How to reconnect Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones: reset, synchronize and troubleshooting

Why Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones Aren’t Connecting – and What to Do About It

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones (including the Basic 2, 2S, Air 2 and AirDots Pro) sometimes refuse to connect to a smartphone, even if they used to work without problems. The reasons can be different from a banal battery discharge to a failure of synchronization between the left and right earphones. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by resetting or forced resynchronization, but there are less obvious nuances, such as a conflict with the phone’s firmware or outdated headphone software.

This article will help you figure out how to bring your headphones back to life without going to the service center. We'll look at all possible scenarios, from simple reconnection via Bluetooth to manual firmware updates and hardware malfunction diagnostics. If your Mi True Wireless flashes white, is not detected by your phone or one earphone is silent, here you will find a solution.

Before you start the instructions, check three basic points:

  • πŸ”‹ Headphone and case charge: connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes, even if the indicator is on.
  • πŸ“± Bluetooth on your phone: Make sure it’s on and there’s no old entries in the list of connected devices called Mi True Wireless or AirDots_XXXX.
  • πŸ”„ Rebooting your smartphone: sometimes it helps to switch off/on your phone, especially on Xiaomi with a shell MIUI.

Reset Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones to factory settings

If the headphones have been paired with another device before, or one of them does not respond to pressing, the first thing you do is perform a hard reset, which removes all the saved connections and returns the settings to the factory settings. The manual is suitable for all Mi True Wireless models, including the Basic 2 and Air 2. SE.

Warning: Once reset, the headphones will automatically disconnect from all devices, and they will have to be reconnected, as after you bought them, and if you used them with a laptop, tablet, or smart watch, the pairing will also be lost.

⚠️ Note: Do not reset if the headphones are discharged below 30.

Step-by-step:

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.
  2. Open the lid, but don't take the headphones out.
  3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds.
  4. The indicators on the headphones will start flashing red and white – this is a signal of a successful reset.
  5. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then open and try to connect again.

If after resetting the headphones still are not determined, try an alternative method:

Make sure the headphones are in a case with the lid open.|Press and hold the button on the case (if any) for 10 seconds.|Wait for the double flashing of white light|Try connecting via Bluetooth menu-->

Manual synchronization of left and right earphone

One of the most common problems is that the phone sees only one headphone (usually the right one) and the other one doesn't connect or is silent, because the Master (right) and Slave (left) headphones are lost, and you can restore communication without resetting.

Method 1: Forced pairing through the case

  • πŸ”„ Remove both headphones from the case and place them next to each other (no more than 5 cm away).
  • 🎧 Press and hold the touchpad on the left earphone for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
  • πŸ”— Repeat the same for the right earpiece. They should sync automatically (indicators flash white).

Method 2: Reset via MIUI (only for Xiaomi smartphones)

  1. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Find Mi True Wireless in the list and tap the gear settings.
  3. Select Forget the device.
  4. Return the headphones to the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then reconnect.

Regularly, almost every charge |Sometimes, every few weeks | Very rarely, 1-2 times all the time | Never had a problem-->

Update of the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphone firmware

If resetting and synchronization didn’t help, the problem could be in outdated firmware. Xiaomi periodically releases updates for its wireless headphones that fix connectivity errors, improve sound and increase battery life. For example, in v1.7.1 firmware for Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, a bug with the spontaneous shutdown of the left earphone was fixed.

You can update the headphones in two ways:

  • πŸ“± Mi Home: Suitable for most models, but requires registration in the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Instructions for updating via Mi Home:

  1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
  2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
  3. Open Mi Home, go to Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Update the firmware.
  4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones become depleted or communication is interrupted during a firmware update, they may stop turning on. Charge them to 100% before starting.

Mi True Wireless Earphones Basic (first generation) models may require manual firmware via PC.

  • πŸ–₯️ Windows computer 7/10/11.
  • πŸ”Œ USB-Type-C Cable (to connect the case).
  • πŸ“ Firmware and utility Mi Flash Tool (you can download on the official website).
Details of manual firmware updates
1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiTrueWireless). 2. Connect the case with headphones to the PC through USB-cable (earphones should lie inside, cover is open). 3. Launch MiFlash.exe, select the firmware folder and click Refresh. 4. The list of devices will appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 β€” Select it and press Flash. 5. Wait for completion (3–5 Don't turn off the case!

Problems with connecting to different devices

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones can behave differently depending on the device you're connecting them to. For example, on iPhones they sometimes only connect in HFP mode (low-quality audio), and on Windows, the microphone may not work. Let's consider typical scenarios.

The deviceProblem.Decision
Xiaomi Smartphone (MIUI)The headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted.Turn off Absolute Volume in the Developer Settings
iPhone (iOS)Low sound quality (mono)Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again
Laptop (Windows 10/11)The microphone is not working.In the sound control panel, select Headphone as the default device
Android (not Xiaomi)The headphones are turned off in 5-10 minutesTurn off Bluetooth battery optimization in app settings

If you connect headphones to a MacBook or iPad, you may need to adjust the codecs further. Xiaomi uses AAC by default, but some Apple devices work better with SBC.

  1. Connect the headphones to the device.
  2. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth.
  3. Find Mi True Wireless and tap the i icon.
  4. In the Audio Codec section, select SBC (if available).

πŸ’‘

If the headphones are not defined on Windows, try disabling Bluetooth Support in Task Manager and restarting your PC. Once Bluetooth is enabled, the headphones should appear in the list of available devices.

Diagnostics of hardware faults

If none of these things worked, the problem could be hardware, and here are the signs that you're going to break.

  • πŸ”΄ Indicators do not burn even after charging - a malfunction of the battery or power controller is possible.
  • 🎡 There is a sound, but very quiet or distorted – damage to the speaker or membrane.
  • πŸ”Œ Headphones are not charged in the case - oxidation of contacts or failure of the charging board.
  • πŸ“Ά Permanent communication breaks at a distance of less than 1 meter – malfunction of the Bluetooth module.

The most frequent breakdowns and their causes:

Symptoms.Probable causeCan I repair it myself?
The indicators are off.Battery discharge below critical levelYes (try charging 1-2 hours)
One earpiece is down.Breaking the wire between the speaker and the boardNo (needs a soldering iron and experience)
Headphones are not synchronizedFailure of the Bluetooth controller firmwareYes (flash through PC)
Case doesn't charge headphones.Oxidation of contacts or failure of the controllerPartially (clean contacts with alcohol)

If headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will deprive you of the right to free repair. Official service centers Xiaomi in Russia and the CIS accept devices with defects on the warranty card (period - 12 months from the date of purchase).

  1. Find the serial number on the case (usually under the cover).
  2. Go to mi.com/global/verify.
  3. Enter the serial number and the captcha.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought headphones on AliExpress or from an unofficial seller, the warranty may not work.

Alternative ways of connecting

If the standard methods don’t work, try the non-obvious solutions:

1. Connection through Developer Mode (Android)

On some smartphones (especially those with custom firmware), headphones may not be identified due to Bluetooth limitations.

  1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the Build Number in your phone settings).
  2. Back to Settings β†’ System system β†’ For developers.
  3. Find the Bluetooth debugging option and turn it on.
  4. Restart your phone and try to connect again.

2. Use of third-party applications

Applications like Bluetooth Auto Connect or Bass Booster sometimes help establish a connection when standard Android or iOS tools refuse to see the device.

  • πŸ“± Bluetooth Auto Connect for Android
  • 🍎 Bluetooth Finder for iOS

3. Connect via FastPair (Android only)

Google FastPair technology speeds up pairing with supported devices to activate it for Mi True Wireless:

  1. Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and Location enabled (required!).
  2. Open the case cover and bring it to the phone at a distance of 10-15 cm.
  3. Wait for the pop-up window with an offer to connect.

πŸ’‘

If the headphones are not detected by any device, but the indicators are on, the problem is the firmware. Try updating it manually through your PC or contact the service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones

πŸ”Ή Why the headphones only connect one at a time?
This is a typical loss synchronization problem between the Master (right) and the Slave (left) headphones, solved by forced resynchronization: put both headphones in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then open and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 5 seconds until the white light flashes.
πŸ”Ή How to check the level of charge of headphones?
On Android: open Settings β†’ Bluetooth, tap the gear icon next to Mi True Wireless. On iOS: swipe down from the top right corner (on iPhone X and later) β€” charge level will appear in the Bluetooth widget. Also, the indicator on the case shows charge: white – more than 60%, orange – 30-60%, red – less than 30%.
πŸ”Ή Can I use one headphone separately?
Yes, but only the right one (it's a Master device) To turn on mono mode: take the right earphone out of the case and plug it into the phone. The left earphone won't work alone, it depends on the right one to communicate with the phone.
πŸ”Ή Why the headphones are discharged quickly?
The reasons may be different: πŸ”‹ Battery wear: after 300-500 charging cycles, the capacity drops by 20-30%. πŸ“Ά Unstable Bluetooth connection: Constant reconnections waste energy. 🎧 High volume: at maximum, the headphones will discharge in 2-3 hours instead of the stated 4-5. To extend the running time, turn off the noise (if any) and reduce the volume to 70%.
πŸ”Ή How to distinguish the original headphones from fake?
The main features of the original Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones: πŸ“¦ Packaging: box with hologram, serial number on the sticker matches the number on the case. 🎡 Sound: clear high and low frequencies, no wheezing at maximum volume. πŸ”‹ Charging: the case is charged in 1.5-2 hours (fakes are often charged 3-4 hours). πŸ“± Mi Home app: original headphones are defined in the app and allow firmware updates. counterfeits usually weigh less (original β€” ~4g each headphone) and have tighter touch buttons.