Xiaomi Air 2: Full setup from connectivity to finer options

Xiaomi Air 2 is one of the most popular wireless headphones from the Chinese brand, combining affordable price, high-quality sound and easy control. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with the initial setup, from synchronizing with the phone to fine-tuning the equalizer.

We will look not only at standard steps (how to connect headphones to Android or iOS), but also advanced features: changing gesture control, updating firmware, resetting to factory settings. We'll focus on typical problems, like when one earbud is quieter than another, or when the device is not defined by the phone, all instructions are validated on current software versions (2026) and are suitable for Air 2, Air 2 models. SE Air 2 Pro.

If you’ve just unpacked your headphones or want to improve your headphones, read on. And if you’ve already encountered a specific problem (e.g., Xiaomi Air 2 headphones don’t connect to the Mi Band), use the table of contents to quickly move to the section you want.

1.Preparation for the first connection: what to check

Before you start setting up, make sure that all the preconditions are met, which will eliminate most of the problems during the synchronization stage.

First, check the headphones. They can be discharged to 0% in the box, especially if they have been in storage for several months. Connect the case to a 15-20 minute charge (the indicator on the front should light up red or orange). Full charging takes about 1.5 hours, but for the first turn on it is enough 10-15%.

Second, update your smartphone firmware. Outdated versions of Android (below). 8.0) or iOS (below). 12.0) They may not support Bluetooth protocol 5.0, This will cause communication problems. Xiaomi/Redmi Check the relevance of the software in the Settings menu → The phone. → Updating the system.

• 🔋 Case charge: at least 20% (the indicator should be white or green when connected to the charger).
• 📱 Bluetooth Version: The phone should have Bluetooth 4.2 or later support (checked in Settings) → Compounds → Bluetooth).
• 🎧 Headphone condition: both should lie in a case with an open lid (otherwise they will not go into pairing mode).
• 🚫 Other devices: Disconnect from your phone all previously connected headphones or speakers to avoid conflicts.

If you’re connecting Xiaomi Air 2 to an iPhone, note that some features (like an advanced equalizer or firmware update) are only available through the Mi Home app, which doesn’t officially support iOS.

Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi Air 2 to the phone

The pairing process takes less than a minute, but requires a precise algorithm, and let’s consider two scenarios: for Android (using a proprietary app) and for iOS.

Method 1: Connect to Android via Mi Home

This is the best option, as it allows not only to synchronize the headphones, but also to adjust additional parameters.

1. Download the Mi Home app from Google Play (version no lower than 6.0).
2. Open the case with headphones and make sure the indicator flashes white (pairing mode). If not, press and hold the button on the case for 5 seconds.
3. At Mi Home, press + → Add the device → Headphones and choose the model Xiaomi Air 2.
4. Confirm the connection in the system pop-up window.

After successful pairing, the application will appear a control panel with a charge level, a headphone search button and access to sound settings.

Method 2: Connect to iPhone or Android without Mi Home

If you don’t want to install additional software or use an iPhone, connect your headphones through the standard Bluetooth menu:

1. Open the case cover and wait for the white indicator to flash.
2. On your phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list, find Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (or similar name) and tap it.
4. Confirm the pairing.

On iOS, when connected, the headphones will appear as LE-Mi True Wireless. Note that without the Mi Home, you won’t be able to update your firmware or change your control gestures.

Make sure the headphones are charged

Open the case lid.

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Remove old connected headphones from the list of devices-->

3. Customize gesture control and touch buttons

Xiaomi Air 2 supports touch control, but by default is unintuitive to many users. Fortunately, the gesture scheme can be changed.

Open the Mi Home app, select your headphones, and go to the Control Settings section, where the following options are available:

• 👆 Double tap: default playback/pause, can be reassigned to call voice assistant or move to the next track.
• 👇 Triple tap: the default is a voice assistant call. Alternatives: previous track or disabling sound.
• 🔄 Touch and Retain: Default: Turning off noise reduction (if supported by the model). SE This function can be reassigned to volume control.

Important: After changing the settings, sync the headphones with the case (put them back and close the cover for 10 seconds), otherwise new gestures may not be saved.

If the gestures stopped working after the firmware update, reset the settings (see Section 6). Also check if the touches are blocked due to the cover or moisture on the headphone surface.

💡

To avoid accidental alarms, reduce sensor sensitivity in the Mi Home app settings (Section Additional) → Sensitivity to touch).

4. Sound optimization: equalizer, noise cancellation and spatial sound

The sound in Xiaomi Air 2 is balanced by default, but it can be improved to suit your preferences. Use the built-in equalizer in Mi Home or third-party apps to do this.

The proprietary application has 3 presets available: Balance (neutral sound), Bass (enhanced low frequencies), Voice (emphasis on medium frequencies for podcasts).

To activate them, go to the sound settings. → equalizer.

For fine-tuning, use third-party apps, such as Wavelet (for Android), Equalizer FX boom 3D (iOS).

They allow you to adjust the frequencies manually, add 3D-effects and even imitate the sound of expensive acoustics.

If your model supports active noise reduction (ANC), Include it in Settings → Noise reduction: Note that this feature significantly reduces battery life (by 15-20%). The Xiaomi Air 2 Pro also has a transparency mode that lets out external sounds (useful for talking or orientation in space).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party equalizers, you may experience a latency of up to 200-300 ms. This is critical for gaming or watching videos. In this case, turn off audio processing or use Low Latency in Bluetooth settings.

5. Update firmware: why you need and how to do

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, improve communication stability, and add new features, such as the latest Air 2 Pro version that features codec support. LC3 and AAC for better sound on iOS.

To update the firmware:

1. Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone via Mi Home.
2. Open the application and go to the About Device section → Firmware update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the headphones should lie in a case with the lid open).
4. Do not turn off Bluetooth or close the case cover until the update is complete (the indicator will flash blue).

It takes 3-5 minutes to update, and the headphones will automatically restart when the update is delayed.

1. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then open it again.
2. Restart the Mi Home app.
3. Try again.

⚠️ Note: If after the update, the headphones stopped connecting, reset (see section 6). In rare cases, the firmware may contain errors - watch for feedback on forums (for example, 4PDA) before updating.

💡

Update your firmware only when you have a stable Internet connection (preferably via Wi-Fi), interrupted updates can lead to the "bricking" of the headphones, and they will have to be handed over to the service.

6. Resetting settings and troubleshooting

If the headphones start to work incorrectly (do not connect, produce distorted sound, quickly discharge), perform a full reset. This will return all parameters to the factory settings.

Instructions for Xiaomi Air 2/Air 2 SE/Air 2 Pro:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (the indicator will flash red and white).
3. Open the lid - the headphones will go into pairing mode (white flashing light).
4. Connect them to the phone again, as in the first use.

After reset, you'll have to reset your gestures and equalizer.

• 🔋 Case charge: a discharged case battery (below 10%) can cause malfunctions in the work of headphones.
• 📶 Bluetooth interference: other 2.4GHz devices (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves) can cause interference.
• 🎛️ Phone settings: on Xiaomi/Redmi Enable the Settings option → Bluetooth → High quality sound.

If one of the headphones is not working:

1. Clean the contacts on the headphone and in the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
2. Try to connect it separately (get only a problem headphone out of the case and wait for pairing).
3. If nothing helps - contact the service (possible factory defect battery or Bluetooth module).

7 Additional features: voice assistant, mono mode and game mode

Xiaomi Air 2 supports a few hidden features that many users are unaware of.

Voice assistant

The headphones are compatible with Google Assistant, Siri and Alice (on Android).

1. Then, set the scoring (triple-touch) for the scoring.
2. In the phone settings, allow access to the microphone for the assistant app.
3. Make sure the headphones are connected in Media Audio mode (not just Call Audio).

Monoregime (use of one headphone)

If you only need to use one headphone (for example, for conversations):

1. Take out only one headphone from the case - it will automatically connect to the phone.
2. To return to stereo, put it back and take out both.

Note that in mono mode, the working time is reduced by 30-40%.

Game mode (delay reduction)

So, for games, it's important to have minimal latency, to reduce this.

1. In Mi Home, enable the Low Latency option (Settings of Sound).
2. On Xiaomi phone, activate Settings → Special facilities →Audio → Minimize the delay of sound.
3. Use the codec. SBC or AAC (in the developer's Bluetooth settings).

In game mode, the sound quality deteriorates slightly, but the delay is reduced from 200-300 ms to 80-120 ms.

8. Care and extension tips

To make Xiaomi Air 2 last longer, follow the following simple guidelines:

• 🧼 Clean: wipe your headphones and case once a week with a dry wipe. Use a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol (not ethanol) to remove earwax!).
• 🔋 Charging: Do not leave your headphones on charge for more than 24 hours - this reduces battery life%.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Avoid overheating (do not leave the case in direct sunlight or near heat sources). Optimal storage temperature: 10–35°C.
• 💧 Moisture: Despite the stated protection IPX4, Don't use your headphones in the rain or in the shower.

If the headphones are not used for a long time (more than 2 weeks), store them in a case with a charge of 40-60%. Full discharge or 100% charge for a long time damage lithium batteries.

The average life of Xiaomi Air 2 with proper care is 2-3 years. After that, the battery capacity drops by 30-40%, and the headphones begin to run out quickly, in which case you can replace the battery in the service center (cost about 1500-2000 rubles).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Air 2