Setup a pair of headphones Xiaomi: how to connect both headphones in 5 minutes

You bought a new Xiaomi wireless headphone, but you've got a problem: Is it just one headphone working, the other one is not connected, or is the sound mono? This is a situation that many owners of Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless and other models of the brand know. The reasons can be different, from a basic synchronization error to a firmware failure. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to set up a pair of headphones, including hidden MIUI functions, which the manufacturer does not always advertise.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (especially budget models) often suffer from a pair being “separated” after prolonged non-use, battery drain, or improper upgrades, but 90% of the time, the problem can be solved without going to the service center. We have compiled current methods for 2026, including instructions for new models with Bluetooth 5.3 support. LC3-codec.

1. Basic synchronization of Xiaomi headphones

If you’ve just taken your headphones out of the box or after a long break, the first thing you need to do is reset them to the factory settings and re-sync them. Most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Buds 4/5, Mi Buds 3/4) use the same algorithm:

• 🔋 Charge the case to 100% – the discharged battery can block synchronization.
• 📱 Remove headphones from the list of conjugated devices in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings.
• 🔄 Reset your headphones: Press the button on the case (or touchpad on headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
• 🎧 Take both headphones out of the case - they must automatically connect with each other (indicators blink synchronously).

Then connect to the headphones via Bluetooth, and if the lights flash alternately (left-red, right-white), then the pair is out of sync.

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On Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and later, the reset is done via the Mi Earphones mobile app. Press both touch panels for 20 seconds until you hear the beep.

2. Manual pairing of left and right earphone

If automatic synchronization doesn't work, you'll have to manually connect the headphones. TWS-Xiaomi models including Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless 2:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.
2. Take out the right earpiece - it should turn on and start flashing white.
3. Press the touchpad on the right earphone for 5 seconds until you hear the connection sound.
4. Take out the left earphone and press its touchpad for 10 seconds. The indicator should flash purple (this is a sign of successful pairing).

If the left earphone indicator flashes red, repeat the procedure by first clearing the headphones and case contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Contact oxidation is one of the main causes of synchronization problems.

Cleared headphone and case contacts | Case charged at least 50% | Headphones removed from Bluetooth | Used original cable for charging-->

3.Configure via the Mi Earphones app

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 and later, be sure to install the official Mi Earphones app (available for Android and iOS).It not only simplifies the setup, but also allows you to update the firmware, which often solves connection problems.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Earphones and select your model from the list.
4. Go to Settings → Reset and reset to factory settings.
5. After rebooting the headphones, go back to the main menu and select Update the firmware (if available).

Important! If your headphones stop working after you update your firmware, reset again and wait 10 minutes, sometimes the system takes time to stabilize.

Redmi Buds 4/5|Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro|Mi True Wireless 2|Redmi AirDots|Another model-->

4. Problems connecting to the phone

If the headphones are synchronized with each other (burn the same color), but do not connect to the phone, check the following points:

• 📵 Turn off Bluetooth on other devices that previously connected to headphones (laptop, tablet).
• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module of the phone: turn it off and turn it on again or restart the smartphone.
• 🛠️ Reset the network settings on your phone (Settings) → System system → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
• 📱 Update the phone firmware – in older versions MIUI There are bugs with Bluetooth 5.2 support+.

⚠️ Attention! On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 13+ There's a known problem: the system can forget the Bluetooth device settings after the upgrade. If the headphones are connected, but only sound is in one, try rolling back the phone firmware one version.

For models that support Dual Mode (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), check that the Bluetooth settings of the phone have dual connectivity enabled, allowing you to use the headphones simultaneously with two devices (such as phone + laptop).

5.Sound problems: mono, quiet sound, noise

If both earphones are connected, but the sound is only in one or the sound quality has deteriorated, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔊 Incorrect audio codec: in the Bluetooth settings of the phone, select SBC instead AAC or.
• 🎛️ Sound balance: check availability settings on your phone (Settings) → Special facilities → Audio balance).
• 📵 Interference from other devices: Wi-Fi routers at 2.4 GHz can interfere with Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Low battery power: at a charge level below 15%, headphones can automatically switch to mono mode.

For diagnosis:

1. Connect your headphones to another device (like a tablet), and if the problem persists, it's the headphones.
2. Check the sound in call mode: if the stereo works in calls and not in music, the problem is in the media settings.
3. Update the headphone firmware through Mi Earphones (if available).

⚠️ Attention! Redmi Buds 3 Lite and Mi True Wireless 2 Basic models don't support stereo sound in calls - it's a hardware limitation.

6.Microphone problems

If the person can’t hear you or the sound is interrupted, the problem may be microphone settings or hardware limitations.

• 🎤 Select the right microphone: In the phone call settings, set your headphones as your primary microphone.
• 🔇 Turn off noise cancellation: in Mi Earphones go to Settings → Microphone mode and select Normal instead ENC.
• 📱 Update the phone firmware: in MIUI 14 bugs with voice transmission over Bluetooth are fixed.
• 🔌 Check the microphone contacts on headphones – often they get contaminated or oxidized.

For models with transparent mode (Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), make sure it is turned off during the call - this can create an echo for the interlocutor.

Hardware problems and repairs

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem.Typical malfunctions of Xiaomi headphones:

• 🔋 Battery bloating in case or headphones (seen by deformation of the case).
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna damage (often after falling).
• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts on the headphone board or in the case.
• 🎛️ Failure of the power controller (earphones do not charge).

For diagnosis:

1. Check if the headphones are charged in the case (the indicator should burn red while charging).
2. Try connecting the headphones to another case (if possible).
3. Light a flashlight on the speaker - if the membrane is torn, the sound will be distorted.

⚠️ Attention! If Xiaomi headphones are warranty, don't disassemble them yourself, it voids the warranty. Contact the official service center. The cost of repairs outside the warranty is usually 1,500-3,000 ₽ model-wise.

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If the headphones stopped syncing after falling or getting moisture, the board is likely damaged, in which case repairs will cost more than buying new headphones of a budget line.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi headphones