How to connect the Xiaomi Mi column: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Mi speakers are some of the most popular portable audio devices due to their combination of sound, compactness and affordable price. However, even with such simple gadgets, users often have questions about how to properly sync a speaker with a phone, why it does not connect to a laptop or how to use it in tandem with a TV. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AUX), as well as typical errors and their solutions.

Xiaomi Mi speakers feature support for proprietary technologies such as Mi Sound Enhancement and Dual Device Connection, which require specific settings. If you are first encountering a brand technique or switching from a different brand, the manual will help avoid common problems. For example, many people do not know that you need to update the speaker firmware through the Mi Home app to work steadily, as we will also discuss below.

1. Preparation of the Xiaomi Mi column for the first connection

Before you connect the speaker to other devices, you need to turn it on correctly and reset it (if you have already used it), which will save you from connection problems in the future.

To start, charge the speaker at least 30% – with a low battery level, some models (Mi Portable Speaker, Mi Smart Speaker) automatically turn off Bluetooth to save power. Connect the device to the network using the original USB-C or Micro-USB cable (depending on the model) and wait for the charging indication (usually a white or orange LED flashes).

• 🔋 Check the charge level: press the power button – the number of flashes of the indicator corresponds to percentages (for example, 3 blinks) = ~30%).
• 🔄 Reset: Hold the Bluetooth (or Power) button for 5-7 seconds until you hear a beep and see a quick blink of blue/white.
• 📱 Install the application: for full control download Mi Home (Android/iOS) Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio (for older models).

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker column was previously linked to another Mi Account, it must be unplugged through the Mi Home app. → Device profile → Otherwise, the new connection will be impossible.

2. Bluetooth connection: step-by-step instruction

Bluetooth is the most versatile way to connect to smartphones, laptops and TVs, but Xiaomi Mi speakers have some nuances: some models (Mi AI Speaker) require prior authorization via Mi Home, while others (Mi Portable Speaker) support simultaneous connection to two devices.

To connect the column to the phone:

1. Turn on the column with a long press of the power button (the blue indicator should light up).
2. Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your column (for example, Mi Portable Speaker XXX or Mi Smart Speaker>).
4. Click on the name and confirm the pairing. The signal will sound on the column, and the indicator will burn even blue.

To connect to a laptop or PC with Windows:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Click Add Add the device → Bluetooth.
3. Select a column from the list. If you don't have one, update your Bluetooth drivers through Device Manager.

If the column is not connected:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 Remove the column from the list of associated devices and reconnect.
• 🔧 Update the column firmware through Mi Home (Firmware section).

3. Connection through AUX-cable (3.5 mm)

If your Xiaomi Mi speaker is equipped with an AUX-In connector (e.g. Mi Portable Speaker models) 16W or Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2, you can connect it to a device without Bluetooth - TV, old, and the other one. MP3-This method guarantees minimal sound latency (relevant to watching movies) and a stable connection.

You'll need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (stereo jack) that takes less than a minute to connect.

1. Insert one end of the cable into the AUX-In connector on the column (usually marked with the headphone icon).
2. Connect the other end to the AUX-Out or Headphone output at the sound source.
3. Turn on the speaker and set the sound source to AUX mode (if there is a switch).

⚠️ Note: When connecting to the TV through AUX Turn off the built-in speakers TV in the sound menu (Settings) → Sound. → Exit → External speakers, otherwise the sound will be duplicated.

4. Connect to Wi-Fi and use of voice assistant

The Mi Smart Speaker and Mi AI Speaker models support Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing them to be used as smart speakers with Xiao AI (Chinese version) or Google Assistant (global firmware), which opens up access to music streaming (Spotify, Yandex Music), smart home management and voice commands.

To set up:

1. Connect the column to the 2.4 GHz network (5 GHz is not supported!) via the Mi Home app:
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (required!).
3. Follow the instructions for region-specific (for Russia, choose Russia or Global).

After connection:

• 🎵 Ask for music playback: OK, Google, playlist for Hits 2026“».
• 💡 Manage your smart home: Turn on the living room light (if you have Xiaomi Mi Home devices connected).
• ⏰ Set timers: Set the timer for 10 minutes».

💡

If the speaker is not connected to Wi-Fi, try changing the router mode to 802.11n (in the router settings, turn off 802.11ac).

5. TV connection: Bluetooth, AUX or HDMI ARC

Using the Xiaomi Mi speaker as a TV sound system requires the right interface choice, and the best option depends on the TV model and the speaker:

• 📺 Bluetooth: Suitable for modern Smart TV (Xiaomi Mi TV, Samsung QLED, LG OLED). Sound delay ~100–200 ms (may be visible in movies).
• 🔌 AUX: Better for older TVs without Bluetooth. Latency is minimal (<50 MS), but wires are needed.
• 🎧 HDMI ARC: For columns with only HDMI-It's perfect synchronization, but it needs support. ARC on TV.

Instructions for Bluetooth connection:

1. Turn on the pairing mode on the column (hold Bluetooth for 3 seconds).
2. On the TV, go to Settings → Sound → Sound output → Bluetooth devices.
3. Select a column from the list. If you don't have one, update the TV.

6. Solving Connection and Sound Problems

Even after you set it up properly, you can have failures, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If the Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker is not able to connect to the network:

1. Reboot the router.
2. In the Mi Home app, remove the device and add again.
3. Check that the router settings are turned off the filter MAC-address.

💡

If the speaker emits wheezing at high volume, lower the bass level in the equalizer of the sound source or update the firmware of the device.

7. Update firmware and reset to factory settings

Regular firmware updates improve connection stability, add new features (such as support for LDAC or aptX codecs) and fix bugs. For Xiaomi Mi speakers, updates are distributed through the Mi Home app.

How to update firmware:

1. Open Mi Home and select your column.
2. Go to the device settings → Software update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn the column off power!).

If the column is unstable, perform a complete reset:

• 🔧 For Mi Portable Speaker: Hold on to Power + Volume+ 10 seconds.
• 🔧 For Mi Smart Speaker: in Mi Home, select Settings → Reset to factory.

⚠️ Note: After resetting, the column must be re-associated with the Mi Account and configured to connect to Wi-Fi. All saved settings (e.g., equalizer, alarm clocks) will be deleted.

Frequently asked questions