Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi and their sub-brands are complex devices that require a competent initial setup to unlock the full potential. Many users limit themselves to simply pairing over Bluetooth, missing the opportunity to activate noise cancellation, adjust touch control or update the firmware to improve connection stability. The correct configuration of the device directly affects the sound quality and autonomy of the work.
In this tutorial, we will take a closer look at how to set up your phone, set up via Mi Buds or Xiaomi Earbuds, and take a look at the intricacies of working with an equalizer. You will learn how to calibrate an active noise reduction system (ANC) and what to do if the sound is quieter or crackles.
Before you go to software settings, make sure that your headphones are charged and in close proximity to your smartphone. All functions, including voice assistant and automatic ear detection, require a stable connection and an up-to-date version of the Android or iOS operating system. It is critical to use the official app for initial microphone calibration, as standard system tools can not do this.
Primary pairing and connection installation
The process of connecting new Xiaomi headphones usually starts automatically when you first open the case next to the smartphone. However, if automatic pairing does not occur, you need to activate the search mode manually. To do this, open the charger case lid without removing the headphones themselves, and find the functional button on the case (often hidden or small).
Press this button for 2-3 seconds until the front indicator flashes white, which means that the device has switched to visibility mode for other gadgets. The smartphone screen should at this point appear a pop-up with a suggestion to connect the device. If the window does not appear, go to Bluetooth settings and select a model from the list of available devices.
- 🔹 Make sure that Bluetooth on your phone is on and visible to all devices.
- 🔹 If you have old connection profiles in the Bluetooth list, delete them before trying again.
- 🔹 Keep the case open no more than 10cm from the phone during setup.
After a successful connection, the system will suggest installing the necessary updates. Don't ignore this step, as newer firmware versions often contain patches to improve communication and microphone performance. The process can take several minutes, and at this time it is not recommended to close the application or take the smartphone away from the headphones.
⚠️ Warning: If the light flashes red or white too quickly and does not go into pairing mode, the battery may have run out in the case.
Setup via Mi Buds app and equalizer
To deeply customize your audio profile, you need to download the official Mi Buds app (formerly known as Xiaomi Earbuds) and this is where the basic personalization tools that are not available in the standard Bluetooth menu are hidden. Once you log in, you will see the charge status of each headphone separately, which helps control battery wear.
One of the main features is the built-in equalizer, which allows the user to choose one of the following (e.g., "Bas", "Vocal", "Clear") or create their own profile by adjusting the frequency sliders, which allows you to adapt the sound to a specific musical genre or individual hearing preferences.
The audio settings section also includes Mi Sound, which performs hearing testing, and you'll play sounds of different frequencies, and you'll have to press a button when you hear them, and based on the results, the algorithm will build a unique sound curve that compensates for the features of your hearing aid.
- 🎧 Conduct the Mi Sound test in a quiet room for maximum accuracy.
- 🎧 Update the app regularly via Google Play or App Store to get new audio profiles.
- 🎧 Use the "Transparency" function to hear the world around you without removing your headphones.
Remember that activating maximum bass gain can lead to faster battery discharge.If you plan a long trip audition, it is better to choose a balanced profile or energy saving mode, if it is available in your model.
💡
For a better understanding of frequencies when setting up an equalizer, include a familiar track, not a new track, to immediately assess changes in timbre.
Managing gestures and touch buttons
Touch control is one of the most convenient features, but it requires getting used to. In the Mi Buds app, you can reassign actions for single, double and triple tapping on the headphone leg. Standard settings often include playback/pause and track switching, but they can be changed.
Special attention should be paid to the touch zone compression setting, which by default, a long press (about 2 seconds) switches noise reduction modes or activates the voice assistant, and you can turn this feature off if you accidentally touch your headphones while wearing, or reassign it to the last contact call.
| Action. | Standard function | Possible alternative |
|---|---|---|
| One touch. | Start/Pause | Activation of the voice assistant |
| Double touch. | Next track | Previous track |
| Triple touch. | Previous track | The game mode (Low Latency) |
| Clutch (2 seconds) | ANC regime change | No Action/Assistant |
It's important to keep rhythmic when making gestures. Too fast or too flaccid presses may not be recognized by the sensor. If you notice that the headphones respond to late touch, try to wipe the touch area with dry soft cloth - fatty traces can impair sensitivity.
⚠️ Warning: Don't set the same left and right earphone gestures if you use only one earpiece often, and this can cause conflict between commands when you remove the second device from the case.
Active noise reduction (ANC)
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) models allow for external noise, creating a silent effect. The system uses external microphones to capture low-frequency hum (transport, ventilation) and generates antiphase. In the application, you can choose the depth of suppression from light to maximum.
Transparency mode works the opposite way: external microphones transmit ambient sounds inwards, allowing you to hear announcements at a stop or talk to a cashier without removing the headphones. Switching between modes is usually done (with prolonged press) on the touch zone.
Why can the ANC whistle?
Consider that active noise cancellation significantly increases power consumption, and in ANC mode, the operating time can be reduced by 30-40% compared to normal listening mode, and if you are in a quiet room, it is advisable to turn off this feature to save charge.
- 🌪️ Use the wind mode when walking outside to minimize the noise of air currents.
- 🌪️ Regularly clean the mesh of external microphones from dust to the system ANC worked properly.
- 🌪️ In very noisy places (metro, plane) turn on the maximum level of suppression.
Some models support adaptive noise cancellation, which automatically adapts to the environment, a feature that can be useful in changing environments, such as when moving from a quiet office to a noisy street.
Game mode and sound delay
For gamers and video fans, low latency is critical. Normal Bluetooth can produce up to 200 ms latency, which significantly dissynchronizes the picture and sound. Xiaomi headphones have a special Gaming Mode that reduces latency to 60-80 ms.
This mode can be activated by triple touch (if configured in the application) or automatically when you start games on Xiaomi smartphones. However, it is worth remembering that in game mode, the stability of the connection can slightly deteriorate in the conditions of strong radio interference, since priority is given to data transfer speeds rather than buffering them.
☑️ Pre-game check
When watching videos on platforms like YouTube or Netflix, the delay is often compensated by the software itself, so enabling game mode may be unnecessary, and in fact, this mode may turn off some of the audio processing algorithms, which will make the audio more “flat”.
If you notice lip and sound dissynchronization in movies, try rebooting the video player app first. If that doesn't work, turn on low latency. To stream music through Spotify or Apple Music, this mode is not required or even recommended.
Update firmware and reset settings
Periodic software updates are key to stable operation, manufacturers regularly release patches that improve connection algorithms and fix bugs, and check updates manually once a month through the Mi Buds app.
The upgrade process requires the headphones to be in the case and the case is connected to charging (or charged more than 50%). Interrupting the process can lead to a "bricking" of the device, so make sure that the phone does not go into sleep mode and does not lose the connection to the Internet.
If the headphones start to behave incorrectly (sound disappears, one channel does not work, does not respond to touch), you may need to completely reset to the factory settings. This usually requires placing the headphones in the case, opening the lid and pressing the reset button for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange or white several times.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting, the headphones will forget all previously connected devices. You will have to re-do the procedure of pairing with the phone as with a new device.
💡
Timely firmware updates are the most effective way to eliminate small software errors without contacting the service center.