How to connect one headphone to a Xiaomi phone: all working ways

Why Xiaomi Phones Can't See One Headphone - and How to Fix It

You want to use only one headphone from a wireless headset (for example, Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi Buds), but the phone stubbornly connects both — or does not see a single device at all? The problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. The reasons lie in the features of the Bluetooth protocol, MIUI settings and even in the firmware of headphones.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to connect a single headphone to a phone, from basic settings to adapters and third-party apps. And why some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro) can block mono-connection due to energy savings.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure that your headphones support mono-connection mode. For example, Xiaomi Air 2 Pro or Buds 4 allow you to use each headphone separately, but the budget Redmi Buds 3 Lite can only work in pairs.

Method 1: Standard Bluetooth connection (for supported models)

If your headphones initially support single-connection mode (e.g. Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Air) 2S), It's enough to do the standard pairing procedure. Here's how to do it on the MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the switch.
2. Place the headphone in search mode (usually you need to hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphone (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones). 2_L left or R for right).
4. Slip it on it and confirm the pairing.

⚠️ Note: If the list only shows the general name of the headset (for example, Redmi Buds 4 without specifying the side), then the headphones do not support separate connection.

Remove the headphone from the case (it should be turned on)

Make sure the headphone charge is > 20%

Disable previously coupled devices in Bluetooth settings

Reboot your phone if the headphone is not detected-->

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra or POCO F4), after connecting one headphone, the second one can automatically turn off – this is normal behavior. If both headphones remain active, but the sound only goes to one, check the balance settings in the player (more about this in method 2).

Method 2: Adjusting the sound balance in the player or system parameters

Sometimes the phone connects both earbuds, but the sound is played through only one, and this is due to the settings of the stereo balance, a parameter that distributes volume between the left and right channels, and you can fix this in two ways:

Option A: Through accessibility settings

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Hearing.
2. Find the Mono-Audio or Left/Right Channel Balance.
3. Move the slider completely to the left (for the left earpiece) or to the right (for the right).

Option B: In the player settings

Apps like Mi Music, Spotify or YouTube Music have their own audio settings:

• 🎵 At Mi Music: Settings → equalizer → Balance.
• 🎧 In Spotify: Settings → Reproduction → equalizer → Balance.
• 📺 YouTube: Balance settings are only available in the desktop version.

Mi Music (built-in)

Spotify

YouTube Music

VK Music

Other-->

If you still have both earbuds after this manipulation, but you only want to use one, try physically disabling the second one (e.g., put it in a case). Some Xiaomi models automatically switch to mono mode when you lose connection to one of the headphones.

Method 3: Using a Bluetooth transmitter for wired headphones

If you have wired headphones (like the Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD or Redmi SonicBass), but you want to connect only one of them, you'll need a Bluetooth adapter. This is a small device that converts wired signals to wireless. Here's how to use it:

⚠️ Note: When using the adapter, you may experience a delay of up to 200-300 ms. This is critical for games or watching videos, but not noticeable when listening to music.

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If the adapter doesn’t connect, try resetting it: hold the power button for 10-15 seconds before changing the color of the indicator (usually from blue to red).

Method 4: Applications for forced mono-connection

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party apps that trick the system into seeing only one headphone.

• 📱 SoundAssistant (from Samsung, but works on the same platform) MIUI) — It allows you to adjust the sound balance globally, not just in the player.
• 🔊 Mono Bluetooth Router – Forced to connect only one headphone from a pair (requires root on some firmware).
• 🎛️ Developer Options (Hidden Android Settings) – Allows you to disable Bluetooth AVRCP 1.6, which sometimes solves the problem.

Let’s take a closer look at the SoundAssistant:

1. Download the app from Google Play (or APK from the official website).
2. Open it and go to the Sound Balance section.
3. Move the slider 100% to the left (for the left earpiece) or to the right (for the right).
4. Enable the option Apply to all applications.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Mono Bluetooth Router may conflict with system services MIUI, especially on the firmware below MIUI 13.Before using them, back up your data or check reviews for your phone model.

Method 5: Manually disable the second headphone through Bluetooth settings

If your headphones are paired, but you only want to use one, you can try cheating the system by temporarily turning off the second headphone.

1. Connect both headphones to your phone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth and tap the gear icon next to the name of your headset.
3. In some firmware MIUI Here you can see separate devices for the left and right earphone (for example, Redmi Buds). 4_L and Redmi Buds. 4_R).
4. Slap on the unnecessary earpiece and select Forget the device.

If individual devices don’t show up, try the following trick:

• 🔋 Put the unnecessary headphone in the case (it will shut down).
• 📱 On your phone in Bluetooth settings, click Disable next to the headset name.
• 🔄 Remove the right earphone from the case and wait 10 seconds – sometimes the system connects only it.

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On some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO X3 Pro) after turning off one headphone, the sound may disappear completely, in which case a reboot of the phone or a reset of Bluetooth settings will help.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successfully connecting one earpiece, there can be difficulties, and let's look at the most common ways to eliminate them:

If none of these things worked, the problem could be the headphone firmware. For example, Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro before firmware version 1.4.0.6 had a bug with a mono-connection.

1. Download the official Mi Earphones app from Google Play.
2. Connect both earphones to the phone.
3. In the application, check for firmware updates and install them.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions