Apple’s premium acoustics are now common practice with affordable and functional Xiaomi or Redmi smartphones. While the iOS and Android ecosystems have their own characteristics, the basic Bluetooth protocol allows for high-quality audio transmission between devices from different manufacturers. The initial pairing process does not require deep technical knowledge, but knowing a few nuances will help avoid typical connection errors.
Owners of Redmi Note devices often face the question of the stability of the connection and the quality of the microphone when using AirPods. Unlike connecting to an iPhone, where all settings are synchronized instantly, Android smartphones need to manually activate the pairing mode and, if desired, install additional applications for advanced functionality. Understanding these differences is critical to get the maximum pleasure from listening to music.
This article takes a look at the entire setup process, from headphone preparation to fine-tuning the sound codecs in the engineering menu. We'll look at how to achieve minimal latency in games and maximum battery life. The AAC protocol used by AirPods is supported by most of the modern Qualcomm and MediaTek processors installed in the Redmi Note, which ensures that you get exactly the sound quality that Apple engineers expected.
Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing
Before starting the procedure, make sure your AirPods are at least 20-30% charged. Low charge can cause the headphones to fail to enter detection mode or the pairing process to break down halfway. Put both headphones in the case and open the lid without removing them.
On the Xiaomi smartphone side, you need to activate the wireless module. To do this, lower the notification curtain and click on the Bluetooth icon or go to the settings menu. Make sure that geolocation is enabled, as in the new versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, this requirement is necessary for proper scanning of surrounding devices.
☑️ Checking before connection
It is important to keep your smartphone no more than 10-15 centimeters away from the case while searching. If there are other Apple devices nearby that have previously been associated with these headphones, it is better to temporarily turn off Bluetooth on them to avoid automatic interception of the connection.
The process of primary connection via Bluetooth
The main stage of setting up takes place in the Bluetooth menu. On Redmi Note smartphones, the path to the desired section usually looks like this: Settings → Bluetooth. Once you log in to the menu, the phone will automatically search for available devices within range.
To put AirPods in visibility mode, press and hold the round setting button on the back of the charging case. The status indicator (located inside the case between the headphones or on the front, depending on the model) should start flashing white. This means that the headphones broadcast the detection signal.
⚠️ Note: If the indicator flashes in amber (orange) color, then the headphones are not ready to pair or require resetting. In this case, you need to press the setting button for 15 seconds before changing the color of the indicator to white.
The list of available devices on the Xiaomi screen should show the name of your headphones, for example, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. Click on it to initiate the connection. The system can request a confirmation of the code that you do not usually need to enter manually - just click "OK" or "Plug".
After a successful connection, the device status will be marked "Connected" and the charge level of each earphone, as well as the case. If the charge does not appear immediately, try playing any audio track - the battery widget often updates only after the start of the audio transmission.
Customization of sound quality and codecs in MIUI
By default, Android is looking to use the most compatible codec, which doesn’t always mean the best quality. It’s important for AirPods owners to make sure that the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) codec is activated, which provides better detail and stereo effect compared to a standard SBC.
To check and change the settings of the codec, go to the menu for developers. If it is hidden, activate it by clicking 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section. Then go to Advanced Settings → For developers.
In the list of options, find the Bluetooth-related section. You are interested in the following items:
- 🎧 Bluetooth Codec: Choose AAC drop-down.
- 📶 Bit-of-bit LDAC: If available, choose the average values for balance of quality and stability.
- 🔋 Turn off absolute volume: try to switch this option if the volume on the headphones and phone is not synchronized.
Changing these settings may require reconnecting the headphones, so when you turn on AAC, the sound should be more voluminous and the high frequencies less sharp, but remember that the AAC codec is more loading on the smartphone processor, which can slightly increase battery consumption.
What is absolute volume?
Using third-party applications to expand functionality
There is no official AirPods app for Android, but the development community has created great analogues to unlock hidden features, the most popular and stable solution being MaterialPods or AndroPods.
These utilities allow:
- 👁️ See the exact percentage of charge of the case and each headphone in the widget.
- 🔊 Configure equalizer and spatial audio (emulation).
- 🖊️ Change the name of the device and actions with double touch.
- 📍 Search for lost headphones through the "Last Location" function".
Download for installation APK-file from a trusted source or use the Google Play store. After installation, grant the application permission to access Bluetooth and geolocation. MIUI, Integration will be unnoticed by the user.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps are in the background and may consume an extra battery charge on your smartphone.It is recommended to configure auto-run and remove the app from the list of optimized in the Xiaomi battery menu.
Solving Typical Connection and Sound Problems
Even with the right setup, there can be interruptions, no microphone, or no connection, often in the overflowing memory of a Bluetooth module or a conflict of profiles.
If the sound is interrupted or lost, try the following:
- Go to Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods, and select Forget Device.
- Reboot your Redmi Note smartphone.
- Perform a full reset of headphones (clip the button on the case for 15 seconds before blinking orange, then white).
- Do the pairing again.
In some cases, clearing the Bluetooth cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Show system processes → Bluetooth → Memory → Clean. This action will not delete your devices, but reset temporary service files.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet sound | Unsynchronized volume | Disable "Absolute Volume" in the Developer Menu |
| The microphone is not working. | HSP/HFP profile conflict | Reconnect the device, check application permissions |
| Quick discharge. | Continuous search of the web | Disable geolocation for unnecessary applications |
| Delay in games | AAC codec has a high latency | Use "Game" mode in Bluetooth settings (if available) |
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Resetting Bluetooth settings and re-pairing solve 90% of software connection errors on Android.
Features of the microphone and calls
When calling via a cellular network or messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), AirPods use a HFP (Hands-Free Profile) profile. On Android, the implementation of this profile may differ from iOS, which sometimes leads to a decrease in the quality of the interlocutor’s voice or a change in timbre.
You can control the routing of sound in Xiaomi phone settings. When you talk, click on the speaker icon and make sure your headphones are selected, not the phone speaker. If the person complains that you are not well-heared, check if the microphone holes on the headphone legs are closed.
To improve voice recording in noisy areas, it is recommended to use noise reduction features built into the MIUI shell. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Headphones (the path may differ depending on the OS version) and activate the voice improvement option. This will programmatically cut off background noise transmitted through the AirPods microphone.
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During long conversations via AirPods on Android, try not to take both earbuds out of your ears at the same time. Removing one earbud automatically puts the call into hands-free mode on your phone, and retrieving both can complete the call depending on the app's settings.