How to sync Xiaomi headphones: the complete guide

Owners of wireless acoustics from the Chinese giant often face a situation when one of the headphones stops working or the sound comes from only one channel. This is due to desynchronization, when the right and left modules stop “communicating” with each other and are perceived by the phone as two different devices. Synchronizing headphones Xiaomi is not a difficult process, but requires accurate adherence to the sequence of actions, otherwise the gadgets will not work in pair.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to restore communication between modules for models Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and others. TWS-You will learn to perform forced resetting, correctly enter the pairing mode and eliminate software errors that interfere with the normal operation of the device.

The principle of TWS and the reasons for desynchronization

True Wireless Stereo technology means that one headphone (the host) receives a signal from a smartphone and transmits it to a second (the follower). In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this connection is organized so that when the connection between the ears is broken, they can start working independently, creating chaos in the list of Bluetooth devices. Understanding this logic helps to find a solution to the problem faster.

Most often, desynchronization occurs after connecting to a new smartphone, when one of the “ears” remained in the memory of the old gadget. Also, the cause can be the battery discharge of one of the modules below the critical level or a software failure in the firmware of the headset. Bluetooth protocol sometimes simply “forgets” which of the pair is a master device.

There are several scenarios where manual user intervention is required to restore normal operation:

  • 📱 You’ve connected the headset to a new phone, but the sound is only on the left or right.
  • 🔋 One of the “ears” completely discharged and disconnected while the second worked.
  • 🔄 You updated your operating system on your smartphone and Bluetooth drivers have been updated.
  • 🎧 The list of available devices displays two identical names instead of one.

⚠️ Warning: If one of the headphones flashes red, it's not always a synchronization error. First, make sure both modules are at least 20% charged, as when charged low, they may refuse to pair.

Preparing for synchronization: Cleaning the Bluetooth list

Before you try to pair your headphones, you have to completely forget them on the side of your smartphone, a critical step that many people ignore when they try to simply reconnect the devices, and cached data from previous sessions can conflict with the new connection.

Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings. Find all the devices with your model's name (e.g. Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless) on the list. If you see two identical names or one with a " L" and " R" label, delete them all. It's recommended to turn off Bluetooth on your phone for 10-15 seconds after that.

☑️ Preparation for synchronization

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It's also worth checking if the headset is connected to other devices nearby, if you have a tablet or laptop that you've used with those devices before. TWS-headphones, make sure they're also switched off Bluetooth or removed, and simultaneous search conflicts between two different phones are a common cause of inability to sync.

Universal Resetting and Reconnection Method

The most effective way to get the headphones back to work in pairs is to reset them completely, and it resets the factory settings and forces the modules to re-determine which one is the main one. For most Xiaomi models, the algorithm is the same, but requires a certain dexterity of fingers.

Take both earbuds out of the charge case. Make sure they're off (if they've been turned on, turn them off by holding the touchpads 5-7 seconds before the red light comes on). Now press and hold the touch zones on both earbuds at the same time. Hold on for about 15-20 seconds. The indicators will flash, then go out, and then light up again in red. At this point, you need to release the buttons.

Once the device is successfully reset, it will go into pairing mode, usually indicated by a quick white (or blue) flash of indicators, now you can turn on Bluetooth on your phone and start searching. Only one device should appear on the list. If two appear, repeat the procedure, holding the buttons a little longer.

📊 Have you experienced any dissynchronization? TWS?
Yeah, all the time.
It was once.
No, they work perfectly.
I have wired.

It is important not to try to connect the headphones to the phone when they have not yet switched to fast blinking. The synchronization interval between the headphones themselves takes a few seconds after reset, and if the phone tries to connect ahead of time, the connection may not be established correctly.

Synchronization Features for Different Models

Despite the common platform, different generations of headsets have their own nuances: the old Redmi AirDots models and the new Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 can require different button retention times.

The AirDots series (first generation) is characterized by the right earbud always becoming the default master. If the left earbud doesn't connect to the right one after resetting, try connecting the right one to the phone first, play music, turn off Bluetooth, and then repeat the reset procedure.

More modern models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, often use the activation method through a charging case. To reset, you need to place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the button on the case case case case case (if any) for 10 seconds before the indicator flashes.

ModelResetting methodIndication of successFeature
Redmi AirDotsSensor retention 15-20 secondsTriple flashing.Right is the main
Mi True Wireless 2Case button 10 seconds.White flashingI need a case.
Xiaomi Earbuds Basic 2Sensor retention 20 secondsRed flashingLong hold.
Mi Air 2 / 2SDouble touch (tap-tap-hold)Sound signalSensory management

⚠️ Note: On models without a physical button on the case (such as AirDots), do not try to find hidden holes.

Solving problems when connecting to Android and iOS

Operating systems handle Bluetooth devices differently. On Android, the problem often arises when the phone "clings" to one earphone as a "Hands-free" device, ignoring the second. On iOS, the system controls protocols more strictly, but may also require a complete deletion of the profile.

For Android users, go to Settings → Apps → Show system processes and find “Bluetooth.” Clearing the cache of this system application can help if standard methods don’t work. It’s also worth checking if the “Absolute Volume” mode, which sometimes conflicts with Xiaomi codecs, is turned on.

Secret Android commands for Bluetooth
In the developer menu (activated by 7-fold tapping the build number), you can find the option “Bluetooth version AVRCP”. Try changing it to 1.4 or 1.5 – this often solves the problem of music management and channel synchronization.> iPhone (iOS) owners should pay attention to the firmware updates of the headphones themselves. For Xiaomi devices, there is an application Mi Wear or Xiaomi Earbuds. Through it you can check the relevance of the firmware version. Sometimes desynchronization is treated only with an update of the internal headphone software. If nothing helps, try to “stretch” the connection process. After resetting, only they will quickly switch to the Bluetooth mode after 30 seconds. Diagnosis of malfunctions: When synchronization is impossible, there are times when software methods are powerless. If after all the reset attempts, one earphone is silent or constantly drops off the network, the problem can be hidden in the hardware. Battery degradation is a common reason when one module discharges faster and goes to sleep, tearing the pair. Check the charging contacts. Oxidation or dust on the contacts in the case can cause one earphone to actually not charge, even if the indicator is burning. Wipe the contacts with a dry cotton swab, also try the synchronization of the device, and the synchronization of the device from the other, and the power source is not used. 💡If after 5 attempts of complete reset and reconnection, the headphones do not sync, there is a likely hardware malfunction of one of the modules (FAQ) Why does the phone see two Xiaomi devices instead of one? It means the headphones are out of sync and work in mono mode independently of each other. You have to do a full Hard Reset, holding the touchpads of both headphones simultaneously until the indicator flashes triple, and then reconnect them. Can you use just one Xiaomi headphone? Yes, most models. TWS Xiaomi has mono-mode. You can only take out the right earpiece or the left earpiece, and it'll connect to the phone as a separate device. But stereo requires both. What if the headphone light is red and doesn't blink? A red light usually means a low charge. Put the headphone in the case and charge it. If the red one burns constantly when you try to turn it on — maybe the battery is faulty or the headphone is "hanging" and requires a long hold on the button (up to 30 seconds) to reboot. How to enter manual pairing mode? If automatic mode does not work, turn off the headphones. Then press the touch panels on both headphones and hold for about 20 seconds until the indicators flash white (or blue) quickly. This is a forced entry into search mode.