Xiaomi’s modern ecosystem offers a wide range of audio devices, from budget AirDots to flagship Buds with active noise cancellation. Users often face difficulties in the first pairing, when the indicators flash in an incomprehensible way, and the phone does not see the device. Understanding the logic of the Bluetooth protocol and the specifics of the MIUI or HyperOS firmware avoids most errors.
The connection process can vary dramatically depending on the accessories model and the version of your smartphone’s operating system. Some devices require manual pairing, others activate automatically when you open the case. In this article, we’ll take a look at the nuances so you can enjoy quality sound without delays or connection breaks.
The key is to properly prepare the gadgets before the procedure, the battery should be sufficiently charged and the Bluetooth module is in good condition, and ignoring the basic requirements often leads to a false opinion about the defect of the device, although the problem lies in a software failure or a discharged battery.
Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing
Before you start looking for a device, make sure your Xiaomi Earbuds are fully charged. Put them in a charging case and connect them to the network for 15-20 minutes, even if the indicators show full charge. This is necessary to calibrate the power controller and stable operation of the Bluetooth module at the time of peak load when connecting.
On a smartphone, you need to clear the list of previously connected devices, especially if you have previously tried to pair the same headphones with another gadget. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find your model in the list of old devices and click “Forget the device”**. This is critical, as old communication profiles can conflict with the new session.
⚠️ Note: If your headphones have previously been connected to another phone, they may automatically try to connect to it when turned on.Make sure that on the old device, Bluetooth is off or out of reach.
It's also worth checking if the phone is power-saving, which can limit the Bluetooth background services, and if you want to have a stable connection, you'll need to switch to standard operating mode, which will provide maximum signal power and quick interface response.
Connection algorithm TWS-AirDots, Redmi Buds, Mi Buds)
The most popular category of devices is fully wireless headphones, which are usually automated but require a clear sequence of actions. First, remove both headphones from the case at the same time, and if the device is new, it will automatically go into search mode.
If automatic pairing does not occur, you need to perform a manual reset. To do this, press the touch areas on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white (or blue) colors.
☑️ Checking readiness TWS
The list of available devices on the smartphone screen should show the model name, for example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2. Click on it to complete the procedure. Successful connection is usually accompanied by a voice message "Connected" or a characteristic beep.
Sometimes the phone only sees one headphone (usually the right one), in which case, put both back in the case, close the lid, wait 10 seconds and repeat the extraction procedure, which synchronizes the left and right channels before connecting to the sound source.
Matching neck and full-size models Xiaomi
For the Xiaomi Bluetooth Neckband series necksets and the full-deployed Mi Headphones, the procedure is slightly different. There is no automatic on-extract. You need to find a physical on button or a multifunction button on the device body.
Press this button and hold it for 5-10 seconds. The device will turn on first (the indicator will light up), but don't release the button immediately. Keep holding it until the indicator flashes blue quickly or alternately turns blue and red, which is a signal that visibility mode is activated.
| Model | Action for the coupling regime | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Neckband Basic | Hold the switch on 5 seconds | Blue flashing fast |
| Mi Headphones Comfort | Hold the power button 7 seconds | Blue/Red alternately |
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Open the case, press the button on the case | White flashing on the case |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | Open the case, hold the button. | Orange blinking |
Once you activate the headphone search mode, go to the smartphone interface. Find the device by name and connect. Full-size models with support for high-quality codecs (LDAC, aptX) may require additional confirmation in the pop-up window.
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For full-size Xiaomi headphones, when first connected via a USB-C cable (if the model supports a wired connection), you may need to install drivers or the Mi Sound app.
Use of Xiaomi Earbuds and Mi Wear app
For advanced functionality, it is highly recommended to use specialized software. The Xiaomi Earbuds application (formerly known as Mi True Wireless) allows you not only to connect the device, but also to update the firmware, configure the equalizer and change gesture control.
Download the app from Google Play or through scanning QR-Run the program and click "Add device." Unlike the standard Bluetooth menu, the application can find headphones even if they are not displayed in the general list using the advanced search protocol.
⚠️ Note: Not all models support the Xiaomi Earbuds app.Old models, such as the first AirDots, only work via the standard Bluetooth menu without the ability to customize via the app.
Inside the app, you can see the exact charge of each earbud and case, which is often incorrectly shown by the standard Android interface, and there is also a headphone search feature that makes them squeak loudly if you lose them in the room.
Problem Solving: The phone can't see headphones
When a smartphone passes a device in search mode, it is common. First of all, check whether the headphone battery is not discharged to zero. In a deep discharge, the indicator may not light up immediately when you connect to charging - leave them on the wire for at least 30 minutes.
The second common cause is a Bluetooth cache overflow on the smartphone itself. Try resetting the network settings. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords.
If the problem persists, try connecting the headphones to another device (a tablet or a friend's phone) to localize the problem: if the other device is working, it means that your phone is software glitched. If it's not working anywhere, there's a hardware defect.
Hidden reset for TWS models
In some cases, cleaning the list of conjugate devices helps: remove any unknown or old devices from the Bluetooth list, leaving only the necessary ones, this frees up the resources of the communication module and eliminates address conflicts.
Customization of sound and codecs in MIUI and HyperOS
Once successfully connected, it is important to properly configure the audio settings to achieve better quality. Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners have access to advanced codec settings. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, tap on the gear next to the connected headphones.
You can choose the priority codec here: AAC for stability or aptX/LDAC for high quality (if the headphones support), the choice of codec directly affects the bitrate of the audio you transmit, but remember that high quality codecs consume more power.
To activate the LDAC codec on some models, you may need to turn on the developer mode: go to About Phone, click 7 times on MIUI Version, then in Advanced Settings, find Bluetooth Audio Codec.
Also available in the Bluetooth Settings menu is switching between Sound Priority and Connection Priority modes. The first mode improves audio quality but can increase latency in games. The second mode minimizes lags, which is critical for gamers, but can slightly reduce the detail of the sound.
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The optimal balance between sound quality and connection stability is achieved by choosing the AAC codec for music and the Low Latency mode for games.