Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3.1 adds AirPods support and notification forwarding

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has taken an unexpected and bold step toward users of the Apple ecosystem. In the latest beta version of HyperOS 3.1, already released in China, Xiaomi smartphones gained features that allow much deeper interaction with iPhones and Apple accessories. The news was first reported by the Chinese outlet MyDrivers.

What’s New in HyperOS 3.1

The most notable additions focus on integration with iOS devices.

Notification and Call Forwarding

Incoming calls and important notifications from an iPhone can now be displayed directly on a Xiaomi smartphone. This is especially convenient for users who rely on both devices at the same time — there is no need to constantly check the iPhone if it is in another room.

Full AirPods Support

When you open the case of AirPods, a Xiaomi smartphone automatically recognizes the earbuds and displays a sleek quick-pairing pop-up — just like on an iPhone. The window shows the real-time battery level of each earbud and the charging case. Until now, Android smartphones did not offer this level of integration with AirPods.

A Xiaomi Alternative to AirDrop

Xiaomi has also introduced its own file-sharing protocol between iOS and Android devices. Conceptually, it works similarly to AirDrop: fast transfers without internet access, using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Users can now send photos, videos, and documents between an iPhone and a Xiaomi device almost as conveniently as between two Apple devices.

What It Runs On

HyperOS 3.1 is built on Android 16 — the latest version of Google’s mobile OS as of February 2026. For now, the update is available only in China and only in beta form, but Xiaomi traditionally rolls out major features to global firmware versions within a few months.

Why Xiaomi Did This

The company clearly aims to win over users who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem — iPhone, AirPods, MacBook, Apple Watch — but for various reasons want or need to switch to Android. Now, users can choose a high-end Xiaomi flagship with powerful hardware, a massive battery, and aggressive pricing without losing the convenience of using their favorite Apple earbuds or receiving iPhone notifications.

This is not the first time Xiaomi has moved closer to its competitor. The company previously introduced Continuity-like features for Mac and iPad, but AirPods integration and call forwarding represent a new level of cross-ecosystem compatibility.

In Brief

Xiaomi has released the beta version of HyperOS 3.1 (based on Android 16), bringing deep integration with the Apple ecosystem to its smartphones for the first time: iPhone call and notification forwarding, instant AirPods recognition with battery display when opening the case, and its own AirDrop-like file transfer system between iOS and Android. The feature is currently available only in China but is expected to reach global firmware versions in the coming months.