How to connect wireless headphones to Xiaomi phone: the full guide

Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are almost unthinkable without high-quality peripherals, and wireless headphones occupy one of the first places here. TWS-The Bluetooth headsets allow you to enjoy music, podcasts and movies without any tangled wires. MIUI HyperOS is difficult for some users, especially if other brands have previously used gadgets.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of pairing, from activating visibility mode to fine-tuning codecs. You will learn how to correctly enter the device into search mode, what hidden functions are available to Xiaomi owners and what to do if the phone persistently “does not see” your headset. The stability of the connection depends not only on the quality of the accessory, but also on the correct settings of the operating system.

We will look at the nuances of working with different versions of Android, as the algorithms of the Bluetooth module can vary slightly on different models of smartphones. Proper preparation of equipment before the procedure will save you time and nerves, ensuring clean sound and no delays in the future.

Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing

Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that both devices are physically ready. First of all, check the battery level in the headphones. If the battery is discharged to zero, the device may not turn on or go into pairing mode, even when connected to charging. Also make sure that your Xiaomi smartphone is on the wireless module.

To activate Bluetooth on your phone, lower the notification curtain from top to bottom. Find the icon in the form of a stylized letter "B" and click on it to become active (usually blue or green). If you can't see this icon, click on a pencil or three dots to edit the quick access panel and drag the desired item to the visible area.

The most important step is to put the headphones into detection mode. TWS-models (True Wireless Stereo) need to remove both headphones from the case and, without inserting into the ears, pinch the touch pads or physical buttons on the case on the case. 3-5 The indicator should start flashing quickly, often changing colors (white, red, blue), which signals readiness to search for devices.

Owners of full-size headsets usually need to hold the power button longer than usual (about 7 seconds) until you hear a voice message "Pairing" or "Pairing." Don't confuse this mode with a normal on when the indicator just lights up and goes out.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones were previously connected to another phone, they may automatically try to connect to it.In this case, temporarily disable Bluetooth on the old device or remove the headphone profile from its memory so that Xiaomi can “catch” them».

Make sure the distance between the phone and the headset is less than 1 meter during the procedure. Walls, metal objects and working microwave ovens can cause interference that makes it difficult to first handshake between devices.

Step-by-step connection instruction via MIUI settings

Once the hardware is ready, we'll move to the software part. Open the Settings app on your smartphone. At the top of the list, find the Bluetooth section or search the top of the screen for a query, which is the most reliable way to get to the menu without any tabs.

In the window that opens, make sure that the Bluetooth activation slider is moved to the “On” position. Below, in the “Available devices” section, the scanning process should begin. Xiaomi’s system will automatically filter out the extra signals and show only those gadgets that are in pairing mode.

☑️ Checking before connection

Done: 0 / 4

Find the name of your headset on the list, it can be branded (e.g. Sony, JBL) or it can be the technical code of the model. Click on the name. On the screen, you can ask for confirmation of pairing with or without the code, just click "OK" or "Plug in."

If it goes well, the status will change to Connected, and the status bar will show a headphone battery icon (for supported models), the sound from the phone's speakers should disappear and switch to an external device, and you can now run the track and check the quality of the audio stream.

In some cases, especially with budget Chinese brands, the name on the list may be generic, for example, the name on the list is generic «TWS» or «BT If you connect multiple devices at the same time, focus on the MAC-address or try to connect them in turn to identify the desired.

Type of indicatorColor/ModeMeaning
LEDFast flashing (blue/red)The pairing mode is active.
LEDSlow blinking (blue)Waiting for connection / Network search
LEDBurning constantly (blue)Successful connection
LEDBurning red.Low battery charge

Use the “Fast Connection” function (Google Fast Pair)

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running Android 10 and above support Google Fast Pair technology. This feature makes life much easier for owners of compatible headphones (mainly from Google, Sony, JBL and some other major brands).

Just hold the case with the lid open or the headphones on to the unlocked phone. If the NFC and Bluetooth module are active, a pop-up window with the headset image and the Connect button will appear on the screen, thanks to a background scan of a special Bluetooth packet that broadcasts the device.

The advantage of this method is not only speed, but also sync your Google account, and the headphone information will be stored in your account, and when you buy a new Android smartphone, they will connect automatically, without the need for a re-pairing procedure.

What to do if the pop-up window does not appear?
If the Fast Pair window doesn't pop up, it doesn't mean the feature isn't working. Check if geolocation (GPS) is enabled, as the Fast Pair requires location access. Also make sure the Google Play service version is updated to the latest version through the Play Market store. Sometimes cleaning up the Bluetooth service cache in the app settings helps.

However, it is worth remembering that the Fast Pair does not work with all models: If you have headphones from an unknown brand or an old model, you should not rely on an automatic pop-up - use the classic method through the settings.

Customization of sound and additional parameters

Once successfully connected, Xiaomi offers a number of settings to optimize your experience: Go to the Bluetooth menu, click on the gear or arrow next to the name of the connected device, and you can activate the Auto Connect function to allow the headphones to connect immediately after you turn on.

You can click on this item (if it is active), select the priority audio codec. Choose LDAC or aptX HD for high quality (if supported by both devices), aptX Low Latency for minimum gaming latency, and SBC or AAC for maximum compatibility.

And this menu often has a audio distribution setting, so you can choose where the audio stream is going to be displayed, just in the headphones, just on the phone, or both, which is useful if you want to show the video to friends using your phone as a speaker, but listening through the headset.

⚠️ Attention: Switching to high-resolution codecs (LDAC, aptX HD) can significantly increase the battery consumption of smartphones and headphones, as well as reduce the stability of the connection in places with a large amount of radio interference.

Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem can download the Xiaomi Earbuds app or use the widget in the control center for more detailed configuration: changes to the equalizer, updates to the firmware of the headphones and touch gestures. Third-party applications allow you to unlock the potential of the headset 100%.

Solution: The phone can't see headphones

Xiaomi's persistent disregard for headphones is not uncommon, most often the problem is with a stuck Bluetooth module. Try turning on and off flight mode for 10 seconds. This will force you to restart all the phone's radio modules.

If that doesn’t work, reset your Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Bluetooth. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Bluetooth Settings. This action will remove all previously stored devices from your phone’s memory, but won’t affect your personal data, photos or contacts.

Another common reason is the overcrowded memory of the paired devices: Some older Xiaomi phone models have a limit on the number of gadgets remembered. If the list is large, delete unnecessary profiles.

📊 Have you encountered Bluetooth connectivity problems on Xiaomi?
Yeah, the phone can't see the headphones.
Yes, the sound is interrupted or wheezing.
No, it's all connected the first time.
I have another problem.

Also check if the Absolute Volume feature is activated in the developer menu. Sometimes, dissynchronizing the volume of the phone and headphones makes the device appear to be broken when it is actually just twisted to zero.

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Why are the headphones plugged in, but there is no sound?
Check your usage profile. In Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to the device and make sure the ticks (or switches are active) are in front of Multimedia and Audio. Sometimes the phone only connects the Phone profile for calls, ignoring the music.
Can I connect two pairs of headphones to the same Xiaomi at the same time?
Yes, modern Xiaomi models support Dual Audio. To do this, connect the first pair, then select Connect the second device from the Bluetooth menu or use the Dual Audio widget in the control center, which allows you to broadcast the sound to two headsets at once.
How to increase the volume of wireless headphones on Xiaomi?
If standard volume is not enough, activate Absolute Volume. Go to Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on MIUI Version (to enable Developer Mode). Then in Advanced Settings → For developers, find “Disable Absolute Volume” and experiment with its state (on or off).
Does the phone affect the quality of the phone?
Yes, thick metal cases or magnetic-latch cases can shield the Bluetooth signal. The antennas in Xiaomi smartphones are often located at the top or bottom of the case. If communication is interrupted, try removing the case or changing the position of the phone in your pocket.
What if the left earphone does not connect to the right?
This is a problem with desynchronizing the stereo pair: Put both earphones in the case, close the lid and wait 10 seconds. Then remove them at the same time. If it doesn't work, perform a full reset according to the headphone manufacturer's instructions (usually long-term button retention when extracted from the case).