Why Xiaomi Headphones May Not Connect to Huawei and What to Do About It
You bought stylish Xiaomi headphones (like Redmi AirDots or Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) but faced a problem: a Huawei phone (say, P60 Pro or Nova 11) persistently “cannot see” them or refuses to connect? This situation is familiar to many users – despite the universality of the Bluetooth standard, there are sometimes conflicts between devices of different brands, the reasons can lie both in the software limitations of EMUI (Huawei firmware) and in the peculiarities of the Xiaomi protocols.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can connect, from standard Bluetooth pairing to using adapters for wired models, and learn how to get around common bugs (e.g., “Device not found” or “I couldn’t connect”), and what to do if the headphones connect but the sound is interrupted or missing.
Before you get to the instructions, check two key points: 1. Make sure that Xiaomi headphones are charged (the indicator should flash or burn white/blue). 2. On the Huawei phone, Bluetooth and detection mode are enabled (in some versions of EMUI it is hidden in additional settings).
If everything is in order, we will start connecting!
Method 1: Standard Bluetooth connection (for most models)
This is the most common method that works for all Xiaomi wireless headphones, from the budget Redmi AirDots 2 to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro. However, Huawei has a nuance: in the firmware EMUI 12+ and HarmonyOS, the algorithm for finding devices has changed.
- Activate the pairing mode on the headphones: 🔋 For Redmi. AirDots/Xiaomi Buds: Press the button on the case (or touch panel on the headphone) on 5–10 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (search mode). 🎧 For Mi True Wireless Earphones: Remove both headphones from the case – they will automatically go into pairing mode.
- Turn Bluetooth on on Huawei: 📱 Swipe down the screen and hold the Bluetooth icon (or go to Settings). → Wireless networks → Bluetooth). 🔍 Click Device Search (in HarmonyOS it may be called Add a new device).
Select headphones in the list
- 🖱️ Find the name of your model (e.g. Redmi) in the list. AirDots_R Or Mi True Wireless and tap it.
- ✅ Confirm the conjugation (if required). PIN-code, try 0000 or 1234).
If the headphones don’t appear in the list, try the following:
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone: Turn off and turn on the module again.
- 📵 Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices (if there are any) and repeat the search.
- 🔋 Reboot the headphone case: Put them inside, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
☑️ Checklist before connection
Method 2: Connect via Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear
Some Xiaomi headphones (such as the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active) require a proprietary app to work properly. However, on Huawei with HarmonyOS or EMUI without Google services, these apps may not run.
For Huawei phones with Google Play (EMUI 10-12):
- Download Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear from Play Market.
- Connect the headphones via Bluetooth (as in Method 1).
- Open the app and follow the instructions on the screen to anchor the device.
For Huawei without Google (HarmonyOS or EMUI without GMS):
- 📥 Download. APK-Application file from the official Xiaomi website (Global section).
- 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security → Additionally.
- ⚠️ Attention: On HarmonyOS 3.0+ Some of the app's features may not work due to system limitations, in which case use headphones without proprietary software (the basic functionality will remain intact).
If the app does not recognize the headphones:
⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer may require firmware updates through Mi Home.If your Huawei does not support Google Mobile Services, update the firmware headphones through a friend's device (smartphone on pure Android).
Method 3: Connect Xiaomi wired headphones to Huawei (via Type-C or Lightning)
If you have Xiaomi wired headphones (like Mi Hybrid Pro or Mi Earphones Basic) but your Huawei doesn’t have a 3.5mm connector (like the P50 Pro or Mate 60), you’ll need an adapter.
| Headphone type | Required adapter | Example of model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi with 3.5mm | Type-C → 3.5 mm | Huawei AP33 or UGREEN 20539 | Supports microphone and control buttons |
| Xiaomi with Type-C (Mi Noise Cancelling) | No need (connect directly) | — | Check the compatibility of the USB Audio protocol |
| Xiaomi with Lightning (rarely) | Lightning → Type-C | Anker PowerLine | The sound can be transmitted with a delay |
Instructions for connection:
- Connect the adapter to the Type-C port on Huawei.
- Insert the headphones into the adapter (for 3.5 mm).
- On the phone, select the source of the sound: 🎵 For EMUI: Settings → Sound. → Sound output → Wired headphones. 🎵 For HarmonyOS: Control Panel → Sound. → Output device.
⚠️ Attention: On Huawei P60 It is also newer when using the Type-C adapter. → 3.5mm may not have sound in the microphone Solution: use a Bluetooth headset or headphones with a built-in microphone on the cable.
💡
If the sound in the wired headphones is quiet, check the equalizer settings in Settings → Sound → Sound Effects on Huawei. Disable all pre-installed profiles (like Dolby Atmos) as they may conflict with the hardware sound processing in Xiaomi headphones.
Method 4: Dual Bluetooth Connection (for Huawei with EMUI 11+)
Huawei phones on EMUI 11 and later support Dual Bluetooth, which allows you to connect two devices at once. This is useful if you want to use Xiaomi headphones along with a smartwatch or speaker. However, there is a caveat: not all Xiaomi models work correctly in this mode.
How to turn on Dual Bluetooth:
- Open Settings → Wireless Networks → Bluetooth.
- Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Dual Bluetooth.
- Connect the first device (for example, Xiaomi headphones).
- Connect a second device (e.g. Huawei FreeBuds).
Why Dual Bluetooth might not work with Xiaomi
Problem Solving: Headphones are connected but not working
Xiaomi headphones that successfully pair with Huawei, but the sound is missing or interrupted, are common.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No sound, but the headphones are connected. | Wrong output device | In the notification panel, select Headphones as the sound source. |
| The sound is interrupted. | Codec Conflict (SBC/AAC/LDAC) | In Bluetooth settings, select Quality Priority or Compatibility |
| The microphone is not working. | HarmonyOS Restrictions for Third-Party Devices | Use headphones in sound only mode (without microphone) |
| The headphones are turned off in 5-10 minutes | Energy saving Bluetooth | Turn off Adaptive Battery Savings for Bluetooth in Settings |
Additional steps for diagnosis:
- Check the headphones on another device (like a laptop or tablet) if the problem persists, a malfunction in the headphones themselves.
- Update the headphone firmware through Mi Home (if possible).
- Reset your network settings to Huawei: Settings → System → Reset → Network Reset.
⚠️ Note: Huawei Mate 50 and P60 HarmonyOS 3.1+ If Xiaomi headphones are not defined, try disabling Safe Connection in Bluetooth settings (hidden in Additional settings).
Model compatibility: which Xiaomi headphones work better with Huawei
Not all Xiaomi headphones are equally compatible with Huawei, and we tested several popular models and ranked them for connectivity stability and sound quality:
- 🥇 Best Compatibility: Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro (supports) AAC and LDAC, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro (powers even on HarmonyOS without lags).
- 🥈 Good compatibility (may require customization): Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro (sometimes you need to shut down) LHDC). Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (Song Latency in Games).
- 🥉 Problem models: Redmi Buds 4 Active (frequent communication breaks on the Internet) EMUI 13). Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro (Dual Bluetooth conflict).
If you are just planning to buy, pay attention to the supported audio codecs:
- 🎵 SBC — It works everywhere, but it is of poor quality.
- 🎵 AAC — Huawei’s best (good balance of quality and compatibility).
- 🎵 LDAC — High quality, but can slow down on older Huawei models.
- 🚫 LHDC — frequently conflict with EMUI/HarmonyOS, better off.
💡
For maximum compatibility, choose Xiaomi headphones with support for AAC codec. This format is optimized for Android devices (including EMUI) and provides a stable connection without breaks.