How to connect Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 to your phone: full instructions with photos

Why AirDots 3 doesn’t connect the first time and how to fix it

Xiaomi Redmi AirDots 3 wireless headphones (also known as Redmi Buds 3) have become one of the most popular budget headphones. TWS-However, many users face problems when they first connect: the device is not detected in the Bluetooth list, only one earbud is connected or the connection is permanently broken. The reasons are rooted in the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, which uses dynamic channel distribution to reduce interference, but sometimes conflicts with older versions of the OS.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways of connecting (for Android, iOS and Windows), and also tell you how to get around typical errors: from resetting headphones to manually installing drivers on a PC. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden pairing mode, which is activated only when you hold a button on a case for more than 10 seconds - this nuance is not mentioned even in the official instructions of Xiaomi.

If you have already tried to connect headphones and encountered an error, skip the introductory part and go immediately to the section "Problem Solving", where all known bugs and ways to fix them are collected.

Preparing headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with your phone, you need to properly remove the headphones from the case and put them into search mode.

1. Charge the case. Make sure the indicator on the front of the case flashes white when the lid is opened. If the indicator is red or not at all, connect the case to charge for 15-20 minutes. The minimum charge level for pairing is 10%.
2. Remove the headphones. Take both of the headphones out of the case at the same time. They must automatically turn on (blitzes the red indicator on each).
3. Activate the pairing mode. Press and hold the button on the case (located under the cover) for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red alternately, this signals readiness to connect.

⚠️ Note: If the indicator flashes only white, the headphones have already been paired with another device. In this case, a reset is required (instruction in the section "Reset settings»).

Charge the case to 10% or higher |

Remove both earphones at the same time |

Hold the button on the case for 5-7 seconds |

Wait for alternate flashing of the white / red indicator-->

Connecting to the phone on Android

On devices running Android 8.0 and later, the connection is automatically via the Fast Pair protocol (if the function is enabled in the Bluetooth settings).

1. Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth on your phone.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Redmi AirDots 3 headphones should appear on the list of available devices called "Redmi Buds 3" or "Mi True Wireless Earphones."
3. Click on the headphone name in the list. In 2-3 seconds, a request for confirmation of pairing will appear — click "Connect".
4. After successful connection, the headphone icon will appear in the status bar, and the charge level of the case and each headphone will be displayed in the Bluetooth settings separately.

If the headphones are not listed:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: Disable and turn the module back on in the settings.
• 📱 Update your phone’s firmware: Older versions of Android (below 8.0) may not have support LE Audio.
• 🔋 Check the case charge: at a level below 5%, the headphones do not go into pairing mode.

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If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted, try turning off the Absolute Volume feature in the Bluetooth settings (Section "More"). This will solve the problem of mismatching the volume levels on the phone and headphones.

Connection to iPhone (iOS)

While AirDots 3 is optimized for Xiaomi devices, it is compatible with iPhones (since iOS 12), but there are nuances: Apple limits the functionality of third-party Bluetooth devices, so some features (such as displaying charge levels) may not work properly.

Instructions for iOS:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Hold the button on the AirDots 3 case until the flashing white/red indicator appears.
3. In the list of devices, find Redmi Buds 3 and tap it.
4. Confirm pairing. The headphones will connect, but the iPhone status bar will not display the headphone icon (this is normal for uncertified Apple accessories).

Restrictions on use with iPhone:

• ❌ No dual connection support (you can’t connect headphones to iPhone and MacBook at the same time).
• ❌ Case charge level is only displayed in third-party applications (e.g. Battery Bot).
• ✅ Automatic pause when removing one headphone.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco|

Samsung|

iPhone (Apple)|

Another mark.-->

Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows)

On Windows 10/11 computers, connecting AirDots 3 can be difficult due to the lack of drivers for Bluetooth 5.2. If headphones are not automatically determined, follow this instruction:

1. Press Win + I and select Devices → Bluetooth and Other Devices.
2. Press "Add device" →"Bluetooth".
3. Hold the button on the AirDots 3 case until the white/red indicator flashes.
4. In the list, find "Redmi Buds 3" and select it. If the device doesn't appear, go to manually install the drivers (see below).

If Windows does not find the headphones:

1. Download the Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth driver from the official website of the manufacturer of your Bluetooth adapter (you can determine the model through Device Manager).
2. Install the driver and restart the PC.
3. Repeat the connection attempt.

Solving the Problem: What to Do When AirDots 3 Is Not Connected

If the standard methods do not work, use these troubleshooting methods:

1. Resetting headphone settings

Resets the headphones back to the factory settings and removes all the stored pairings.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red quickly (3 times per second).
3. Release the button. The headphones will reset and the indicator will go out.
4. Now you can re-activate the pairing mode (hold the button 5-7 seconds).

2. Update to the headphone firmware

Xiaomi periodically releases firmware updates for AirDots 3, which correct connection errors. You can check the relevance of the version through the Mi Home app (Android only):

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Mi Home, go to the section "Profile → Device settings".
3. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't interrupt! Disabling the headphones during the upgrade can cause them to fail.

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Resetting is a universal solution for 90% of connectivity problems, and always start your diagnosis with this step if your headphones have previously been paired with another device.

3. Checking compatibility with the phone

Redmi AirDots 3 headphones require Bluetooth 5.0 or later. You can find out the Bluetooth version on your phone:

• 📱 Android: Install the app AIDA64 and check the "Network" section → Bluetooth".
• 🍎 iOS: On iPhone, all models since iPhone 8 support Bluetooth 5.0.

If your phone is equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 or older, the headphones can connect, but there will be problems with connection stability and sound quality.

⚠️ Note: Some Samsung phones (such as the Galaxy J series or Galaxy A 2017–2018) may need to disable the dual connection feature in Bluetooth settings, as it conflicts with the AirDots 3 protocol.

Additional features and hidden capabilities

In addition to basic connectivity, Redmi AirDots 3 supports a number of hidden features that are not mentioned in the official instructions:

• 🎵 Low Lag Mode: To reduce lag in games, tap the touchpad three times on any headphone. The indicator will flash blue, confirming activation.
• 🔊 Volume control: Double tap on the right earpiece increases volume, on the left - reduces (works only on Android).
• 📞 Voice Assistant: Hold the Touch Bar for 2 seconds to activate Google Assistant or Siri (depending on the phone).
• 🔋 Quick charge check: Open the case cover next to the connected phone - a pop-up with the charge level will appear on the screen.

Also, headphones support dual connection (simultaneously to the phone and laptop), but only on devices with Android 10+ or Windows 11.

1. Connect the headphones to the first device.
2. Activate the pairing mode (hold the button on the case for 5 seconds).
3. Connect to the second device via Bluetooth, and the headphones will automatically switch between them depending on the active sound source.

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To turn off touch control (for example, if you accidentally press the panel while wearing), touch the left earphone three times. Repeat the action to return control.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting AirDots 3