Modern. TWS-Chinese headphones have become one of the most popular on the market due to their excellent price-to-quality ratio, but the process of first getting acquainted with a gadget with a phone for beginners is often questionable, especially if wired headsets were previously used. Proper pairing of devices is the foundation of stable sound, microphone and sensor control in the future.
Unlike older Bluetooth headsets, Xiaomi Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless or Xiaomi Buds have their own search activation features. Sometimes the device is not visible in the list of available, and sometimes the phone sees only one of the two headphones. Understanding the logic of the case and touch panels will help avoid most errors in the initial setup.
In this article, we'll explore not only the standard algorithm of actions, but also hidden nuances that are rarely discussed in simple instructions: how to force headphones into visibility mode, what to do if the indicators are not blinking as expected, and how to restore communication between the left and right channel. Deep immersion in technical details will allow you to enjoy music without unnecessary nerves.
Preparation of headphones and smartphone for pairing
Before starting any technical procedure, make sure that both devices are ready to interact. Charge the case and the headphones themselves to at least 20-30%, since in pairing mode the energy consumption can be higher than usual. A discharged battery often becomes the reason why the gadget does not enter Pairing Mode mode or interrupts the connection immediately after connecting.
Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and make sure it’s visible to other devices. For Android owners, this is usually done through the notification curtain, and iPhone users find this option in Settings → Bluetooth. It’s also important to keep your phone no more than one meter away from the case to avoid problems with the signal radius at the first “meeting”.
⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Wear or Xiaomi Earbuds app is open in the background, it can intercept the connection process. Close these apps before manually configuring through the Bluetooth system menu.
There are two main ways to activate the search mode, and the choice depends on the model of your case. Most budget and mid-range models, such as the Redmi Buds 3 Lite or AirDots, have a pairing button inside the case or on its end. Flagship models, such as the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, often support an instant pop-up when opening the lid next to a MIUI or HyperOS-based phone.
Step-by-step instructions for connecting
The most common scenario requires manual intervention by the user: remove both earphones from the charging case, at which point they should automatically turn on, as the lights will signal. If the indicators are not on, check whether the protective film is removed from the contacts (relevant for new devices) or whether there is enough charge in the case.
☑️ Connection readiness
Now you need to put the headset in visibility mode. To do this, press and hold the function button on the case for 3-5 seconds. On models without an external button (for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2), you need to touch the touch areas on both headphones simultaneously and hold for about 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing quickly in white. This means that the device is looking for a partner.
On the screen of the smartphone in the list of available devices should appear the name of your model, for example, Mi True Wireless EBs. Basic_R or Xiaomi Buds. 3. You click on it. The system will request a pairing confirmation, OK. Once the pairing is successful, the voice assistant can say the word "Connected," and the headphones will go out or will flash slowly blue, signaling readiness to work.
- 🔍 Open the case cover next to the unlocked Xiaomi phone for an instant connection window.
- 🔘 Hold the button on the case for 3 seconds until the indicator lights up white.
- 📱 Find the device in the Bluetooth list and click "Connect".
- 🎧 Wait for sound confirmation and the disappearance of indicators.
If the connection is successful, check the sound. Sometimes the system sound is going, but the music is not — in which case, check the media settings in the Bluetooth menu of the phone, make sure that the connected device is ticked against the "Sound" and "Multimedia".
Use of Mi Wear and Xiaomi Earbuds
To fully unlock the potential of accessories, it is recommended to use specialized software. The official Mi Wear app (formerly Mi Buds M8 or Xiaomi Earbuds) allows you to update the firmware, adjust the equalizer and assign actions to touch. Without this software, many noise reduction and transparent mode functions may remain unavailable.
Why do you need to update the firmware?
Once you install the app and log in through Mi Account, click Add Device. The app will scan the space itself and suggest you connect the headphones you find. Unlike the standard Bluetooth menu, here you can access detailed settings: you can select noise reduction (ANC) mode, adjust gesture control, and even find a lost earphone by sound.
It is important to note that for some models, such as the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, functionality in third-party applications can be limited. Full compatibility is guaranteed only with native software. If the application does not see the headphones, try clearing the Bluetooth cache in the phone settings or reinstall the application itself.
| Model headphones | Supported annex | Key functions in the annex | Need for updating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Xiaomi Earbuds | ANC, Transparency, Equalizer | Tall. |
| Mi True Wireless 2 | Mi Buds M8 | Search for the headphone, Touch settings | Medium |
| Xiaomi Buds 3T | Xiaomi Earbuds | 360 Audio, Sound Modes | Tall. |
| AirDots 2 | Not required | Basic connection only | Low. |
Features of connecting to the iPhone (iOS)
Owners of Apple equipment often face the myth of poor compatibility, but it is not. Bluetooth protocol is universal, and Xiaomi headphones work perfectly with iOS. The only difference is the lack of a beautiful pop-up animation window, which the original AirPods have. Connection occurs exclusively through the standard settings menu.
Go to Settings → Bluetooth on iPhone. Activate the search mode on Xiaomi headphones (holding the button on the case). In the list of "Other devices" will appear the name of your headset. Click on it. iOS can request permission to connect accessories — confirm the action.
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To improve the quality of calls on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth settings, click on the “i” icon next to the headphones and make sure the device type is defined as “Hearbursts” and not “Dynamic”.
Some advanced features, such as automatic switching between Apple devices or spatial audio, may not work properly or without a special plugin at all if it is available in the App Store. However, the basic features of music playback, pause, call response and Siri work consistently.
Problem Solving: The headphone is not connected or only one is visible
When the phone sees only one headphone (usually the right one) or the connection breaks down immediately after starting, it's called stereo pair desynchronization. The left and right channels have lost communication with each other and are operating independently.
Place both headphones in the case and close the lid. If there is a button on the case, press it for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes several times (usually in orange or red). For models without a button (such as Redmi AirDots), you need to remove the headphones, touch the touch zones on both simultaneously and hold it for about 20 seconds until they turn off, and then repeat the procedure again to turn on in pairing mode.
⚠️ Note: When you reset the settings from the memory of the headphones, all previously stored devices are deleted. You will have to re-pair with the smartphone as with a new device.
Another common problem is low signal levels. Make sure you are not in the area of heavy radio interference (near powerful Wi-Fi routers or microwave ovens), also try "Forget the device" in the Bluetooth settings of the phone and delete the headphone profile from the list, then repeat the connection procedure again.
Decoding of indicators and diagnostics
Light is the main language of communication between the user and the gadget. Understanding color signals helps to quickly diagnose battery status and operation. For example, a slowly flashing red indicator indicates discharge, and a constant white light when the case cover is closed indicates full charge.
If the indicators flash red and white alternately, this can indicate a charge error or a faulty contacts. In this case, wipe the contacts on the headphones and inside the case with a dry cotton swab. Oxidation or dust often becomes a barrier to normal charging and operation.
- 🔴 Flashing red: Charge less than 10%, network connection required.
- ⚪ Blinking white: Pairing Mode).
- 🔵 Burning Blue: Successful Connection to the Device.
- 🟠 Flashing orange: A pairing error or low case charge.
In some models, such as the Xiaomi Buds 3, the color of the indicator on the case can vary depending on the charge level (green - more than 60%, yellow - 20-60%, red - less than 20%).
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Correct interpretation of the indicator color signals saves time on diagnosis and avoids false requests to the service center.