How to connect Xiaomi AirDots with each other: a complete guide to pairing headphones

Why Xiaomi AirDots Don’t Connect to Each Other and What to Do About It

Did you pull Xiaomi AirDots headphones out of your case, but they refuse to work together? One headphone connects to your phone and the other doesn't? Or are both earphones defined as separate devices? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi wireless headphones - from the budget AirDots Basic to the flagship AirDots Pro 3. The reasons can be different: from a banal battery discharge to a firmware failure.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for pairing headphones with each other for all popular models, as well as ways to diagnose and fix errors. We will discuss how to reset the settings correctly, what to do if one earphone does not respond, and how to avoid problems in the future. Don't rush to bring the headphones to the service - in 90% of cases, the problem is solved independently in 5-10 minutes.

Before you start setting up, make sure your headphones are fully charged (the indicator on the case is green or white), and the case also has a sufficient level of charge. If the battery is discharged, the pairing process may interrupt or not work properly.

How Xiaomi AirDots headphones work: the principle of pairing

All Xiaomi AirDots models (except the very first versions) use True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology, which allows two headphones to synchronize with each other and work as a single device. The connection process occurs automatically when you first connect to the phone, but sometimes manual pairing is required.

Here's how it works:

• 🔋 The main headphone (usually right, but may be left) is connected to the sound source (phone, laptop) via Bluetooth.
• 🔄 The secondary headphone is synchronized with the main one using a special protocol (not via Bluetooth!).
• 🎧 Only after successful connection between the headphones begin to reproduce sound in stereo mode.

If the synchronization between the headphones is disrupted, you will hear only one of them, or both will work as mono devices, in which case forced pairing is required, more details will be given in the next section.

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If the headphones have been out of use for a long time, put them in a case for 10 to 15 seconds before mating, and then pull them out. This will reset the current connection settings.

Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi AirDots with each other

If your headphones are disconnected or have never worked together, follow these steps. Instructions are suitable for most models, including AirDots 2, AirDots Pro 2, AirDots 3 and their modifications.

Method 1: Standard pairing (if the headphones are new or after resetting)

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Take them out of the case – they should automatically turn on (white/red indicator flashes).
3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (mating mode).
4. Wait until the lights start flashing in sync (usually 5-20 seconds), which means that the headphones are connected.
5. Connect them to your phone as usual (via the Bluetooth menu).

Method 2: Forced resetting and re-pairing (if the standard method does not work)

If the headphones don’t connect after several attempts, do a full reset:

Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.|Hold the button on the case for 20 seconds (until the red indicator flashes)|Remove the headphones and hold the sensors for 15 seconds until alternate blinks.|Wait for synchronous blinking (successful mating)-->

For models with a button on the case (for example, AirDots Pro 2):

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
3. Open the case, take out the headphones and perform standard pairing (see Method 1).

Table: Features of mating for different models Xiaomi AirDots

If your model is not listed in the table, try the one-size-fits-all method: hold the sensors on both headphones for 15-20 seconds until a reset indication appears. For cases with a reset button (such as AirDots Pro 2), always start by holding it.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after mating properly, the headphones may not work properly, and here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔊 The sound comes in only one headphone: check the sound balance in the Bluetooth settings of the phone (on Android: Settings) → Sound. → Bluetooth balance. If balance is normal, repeat mating.
• 🔋 The headphones discharge quickly after mating: this is normal when you first connect. Let them run completely, then charge to 100% and repeat sync.
• 📱 Phone doesn’t see headphones after reset: remove them from the list of associated devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → Forget the device and search again.
• 🔄 Headphones are constantly disconnecting: Update the firmware through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (if available for your model).

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If after all the manipulations, the headphones still do not connect, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, a Bluetooth module in one of the headphones is damaged), in which case, contact the service center.

⚠️ Note: Do not use foreign objects (paper clips, toothpicks) to reset your headphones to press a button inside the case. This can damage contacts. If the button does not press, contact the service.

How to check if the headphones are successfully connected

After mating, it's important to make sure both earbuds work correctly. Here's how to do it:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone and play or video.
2. Turn around each headphone with your palm – the sound should remain stereo (if you cover the left, the right will continue to play its channel, and vice versa).
3. Check the microphones, call someone, or record a voice message, and the voice must be clearly transmitted, without noise.
4. Step 5 to 10 meters away from your phone, and if the connection is stable, the headphones should not "fall out" or make intermittent sound.

If there are problems at any stage, repeat the pairing process. For models that support the Mi Home app (such as AirDots Pro 3), check the connection status in the Devices → Headphones → Status section.

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To test the microphone, use a service like Online Mic Test, which will help you determine which headphone is not transmitting sound.

What to do if one headphone Xiaomi AirDots does not work

When one earphone is completely silent or not turning on, it is more common than it seems, and the causes can be both software (firmware failure) and hardware (battery damage or speaker damage).

1. Check the charge: put the broken earphone in the case for 30 minutes. If the indicator does not light up, there is a problem with the contacts or battery.
2. Reset: perform a forced reset (see section above). Sometimes the "dead" earphone comes to life after this procedure.
3. Check on another device: connect the headphones to another phone or PC, and if the problem persists, a malfunction in the headphone.
4. Physically inspect: Check if the headphone has cracks, dents, or oxidation marks on the contacts.

If the headphone does not respond to reset and does not charge, it will most likely need to be replaced. Xiaomi service centers often offer favorable terms for replacing one headphone from a pair (especially if the device is warranty).

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the headphones yourself, it will lead to loss of warranty. Inside, glue joints are used, and after disassembly, it is almost impossible to restore tightness.

FAQ: Frequent questions about mating Xiaomi AirDots