Owners of the Apple ecosystem who have switched to Android often wonder whether their favorite accessories are compatible with new devices. Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is a popular model of the mid-segment, which fully supports the wireless protocols Bluetooth 5.0, necessary to work with AirPods. TWS-headphones, but there are nuances that you should know for stable work.
The main challenge is not pairing itself, but accessing advanced features such as displaying battery power in widgets or automatically switching between devices. The standard MIUI interface does not have built-in drivers to visualize the status of Apple’s case, as is done in iOS. However, the basic audio playback and microphone functionality will be available immediately after successful pairing of devices.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to quickly activate the headphones. You will learn how to enter pairing mode, where to find the device in the list of available gadgets and what sound settings should be changed for maximum audio stream quality on your Redmi Note 9.
Preparation for interconnection of devices
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both devices are in good condition and ready to exchange data. First of all, check the battery level on the Xiaomi smartphone itself. Low battery power can lead to unstable operation of the Bluetooth module, which will cause connection interruptions during the setup process.
You should also pay attention to the version of the Android operating system installed on your device. Although the communication protocol is backward compatible, current security updates and Bluetooth drivers often contain compatibility bug fixes with third-party peripheral manufacturers.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure AirPods headphones aren't currently connected to another Apple device within range.Automatic switching may try to reconnect to an old gadget by interrupting the setup process on Redmi.
Immediately before connecting, it is recommended to clear the list of previously paired devices if there are too many of them, this will free up the Bluetooth stack memory and speed up the search for new gadgets, go to Bluetooth settings and delete old or unused profiles to avoid addressing conflicts.
Activation of the pairing mode on AirPods
The key is to get the headphones into visibility mode correctly. Unlike many Android headphones, the AirPods don't have a separate power button or a special long-term sensor clamping to enter (pairing) mode. The entire process is controlled through a physical button on the charging case.
Put both earbuds inside the case and leave the lid open. There's a round setting button on the back of the case, which is responsible for resetting and activating detection mode, and you need to press and hold that button for a few seconds until the status indicator starts flashing.
- 🔦 The indicator should light up with amber color, and then start flashing white light quickly, which signals readiness for connection.
- 🔦 If the indicator is green, then the headphones are already paired with some device and are looking for it, not a new one.
- 🔦 If there is no reaction, check the charge of the case itself, since in deep discharge the activation function may not work.
Once the white indicator flashes, the device goes into broadcast mode of its ID. From now on, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 will be able to detect headphones in the list of available hardware. Do not close the case cover until the connection is completed.
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If the indicator flashes orange, it means a pairing error. Try resetting the headphone settings by holding the button for more than 15 seconds until the indicator triples.
Bluetooth Settings on Redmi Note 9
Now, the software part of the setup on the smartphone side. The MIUI shell interface installed on the Redmi Note 9 may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, China or EU), but the logic of the communication modules remains the same. Open the Settings app or the notification curtain hanging from above.
In the main menu, find the Bluetooth section. Make sure the activation slider is moved to the "On" position. The smartphone will automatically start scanning the ether for available devices. If the list is empty, click on the update icon or just wait a few seconds.
The name of your headphones should appear on the Available Devices list, usually displayed as “AirPods”, “AirPods Pro” or “Owner’s Name” if the headphones were previously used with an iPhone.
| Parameter | Value for Redmi Note 9 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | Supports AAC codec |
| Audio codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | AirPods use AACs |
| Range of action | Up to 10 meters. | No problem. |
| Visibility status | Seen by everyone. | Bluetooth Menu is Open |
Once you click on the name, you may see a system window that asks you to confirm the pairing. Click OK or Connect. The system will ask permissions to access contacts and call logs -- standard procedure for implementing the headset function. Allow access so you can answer calls through headphones.
☑️ Connection check
Advanced sound and codec settings
Once connected successfully, it’s important to make sure that the audio is as good as possible. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 supports a variety of audio codecs, but the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) codec is critical to working with Apple products, which provides the optimal balance between quality and power consumption for these headphones.
To check and change the settings, you will need access to the developer menu. This section is hidden by standard MIUI tools. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the MIUI version until the message “You became a developer” appears.
Now go back to the main settings menu, go to Additional → For developers. Find the Bluetooth-related section and select Bluetooth Audio Codec. In the list that opens, make sure that the AAC option is selected or available. If you select SBC, the sound quality can be noticeably worse, especially at high frequencies.
⚠️ Note: Forced inclusion of aptX codecs or LDAC It's not going to work for AirPods, because Apple's headphone hardware doesn't support these data formats. AAC.
Also on the developer menu, you can find the option "Absolute Volume Level." If you notice that the volume of the headphones and phone is adjusting separately or jumping, try changing the state of this switch, which will help synchronize the signal levels between the Redmi Note 9 and the headset.
Why doesn't aptX HD work?
Use of third-party applications for iOS functionality
Users are often frustrated by the lack of animation to open the case and accurately display the charge of each headphone separately. To return this functionality to Xiaomi, you need to install a specialized application from the Google Play store. One of the most popular and stable solutions is the MaterialPods application or Assistant Trigger.
These programs read telemetry data that headphones still transmit over Bluetooth, but which the standard Android interface does not know how to interpret. After installing and providing the necessary permissions (access to Bluetooth, geolocation, notifications), a widget will appear on the smartphone screen that simulates the iOS interface.
- 📱 Displaying the percentage of charge of the left and right earphone, as well as the case in real time.
- 📱 Pop-up when opening the case lid, similar to what is on the iPhone.
- 📱 The ability to switch between noise reduction modes (for AirPods Pro) directly from the smartphone screen.
It should be borne in mind that the operation of such applications in the background can consume an additional battery charge of the smartphone. In the MIUI settings, it is recommended to set a “No Limits” mode for such an application so that the system does not “kill” the Bluetooth monitoring process to save energy.
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Third-party applications do not change the audio transmission protocol, they only visualize hidden data and add convenient widgets that are absent from the MIUI stock firmware.
Problem Solving and Connection Stability
Even when set up properly, there can be situations where communication is cut off, the sound becomes quiet or the microphone stops working. One of the frequent problems on Xiaomi is an aggressive power-saving system that can turn off the Bluetooth module when you lock the screen. To avoid this, add music or the app you listen to audio through to the battery exclusion list.
If the sound is interrupted or there is interference, try turning off the "Use Absolute Volume" option in the Bluetooth settings or turning it on, and reconnecting helps: select the device in the list, click "Forget" (or "Unpair") and perform the procedure again, which clears the cache of the encryption keys.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in the interference of Wi-Fi signals, since both protocols operate in the 2.4 GHz range. If you are near a powerful router, try to switch the smartphone to a 5 GHz network or move away from the radiation source. Also check if the phone is wearing a thick case with metal elements that can shield the signal of the Redmi Note 9 antenna.
The last thing you do is completely reset your headphones. Put them in your case, press the button on the headphones. 15-20 Then you delete the device from the phone's memory and plug it in as new. 90% protocol program conflicts.