The popular Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 wireless headphones, popularly known as Air Dots 2, require the correct initial setup for stable operation. Many users face difficulties in the first pairing, when devices can not see each other or connect to only one ear. Correct synchronization of the left and right modules between each other is the foundation for further operation of the gadget.
The connection process is time-consuming, but requires attention to indicators and sequence of actions. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of pairing mode, the features of working with different operating systems and methods for eliminating typical errors.
Before you go into action, make sure your headphones are fully charged. Case charging and modules themselves must have sufficient energy, as when the charge is low, the device may not go into pairing mode or quickly shut down. This is a basic requirement, ignoring which often leads to false conclusions about the malfunction of the equipment.
Primary activation and extraction from the case
The first step to a successful connection is to activate the headphones correctly immediately after purchase or long-term storage. Often manufacturers use special transport films on charging contacts that need to be removed. If you don't, the contact pads will not close and the device will not charge, remaining in deep sleep.
Once you check the charge, remove both headphones from the charger at the same time, and it's important to do this quickly so they can find each other. If you pull them out one at a long interval, automatic pairing between the left and right modules may not occur, and the phone will see them as two different devices.
Pay attention to the LED lights. When you pull them out, they should light up to signal the start of the operation. If the lights are silent, check if the headphones are sitting tight in the case until you pull them out. Sometimes you need to press the modules down lightly to close the circuit.
⚠️ Warning: Do not leave the headphones out of the case for a long time without using.This can lead to a deep discharge of the battery, after which the device will refuse to turn on or charge.
There's an important caveat that not all owners know about: In order to first activate new headphones, you sometimes need to keep them in a case with the lid open for about 10-15 minutes to get the power controller out of sleep. If the indicators don't burn right away, try leaving them in the case on charge.
Matching with Android smartphones
The process of connecting to Android devices is the most common use case: the system automatically scans the airwaves for available devices as soon as you open the Bluetooth menu. Make sure geolocation is enabled, as in modern versions of the OS this requirement is necessary to find the Bluetooth periphery.
Open your phone's settings and go to the wireless networking section. Search the list of available devices for the name "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic 2" or similar. By clicking on it, you initiate the process (handshakes), and then the status message will appear "Connected".
If the phone requires an access code, enter the standard 0000 combination. In most modern smartphones, this step is skipped, and the connection is established automatically. After successful connection, the headphone battery icon will appear in the status bar.
- 🔹 Open the notification curtain and make sure the Bluetooth icon is active (backlit).
- 🔹 In the Bluetooth menu, click "Search for Devices" or "Scan" if the list is empty.
- 🔹 When you request permission to access contacts or call history, agree to make the microphone work.
In some cases, especially on custom firmware, you may need to manually enter the device. To do this, select the option "Input device manually" in the Bluetooth menu and specify MAC-address if known, although this is rarely required for Xiaomi Air Dots 2 (A2DP, HFP) and adjusts audio channels.
Configure the connection to the iPhone (iOS)
Apple owners can also comfortably use these headphones, although the customization process has its own peculiarities. iOS ecosystem strictly controls permissions, so when you first connect, you need to carefully read pop-ups. iOS data protocol requires confirmation for each new accessory.
Go to your iPhone settings, select the Bluetooth partition and wait for the appearance of "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic 2." Tap the name for pairing. The system can warn that the accessory is not certified Made for iPhone (MFi), but this is a regular situation for third-party devices, and it does not affect the sound performance.
Once connected, check the sound balance and microphone performance through a test call. iOS sometimes defaults to assigning a media-only device, ignoring the headset profile. To fix this, when an active call is made, click on the audio icon and select Air Dots 2 as the sound source.
☑️ Checking before connection
It is worth noting that the headphone battery widget in iOS may not display correctly or require the installation of a third-party app to monitor the charge of each headphone separately in detail.
Connection to laptop and PC
Using a wireless headset with a computer expands the possibilities for calling and viewing content. However, on a Windows PC, the process can be more capricious due to the variety of Bluetooth adapters.
In Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and Other Devices. Click Add Bluetooth or Other Devices and select the first item. The computer will start searching and you will see your headphones listed.
If the computer can't see the headphones, check if they're connected to the phone at this point. Multipoint (simultaneous connection to two devices) in this model is limited: the headphones can remember two devices, but play back sound only from the last signal. Turn off Bluetooth on the phone for the purity of the experiment.
| Parameter | Meaning/Description | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth module | Version 5.0 | Backward compatibility with 4.0/4.2 |
| Codecs. | SBC, AAC | apt-X is not supported |
| Range. | Up to 10 meters. | No problem. |
| Profiles | HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP | Needs for microphone and control |
In some cases, Windows can set the headphones as "Headphone" (low quality, microphone working) and "Hearphones" (high quality, no microphone), you can switch between them in the audio settings by clicking on the speaker icon in the tray.
Problems with connecting one headphone
One of the most common problems is when the phone sees and connects only one headphone (usually the right one) and the other is silent, which means that the synchronization between the TWS modules themselves is disrupted, and they no longer understand each other and work independently.
To solve this problem, you need to perform a Hard Reset. Place both earbuds in the case and make sure they charge (red lights burn). Then, without removing them, press and hold the touchpads on both earbuds for 5-10 seconds until the indicators flash red several times.
What if the reset didn't help?
After reset, delete the old headphone record in your phone's memory ("Forget the device"). Then re-extract both headphones at the same time. They should quickly blink and sync together before becoming visible to the smartphone. Now only one device should appear on the list.
⚠️ If after reset, one headphone flashes quickly, and the second slowly or does not blink at all, perhaps one of the modules of the battery or a software failure of the power controller occurred.
Management and additional functions
Once successfully connected, you'll have touch control, touch panels on the outside of each earpiece that respond to light touches, and the standard configuration may vary, but typically one tap pauses the track and a double tap pauses the track.
Calling a voice assistant (Siri, Google Assistant) usually requires triple tapping or long retention (about 2 seconds), which is often set up by the smartphone itself, as Xiaomi Air Dots 2 does not have its own deep customization app.
- 🎧 One touch: Pause/Replay.
- 🎧 Double touch: Next track (right) / Previous track (left).
- 🎧 Triple touch: Activation of voice assistant.
If the control stops responding, wipe the surface of the headphones with dry cloth, and also make sure that you are touching the sensory area, and not just adjusting the earpiece in the ear.
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To extend the life of the sensors, do not touch them with wet or greasy hands. Regularly wipe the contact area with an alcohol wipe.