How to set up headphones Xiaomi AirDots among themselves: full instructions with solutions to problems

Why Xiaomi AirDots Headphones Don’t Work Together and How to Fix It

Xiaomi AirDots (including Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and modifications) are designed to automatically sync with each other after being removed from the case. However, users often experience a situation where one earbud connects to the phone and the second is silent, or both devices are identified as separate gadgets, the reasons for this behavior can be different from software failures to mechanical damage to contacts.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to synchronize Xiaomi AirDots headphones with each other, from basic reset to manual flashing. You will learn how to check the health of contacts in the case, what button combinations to use for forced synchronization, and what to do if the headphones are separated from each other (for example, one is connected to the phone and the second to the laptop).

Important: The instructions in this article are relevant for all generations of AirDots (including AirDots 3 Pro, AirDots S and Redmi Buds 4), but some steps may differ for touch-controlled models (for example, Mi Air 2 SE).

Preparing for synchronization: what to check before resetting settings

Before you start resetting or flashing, make sure that the problem is not in the trivial things.

• 🔋 Case and headphone charge: Make sure the indicator on the case is white or green (minimum 30% charge). If the indicator is red or flashing, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes. Headphones should automatically charge in the case (contacts on the headphones and inside the case should be clean).
• 📱 Device Compatibility: Check if your smartphone/PC supports Bluetooth protocol 5.0 (for AirDots 3/Pro On Android, you can find out in Settings. → The phone. → Bluetooth version.
• 🔄 Connection Conflict: Remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices on all gadgets (phone, laptop, tablet). Sometimes one earphone remains connected to another device, which blocks synchronization.
• 🛠️ Physical damage: Check the contacts on the headphones and inside the case for oxidation, dirt or dents. If the contacts are bent, gently trim them with a needle (do not use metal objects!).

If you don't sync your headphones after these checks, move on to reset, but remember, resetting your settings erases all user settings, including your Mi Account and your listening history.

Resetting headphones Xiaomi AirDots: 3 working methods

There are three official reset methods, and their effectiveness depends on the headphone model.

Method 1: Classic reset via a button on the case (for most models)

This method works for Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic and their analogues.

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to the power source (the red charging indicator will light up).
3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (or orange for some models).
4. Release the button. The headphones will reset and the indicator will turn white (pairing readiness).

Method 2: Reset via touch button retention (for AirDots 3/Pro and later)

Touch-controlled models (such as AirDots 3 Pro or Redmi Buds 4) are reset differently:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Hold the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
3. Place the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.
4. Get your headphones out – they should automatically sync (indicators blink white).

Method 3: Forced synchronization via Mi Home (for stitched models only)

If the first two methods didn’t work and your headphones support the Mi Home app (like AirDots Pro 2), try:

1. Install the Mi Home app (links: Android/IOS).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Go to Profile → Settings → Add the device → Headphones.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (scanning may be required) QR-case-code).

Make sure the case is 30%+ charged

Remove Bluetooth headphones from all devices

Check the purity of contacts in the case and on headphones

Prepare a needle/coat stick to clean the contacts (if necessary)-->

⚠️ Note: If one of the headphones fails to connect after reset, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, damage to the Bluetooth module.

Manual synchronization of headphones: if the reset did not help

If the reset fails, try forcefully synchronizing the headphones manually, which works for most models, but requires precise sequence:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. On the main headphone (usually right, it has a button or microphone) hold the switch on 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and blue.
3. Without releasing the button on the right earpiece, press and hold the button on the left earpiece for 3 seconds.
4. Release both buttons. The headphones should sync (the indicators flash white).
5. Place the headphones back in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should connect automatically.

For touch-controlled models (such as AirDots 3), the algorithm is slightly different:

• 🔄 Touch and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 8 seconds until you hear the beep.
• 🔄 Quickly touch the touch panel on the left earphone 3 times.
• 🔄 Wait for a double beep – this means successful synchronization.

If manual synchronization fails, check:

• 🔌 Contacts in the case: Sometimes they become oxidized or contaminated. wipe them with alcohol or gently brush them with a lastic.
• 📴 Interference from other devices: Disable nearby Bluetooth devices (columns, smart watches, other headphones).
• 🔄 Firmware Version: Outdated firmware can cause problems. Update it via Mi Home (if available).

💡

If your headphones are synchronized, but the sound is only in one, check the audio balance in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings. On Android, you can do this in Settings → Connected Devices → Headphones → Sound settings.

Table: Common Problems and Their Solutions

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations, the headphones are still not synchronized, and the indicators are lit in a non-standard color (for example, green or purple), this may indicate firmware damage. In this case, only flashing through special software (for example, MiFlash) will help, but this is a risky procedure that can finally bring the device down.

Firmware Update: When It Is Needed and How to Do It

Outdated firmware is one of the most common causes of synchronization problems. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for AirDots that fix connection bugs. There are two ways to check and update the firmware:

Method 1: Using the Mi Home app (recommended)

This method works for most models that support Mi Home:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Home app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
3. Go to the headphone settings (cog icon).
4. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until the process is complete (don't turn off the headphones!).

Method 2: Through PC (for power users)

If the Mi Home update is not available, you can use MiFlash or third-party tools like Xiaomi Earbuds Updater.

Instructions:

1. Download the latest firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website or trusted forums (e.g. 4PDA).
2. Connect your headphones to your PC via Bluetooth (use a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter for stability).
3. Run the firmware utility and follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware process! This can lead to a blink (completely inoperable) of the headphones. If during the update the indicators went out and the headphones stopped responding to buttons, contact the service immediately.

Frequent errors of users when setting up AirDots

Many synchronization problems are caused by incorrect user actions.-5 Mistakes that interfere with the normal operation of headphones:

• 🚫 Ignoring connection order: Many people try to connect the left earbud first, although the default is the right one. Always start pairing with the right earbud.
• 🚫 Use of non-original charging cable: Cheap cables may not provide enough current to charge the case, leading to headphone malfunctions.
• 🚫 Interrupting the reset process: If you release the reset button ahead of time, the headphones may remain in a “semi-discarded” state, which will complicate further setup.
• 🚫 Connecting to multiple devices at once: AirDots does not support multi-connection (except AirDots 3 Pro).If headphones are connected to a phone and laptop, they can conflict.
• 🚫 Using headphones when the case charge is low: If the case charge is below 10%, the headphones may not sync or turn off while working.

Another common mistake is to improperly clean the contacts, do not use wet wipes or aggressive solvents, dry cotton swabs or soft brush are enough, and if the contacts are oxidized, clean them gently with a brush (without pressing).

💡

If the headphones have spread across different devices (for example, one is connected to the phone and the second is connected to the tablet), first remove them from Bluetooth on all gadgets, then reset and mate again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions