How to connect Huawei headphones to Xiaomi phone: all ways + mistake-making

Connecting Huawei headphones to a Xiaomi smartphone seems like a simple task — until you face compatibility problems, no sound or constant communication interruptions. Even if both devices support Bluetooth 5.2 or Type-C, manufacturers often use proprietary protocols that interfere with stable operation. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from basic pairing to solving rare bugs, when the headphones are determined but do not play the sound.

Special attention will be paid to headphones Huawei FreeBuds and FreeLace – these models often cause questions from owners of Xiaomi because of the proprietary codec. LHDC, which does not always work properly on the scaling MIUI. Also consider the nuances of connecting wired headphones through an adapter USB-C → 3.5 mm where microphone or control buttons may be recognized.

1. Preparation of devices before connection

Before you try to connect your headphones to your phone, do basic checks that will save time and eliminate common errors associated with software failures or a dead battery.

Start by updating the firmware on both devices. MIUI (below 13.0) may not support modern Huawei protocols, such as LHDC 4.0 or AAC Low latency check the relevance of the software:

• 📱 On Xiaomi: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system
• 🎧 On Huawei FreeBuds: Use the App AI Life (available for Android)

Reset the headphones to factory settings (if previously connected to another device)|

Charge headphones and case to 100%|

Shut down. VPN Power saving modes on Xiaomi|

Remove old Bluetooth devices from the list of associated (Settings) → Bluetooth)-->

If you connect wired headphones through an adapter, make sure you use the original Huawei adapter or a Xiaomi certified.Cheap Chinese adapters often don't support a microphone or control buttons due to a lack of a chip. CTIA/OMTP.

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If the Huawei FreeBuds 5 headphones are not detected, try to turn on the pairing mode by holding the button on the case for 10 seconds - until the white and red indicators flash.

2. Connecting Huawei wireless headphones to Xiaomi over Bluetooth

The standard pairing process takes less than a minute, but there are nuances for different models, so let's look at the universal algorithm and the individual cases for popular headphones.

Universal instruction

1. Open the lid of the Huawei FreeBuds case (earphones should stay inside).
2. Press and hold the pairing button on the back of the case (usually 3-5 seconds) until the indicator flashes white and blue.
3. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
4. Choose your model from the list (for example, FreeBuds). 5i) and confirm the conjugation.

If the headphones don’t appear on the list, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module on Xiaomi (disable/enable the switch in the notification curtain).
• 📵 Remove all previously stored Huawei devices from your phone’s memory.
• 🔋 Check the case charge – at a level below 20%, some models stop broadcasting the pairing signal.

Features for specific models

3. Sound adjustment after connection

Even if the headphones are successfully paired, the sound can sound quiet, distorted or without bass (EQ) default.

The first thing you need to do is turn off Absolute Volume in the developer settings, which synchronizes volume levels between devices, but often works incorrectly with Huawei headphones:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to turn off absolute volume and activate it.

Next, adjust the sound quality:

• 🎛️ B Settings → Sound. → Bluetooth Audio Quality Choose Best Quality (LDAC) or balanced (AAC).
• 🔊 In the same menu, turn off Dynamic Quality – it can automatically switch the codec to the SBC.
• 🎵 Install an equalizer app (such as Wavelet) to manually adjust frequencies.

FreeBuds 5/5i|

FreeBuds 4/4i|

FreeBuds Pro 2|

FreeBuds 3/SE|

FreeLace (wired)|

Another model-->

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If after connecting headphones Huawei lost the sound in the calls, check the settings of the microphone in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphones: Some models require separate access confirmation.

4. Connecting Huawei wired headphones to Xiaomi

With the transition USB-C Many users are faced with the problem of connecting wired headphones Huawei FreeLace or other models with a 3.5 mm connector. USB-C.

Option 1: Through the adapter USB-C → 3.5 mm

The official adapters of Huawei and Xiaomi usually work without problems, but cheap analogues may not support:

• 🎤 Microphone (due to lack of chip) CTIA).
• 🔘 Control buttons (play/pause, volume).
• 🔋 Charging at the same time as listening to music.

To check the compatibility:

1. Connect the adapter to Xiaomi.
2. Insert the headphones into a 3.5mm jack.
3. Open any audio app and check the sound.
4. Call another phone to test the microphone.

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If the microphone is not working, try to turn on the debugging option. USB Sometimes it helps activate the audio input on the adapters.

Option 2: Direct connection to USB-C

Huawei FreeLace Pro or FreeBuds headphones UR plug-in USB-C They are directly connected, but may require:

• 🔌 Confirmation of a trusted device (pop-up on Xiaomi).
• 📥 Installation of drivers (automatically via Settings) → Connected devices).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone after the first connection.

If the headphones are defined as an “audio device” but no sound:

1. Check if only charging mode is activated in the notification curtain.
2. Go to Settings. → Sound. → Output sound and select connected headphones.
3. Update the headphone firmware through Huawei AI Life.

5. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, there may be failures, and let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Headphones are connected, but there is no sound

Causes and solutions:

• 🔇 Incorrect Bluetooth profile: Go to Settings → Connected devices → Headphones → Audio Profile and select Telephone Calls and Media.
• 🔊 Turned off the sound in the curtain: check if the mode is activated "No sound" or "Vibration".
• 📵 Conflict with other devices: disable all other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, speakers).

Problem 2: Constant communication breakdowns

If the sound is interrupted every 5-10 seconds:

• 📶 Wi-Fi interference: switch router to 5GHz channel or turn off Wi-Fi while listening.
• 🔋 Weak Bluetooth signal: Keep your phone and headphones no more than 1 meter away while pairing.
• 🔄 Network reset: perform Settings → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

Problem 3: The microphone is not working during calls

If the interviewer does not hear you:

• 🎤 Check if the microphone is closed on headphones (for example, FreeBuds). 4i microphones are placed on legs).
• 📞 Enable the option to Use headphones to call in Settings → Sound. → Output devices.
• 🔧 Reset the access rights for the application "Phone": Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Permits → Microphone.

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After the update MIUI You've lost the sound in your headphones, try rolling back on the previous firmware version or wait for the patch. Often, Bluetooth bugs are fixed in the next updates.

6. Battery optimization and connection stability

Huawei’s wireless headphones can quickly drain when connected to Xiaomi due to background processes or suboptimal settings. Here’s how to extend your running time:

Turn off unnecessary functions:

• 🔍 Device search in Bluetooth settings (reduces scanning).
• 📍 Precise location for Bluetooth (no impact on sound, but saves charge).
• 🔔 Notice of low charge headphones (in AI Life).

Set up energy saving modes:

• ⚡ Add an appendix AI Life in the exclusion of battery optimization: settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → AI Life → No restrictions.
• 🔄 Turn off the Adaptive Battery in the settings MIUI (may interrupt the connection).

7. Alternative ways of connecting

If Bluetooth or wired connectivity doesn’t work, consider alternatives.

Method 1: Through the Huawei App AI Life

Official annex AI Life allows you to:

• 🔄 Update the firmware of headphones.
• 🎛️ To adjust gestures and EQ.
• 🔗 Connect to bypass the standard Bluetooth menu.

Download it from AppGallery or Google Play (if available for your country).

Method 2: Use of two access points (Dual Audio)

If you need to connect Huawei headphones and a column at the same time:

1. Activate Dual Audio in Settings → Bluetooth → Additionally.
2. Connect the headphones as the main device.
3. Add a second device (e.g., Xiaomi Column).

Note: The audio delay between devices can be as high as 0.5 seconds.

Method 3: Connect via Xiaomi HyperOS (for new models)

On phones with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), improved support for third-party headphones is available:

• 🔗 Automatic switching between devices.
• 🎧 Optimized profiles for LDAC and LHDC.
• 🔋 Showing the level of charge of headphones in the notification curtain.

8. Frequent questions and answers