Activation of noise reduction AirPods Pro on Android Xiaomi

Using premium Apple AirPods Pro in conjunction with Xiaomi smartphones running on Android, opens access to high-quality sound, but deprives the user of a native control interface. In the Apple ecosystem, switching noise reduction modes is instantaneous, but on MIUI or HyperOS, this feature is hidden behind seven locks. Users often face the need to find third-party solutions, since the standard Bluetooth settings in the Xiaomi system do not provide access to the management of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation).

Fortunately, modern technology can circumvent these limitations, requiring the installation of specialized software that emulates Apple’s communication protocols to fully control headphones, and without a third-party MaterialPods app or analogues, managing noise reduction modes on Android is impossible, a critical point that many people forget when they first set up the device.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail the process of connecting, configuring and activating noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro and Xiaomi bundle, you will learn how to properly configure resolutions, avoid power problems and return full functionality to your headphones. The instructions are relevant for all current versions of the shell MIUI HyperOS.

Technical limitations and the role of third-party software

The data protocol between Apple and Android devices differs significantly. When you connect the AirPods Pro to your iPhone, you use an H1 or H2 chip that instantly synchronizes iCloud settings. On Xiaomi devices, this chip only works in the basic AAC or SBC audio stream mode. Android does not know how to send commands on the fly to change the mode of the noise reduction microphones through the standard Bluetooth menu.

This is where third-party software comes into play. Applications like MaterialPods, Capod, and AndroPods act as a middleman. They read battery status and let you send hidden commands to your headphones. Without that software bridge, your AirPods will run in the mode that was active when you last disconnected from your Apple device, or in the standard transparency/noise-canceling mode that can't be changed.

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial apps requires broad permissions, including location access and background work. Make sure you only download software from trusted sources, such as Google Play or the developer's official GitHub.

It’s important to understand that even with an app installed, the mode-switching delay can be higher than Apple’s wearables, due to the way the Android operating system works and its management of background processes, but for most users, the 1-2-second difference is not critical compared to being able to control the ANC function at all.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for synchronization

Before you download the control utilities, you need to properly prepare the smartphone Xiaomi. Aggressive energy saving system MIUI often "kills" background processes, causing the app for the headphones no longer respond to presses. The first step will be to adjust the Bluetooth settings and resolutions.

Go to your device's Bluetooth settings. Find your AirPods Pro in the list of connected devices and click on the gear icon or arrow to the right of the name. Make sure the Audio switch is active. It's also a good idea to reset your Bluetooth settings if you've tried to connect before that failed.

Next, you need to activate the developer mode for deeper access to audio codecs, although this is not always necessary for basic ANC work, but it is desirable for the stability of the connection:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI.
• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Advanced settings → For developers.
• 🎵 Find the Audio section and make sure you select the codec. AAC or SBC (LDAC It can cause conflicts with the AirPods).
• 🔋 In the section "Battery Optimization" find the future app for headphones and select "No restrictions".

The right energy saving setting is key to a stable operation, and if the system decides that the application is using too much resources in the background, it will simply stop sending commands to the headphones, and the noise reduction switch button in the widget will stop responding.

Installation and configuration of MaterialPods application

The most stable and functional solution at the moment is considered to be the MaterialPods application. It supports not only basic mode switching, but also displaying battery power in the style of iOS. Download the application from Google Play Store or download it. APK-file from the official developer repository on GitHub.

Once installed, launch the app. It will request permissions immediately. It is critical to allow access to Bluetooth and Location (for Android 12+, this is a mandatory requirement for scanning devices). Without permission to geolocate, the app will not be able to see your headphones in the list available for management.

In the interface, you'll see a case and headphone widget, and you'll see the control function activated.

• 🔋 Click on the settings icon (cogs) in the app.
• 🔗 Select Connect or Connect if Automatic Detection fails.
• 🎚️ In the main menu, a slider or switching buttons between modes will appear: Noise Reduction, Transparency and Off.

Note that the app should be permanently in memory. On Xiaomi smartphones, locking the app in the recent task menu helps prevent it from being shut down by the system. Click on three points in the recent task app and select "Block".

Alternative methods and widgets of the system

If MaterialPods don't work for some reason, there are other options, such as AndroPods or Capod, which work in a similar way, but the interface and feature set may differ, and some users prefer to use widgets built into custom launchers or MIUI themes that mimic the style of iOS.

However, most themes only change the visual shell and do not add ANC control functionality. Real noise reduction will still require a background mediator application. In some cases, using Tasker or MacroDroid to create macros that emulate clicks helps, but this requires complex settings.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid apps with names like "AirPods Tools" from unknown developers who promise to "unlock all features." Often, this is advertising software that doesn't have real access to Apple protocols and just shows a beautiful picture.

For Xiaomi Root owners, there are Magisk modules that implement AirPods support at the system level, which allows you to see headphones in the native Bluetooth menu with a display of the battery and, in rare cases, manage modes. However, obtaining root rights voids the warranty and can disrupt the operation of banking applications.

Comparison of functionality on iOS and Android

Despite the efforts of third-party software developers, full parity of features between iPhone and Android is impossible to achieve. Below is a table showing the differences in the capabilities when using AirPods Pro with Xiaomi devices.

As you can see from the table, key features like noise reduction are becoming available, but the magic of the ecosystem, such as instant switching between iPads, Macs and iPhones, is lost. For Xiaomi users, the headphones turn into a high-quality Bluetooth headset with advanced functionality, but without deep integration.

Problem Solving and Connection Stability

A common problem with Xiaomi is to de-synchronize the state, you switched mode in the app, but the headphones remained in the previous state, in which case it helps to force the MaterialPods application to stop and restart, and also try to remove the headphones from the case and put them back to restart the connection.

If the sound is intermittent or gone, check to see if Monoaudio is on in Android special features. Sometimes the conflict between AAC codecs and MIUI Sound system enhancements leads to artifacts. Turn off all sound effects in your phone settings for a clean signal.

• 🔄 Reset your headphones: press the button on the case for 15 seconds before the indicator flashes.
• 🗑️ Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and pair again.
• 📱 Update the firmware of headphones through the device with iOS, if possible.

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For maximum stability of ANC on Android, disable the “Adaptive Sound” feature in Bluetooth settings if available, as it may conflict with manual mode control.

It is important to keep an eye on updates to the assistant app itself. Developers often release patches that improve compatibility with new versions of Android and HyperOS shells. Ignoring updates can lead to a loss of functionality after a phone system update.

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The stability of noise reduction on Android depends on how aggressively Xiaomi’s power management system limits the background mediator app.

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