How to connect headphones to Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Introduction: why connecting headphones to Xiaomi can cause difficulties

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their combination of affordable prices and advanced technology, but even they sometimes have nuances when connecting accessories, especially headphones, both wired and wireless. Unlike the iPhone, where everything is standardized, Xiaomi has its own features, from the lack of 3.5 mm jack in new models to specific Bluetooth settings.

Problems can occur at any stage: the phone can’t see the headphones, the sound is interrupted, the microphone doesn’t work or the device shuts down after a few seconds. Often this is not due to a breakdown, but to incorrect settings or missing details. For example, many people do not know that some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) require a firmware update to keep the wireless headphones running smoothly.

In this article, we will analyze all ways of connecting - from classic wired headphones to modern ones. TWS-And we'll also solve some of the typical problems, and if you're dealing with a Bluetooth bug, which is you couldn't connect, or if your phone just can't see the headphones, you'll find a solution here.

1. Connecting wired headphones to Xiaomi

Despite the trend towards the 3.5mm jack, many Xiaomi models still support wired headphones, but even here there are nuances:

• 🔌 Models with a 3.5 mm connector: Redmi 9A, Poco M3, Mi A3 And older devices, and the connection is automatic, and you just plug in the plug.
• ⚡ Models without connector: Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro, Poco F5. Required. USB-C Adapter (often included) or wireless headphones.
• 🎧 Sound problems: if after connecting the headphones sound goes through the speakers, check the cleanness of the connector and settings output sound in Settings → Sound.

If your Xiaomi doesn’t recognize wired headphones, try the following steps:

1. Turn off Bluetooth (sometimes the phone tries to redirect the sound to a wireless device).
2. Reboot your phone – it will reset the audio system’s temporary errors.
3. Check the headphones on another device to rule out their breakdown.
4. Update the firmware: go to Settings → About the phone → System update.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using USB-C Headphone adapter, avoid cheap, uncertified models that can damage the port or cause the sound controller in the Snapdragon processor to overheat (relevant to Xiaomi). 12/13 series).

Check the integrity of the headphone cable

Clean the 3.5mm or USB-C connector from dust

Turn off Bluetooth in the notification curtain

Make sure the headphones are not in "microphone" mode (switch on the wire)

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2. Connecting Bluetooth headphones to Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Wireless headphones are the most popular option for modern smartphones.The process of connecting to Xiaomi is standard, but there are a few hidden settings that will improve the quality of communication.

Main stages:

1. Turn the headphones on in pairing mode (usually hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks).
2. On your phone, open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Click Device Search and select your headphones from the list.
4. Confirm the pairing (sometimes required to enter) PIN-code, such as 0000 or 1234).

After connecting, it is recommended to go to the settings of the headphones (tap their name in the list of Bluetooth devices) and:

• 🔊 Turn on HD Audio (if supported) for better sound.
• 🎤 Activate the microphone for calls if the headphones are used as a headset.
• 🔄 Disable Auto Connection if the headphones connect to multiple devices (avoids conflict).

3.5 mm wired

Wired via USB-C adapter

Wireless TWS (AirDots and analogues)

Overhead/full-size Bluetooth headphones

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3.Solving problems: Xiaomi doesn't see Bluetooth headphones

If your Xiaomi doesn’t find headphones on the list of available devices, the problem could be on both the phone and accessory side.

1. Headphones are not displayed in the list:

• 🔋 Check the charge of the headphones - discharged devices may not enter the pairing mode.
• 🔄 Reset the headphones (usually hold the power button) 10-15 seconds).
• 📱 Reset network settings on your phone: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

2. the connection is interrupted or the sound is:

• 📶 Make sure there are no interference sources nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).
• 🔧 In the headphone settings, select the codec SBC instead AAC/aptX — He's less sensitive to interference.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware of the headphones (if supported) through the official manufacturer’s app.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 11) may experience conflict while connecting headphones and smartwatches.

4. Connection TWS-headphones (AirDots, Buds and analogues)

TWS-Xiaomi’s True Wireless Stereo headphones — like Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds or Xiaomi Buds 4 — have their own connectivity features. The main difference from conventional Bluetooth headsets is that they connect as a single device, but synchronize with each other.

Instructions for Xiaomi AirDots and similar models:

1. Take both headphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on.
2. Press the touchpad on both headphones for 3 seconds until the white indicator flashes.
3. On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and select Mi True Wireless EBs basic_R (right-ear).
4. Wait 5-10 seconds – the left earphone will connect automatically.

If one of the headphones is not connected:

• 🔄 Reboot the case: Put the headphones inside, close the lid, wait 10 seconds, then pull out.
• 🧲 Reset the headphone settings: hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (the indicator will turn red).
• 📲 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list on your phone and reconnect.

💡

If after updating MIUI headphones Xiaomi AirDots began to turn off after 5 minutes, turn off the function Automatic Shutdown in Bluetooth settings (tap the name of the headphones → Auto Shutdown → Never).

5. Adjusting the sound for optimal reproduction

Connecting headphones is half the battle, and to make the sound clear and loud, you need to set the audio settings correctly on Xiaomi.

Sound modes:

• 🎵 Settings → Sound. → Sound quality and effects:
• 🔊 Settings → Sound. → Media Volume: Adjust the Balance Between Left and Right Headphone.

2. Bluetooth settings for wireless headphones:

• 📡 Turn on Absolute Volume (in the headphone settings) to adjust volume directly from your phone.
• 🎧 Choose the optimal audio codec: LDAC — Better quality (but more battery consumption) aptX – balance between quality and stability. SBC — universal, but with the worst sound.

💡

For Xiaomi models on Android 13+, LE Audio is available (in the developer settings).It reduces sound latency and saves battery power, but only works with supported headphones (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro).

6. Frequent errors and their correction

Even after a successful connection, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If neither of these methods worked, try connecting the headphones to another phone, test them to another phone, if the problem recurs, the headphones fail, and if not, the problem is with Xiaomi software (you may need to reset to factory settings).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ Bluetooth function appeared LE Audio, which can conflict with old headphones. If the sound becomes intermittent after the update, turn it off in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → tap 7 times → Developer settings → Shut down. LE Audio).

7. Connect headphones to Xiaomi via USB-C or Lightning

Many modern Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Poco F5 Pro) do not have a 3.5 mm connector, but support analog audio output via USB-C. This requires an adapter, but not all of them work correctly.

How to choose an adapter:

• ✅ Original adapters from Xiaomi (article) MDZ-23-AM) — guarantee compatibility.
• ⚠️ Adapters on a chip CS43130 — may not work with MIUI driver-bound.
• ❌ Cheap adapters without DAC — They cause severe interference at high volume.

If the sound is distorted or silent through the adapter:

1. Check that the adapter is tightly inserted into the port (sometimes helping to flip it).
2. Turn off Mi Sound Enhancer in the sound settings.
3. Try another cable or headphones - the problem may be in them.

For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (such as Xiaomi 13), USB-C Digital Audio is available, which transmits sound in digital format without loss, to activate it:

Settings → Additional → Developer settings → Enable USB-audio routing

FAQ: Answers to popular questions