Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including AirDots Pro 2/3, AirDots Youth and Air 2/3) are designed to work in stereo mode when both headphones play the sound synchronously. However, many users face the problem: the phone sees only one headphone, and the second is silent or connects as a separate device, the reasons are rooted in synchronization failures between headphones, outdated firmware or incorrect Bluetooth settings.
This article provides step-by-step instructions for all versions of AirDots (including budget and flagship models), ways to fix common bugs (for example, when the left earphone is not connected), and tips for setting up for stable operation. Separately, we will discuss the features of connecting to Android (including MIUI), iPhone and Windows, as well as what to do if the headphones “decoup” after the update.
Why don’t you connect both earphones at the same time?
The problem with only one Xiaomi AirDots earphone is that it's connected to the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) mechanism, which normally sends the main earpiece (usually the right one) to the second one via a separate channel, but this process can be disrupted.
- 🔋 The battery is discharged in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the charge can be critically low).
- 🔄 Failure of synchronization between headphones (for example, after incorrect extraction from the case).
- 📱 Outdated firmware headphones or phone (especially relevant for AirDots Pro 2 and newer).
- 🔌 Incorrect order of connection (for example, first left earphone, not right earphone).
- 🚫 Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (headphones can “hang” on the old connection).
If both headphones worked normally before, and now one is silent, 80% of the time it helps to reset (instruction below).If the problem occurred immediately after purchase - perhaps a defect or incompatibility with your phone model (for example, AirDots 3 Pro may not work correctly with iPhone 6s and older).
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi AirDots Basic (first generation) headphones do not support duet mode with some phones on Android 8.0 and below.
Preparing headphones for connection
Before syncing, make sure the headphones are ready to work:
Get your case and headphones up to 100% (the indicator should burn green)
Remove both earphones from the case at the same time
Make sure that other Bluetooth devices are disabled on your phone.
Update the headphone firmware (if available)
Reboot the phone.-->
If the headphones flash red, it's a low charge signal. Connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes, even if the LED is on. For AirDots 3 Pro and later, use the original USB-C cable, cheap analogues may not provide enough voltage.
Pay special attention to the extraction procedure:
- Open the case lid.
- Get the right headphone (main) – it should start flashing white.
- After 2-3 seconds, pull out the left. If synchronization is successful, both will flash blue (or white in pairs).
If the left earpiece flashes red, it's out of sync. Put both in the case and repeat the process.
💡
On AirDots Pro 2S and later, hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white alternately.
Step-by-step: how to connect both headphones to Android
The algorithm for Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and other Android 9.0+ devices (including MIUI 12/13/14):
- Activate Bluetooth: Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth. Turn on the slider (if other devices have previously connected, remove them from the list).
- Launch pairing mode: Take both headphones out of the case (as described above).In the list of available devices, find Mi True Wireless Earphones (or the name of your model).
Connect.
- Click on the headphone name in the list.
- Confirm the conjugation (if necessary).
On iPhone 11 and older, AirDots 3 Pro headphones can automatically switch to low latency (Game Mode), which degrades the sound. To turn it off, go to Bluetooth settings, find the headphones and deactivate the Low Lag option.
| Model iPhone | Supported AirDots models | Features |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6s/7/8 | AirDots Basic, AirDots Youth | Maybe not supportive. AAC-codec (sound worse) |
| iPhone X/XR/XS | All models. | Stable work, but rare cliffs are possible |
| iPhone 11/12/13/14/15 | All models. | AAC support and low latency |
Solving problems: one headphone is not connected
If the left (or right) earphone doesn’t play sound after all the manipulations, try these methods:
- 🔄 Reset the headphones: Put both earphones in the case. Close the lid for 10 seconds, then open. Pull out the headphones and check the sync (must flash blue).
Update the firmware
- Install the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
- Connect the headphones and check for updates in the Devices section.
Reset the settings to factory.
1. Hold the button on the case for 20 seconds (the indicator will flash red 3 times).
2. Reconnect the headphones as a new device.If the problem persists, check the physical condition of the headphones:
- Clean the contacts on headphones and in the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
- Make sure the speaker membrane is not damaged (put it in front of your ear – a slight noise should be heard when switched on).
What if the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one?
Setup for Windows and other devices
On Windows 10/11 PCs, the connection is made via Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
- 🖥️ Headphones can be defined as Stereo and Headset separately – choose Stereo for music.
- 🔊 For the microphone, switch to the head phone profile (Hands-Free) AG).
- 🔄 If the sound is interrupted, turn off the power saving for the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager.