Connecting both Xiaomi wireless headphones to your phone: the full guide

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are among the most popular accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and convenience. However, many users face a typical problem: the phone sees only one headphone, and the second one is silent or not detected at all. This is due to synchronization failures between headphones (TWS-mode) or incorrect Bluetooth settings on the smartphone.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for connecting both headphones simultaneously, from basic actions to hidden MIUI functions that are not mentioned in official manuals. We will analyze the features of connecting for different models (Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Xiaomi Buds, etc.), and also tell you how to avoid typical errors that cause the headphones to “lose” each other.

If you have already tried standard Bluetooth connection, but the second headphone never worked, do not rush to bring the gadget to the service. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved software, without repair.

Why does Xiaomi only see one headphone?

The causes of unsynchronized work of headphones are divided into two groups: hardware (physical malfunctions) and software (failures in settings).

• 🔋 The battery is dead in one of the headphones, and even if the light is on, the charge could have dropped below the critical level for synchronization.
• 📱 The old Bluetooth firmware on the phone. MIUI (Below 12) there are bugs with support TWS.
• 🔄 The pair fails between the headphones, and this happens when one of them connects to the other device separately.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or the headphones themselves (for example, after a fall).
• 📡 Interference from other devices: Wi-Fi routers, microwaves or other Bluetooth gadgets can block the signal.

The first thing you need to do is reboot both earbuds.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait until the indicators go out (10-15 seconds).
3. Remove the headphones and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds until the white/red light flashes.

If the problem remains after the reset, move on to the next steps.

Method 1: Standard Bluetooth connection (for all models)

This method works for everyone. TWS-Xiaomi headphones, including Redmi AirDots, Mi Air 2 and Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro. The main condition is that both headphones must be fully charged and be near the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the case cover (the headphones should stay inside).
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (or the touchpad on the headphones) until the indicator starts flashing white (pairing mode).
3. On your phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
4. In the list, find the name of your headphones (for example, Redmi). AirDots_R Or Mi True Wireless and tap it.
5. Confirm the connection. Both earphones should sync automatically.

If only one headphone is displayed in the Bluetooth list (for example, AirDots_L), So the pair is broken:

Make sure both earphones are charged (the indicators burn the same)

Remove the headphones from the case and manually reset them (hold the sensor for 15 seconds)

Remove headphones from the list of conjugated devices on the phone

Reconnect again-->

Some models (Xiaomi Buds 4 and later) need to reset the pair:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Three times quickly press the touch panel of the case (the interval between pressing is 1 second).
3. Wait for the indicator to flash twice (reset signal).

Method 2: Forced synchronization through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard reset didn’t work, you can use the hidden Bluetooth engineering menu on Xiaomi smartphones, which is suitable for devices on MIUI 12-14 and requires accuracy.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down and find the Bluetooth state (or Bluetooth test).
4. Slip on it and select Reset Bluetooth settings.
5. Reboot the phone and repeat the standard headphone connection.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. GPS.

For Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and later, there is an alternative method:

Method 3: Update the firmware of headphones and phone

Outdated software is a common cause of connectivity issues. Xiaomi regularly releases headphone updates that fix synchronization bugs.

How to update the firmware headphones:

1. Install the official Mi Earphones app (for AirDots) or Xiaomi Wear (for Buds) from AppGallery or Google Play.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the application and go to the Software Update section.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the headphones should lie in a case with the lid open).

How to update the Bluetooth module on your phone:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Click Check Updates and install the latest version. MIUI.
• 🔧 If there are no updates, but the problem remains, try resetting the network settings: Settings → Memory and backup copies → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings.

Critical information: Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro headphones require MIUI 14 or later to work correctly with LDAC (high-quality sound) function. Older versions of the firmware may experience a communication break with one of the headphones.

Table: Compatibility of Xiaomi headphones with phone models

If your headphone model is not listed in the table, check compatibility on the official Xiaomi website in the support section.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when connecting. TWS-These are the most common ones:

• 🔌 Connect the headphones separately. If you first connect only the left or right earphone, the phone can "remember" it as a single device. Always plug a pair at the same time.
• 📴 Ignoring charge indicators. Even if the case shows 100% charge, the headphones themselves could run out.
• 📱 Disabling Bluetooth during sync.Some users turn off Bluetooth immediately after connecting, interrupting the pair's setup process.
• 🔄 Use of informal firmware. Custom versions MIUI (For example, xiaomi.eu may not support all the features of the original headphones.

⚠️ Note: If you have connected headphones to an iPhone or iOS device, before connecting to Xiaomi, be sure to reset them through the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone. Otherwise, there may be a profile conflict.

💡

Before the first connection of new headphones, turn off all other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, smart watches, speakers) - this will speed up the synchronization process and reduce the risk of failures.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you've tried all the ways, but the second headphone still doesn't work, it might be a hardware malfunction.

1. Check the headphones on another device (another phone, tablet or PC) if both headphones work on the other, your smartphone is the problem.
2. Look at the contacts in the case, and often oxidation or contamination of the contacts will cause one of the headphones to become undercharged, and wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
3. Check the sound balance in Bluetooth settings. Sometimes one earphone gets drowned out due to incorrect settings: Settings → Bluetooth → Press the gear icon next to the headphones → Sound → Balance stereo Make sure the slider is in the middle.
4. If the headphones are warranty, don't try to disassemble them yourself, it will void the warranty.

For Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro and later, there is a proprietary diagnostic utility that shows the status of each headphone.

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app.
2. Connect the headphones and go to the Device → Diagnostics.
3. Press Equipment Check. The app will show which earphone is not responding.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions