Why Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Headphones Work Separately and How to Fix It

Did you pull out of the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless case, but instead of the usual stereo sound, one earphone is silent and the other plays audio? Or do both headphones connect to the phone separately, as two independent devices? This problem is familiar to many owners. TWS-Xiaomi headphones, and it's not always connected to a breakdown, most often to blame for synchronization failures between headphones, firmware errors or incorrect Bluetooth settings on the smartphone.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons Mi True Wireless (including Basic 2, Earbuds Basic, Air 2 and others) start working separately, and give step-by-step instructions for restoring their pairings. You’ll learn how to reset, update firmware, check compatibility with the device, and even fix your headphones if the problem is in the hardware. Don’t rush them into service — 90% of the time, you can solve the problem yourself in 10-15 minutes.

Why Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones work separately: the main reasons

Before you start repairing or resetting, it’s important to understand what caused the earphones to disconnect, and here are the most common reasons why Mi True Wireless stop working synchronously:

• 🔄 Synchronization failure between left and right earbuds (often after a firmware update or battery discharge).
• 📱 Bluetooth problems on a connected device (smartphone, laptop, tablet).
• 🔋 Different level of charge of headphones (one discharged, the other not).
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or the headphones themselves.
• 📲 Outdated headphone firmware or an incompatible version of Bluetooth on a smartphone.
• 🔄 Incorrect order of connection (for example, first connected the right earphone, and then the left one).

Interestingly, the problem is more common among owners of Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Basic 2 and Earbuds Basic — this is due to the features of their firmware and energy saving algorithm. In newer models (for example, Air 2 Pro or Buds 4), such failures are less common due to improved synchronization system.

If the headphones were working normally before but suddenly disconnected, it is likely that the software malfunction is to blame. If the problem occurs immediately after purchase, there may be a defect or incompatibility with your device.

Method 1: Reset Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones to factory settings

The most reliable way to get back synced is to completely reset the settings, which removes all the connections saved and returns the headphones to the "out of the box" state, which is suitable for all Mi True Wireless models, but may be slightly different for new versions.

If there is no button on the case (as in Air 2 Pro), use an alternative method:

1. Remove both earphones from the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. Wait until the indicators start flashing red and white (this is a reset signal).
4. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
5. Take it out and try to reconnect.

After reset, the headphones should automatically synchronize with each other and appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices as a whole (Mi True). Wireless_XXXX). If this does not happen, proceed to the next method.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all stored connections. After the procedure, you will have to pair your headphones with all devices (smartphone, laptop, etc.) again.).

Method 2: Checking and updating the firmware of headphones

Outdated or damaged firmware is one of the main reasons why Xiaomi Mi True Wireless is starting to work separately, especially for Basic 2 and Earbuds Basic models, where the manufacturer periodically releases patches to fix synchronization bugs.

To update the firmware:

1. Install the official Mi Earphones app (available for Android and iOS).

If the application does not find updates, but the problem remains, try forced flashing via PC:

If the headphones are still running separately after the upgrade, try rolling back the firmware to the previous version (if possible through the app). Sometimes new updates contain errors that the manufacturer fixes only in the next patches.

Method 3: Checking battery and contacts in the case

One of the less obvious reasons for the headphones to disconnect is insufficient charge or damaged contacts in the charging case, and if one headphone is discharged more than the other, it may not be activated or connected separately.

What to do:

• 🔋 Put both earphones in the case and charge them for at least 30 minutes (even if the indicator shows charge).
• 🔍 Check the contacts in the case and on headphones for oxidation or dirt (clean with alcohol and cotton swab).
• 🔄 Try rebooting the case: Remove the headphones, close the lid, then open and pull them out again.

If the case is not charging one of the headphones, the problem may be a damaged contact or a faulty battery, in which case only repairs at the service center will help, but before you do this, try the following method - sometimes forced synchronization helps.

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If the headphones are dead, wait 5-10 minutes after you connect to the charger before you try to turn them on. Sometimes the power controller needs time to initialize.

Method 4: Forced synchronization of headphones (manual pairing)

If resetting and charging didn’t work, try manually syncing left and right headphones, a technique that works for most Xiaomi models, including the Basic 2 and Air 2.

Instructions:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
3. Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
4. Put both headphones back in the case, close the lid and wait 20 seconds.
5. Get them out – they should automatically sync and connect as a single device.

If the lights are flashing only white, it means that the headphones can't see each other.

• Try repeating the procedure 2-3 times.
• Check if something is blocking the infrared sensor on the headphones (such as a case or dirt).
• Make sure that the headphones are the same model (sometimes users accidentally mix headphones from different devices).

⚠️ Note: If after forced synchronization headphones still connect separately, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, damaged Bluetooth module in one of the headphones).

Method 5: Set up Bluetooth on a smartphone or PC

Sometimes the problem is not the headphones, but the wrong Bluetooth settings on the connected device, for example, if multiple connections to the same earphone (as to individual devices) are stored in the smartphone memory, this can cause conflicts.

What to do:

1. Open Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.
2. Remove all devices with Mi True Wireless names, LE_XXXX or R_XXXX (where XXXX — unique identifier).
3. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again.
4. Take the headphones out of the case and wait until they appear in the list as a single device (Mi True). Wireless_XXXX).
5. Get on them.

If the headphones still appear as two separate devices:

• 📱 On Android: Go to Settings → System system → Reset → Reset network settings (this will delete all stored Bluetooth connections).
• 🍎 On iPhone: Go to Settings → Bluetooth, press the "i" next to the headphones and select Forget this device.
• 💻 Nana Windows/Mac: Remove the headphones from the list of devices and restart the computer.

Also check if your smartphone is power-saving, which can limit Bluetooth and cause connection breaks. On Android, you can check this in Settings. → Battery.

Method 6: Mechanical damage and defect testing

If all software methods have been tried, but Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones still work separately, the reason may be a hardware malfunction.

• 🔊 The microphone or speaker in one of the headphones does not work (check if the sound is played when connected separately).
• 🔋 The battery of one of the headphones is swollen or does not hold a charge (seems by fast discharge).
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna damaged (earphone connects only near the smartphone).
• 🔌 Contacts in the case or on headphones oxidized or soldered off.

How to check:

1. Connect your right and left headphones separately to your smartphone, and if one of them doesn't play sound or is intermittent, the problem is that headphone.
2. Look at the charge indicators in the case: if one earphone is not charging, the contact may be damaged.
3. Shake the headphones – if you hear a foreign noise (for example, rattling), this may indicate a detached part.

If you find mechanical damage, there are two options:

1. Self-repair (only if you have experience with microelectronics!) For example, you can re-sweeten contacts or replace the battery.
2. The cost of repairing Xiaomi Mi True Wireless usually does not exceed 1-2 thousand rubles.

⚠️ Note: If headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

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If the headphones are new (up to 14 days from purchase), you can return them to the store under the law "On protection of consumer rights" as a low-quality product.

Method 7: Alternative methods if nothing helps

If none of the previous methods worked, try these non-standard solutions:

• 📵 Connect your headphones to another device (like a tablet or laptop), and sometimes the problem is with a particular smartphone.
• 🔄 Use headphones in mono mode: some Xiaomi models allow you to connect each headphone separately (for example, for calls.
• 🛠️ Update your smartphone firmware: sometimes Bluetooth bugs get fixed in new versions MIUI Android.
• 🔋 Completely discharge and charge the headphones: this can reset the power controller (suitable for models with lithium polymer batteries).

If Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones still work separately, but you don’t want to spend money on repairs, you can try using them as two independent devices:

1. Connect the right earphone to one smartphone (for example, for music).
2. Connect the left earphone to another device (for example, for calls).

Of course, this is not a full replacement for stereo sound, but it will allow you to temporarily use headphones until you find a solution.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the separate connection Xiaomi Mi True Wireless