error or the module is not responding, repairs will be required.

5. Features of connecting to iPhone and other brands

Xiaomi headsets are optimized for Android, so when you connect to iPhones or phones of other brands (Samsung, Huawei), there may be nuances.

The most common problem on iPhone is the lack of codec support AAC/aptX, And that's what Xiaomi uses for high-quality audio, and that's how the headset connects, but the sound is latent or low-quality:

• 🎵 In Bluetooth settings on iPhone, turn off the High-quality audio option (if any).
• 🔄 Reset the headset: for AirDots, hold the button on the case for 10 seconds before reset (the indicator will flash red).
• 📱 Update iOS to the latest version (new versions improve support for third-party codecs).

On Samsung phones (especially with One) UI) It can trigger the dual audio feature, which conflicts with Xiaomi headsets, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Additional.
3. Turn off the option of dual audio.

For Huawei phones (c) EMUI) The problem is that it's a power saving problem, and it can automatically turn off Bluetooth to save power:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Launch applications.
2. Find Bluetooth in the list and set AutoRun and Secondary Running for it.

If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (LineageOS, Resurrection Remix), make sure it has support for the Bluetooth stack Fluoride (for newer versions of Bluetooth). Without it, Xiaomi headsets may not be defined or work unstable.

6.Dumping and flashing the headset

If all previous methods have failed, the last resort is to reset the headset to factory settings or flash it over, which is true if the headset has previously worked but has ceased to be identified after an upgrade or failure.

For Xiaomi's reset AirDots/Redmi Buds/Mi True Wireless:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Open the case cover - the headphones should automatically go into pairing mode.

For the Mi Portable Speaker columns:

1. Turn on the column.
2. Hold the buttons. + Bluetooth and Bluetooth for 5 seconds at the same time until you hear a beep.

If the reset didn't work, you might need to flash the headset back, which is a complicated procedure that requires special software and skills. Xiaomi doesn't have official tools, but enthusiasts have created utilities like MiFlashPro or QFil.

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Flashing the headset can cause it to be completely inoperable! This procedure is recommended only to experienced users and is performed at your own risk.

Alternatively, you can update the firmware through the official app (if you have one for your model). For example, for Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, you can use Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear:

1. Install the app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect the headset to your phone (even if it doesn’t work consistently).
3. In the application, find the Firmware Update section and follow the instructions.

If the headset doesn't respond to reset at all, check its serial number on Xiaomi's official website -- it's probably a fake. Replica headphones often have problems pairing due to poor-quality Bluetooth chips.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard pairing doesn’t work, alternative methods can be tried, such as some Xiaomi models that support connection via a companion app that bypasses standard Bluetooth protocols.

For Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones and Redmi AirDots, the Xiaomi Bluetooth app (available on Android) is suitable:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Turn the headset on to pairing mode.
3. Open the app and follow the instructions on the screen.

For iPhones, the alternative is Bluetooth Auto Connect, which is forced to search for devices within range, but it doesn’t guarantee compatibility with all Xiaomi models.

If the headset connects, but the sound goes only in one earphone, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both earbuds (remove from the case and put back for 10 seconds).
• 🎧 In Bluetooth settings on your phone, select a profile A2DP (for stereo sound instead HFP (call-in).
• 🔊 Disable the function of Monozvook in the settings of special features of the phone.

There’s a trick for Mi Portable Speaker speakers: If it doesn’t connect via Bluetooth, try using it in mode. FM-the transmitter (if the model supports this function:

1. Hold the Mode button on the column for 3 seconds until you hear the signal.
2. Turn it on on the phone. FM-radio and find the frequency specified in the column instruction (usually 87.5-108.0 MHz).

8.When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the methods, but the phone still can’t see Xiaomi’s bluetuz headset, it’s time to consider maintenance.

• 🔧 Hardware malfunction (damaged Bluetooth module of the phone or headset).
• 🔥 Moisture intrusion (even if the device turned on after drying, corrosion could damage the contacts).
• ⚡ Problems after falling (especially if the antenna or connectors are not working).
• 🔄 Failed firmware (if the headset stopped working after the upgrade).

Before the service visit:

1. Back up your phone’s data (if the problem is on its side).
2. Write down the models and serial numbers of both devices.
3. Prepare checks or warranty cards (if the devices are warranty).

Please note that if your phone is warranty-free, don't tell the service that you tried to reflash it or disassemble it yourself, which can cause a warranty repair to be denied.

Cost of repair:

If your Xiaomi headset is warranty, contact the official service center. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO warranty repair of Bluetooth module usually takes 3–7 days.

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Before you hand over the device for repair, try connecting the headset to another phone and recording the process on video, which will help prove that your actions are not the problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions