How to connect the Xiaomi column to the phone: all the ways + mistake-making

Xiaomi wireless speakers are some of the most popular accessories for high-quality audio, combining compactness, powerful bass and simple synchronization with devices. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties when connecting for the first time: the speaker is not on the list of devices, the sound is interrupted or no communication at all. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting (including hidden functions), and also explain how to fix typical errors without using the service.

It is important to understand that the pairing algorithm depends on the speaker model (Mi Portable Speaker, Redmi Soundbar, Xiaomi Smart Speaker, etc.) and the firmware version of the phone. MIUI 14/15 Supports fast connection through NFC, And older models require manual Bluetooth searches, and we'll look at the universal methods that work on all versions of Android and iOS, and we'll give you recommendations for optimizing the sound after you connect.

1. Preparation of the column and phone for connection

Before pairing, make sure both devices are ready to communicate, which will save 80% of the problems in the column search phase.

• 🔋 Battery level should be at least 30%.When less than 15%, some models (Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker 2) automatically turn off Bluetooth to save energy.
• 📱 Update on the phone: On Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO Check the relevance of the firmware in Settings → The phone. → System updates. Old versions. MIUI (below 12) You may not support Bluetooth protocols. 5.0+.
• 🔊 Resetting column settings: If your device has previously connected to another phone, reset. To do this, hold the Power (or Bluetooth) button 8-10 seconds before the beep.

Pay special attention to the distance between devices. The optimal distance for the first connection is up to 1 meter. Walls, metal objects and other sources of interference (for example, a running microwave) can block the signal. If the speaker emits intermittent audio signals when turned on, this means that it is in a pairing standby mode.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) AI Speaker) require you to connect to the Mi Home app before using Bluetooth. Without authorization in your Xiaomi account, the speaker may not appear in the list of devices.

2. Connection via Bluetooth: step-by-step instructions

It's the most versatile way, working on all speakers and phones. The algorithm is the same for Android and iOS, but there are nuances for specific versions. MIUI.

1. Turn on the column: Press the Power button for 2-3 seconds. The readiness to pair is indicated by a flashing blue indicator (white on some models).
2. Activate Bluetooth on your phone: Xiaomi/Redmi: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen → Press the Bluetooth icon. On the iPhone: Settings → Bluetooth.

Find the column in the list

"MI-PBS01FM"

Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Confirm the conjugation

Redmi Soundbar

Bluetooth

If the column doesn’t appear in the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Update the Device List: Click on “Update” or “Device Search” in the Bluetooth Menu.
• 📴 Reboot phone: Sometimes cleaning up the Bluetooth module cache helps.
• 🔊 Check the name of the column: Some models (Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker) in pairing mode are displayed as "XIAOMI-AI-SPEAKER".

The column is over 30% charged.

Bluetooth is on on the phone

Column is in pairing mode (blind indicator flashes)

Distance between devices not more than 1 meter

The phone is disabled mode "Saving charge"-->

3. Quick connection through NFC (for supported models)

Technology NFC It allows you to connect the column to the Xiaomi phone for 1–2 It works on chip models for a second without manual search. NFC (Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker 2, Xiaomi Smart Speaker Pro and Smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO supportive NFC (for example, Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

1. Make sure that NFC On the phone: Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC.
2. Unlock the phone screen (NFC It only works in active mode).
3. Put the phone on the tag. NFC on a column (usually marked with a logo or inscription "NFC"). Distance - no more than 2-3 cm.
4. Wait for the beep and notification of connection.

If the connection does not occur:

• 📱 Check the location NFC-On most Xiaomi models, it's at the top of the back.
• 🔄 Reboot. NFC: Turn off and turn on the module again in the settings.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: Some phones (Redmi Note 10) require MIUI 13+ work-in NFC columned.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone (except iPhone 7 and newer models) NFC It works for payments only (Apple Pay) and does not support accessory connection.For Xiaomi speakers, use Bluetooth.

4. Connect via the Mi Home app (for smart speakers)

Xiaomi Smart Speaker and Mi series speakers AI Speaker requires pre-configuration through the proprietary Mi Home app.This is required to activate the Xiao voice assistant. AI synchronize with other devices in the Xiaomi ecosystem.

1. Download Mi Home from Google Play or App Store.
2. Log in to your Xiaomi account (required!) without authorization, the column won't connect.
3. Click Add Add the device (+) → select the category "Columns".
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The column should flash orange (setting mode).
5. Connect the speaker to a Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz only!). 5 GHz networks are not supported.

Once set up in Mi Home, the speaker will automatically appear in the list of Bluetooth devices, and can now be used as a normal wireless speaker or voice control via Xiao. AI.

5. Solving Connection Problems

Even after successful pairing, there can be errors: the sound is interrupted, the speaker is turned off or does not play music. Let's consider typical scenarios and how to eliminate them.

🔊 Problem: The column is connected, but there is no sound

• 📱 Check the volume on your phone and speaker. Some models (Redmi Soundbar) only adjust the sound from the remote or buttons on the body.
• 🔄 Reconnect the column: Disable it in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 🎵 Reset the sound settings on your phone: Settings → Sound. → Resetting (for the purpose of MIUI).
• 🛠️ Update the column firmware (if available). For Smart Speaker, updates come via Mi Home.

🔗 Problem: The column is constantly shut down

• 🔋 Check the charge: At a battery level below 10%, the column can arbitrarily break the connection.
• 📶 Eliminate interference: Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, fitness bracelets) that can create conflicts.
• 📱 Turn off charge saving for Bluetooth: Settings → Battery → Saving charge → Bluetooth (disable).
• 🔄 Reset network settings on your phone: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

🚫 Problem: The column does not connect to the iPhone

On the iPhone, there may be problems with Xiaomi speakers due to Apple's restrictions on Bluetooth protocols.

• 🔄 Update iOS to the latest version.
• 📱 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 🔊 Use the column in mode "A2DP" (Some models (Mi Portable Speaker) do not support a profile. HFP (for calls on iPhone.

💡

If the Xiaomi speaker squeaks when you connect to an iPhone, that’s fine — it signals a change in Bluetooth profile.

6.Sound optimization after connection

After successful pairing, it is recommended to adjust the sound profile for maximum playback quality. on Xiaomi phones, built-in equalizers and effects are available.

🎛️ Set up the equalizer to Xiaomi/Redmi

1. Open the settings → Sound → Equator.
2. Select a preset (Bass, Rock, Pop) or adjust the sliders manually.
3. Activate "Mi Sound Enhancer" to improve low frequencies (available on the Internet) MIUI 12+).

🔊 Customization for specific genres of music

For Xiao-enabled columns AI (Smart Speaker – voice commands available:

• 🎵 "Turn up the volume. / Turn down the volume"
• 🎶 "Turn on the music [track title]"
• 🔇 "Turn it off"

💡

For better sound, place the speaker at a distance of 30-50 cm from the walls, which will prevent echoes and improve spatial sound.

7. Connecting multiple speakers (Stereo mode)

Some Xiaomi models (Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker 2, Redmi Soundbar) support stereo pairing, where the two speakers work synchronously as left and right, which creates a surround sound effect.

1. Connect the first column to your phone via Bluetooth.
2. Turn on the second column and put it in pairing mode.
3. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings. → tap the icon ⚙️ near the first column → Select "Add Second Column" or "Stereo Mode".
4. Select the second column from the list.

If the option "Stereo Mode" is not available:

• 📱 Update the speaker firmware through Mi Home.
• 🔄 Reconnect the columns in reverse order.
• 🛠️ Not all Xiaomi speakers support stereo pairing (e.g. Mi Portable and Redmi Soundbar are not synchronized).

⚠️ Attention: Stereo mode increases the latency of sound (latency) to 200-300 ms. This is noticeable when watching videos.

8. Alternative ways of connecting

If Bluetooth is not available for some reason, you can use other methods of connection, which are less convenient, but work 100% of the time.

🔌 Connection through AUX-cable (3.5 mm)

Most Xiaomi speakers are equipped with a 3.5 mm connector for analog connection. You will need a cable with two plugs 3.5 mm ("daddy").

• 🎧 Connect one end of the cable to the speaker, the other to the phone (if the phone does not have a connector, use an adapter). USB-C → 3.5 mm).
• 📱 On your phone, select the sound source: Settings → Sound. → Sound output → Wired headphones.

📶 Wi-Fi connection (for smart speakers)

Xiaomi Smart Speaker speakers can be used as part of a multimedia system via Wi-Fi.

1. Connect your speaker and phone to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz).
2. In the Mi Home app, select a column → "Multimedia" → "Connect the device".
3. Start playing music through supported services (QQ Music, Xiami Music, China; Spotify, YouTube Music via Google Cast).

Advantages of Wi-Fi connection:

• 🎵 No loss of quality (unlike Bluetooth, where sound is compressed).
• 📶 Longer range (up to 10 meters without interference).
• 🔄 Multi-room sound: You can synchronize multiple speakers in different rooms.

💡

For Wi-Fi connectivity, opt for 2.4GHz networks. 5GHz networks have a smaller coverage area and can cause sound cliffs.

FAQ: Frequent questions