How to use Xiaomi AirDots: from connectivity to hidden features

Xiaomi AirDots are some of the most popular wireless headphones in the Mi line, combining affordable price, compactness and impressive sound quality. However, even experienced users sometimes have questions: how to properly sync headphones with your phone, activate low latency for games or adjust touch control? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of operation, from basic connectivity to hidden features that are not written in the official instructions.

The AirDots feature (including the Pro, Pro 2, SE, 3) is that there are no physical buttons, instead they use touch controls that require addiction, and they also support Mi Home and Xiaomi Wear, which opens up additional audio and gesture settings, and if you've just unpacked the box or want to unleash the full potential of the device, this guide is for you.

1. Connect Xiaomi AirDots to the phone: step-by-step instructions

The first time you turn on your headphones can be difficult, especially if you have not used them before. TWS-It takes less than a minute to sync, but there are nuances for different AirDots models.

First, get both earbuds out of the case, they'll automatically turn on and start searching for each other. On Pro 2 and newer models, synchronization is instantaneous, and on AirDots Basic, you may need to hold the sensor on the right earbud for 3 seconds.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on a smartphone.
• 🔍 In the list of available devices, find Mi True Wireless Earphones (or a similar name for your model).
• 🔗 Click Connect. Some Android devices may require pair confirmation.
• 🎧 After successful connection in the case will light up a white indicator (on models with LED).

If the headphones are not detectable, try resetting them to factory settings: place both earphones in the case, then hold the sensors on both earphones for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, headphones can connect as two separate devices. To avoid this, first sync them with an Android smartphone, and then connect them to iOS.

2.Gestural control: What touches mean

All AirDots models have touch panels that respond to touch, but gesture settings vary depending on the firmware version and model, and the following are the current combinations for most devices (except AirDots 3, which have a separate logic).

On AirDots 3 and later, double-tapping doesn’t switch tracks by default, but instead includes a transparent mode. To change this behavior, you’ll need the Xiaomi Wear app (discussed below).

Important: on models up to 2021, holding the sensor for more than 3 seconds leads to the deactivation of the earphone. In new versions, this behavior has been changed - now prolonged retention activates the voice assistant.

3.Setting up via Mi Home and Xiaomi Wear: Hidden Features

The basic AirDots features work without additional apps, but for advanced settings you will need Mi Home (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for new ones).

• 🎛️ Reassign gestures (for example, make a double touch to call a voice assistant).
• 🔊 Set up an equalizer (Basovy, Vocal, Balance presets available).
• 🎧 Enable low latency (reduces the latency of the game).
• 🔋 View the charge level of the case and each headphone separately.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (critical for stable operation!).

To connect headphones to the application:

1. Install Xiaomi Wear from Google Play or App Store.
2. Open the app and allow access to Bluetooth and Notifications.
3. Place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press "Add device".
4. Select Mi True Wireless Earphones from the list.

After you connect to the headphone menu, you will have additional options, for example, AirDots 3 can activate adaptive noise cancellation, which automatically adjusts the level of external sounds depending on the environment.

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones stop syncing after updating your firmware through Xiaomi Wear, reset (retain sensors for 15 seconds) and reconnect them. This solves 90% of the connection problems.

4. Low Latency: How to turn on for games and videos

One of the main problems with wireless headphones is the latency (lag), which is especially noticeable in games or when watching videos. AirDots Pro 2 and later has a special Low Latency mode, which reduces lag to 80-100 ms (versus 200-300 ms in standard mode).

It can be activated in two ways:

1. By gesture: Hold the sensor on the right earphone for 2 seconds until you hear the beep. The indicator on the case flashes blue.
2. Through Xiaomi Wear: Open the app → select headphones → go to Sound Settings → activate Low Latency.

Note that Low Latency mode has a slightly lower sound quality (bitrate compression), but the latency is minimal, and this mode automatically shuts down after 10 minutes of inactivity.

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If the delay remains even in Low Latency mode, try disabling AAC or aptX Bluetooth codecs in your phone settings (leave only SBC).

5 Problems and Solutions: What to Do When AirDots Are Not Working

Even reliable devices have failures, and below are the most common problems and ways to fix them, based on user feedback and service center recommendations.

If the headphones are not charged in the case, check:

• 🔌 Contacts on headphones and in the case (clean them with an alcohol napkin).
• 🔋 Case charge level (the indicator should burn white when connected to charging).
• 🔄 Try another cable or power supply (sometimes the problem is a weak current).

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If the headphones don't turn on after all the manipulations, check them on another phone. If the problem persists, it's a hardware failure that needs repair.

6.How to prolong the life of a battery: operating tips

The average battery life of AirDots is 2-3 years when used actively, but improper use can cut that time in half.

• 🔋 Do not keep your headphones discharged for more than a week – this leads to deep discharge and loss of capacity.
• ☀️ Avoid overheating (do not leave the case under direct sunlight or near heat sources).
• 🔌 Use the original cable to charge the case (low-quality cables can damage the power controller).
• 🎵 Turn off headphones when not using – even in a case, they spend a charge on finding devices.

The optimal charge level for long-term storage is 40-60%. If you don't plan to use headphones for more than a month, fully discharge and charge them every 3-4 weeks to keep the battery healthy.

On AirDots Pro 2 and later, there is a power saving feature in Xiaomi Wear. It automatically turns off Bluetooth if the headphones are in the case for more than 5 minutes, which saves up to 20% of charge.

7. Model comparison: Which AirDots are best to choose in 2026

AirDots has more than 10 models, each with its own characteristics, and here is a brief comparison of the current options for different tasks:

If your budget is tight, AirDots SE is the best choice for price/quality ratio. For gaming and video viewing, it is better to take Pro 2 with Low Latency mode. Audiophiles should take a look at AirDots 3 with support for the LC3 codec, which provides a cleaner sound.

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Before buying, check compatibility with your phone. AirDots 3, for example, only reveals its full potential with devices running MIUI 12+ or Android 11+.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots