How to connect wireless headphones to Xiaomi Mi 9: the complete guide

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 have largely abandoned the classic 3.5mm headphone jack, giving way to wireless audio technology. This frees the user from entangled wires but requires initial hardware setup. Many flagship owners face difficulties when pairing first, not understanding why the device does not see the headset or why the sound is transmitted with a delay. Proper initialization of a Bluetooth connection is the first step to comfortable listening to music and communicating without unnecessary wires.

Connection isn’t limited to just pressing the “Pair” button. There are subtle codec settings in the MIUI Android operating system that affect audio quality. If you’ve just purchased the Xiaomi Mi 9 or a new headset, it’s important to understand that communication stability depends not only on distance, but also on the correctness of power saving settings and protocol versions. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the entire path from enabling detection mode on headphones to fine-tuning the equalizer.

Preparation of the device and accessories for pairing

Before you go to software settings, you need to ensure that both devices are physically ready to work. Battery charge plays a critical role: if the headphones are discharged, they may not enter pairing mode or quickly turn off during the setup process. Make sure that your Xiaomi Mi 9 also has a sufficient level of charge, as active search for devices and subsequent transfer of audio files over Bluetooth can significantly consume battery power.

The second important step is to activate the detection mode on the headset itself. This process may differ from model to model, usually requiring you to press the on button or the Pairing button for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes blue or red-blue, and it is during this short period of time that the device becomes visible to external scanners.

• 🔋 Check the charge level of both devices (minimum 20% for stable operation).
• 📶 Make sure the headphones are paired (blinking indicator).
• 📱 Unlock the Xiaomi Mi 9 screen to access settings.
• 🚫 Turn off Bluetooth on other nearby devices to avoid signal conflicts.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphone indicator is on or not on, the pairing mode is not activated. Repeat the switching procedure, holding the button longer than usual.

Some models require resetting previous settings before a new connection. If your headphones have previously been linked to another phone, they can automatically try to connect to it, ignoring requests from the Xiaomi Mi 9. In this case, it is recommended to remove the device from the list of saved on the old gadget or perform a full reset of the headset settings according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step-by-step connection instruction via MIUI settings

The MIUI shell interface on Xiaomi Mi 9 provides easy access to all Bluetooth features. To get started, open the Settings app and find the Bluetooth partition. An alternative and faster way is to swipe down from the top edge of the screen to call the notification curtain where you need to press and hold the Bluetooth icon. This action will immediately take you to the wireless module management menu.

In the window that opens, make sure the activation slider is switched to the "On" position. The system will automatically start scanning available devices in range. The list will be updated in real time. Once the name of your headset (for example, AirDots, Sony WH-1000XM3 or otherwise) appears in the "Available Devices" list, you need to tap it.

When you click on the device name, you may see a digital code match confirmation request on the screen. This is a standard security procedure. Click on "Confirm" or "OK." The process of establishing a secure communication channel takes 3 to 10 seconds. Successful connection is accompanied by a characteristic audible signal in the headphones and the appearance of the "Connected" status in the phone menu.

• 🎧 Click on the device name in the list of available.
• ✅ Confirm the pairing request if it appears on the screen.
• 🔊 Wait for the sound signal in the headset.
• 📝 Check the status "Connected for: calls, media audio».

It is important to note that the Xiaomi Mi 9 supports simultaneous connection to several audio devices, however, for stable operation, it is recommended to use one active headset. If there are many old gadgets in the list of stored devices, it is better to remove them by clicking on the gear icon next to the name and selecting “Cancel pairing”.

Customize the sound quality and Bluetooth codecs

After successful pairing, many users stop unaware that the Xiaomi Mi 9 is capable of delivering sound of much better quality than the default.The key parameter here is the compression codec. The standard SBC codec provides basic quality, but modern headphones often support more advanced formats like aptX, aptX HD or LDAC.

To access these settings, activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version. Once you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu, select Advanced Settings → For Developers. In this section, find the Bluetooth-related subsection.

In the developer menu, find the Bluetooth Audio Codec. Click on it and select the available option supported by your headset. If you select a codec that is not supported by the headphones, the connection will either not install or automatically roll back to the SBC. You can also set the data bitrate for the LDAC here, choosing the priority of quality or stability of the connection.

💡

Use the aptX HD or LDAC codec only in a quiet environment. In subway or crowded areas, it is better to switch to aptX or SBC to prevent sound stuttering.

Another important setting is absolute volume. In the same developer menu, find the option to turn off absolute volume. If this item is activated, the volume sliders on the phone and on the headphones work independently. If deactivated (by default), they are synchronized. Experiment with this setting if you encounter a situation where a quiet sound at the lowest volume of the phone sounds too quiet even on headphones.

Using Mi True Wireless and Ecosystems

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 often choose headphones from the manufacturer, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds series or Redmi Buds. For such devices, the standard Bluetooth protocol may not be enough to unlock the full potential. Specially for them created the application Mi Earbuds (or built-in module in the MIUI), This allows you to manage functions that are not available through the standard menu.

When you connect Xiaomi's original accessories to the Mi 9, it often pops up animations with a charge of the case and each headphone separately, part of an ecosystem that makes it easier to monitor battery health. Through a special app, you can update the firmware of the headphones, which is critical to fix bugs and improve connection stability.

• 🔄 Automatic update of the firmware of headphones through the application.
• 🎚️ Set up an equalizer with preset profiles.
• 🖱️ Reassignment of sensory control functions (taps).
• 🔍 Finding a lost headphone on a map or a beep.

You should pay special attention to the Low Latency function if it is supported by your headphone model. You can activate this mode in the application, which minimizes the latency of sound when playing games. However, it is worth remembering that in this mode, energy consumption increases, and the sound quality when playing music can change slightly due to the priority of data transfer speed.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the process of updating the firmware of the headphones. If the case battery sits down during the upgrade, the device may cease to function and require maintenance repairs.

Solving Connection and Sound Problems

Even when set up properly, there can be technical difficulties. One of the most common problems is desynchronizing audio and video or intermittent connection breaks. Often this is not due to a breakdown, but to interference in the 2.4 GHz band, where Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens operate. Try turning off your phone's Wi-Fi and see if things have improved.

Another common complaint is quiet sound. The Xiaomi Mi 9 has a regional volume limit to protect hearing (European norms). If the sound seems too quiet even at maximum, you can try changing the region in the phone settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region) to India or Singapore, where the volume limits are higher. After changing the region, the phone will suggest a reboot.

If the headphones do not connect at all or constantly fall off, follow the following steps:

1. Remove the device from the list of paired devices on the phone (“Forget the device”).