How to connect AirPods to Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder if Apple's premium wireless headphones can be used with their Android-based devices. The answer is unequivocal: yes, it's possible and even convenient. Bluetooth is a universal standard, so pairing is easy. However, to get maximum sound quality and stable connection, you need to know a few nuances of system configuration.

The connection process is not much different from the pairing of any other TWS-You don't need any special apps or root rights, because the basic functionality is built into the operating system. MIUI The main thing is to correctly put the headset into detection mode and make sure that the device battery is charged.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at every step of the setup, from Bluetooth activation to fine calibration of sound, learn how to fix possible microphone problems and why automatic battery power determination may not work. Follow the instructions to enjoy your favorite music without the constraints of the ecosystem.

Preparation of devices for pairing

Before starting the procedure, make sure your AirPods are in a charging case and have sufficient power levels.If the headphones have been previously connected to an iPhone or iPad, they may automatically try to connect to them when the lid is opened, in which case temporarily turn off Bluetooth on Apple devices or go to another room to avoid signal conflicts.

On Xiaomi's smartphone, it's also worth a little preparation. Check that the operating system version is up to date, as new MIUI updates often improve compatibility with third-party accessories. Open the notification curtain and make sure the wireless module is active and visible to other devices.

⚠️ Note: If your AirPods have previously been paired with multiple devices, it is recommended to reset your headphones before connecting to a new smartphone.This will help avoid authorization errors and profile problems. A2DP.

Clear the list of old devices in your Redmi's Bluetooth settings. Deleting unnecessary profiles will not only speed up your search, but also eliminate the possibility of automatically connecting to a forgotten speaker or headphones in the next room. This is especially true in places with large crowds and active Bluetooth devices.

πŸ“Š What kind of AirPods do you have?
AirPods 1/2
AirPods 3
AirPods Pro
AirPods Max

Step-by-step connection instruction

The basic algorithm is simple and doesn't require any technical knowledge. First, open your smartphone settings and go to the Bluetooth section. Here you'll see the list of available devices and connection history. Make sure the switch is in the "On" position.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist of connection

Done: 0 / 4

Now, grab the AirPods case. Without removing your headphones, open the charger case cover. On the back (or inside, depending on the model), find a round setting button. Press it and hold it until the status indicator flashes white, which means that the headset has entered visibility mode.

Look at your Xiaomi Redmi screen. Your headphones should appear on the list of available devices, like "AirPods Pro." Click on it to start pairing. The system can request confirmation of action β€” agree with it. In a few seconds, the status will change to "Connected."

If the connection is successful, you'll hear a distinctive beep in the headphones, and you can pull them out of the case and check the audio playback. In some cases, Android may ask permission to access contacts and call logs, which is necessary for the microphone to work and determine the name of the caller.

Customization of sound and functions in MIUI

Once you pair successfully, you should pay attention to additional settings. Unlike iOS, where all the options are hidden, in Android, and specifically in the MIUI shell, you get more control over the audio codecs. Go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth, click on the gear next to the name of your AirPods.

  • 🎧 Sound quality: Check which codec is activated (SBC, AAC It's the best for AirPods. AAC.
  • πŸ”Š Absolute volume: Turn on this option to keep the volume of the headphones synchronized with the volume of the phone.
  • πŸ“ž Voice services: Select which assistant will be called by a double touch (Google Assistant or Mi). AI).

It is important to note that the standard Bluetooth menu in Android does not display the exact percentage of charge of each headphone separately, as does the iPhone. However, the battery widget often shows the overall charge level of the case and headset. For more detailed monitoring, you can use third-party utilities, but they do not always work consistently on new versions of Android.

The secret to activating noise reduction
On AirPods Pro, switching the noise reduction modes (Active/Transparency/Off) is done by double tapping the headphone leg. This works on Android just like it does on iOS, without the need to install additional apps.

To improve the quality of data transmission, you can try changing the developer settings. Find the Developer's Device Menu (how to activate it - see FAQ). There you can find options like "Bitpool" or selecting a specific codec by default. Experiment with these parameters with caution, because the wrong choice can lead to cracking or interruptions of sound.

Use of third-party applications

Since Apple’s official Android app doesn’t support headphones, enthusiasts have created alternatives, the most popular being MaterialPods or AssistantTrigger, which allow you to display beautiful animations of opening a case and show the exact charge of the left and right earphone separately.

Installing these applications requires care. Download. APK-files only from trusted sources, such as Google Play or the F-Droid repository. Once installed, the app will need Bluetooth access and geolocation (to scan nearby devices.

AnnexFunctionsPrice.Requirements
MaterialPodsAnimation, charge, settingsFree / ProAndroid 10+
AssistantTriggerAuto-launch assistantFree of charge.Any Android
Pods ControlNoisemaker controlPaid.Android 11+
CapodSimple charge widgetFree of charge.Android 8+

It’s worth remembering that third-party apps can consume extra battery power on your smartphone, as they constantly monitor the status of the Bluetooth connection. If you notice that Xiaomi has started to discharge faster, try disabling the widget or adjusting it less often. In most cases, the basic functionality of Android is quite enough for comfortable use.

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Third-party applications cannot change the internal firmware of AirPods, they only read open data about the status of the battery and emulate system pop-ups.

Solving Sound and Microphone Problems

Sometimes people are faced with a situation where the music is playing great, but the interlocutors complain about the quiet or hoarse sound of your voice. This is due to the peculiarities of the Bluetooth profiles (HSP/HFP), where the sound quality is reduced to ensure the stability of communication.

If the sound is interrupted or there is interference, try turning off the Absolute Volume option in the Bluetooth settings. Then reset the volume sliders on the phone and on the headphones themselves (if there is a physical possibility of adjusting).

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone is extremely poor, make sure that the Bluetooth settings in the Contacts and Calls Access section have all the necessary checkmarks. Without this, the phone can use its microphone instead of the AirPods microphone.

Another common problem is desynchronizing audio in video. This is treated in the Developer Menu. Find Bluetooth Latency or Blueooth Audio Codec and try to change it. For AirPods, the most stable codec is AAC, so forcing SBC or aptX (if the phone supports them and the headphones don't) to turn on can make things worse.

Energy and Autonomy Management

The AirPods battery is designed to last a certain number of charging cycles. To extend the life of your headphones when used with Xiaomi, make sure the case doesn't run out of zero too often. The lithium polymer batteries used in headsets are deep discharge sensitive.

  • πŸ”‹ Storage: If you don’t use headphones for a long time, keep the case charged at about the end of the day. 50-60%.
  • ⚑ Charging: Use quality cables and power supplies.Fast charging from powerful Xiaomi adapters (67W, 120W) Safe as the controller will take as much as necessary, but it is better to use standard ones 5V/1A.
  • 🌑️ Temperature: Do not leave the case in the sun or in the cold.Extreme temperatures dramatically reduce battery capacity.

Redmi smartphones have a charging optimization feature that can limit the background activity of apps. If you use a third-party widget for AirPods, add it to battery exclusions. Otherwise, the system can kill the widget process and you will stop seeing the charge level on the screen.

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Wipe the contacts on your headphones and inside the case with dry soft cloth once a week. Contact oxidation is a common reason that headphones do not charge in the case or show the wrong percentage of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will Spatial Audio Work on Xiaomi?
Unfortunately, Spatial Audio's dynamic head tracking technology only works in the Apple ecosystem. On Android, you'll get regular stereo sound. However, some tracks with Dolby Atmos can play in volumetric format if your phone and player support this technology, but it won't be Apple's proprietary spatial audio.
How to reset AirPods to factory settings?
Put the headphones in the case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds. Open the lid without removing the headphones. Press and hold the setting button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the indicator flashes yellow and then white. Then remove the device from the Bluetooth list on the phone and reconnect.
Why does not an automatic pause work when removing the headphone?
Proximity sensors, which pause music when you take the earbud out of your ear, work at the hardware and iOS driver level. On Android, this feature is not generally supported natively. Some third-party apps try to emulate this, but they don't work smoothly.
Can I update AirPods firmware via Android?
No, you can only update firmware AirPods by connecting them to an Apple device (iPhone, iPad or Mac) with Internet access. Update occurs automatically in the background when the headphones are in the case, next to the iPhone and connected to charging. It is not software-enabled on Xiaomi.
Does Siri work for Xiaomi?
Calling Siri with a double-touch or "Hey Siri" voice on Android doesn't work, as it's a proprietary feature of Apple. Instead, double-touch can be configured to call Google Assistant or any other voice assistant installed on Android.