Wireless headphones, such as the popular model i12 TWS, have become a real hit due to their affordable price and ease of use. Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy often face the need to quickly set up these accessories, since they do not have a built-in screen and are controlled exclusively through touch zones or physical buttons on the case. The synchronization process usually takes no more than a minute if you know the correct algorithm of actions.
However, despite the apparent simplicity, users sometimes encounter difficulties: one earphone does not see the phone, there is no sound in one channel, or the microphone does not work correctly. This is often due to the protocol features Bluetooth on Android or the factory settings of the headsets themselves. In this material, we will analyze in detail all the stages of connecting, setting up and troubleshooting possible problems when a pair of i12 works with devices of the South Korean brand.
For a successful start, you do not need special applications or complex technical skills. All you need is a charged case and an unlocked smartphone. It is important to understand that the stability of the connection directly depends on the version of the operating system One UI and the condition of the accessory battery. Let's move on to the practical part of setting up your audio device.
Preparing the headphones and smartphone for pairing
The first step before attempting to connect is to check the charge level. The i12 headphones are powered by a small battery inside the case, and if the battery is low, the device will not enter search mode. Make sure the light on the case is lit or flashing when you open the lid. If there is no indication, place the case on wireless charging or connect the cable Type-C (or Micro-USB in older versions) to the network for at least 30 minutes.
On the smartphone side Samsung you must activate the wireless module. Go to settings and find the section Connections. Make sure that the switch Bluetooth is in the active position. To speed up the search for devices, you can click on the arrow next to the switch and select "Search for devices", although in modern versions of Android scanning occurs automatically when you turn on the function.
⚠️ Attention: If your headphones were previously paired with another phone, they may automatically try to connect to it when you turn it on. To successfully connect to Samsung, turn off Bluetooth on your old device or delete the i12 profile from its memory.
You should also pay attention to the software version of your phone. Outdated Bluetooth drivers may cause problems with connection stability with new revisions of Chinese headsets. Check for system updates in the menu Settings → Software update. Current firmware Android guarantees better compatibility with audio transmission codecs.
Before the first connection, wipe the charging contacts on the headphones themselves with a dry cloth. Oxidation of the contacts may result in one of the headphones not charging and not turning on.
Step-by-step guide for connecting i12 to Samsung
The process of entering headphones into pairing mode for the i12 model has its own characteristics that differ from the original ones. AirPods. Unlike flagship models, there is no separate settings button on the back of the case. The pairing mode is entered automatically when you remove the headphones from the charging box, provided that they have not previously been paired with this phone.
Follow the following steps in strict order:
- 📱 Unlock your Samsung smartphone and open the notification shade.
- 🎧 Open the case lid with i12 headphones, but do not take them out em immediately.
- 🔍 Wait until "i12 TWS" or "i12-XXXX" appears on the phone screen in the list of available devices.
- 🔗 Click on the device name to start the procedure pairing.
Sometimes the automatic mode does not work and the phone does not see the headset. In this case, you must perform a manual reset. Take both headphones out of the case. If they have touch zones, try touching them at the same time and holding them for about 5 seconds until the indication appears. If the sensors do not respond, put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then open it again and try searching on the phone again.
☑️ Successful connection algorithm
After successfully clicking on the smartphone screen, the system will ask for confirmation of pairing. Click Connect or OK. You will hear a characteristic sound signal in the headphones confirming the connection has been established. The indicator on the case will stop blinking quickly and will either go out or stay lit, depending on the modification.
Setting up sound and touch controls
After connecting, it is important to check the correct operation of the audio channels. The i12 model supports stereo mode, but sometimes the default mode may be mono or only one speaker. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your Samsung, click on the gear next to the connected i12 and make sure that the "Media Audio" and "Call Audio" items are activated.
Touch control in these headphones is quite simple, but takes some getting used to. Typically, double-tapping any earbud will pause or play a track, while triple-tapping will switch tracks. However, the logic of operation may differ depending on the production batch. There is no official application for changing control settings on Android, so you will have to remember the factory configuration.
⚠️ Attention: The i12 sensors are very sensitive. An accidental touch while adjusting the earphone in your ear can interrupt a call or change the music. Be careful when using for the first time.
If you want to change the volume or call the voice assistant, try holding the touch area for a long time (about 2 seconds). On Samsung smartphones, this often activates Bixby or Google Assistant, depending on your settings in the menu Default applications. Remember that noise cancellation control in budget i12 models is usually absent or implemented passively due to the design of the ear pads.
The secret of reassigning buttons
In some i12 firmware, the sequence of clicks can be changed by performing 5 quick taps on the right earbud while being in the case. However, this does not work on all versions of the chip.
Solving common problems: one earphone does not work
One of the most common problems of i12 owners is the situation when only one earphone works, and the second is silent. This occurs due to the left and right channels being out of sync with each other. They stop “seeing” each other and work as two independent mono devices, one of which may not be connected to the phone.
To fix this problem, you need to perform a hard reset procedure:
- Remove the "i12 TWS" device from the list of paired ones in the Bluetooth settings of your Samsung.
- Turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
- Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Take out both headphones at the same time and press the touch zones on both devices 5 times in quick succession.
- Wait until the indicators on the headphones flash red and white (or blue) slightly times.
- Return the headphones to the case, close the lid and wait 10 seconds.
After completing these steps, turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and search again. The headphones must first pair with each other and then appear in the list as a single stereo device. If the problem persists, check the charging of the “silent” earphone - perhaps the contacts in the recess of the case have oxidized.
Channel desynchronization can be treated by completely resetting the headphone settings and re-pairing from scratch. Removing the profile from the phone is a mandatory first step.
Features of the microphone and calls
The quality of voice transmission in the i12 model is a compromise solution. The microphone is built into the headphone body and does not have a remote boom, which makes it sensitive to wind and background noise. When talking through a Samsung smartphone, the system can automatically switch the audio stream from high quality (A2DP) to headset profile (HFP), which reduces the quality of music during an incoming call.
In the developer settings on Android, you can try changing the Bluetooth codec, but for i12 this rarely gives a noticeable result, since they only support the basic codec. SBC. If the other person complains about a low voice, make sure the microphone opening is not clogged with dust or wax. Gently clean it with a soft brush.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet sound in headphones | Protective grid clogged | Carefully clean the mesh with a toothbrush |
| The interlocutor cannot hear | Wrong microphone selection | In the call settings, select "Headphones" |
| Constant connection breaks | Interference from the Wi-Fi router | Move away from the signal source or switch the Wi-Fi frequency |
| Delay sound in video | Feature of the SBC codec | Use video players with audio synchronization function |
It is worth considering that when using third-party applications for calls, such as WhatsApp or Telegram, audio routing may differ from the standard phone application. In such cases, it is recommended to check the settings inside the messenger itself, selecting the audio output device manually.
Caring for the case and extending the service life
The charging case is the heart of your i12 headphones. It depends on its serviceability whether the headphones will be ready for use at the right time. Inside the case are magnets that hold the headphones in place, and spring-loaded contacts for transmitting energy. Over time, dust and lint from the pocket may accumulate in the recesses, which interferes with charging.
Regularly clean the inside of the case with a dry cotton swab. Do not use wet wipes or alcohol as moisture may get on the electronic board and cause a short circuit. If you notice that the headphones are not fixed tightly with magnets, check to see if any foreign objects have fallen into the bottom of the compartments.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the case with the headphones in direct sunlight or in the cold. Lithium polymer batteries degrade at extreme temperatures, which will lead to rapid discharge.
For maximum autonomy, try not to completely discharge the case. Deep discharge is harmful to modern batteries. If you plan to not use the headphones for a long time, leave them charged at about 50-60% and turn off Bluetooth on your phone to avoid background connection attempts that may consume energy.
Use the original cable to charge the case. Cheap cables with thin wires may not provide the required current, causing charging to be very slow or interrupted.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I use only one i12 earphone?
Yes, the model supports mono mode. You can take out only the left or only the right earphone from the case, and it will connect to the phone as a separate device. This is convenient for calls or to save the charge of the second earphone.
Why do headphones discharge quickly?
Fast discharge can be caused by old battery (if the headphones are more than a year old), maximum playback volume, or constant use of the microphone. Also check if your phone has a bass-boosting equalizer enabled, which increases power consumption.
How to update the firmware of the i12 headphones?
The i12 headphones do not have the ability to update the firmware by the user. They run on an embedded chip with fixed software. All settings can only be reset through the Hard Reset procedure described above.
Are the i12s waterproof?
Most versions of the i12 have basic sweat protection (IPX4), but they cannot be washed under a tap or immersed in water. Moisture getting inside the case will lead to oxidation of the contacts and damage to the speaker.
What to do if your Samsung phone does not see the headphones?
Try to restart your smartphone. If this does not help, reset the network settings on your phone (Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset network settings). This will delete all saved Bluetooth devices and restore the module.