How to turn on wired headphones on Xiaomi: a complete guide for all models

Wired headphones are still a popular accessory among Xiaomi smartphone owners, despite the ubiquity of wireless technology. However, many users face difficulties when connecting for the first time: the sound does not appear, the microphone does not work, the system does not recognize the device at all. In this article, we will examine all the nuances of connecting wired headphones to Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones – from classic models with a 3.5 mm connector to modern devices with USB-C or even without audio output.

Xiaomi smartphones often use custom drivers to process audio, and some models (such as the Xiaomi 11T or Redmi Note 10 Pro) lack a traditional audio jack. This requires additional manipulation when connecting. We will look not only at the basic ways to activate headphones, but also at common errors that interfere with proper operation. If you want to know how to make wired headphones work on your Xiaomi without unnecessary problems, read on.

Types of connectors for wired headphones in Xiaomi smartphones

Before you plug in your headphones, it’s important to determine what type of jack your Xiaomi model uses, which not only determines how you connect, but also the potential problems you may encounter.

Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with three main types of connectors for wired headphones:

• 🔌 3.5 mm (mini-jack) - classic audio jack, which is still found in budget and mid-budget models (for example, Redmi). 9A, POCO M3). Supports standard headphones without adapters.
• 🔗 USB-C — modern universal connector, which is used in flagship and some mid-budget models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+). Requires headphones with a connector USB-C adapter.
• ⚡ Without an audio jack, in some models (for example, Xiaomi Mix 4), the 3.5 mm connector is completely missing. USB-C-headphones or wireless alternatives.

It is important to consider that even if your Xiaomi is equipped with a 3.5 mm connector, this does not guarantee compatibility with all headphones. Some models (especially the POCO line) may have problems recognizing the microphone or control buttons, in which case it helps to update the firmware or reset the audio settings.

Connecting headphones with a 3.5 mm connector: step-by-step instructions

If your Xiaomi smartphone is equipped with a classic audio jack, the connection process is as simple as possible. However, even here there are nuances that can cause problems.

1. Check the integrity of the headphones and jack. Make sure that the plug is not damaged, and the connector in the smartphone is clean (dust or dirt can interfere with contact).
2. Connect your headphones before you turn on music. Some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi 8) are better at recognizing headphones if they are connected before the audio player starts.
3. Select the right sound source. Once connected, swipe your finger over the top notification curtain and make sure the headphone icon (not the speaker) is displayed in the control panel.
4. Set up sound settings. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality and select the optimal profile (e.g. High quality for music or Talk for calls).

If you only have the audio through the speaker after you've connected, try rebooting your smartphone. Sometimes the MIUI system hangs on a certain sound source, and rebooting helps reset the settings.

Check the plug for damage | Clear the jack from dust | Connect the headphones before the music starts | Make sure the headphone icon is displayed in the curtain |Reboot the smartphone if you have problems with the sound-->

⚠️ Note: In some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3) When you plug in the headphones, the speaker automatically turns off the sound, but the microphone may not work. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Sound settings and disable Monozsound option.

Connecting USB-C headphones or via an adapter

Xiaomi models without a 3.5 mm connector (for example, Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K50) require the use of headphones with a USB-C connector or a special adapter.

• 🔄 Use certified adapters. Cheap adapters from 3.5 mm to USB-C Not only can it not work, but also damage the port of the smartphone.We recommend adapters from Xiaomi or proven brands (for example, Anker).
• 🔊 Enable the option “Digital Sound.” In some Xiaomi models for proper work USB-C-Headphones need to activate this setting in Settings → Sound and vibration → Additionally.
• 🔋 Watch the battery charge. USB-C-Headphones or adapters can discharge the smartphone faster, as they use the battery energy to work DAC (digital-to-analog converter).

If you use an adapter, make sure it supports it. OTG-Some low-cost adapters don't have a built-in DAC, which can make the sound distorted or absent, and in this case, only replacing the adapter with a better adapter will help.

⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-C-Avoid charging your smartphone at the same time, and this can cause port conflict and turn off the sound. If you need to charge the device, use wireless charging or turn off the headphones.

Customization of sound and microphone in wired headphones

Even if the headphones are successfully connected, you may have problems with the sound or microphone, most often due to incorrect settings in MIUI.

Sound problems

• 🔇 Quiet sound. Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Volume and check if Safe Sound is activated (limits volume) and make sure the player does not have a separate volume control.
• 🎵 Sound distortion. Try turning off the equalizer in Settings. → Sound and vibration → Equator or reset its settings to factory.
• 🔊 The sound is only in one earpiece. Check the sound balance in Settings. → Special facilities → Sound settings - maybe the slider is shifted to one side.

Mikphone problems

If the person does not hear you during the call through wired headphones:

1. Make sure the microphone on the headphones is not silenced (sometimes this is done with a separate button on the wire).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Microphone and check that the right apps (like Phone or WhatsApp) are allowed access.
3. In some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9), the microphone on the headphones may not work due to a conflict with the built-in microphone. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

💡

If the microphone on the headphones doesn't work on WhatsApp or Telegram, try making a test call through the standard Phone app. If everything works there, the problem is with the messenger settings, check the permissions or reinstall the application.

What to do if Xiaomi can’t see wired headphones

If Xiaomi's smartphone doesn't respond to wired headphones, the reasons could be both software and hardware.

1. Reconnect the headphones. Remove the plug and insert it back before you click. Sometimes the contact is broken due to incomplete connection.
2. Use a wooden toothpick or compressed air to remove dust from a 3.5mm or USB-C connector. Never use metal objects - this can damage the contacts!
3. Check the headphones on another device, and if they don't work there, the problem is with the headphones themselves.
4. Update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI. New updates often fix audio recognition bugs.

If nothing helps, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 🛠️ A common problem with Xiaomi active models is loosening or oxidizing the contacts in the 3.5 mm connector, in which case only repairs in the service center will help.
• 🔧 Audio codec malfunction: If the smartphone does not recognize any headphones (including: USB-C), It's a problem for Redmi Note 8 Pro models after crashes.

Features of connection on different models Xiaomi

Some Xiaomi models have unique nuances when working with wired headphones.

Redmi Note 10 / POCO X3 / Mi 11 Lite

These models often have a problem with automatically switching the sound to the headphones.

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Additional → Switching audio devices.
2. Turn off the automatic switching option.
3. Manually select headphones in the control panel after connecting.

Xiaomi 12 / 12 Pro / 12S Ultra

Flagship models with USB-C may not recognize cheap adapters.

• Use adapters with support for 32-bit/384kHz (for example, the original from Xiaomi).
• Activate Hi-Res audio mode in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound quality.

POCO F3 / F4 GT

These models may not have a microphone on 4-pin headphones (CTIA/OMTP).

• Try headphones with a 3-pin plug (without a microphone).
• Update the firmware to the latest version - in the new updates, compatibility with different plug standards has been fixed.

💡

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t recognize the microphone on the headphones, it’s likely that the problem is incompatibility of the plug standards (CTIA vs OMTP).

Alternative ways to connect wired headphones

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support wired headphones directly (like the Xiaomi Mix 4), or you’re facing intractable issues, consider alternatives:

• 📶 Bluetooth adapter. You can use a 3.5 mm adapter. → Bluetooth (e.g. Avantek) BTA-200). It converts the signal from wired headphones to wireless, but adds a latency of sound (~100 ms).
• 🔌 USB-C A hub with audio output. Devices like Baseus USB-C Hub allows you to connect headphones 3.5 mm and simultaneously charge the smartphone.
• 🎧 USB-C headphones with external DAC. Models with their own amplifier (for example, 1MORE Triple Driver offers better sound quality than adapters.

If you use wired headphones to listen to music, look for external DACs (such as iFi Audio hip-dac) that connect via USB-C and significantly improve sound by bypassing the smartphone's built-in audio chip.

⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-C-Avoid connecting other devices (such as flash drives) at the same time as the headphones, which can cause port conflict and cause the sound to be turned off.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wired headphones on Xiaomi