Sony’s current wireless headphones and Xiaomi smartphones (including its Redmi and POCO sub-brands) are powerful for high-quality audio playback. However, the process of pairing them can be difficult for users who have not previously encountered manual pairing activation. Unlike wired accessories, Bluetooth headsets require precise sequences to successfully “acquaint” devices.
The main difficulty is often that headphones do not go into visibility automatically when turned on, and smartphones based on MIUI or HyperOS have their own characteristics of working with data protocols. Understanding these nuances allows you to avoid unnecessary nerves and quickly enjoy your favorite music. In this article, we will discuss the entire process in detail, from activating search mode to fine-tuning sound codecs.
You don’t need any special apps or root rights to do this successfully. All the tools are already built into the Android operating system. The main thing is to follow the instructions carefully and take into account the specific features of your Sony headphone model, whether it’s the WH-1000XM series, LinkBuds or WF.
Preparation of equipment and charge check
Before any manipulation of wireless devices, it is critical to ensure that the battery is sufficiently charged. Low charge can lead to unstable operation of the Bluetooth module or sudden switching off of the headphones during the setup process. If the battery is discharged, put both devices on charge for at least 15-20 minutes.
Make sure your Xiaomi smartphone has a wireless module on. Often users forget that geolocation must be active for initial pairing, as Android uses it to scan devices. Check for the latest system updates, as older versions of MIUI may have bugs that affect connection stability.
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Keep the headphones and phone at a distance of no more than 1 meter from each other during the pairing procedure, this will eliminate the influence of third-party radio interference and ensure the maximum data transfer speed when installing handshake protocol.
It’s also worth checking the list of previously connected devices. If your Sony headphones have been paired with another phone or tablet before, they can automatically try to connect to it, ignoring the new smartphone, in which case you need to temporarily turn off Bluetooth on other gadgets or forget the device in their settings.
Activation of the pairing mode on Sony headphones
The most important step is to put the headset into detection mode. Many users make the mistake of just turning on the device, but it's not enough for the first connection. Headphones should clearly signal that they are ready to find a new host. The activation method depends on the form factor of your model.
For full-size WH series models (such as the WH-1000XM4 or WH-CH710N), you need to turn off the headphones and then hold and hold the power button for about 7 seconds. Do not release the button when you hear the voice message "Power on." Continue holding until the indicator flashes blue quickly and intermittently.
For fully wireless WF models (e.g., WF-1000XM4), the procedure is different: Place both headphones in the charging case, leaving the lid open. Find the pairing button on the back or inside of the case and hold it for about 5 seconds. The indicator on the front should start flashing blue.
What to do if the indicator does not flash?
The visual signal, the flashing blue LED, is Sony's universal standard, meaning, "I'm visible to everyone." Once you see this signal, you can move on to the actions of the smartphone. If the indicator flashes red, it's a low charge or error signal, and the pairing will not begin.
Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi smartphone
After you get the headset ready, you pick up your smartphone. The interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS may vary slightly depending on the Android version, but the logic of action remains the same: Open the Settings app or hang the "curtain" of notifications from top to bottom.
Find the Bluetooth icon and click on it to turn it on. If you use the curtain, make sure the icon is active (usually blue). For a deeper setup, go to the Settings → Bluetooth menu. Here you will see the list of "Available Devices." The system will begin automatic scanning of the ether.
The list of available devices should show the name of your headset, for example, WH-1000XM4 or Sony WF-1000XM3. If the device does not appear for 10-15 seconds, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen and select "Update" or "Device Search". Make sure that the smartphone screen is not turned off, as in the energy saving mode, scanning may stop.
Connection and authorization process
When a device is found, tap its name on the list. On the smartphone screen, you may see a request to confirm pairing with an access code. In most modern Sony models, the code is not required or it is standard (0000), and the connection is automatically via the SSP (Secure Simple Pairing) protocol.
Once you click on the device name, the system will start the process of establishing communication, and you will hear voice confirmation in the headphones: "Bluetooth connected" (Bluetooth connected), while on the phone screen the status will change to "Connected" or "Connected (media, phone)".
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
It's important to note that the connection can be made through two channels: for phone calls and for media audio. Sometimes the call goes through the headphones and the music plays through the phone speaker. In that case, click on the gear next to the device name in the Bluetooth list and make sure that the ticks are in front of the "Sound" and "Multimedia".
Advanced sound and codec setting
Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their flexibility in setting up the audio stream. Once successfully paired, it is highly recommended to check the data codec used. This affects the sound quality, especially if you are using high-end models that support LDAC or aptX HD.
To access these settings, go to Settings → Bluetooth, tap the arrow or gear next to the connected Sony headphones, and find Bluetooth Codec or Sound Quality, where you can choose to prioritize Connection Quality (stability) or Sound Quality (maximum bitrate).
| Codec | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| SBC | Basic codec, is in all devices | Use it on a bad signal |
| aptX | Improved quality, low latency | Optimal for video and gaming |
| LDAC | High resolution (Hi-Res) requires a good signal. | Best Choice for Sony Music |
| AAC | Standard for iOS, good for Android | Universal option |
If you have chosen the LDAC codec, but the sound is interrupted or wheezing, this may indicate radio interference, in which case you should switch to aptX or AAC. Also, the "Adaptive Connection" feature is often available in this menu, which automatically adjusts the flow quality depending on the signal reception conditions.
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Using the LDAC codec on Sony headphones in conjunction with Xiaomi allows you to transmit sound in resolution up to 990 kbit / s, which is 3 times higher than the quality of standard Bluetooth, but requires close location of devices.
Use of the Sony Headphone Connect app
While the basic connection works right away, to fully unlock the potential of your Sony headphones, you need to install Sony’s branded Headphones Connect app.It can be downloaded from Google Play Market.The app will automatically identify the connected model and prompt you to update the software.
The app has unique features that are not available through the standard Android menu, including noise reduction adjustment, equalizer, Speak-to-Chat, and adaptive sound management. Without this app, many advanced features will remain locked.
When you first run the application can request a lot of permissions. To work correctly all the functions, especially those associated with automatic switching of modes depending on the location, you need to allow access to geolocation and background work of the application. In the settings of the Xiaomi phone, find the Sony Headphones Connect app in the “Return” section and allow it to work in the background, otherwise the system can “kill” the process to save energy.
Solving Connection Problems and Errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can crash. One of the common problems with Xiaomi is that the device is visible on the list, but when you try to connect, it says "Unable to connect" or "Pairing error", in which case the first thing you need to do is to perform the action "Forget the device" (or "Cancel pairing") in the Bluetooth menu of the phone.
Secret method of resetting Bluetooth on Xiaomi
Another common situation is audio desynchronization or lack of audio. Try to reboot your smartphone by turning it off and on completely, and check if Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode is activated, which can block media audio from being output to external devices.
⚠️ Warning: If Sony headphones stopped connecting after updating the phone's firmware, try clearing the Bluetooth service cache. → Annexes → All applications → Showing System Processes → Bluetooth and click "Clean." This won't delete your pairs, but it will reset the module's network settings.
In rare cases, the problem is a crowded pairing memory. Sony headphones can store information about several recent devices. If you change gadgets often, memory can overflow. Complete a full reset of the headphone settings (Hard Reset) according to the instructions for your model to clear the internal memory of the headset.