How to connect headphones Xiaomi True Wireless: step-by-step instructions

Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi have become the standard of quality and availability, but their initial setup often raises questions for new users. The process of pairing with a smartphone or tablet seems simple, but in reality owners face various nuances depending on the model of the headset and the version of the operating system of the mobile device. Understanding the basic principles of Bluetooth technology will help avoid most typical errors at the first launch.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the connectivity algorithms for different series of devices, including popular Redmi AirDots models, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and flagship Xiaomi Buds. You will learn about the hidden features of the developer menu, methods of forced pairing and diagnostic methods when standard device search does not yield results.

Before you get to specific actions, it is important to prepare the equipment for work. Make sure that the charging case and the headphones themselves have a sufficient level of charge, since in low-power mode, the Bluetooth module may not work stable or at all. Remove both earphones from the charging case and wait for the indicators to signal the transition to the ready-to-pair mode to light up on them.

Initial preparation and activation of the interface mode

The first step is always to activate the detection mode, unlike wired accessories, TWS-Headphones (True Wireless Stereo) require manual or automatic transition to visibility mode for other devices. Most Xiaomi and Redmi models switch to this mode automatically immediately after being removed from the case, unless they were previously associated with another gadget. Indicators on the housings should start flashing white or red-white, indicating a search for a pair.

However, if the headphones have been used with another phone before, they may try to connect to it automatically, ignoring your new device, in which case you need to force pairing mode. This usually requires pressing and holding the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators blink at a different frequency. On some models, such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, you may need to press the function button of the charging case itself.

⚠️ Warning: If the lights flash red, it means a critically low battery charge. Connect the case to the charger for at least 15 minutes before attempting pairing, otherwise the Bluetooth module may not start.

It is important to distinguish between physical button models on the case and fully touch versions. Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic often lack an external button, and all control is through touch zones on the "ears" themselves. In more advanced versions, such as Xiaomi Buds 3 or Pro, use a combined method or automatic opening of the case cover to activate the mode (pair).

Connection to Android-based smartphones

The Android operating system provides the most flexible tools for working with the Xiaomi peripherals. The standard connection procedure is as follows: open your phone settings, go to the Bluetooth section and make sure that the slider is activated. Press the "Search for new devices" button or just wait until the system itself finds the devices. The name of your model should appear on the list of available gadgets, for example, Redmi nearby AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earphones.

After clicking on the device name, the system will request confirmation of pairing. PIN-The standard value for most Xiaomi devices is 0000 or 1234, although modern models often do without this step using the secure connection protocol. SSP. Successful connection is confirmed by the voice message "Connected" in the headphones themselves and the appearance of the battery icon in the status bar of the smartphone.

There is an ecosystem advantage for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners: When using a MIUI or HyperOS shell, the connection can occur through a MIUI Pop-up pop-up that appears automatically when you open the case cover next to the unlocked phone, which allows you not only to connect the sound, but also to instantly see the charge level of each headphone and case on the home screen, which is not available when you connect to third-party Android smartphones without installing additional applications.

Compatibility with Apple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)

Apple owners can also comfortably use Xiaomi headphones, although the customization process has its own peculiarities. Since the iOS ecosystem is closed, the branded MIUI Pop-up pop-up on iPhones will not appear. You need to manually open Settings → Bluetooth and find the device in the list of "Other Devices." The name usually corresponds to the model, but can sometimes be displayed as BT-Device until the first successful pairing.

Once connected, iOS will offer you to configure features like Automatic Ear Detection or microphone access. It’s worth noting that some advanced features available on Android may be limited. For example, changing the equalizer or reassigning touch buttons often requires installing third-party apps from the App Store, as the native Xiaomi Earbuds app for iOS may not be available or it may have stripped down functionality.

The audio quality when connected to an iPhone is usually high, as the devices support AAC and SBC codecs, which are the standard for Apple’s technology. However, the aptX codec, often used in high-resolution Android devices, is not supported in iOS, so the difference in bitrate can be noticeable to audiophiles when compared to Android smartphones.

Using the Xiaomi Earbuds app and setting up

To unlock the full potential of your TWS-It is recommended to install the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (or Mi Wear for older models), which allows you to update the firmware, which is critical to fix connection bugs and improve stability. In the application menu, you can find the section "Update", where the system itself will check the availability of a new version of the software for the connected device.

Inside the app, you have a detailed equalizer that allows you to customize the frequencies to your taste: strengthen the bass, make the vocals clearer or select Volume Sound mode. You also reassign the touch controls, you can set up a double touch to skip the track, triple to call the voice assistant, or long press to switch between noise reduction modes (ANC).

Special attention should be paid to the game mode feature, which reduces the delay of audio transmission to a minimum, this is especially true for players in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, where it is important to hear the enemy's steps in real time, activate this mode through the application or triple touch the sensor (if configured by default).

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Updating the firmware through the app is the only way to fix the problems with channel desynchronization and improve the microphone.

Solving Common Connection Problems

Despite the reliability of the technology, users may encounter a situation where the phone sees the headphones but does not connect, or only one channel (left or right) is connected. Often this is solved by cleaning the list of paired devices. Go to Bluetooth settings, find your Xiaomi Earbuds, click on the gear icon or "i" and select Forget the device or Unpair.

If the problem persists, there may have been a failure in sync between the left and right earphones. In this case, you need to perform a full reset. The procedure varies depending on the model: for Redmi AirDots, you need to remove the headphones, 5 times quickly press the sensors of both at the same time, and then hold until the indicator flashes. For Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/2S, you need to put the headphones in the case, open the lid and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the orange indicator flashes.

⚠️ Note: When you do a full reset, the headphones will forget all the devices you previously connected to. You will have to pair your phone again as if it were a new device.

Another common cause of problems is contamination of the charging contacts in the case. If the headphones do not fully charge or turn off when placed in the case, they can discharge at the most inopportune moment.

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If the sound is quiet or gone in one headphone, check the channel balance in the settings of special Android features (Settings → Special Opportunities → Hearing) and make sure that the L/R slider is in the center.

Specificity of connecting different models (AirDots, Buds, Pro)

Xiaomi’s wireless acoustics lineup is extensive, and each series has its own characteristics. Entry-level models such as Redmi AirDots (versions 1 and 2) often use the old connection protocol, where you first need to connect the headphones to each other (one becomes a master, the other a salv), and only then look for them on the phone. This takes longer and sometimes requires patience.

The Mi True Wireless Earphones series (white and black versions) and Xiaomi Buds (3, 3 Pro, 4, 4 Pro) feature more modern chips that support instant pairing and multipoint connection. This allows you to simultaneously communicate with your laptop and phone, switching between them automatically when you call. Multipoint activation is usually done through an application or a special sequence of touches.

Flagship models with active noise cancellation (ANC) may require additional permissions in the Android system to work adaptive algorithms. When you first connect Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, the system can request access to geolocation and background operation of the application, which is necessary to correctly switch the noise emitting modes depending on your location.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)