Modern wireless headphones have become an integral part of the digital lifestyle, offering freedom of movement and no entangled wires. Xiaomi Airdots 3 (also known as Redmi Buds 3) is characterized by improved noise cancellation and stable connection, but the process of their initial activation can raise questions for ecosystem beginners. The right sequence of actions ensures instant pairing and correct operation of all the functions of the device in conjunction with your gadget.
Owners of Mi and Redmi smartphones are the luckiest, as integration takes place at the MIUI or HyperOS operating system level. You don't have to search for complex menus or download third-party apps for basic use, although advanced settings are available through special software. We will take all the steps from unpacking to fine-tuning the sound so you can enjoy the music without technical hitches.
Preparation of headphones for the first turn on
Before trying to find the device in the list available for connection, you need to make sure that it is ready to go.The Airdots 3 charge case has a built-in battery that often discharges during long-term storage in the store warehouse.Indication inside the case or LED on the front will tell you the current charge status, but it is better to be safe.
Place both headphones in a case and connect it to the power source via a USB Type-C cable. Even if the indicator catches fire, give the device 10-15 minutes to dial the minimum energy level. This will eliminate the situation when the gadget enters deep discharge mode during the pairing procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect fully discharged headphones, as they may not enter pairing mode or disconnect at the most inopportune moment, which will lead to dissynchronization of the left and right channels.
Make sure that there is no protective film on the surface of the charging contacts inside the case and on the headphones themselves. Manufacturers often stick tiny insulators that block the device from charging and turning on when it is removed. Carefully remove them if you notice transparent stickers on metal pads.
Step-by-step instructions for connecting to a Xiaomi smartphone
The process of connecting devices in the Xiaomi ecosystem is as automated as possible thanks to Fast Pair technology. You do not need to manually turn on the search mode on the headphones themselves, just open the lid of the charged case next to the unlocked phone.
After the headphone pop-up appears, click the Connect button, at which point the phone will pass the necessary profiles, and you will hear a characteristic beep in the headphones confirming the successful pairing. If the automatic window does not appear, go to the Settings → Bluetooth menu and find the Xiaomi Buds 3 in the list of available devices.
In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI, you may need to manually activate the pairing mode. To do this, place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the function button on the case case for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white.
| Action. | Case indication | The result |
|---|
| Opening the lid | Burning or flashing | Waiting for connection |
| Successful pairing | Gasnet | Connection established |
| The pairing error | Blinks red. | Reset required |
| Low charge. | Blinks orange | I need to charge. |
Use of the Xiaomi Earbuds app
While basic audio playback works right away, to unlock the full potential of Airdots 3, it is recommended to install a dedicated Xiaomi Earbuds app. It is available from the Google Play store and allows you to control noise reduction modes, equalizer and update the device firmware. Without this application, you will not be able to switch between transparency and active noise cancellation modes.
Once you install the app and start it, it automatically detects the earbuds connected, and in the interface, you'll see the charge level of each headphone separately, which is much more convenient than a standard Bluetooth widget, and you can set up touch controls here by reassigning the actions to double or triple touch.
Why update the headphone firmware?
Updates often contain patches to improve connection stability, reduce game delays, and optimize noise-canceling algorithms. Ignoring updates may result in you not getting fixes for critical bugs identified by the manufacturer after the device is released.> In the equalizer section, you can have presets that dramatically change the nature of the sound, and you can choose Bass, Vocal, or create your own profile by amplifying certain frequencies. Also available in the application is the function of search headphones, which will help to find the lost device, making it emit a loud signal. ⚠️ Note: When updating the firmware through the application, make sure that the charge of the case and headphones is at least 50%, and the phone itself is located near the signal source, so as not to interrupt the data recording process. Touch panels on headphone legs respond to touch and hold, allowing you to control music and calls without removing the phone from your pocket. By default, the settings may not be convenient for all users, so you should adapt them to your habits. Go to the control menu in the application or system settings of Bluetooth. You can assign different actions for the left and right earphones. For example, on the left it is convenient to leave noise control or call the voice assistant, and on the right it is convenient to switch tracks and adjust volume. Double touch usually plays or puts on the control of the Bluetooth system settings, and switches the track. 🎵 Double touch: Playback / Pause / Answer to the call ⏭ Triple touch: Next track / Re-dialing number 🔇 Retention 2 seconds: Mode switching (ANC/Transparency) or activation of the assistant 📞 Double touch during a call: It is important to note that sensor sensitivity is high, and occasional touches with hair or a collar of clothing can activate commands. If you encounter false positives, try turning off some of the controls in the settings or changing the earphone to the ear. Solving connection and sound problems Sometimes the pairing process may not go according to plan: The phone doesn't see the headphones, the sound comes from only one channel or the connection is constantly breaking. First, try removing the device from the list of saved Bluetooth menus. If deleting the profile didn't help, perform a full reset. Place both earbuds in the case and make sure they charge. Then press and hold the function button on the case for a period of time. 10-15 So, the light flashes orange three times, and it'll give the headphones back the factory settings and clear the memory of previous connections. 2.4 GHz – Try to keep your phone away from working microwave ovens, Wi-Fi routers, or USB 3.0 Also check if the antenna module of the phone is closed by your palm when using the device. ⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are still out of sync with each other after reset (only one works), put them in the case, close the lid and wait. 30 the second before opening again to try again. MIUI HyperOS and Xiaomi smartphones with shells MIUI 12/13/14 And the new HyperOS has a priority communication protocol for its accessories, which allows you to display full-screen animations of opening a case, show the exact percentage of charge in the Device widget, and quickly switch between devices in the ecosystem. However, sometimes system optimizers can aggressively close the background processes. To keep the headphones running smoothly, add the Xiaomi Earbuds app (if you use it) to the autoload and remove restrictions on background activity. Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Xiaomi Earbuds → Autostart and activate the switch. This will prevent a sudden shutdown of the charge notification. The dual-device audio feature allows you to stream audio simultaneously to two pairs of Xiaomi headphones connected to the same phone. This is convenient for watching movies together, but requires both devices to support this protocol and be in close proximity to the smartphone. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can you connect Airdots 3 to an iPhone or Samsung? Yes, the headphones support the standard Bluetooth 5.2 protocol, so they are compatible with any smartphone, tablet or laptop that has a Bluetooth module. However, Xiaomi's proprietary application Earbuds is officially available for third-party contacts, although the most common reason for charging on Android devices is not used on the base. Wipe the metal pads on the legs of the headphones and inside the case with dry soft cloth. Also make sure the headphones sit tightly in the sockets and the magnets hold them. How do you check the version of the headphone firmware? The version of the firmware is displayed in the Xiaomi Earbuds app on the home screen or in the About section. There is also a button to check for updates if a new version is found. Is the Airdots 3 protected from water? The model has IP54 certification, which means protection against dust and water splash (sweet, rain, half-drop on the device, if you can only do one shower, you can do it with one shower, or hold it in the water). If that doesn’t help, try “forgetting” the device in the phone’s Bluetooth settings and creating a pair again, plugging the headphones in turn.