How to connect Xiaomi Air 2S to a smartphone: instructions with photos and videos

Xiaomi Air 2S wireless headphones remain among the most popular models in the brand lineup thanks to a combination of high-quality sound, convenient ergonomics and affordable price. However, even with such proven gadgets, users often have questions: how to perform the first connection, what to do if a smartphone does not see the headphones, or how to synchronize them with several devices.

We will look at not only the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure, but also alternative ways to connect (for example, through the Mi Home app), and give practical recommendations for optimizing the work of headphones, paying special attention to typical errors that prevent successful connection, and how to fix them without contacting the service center.

Xiaomi Air 2S Technical Specifications: What to Know Before Connecting

Before you start setting up, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the key parameters of the model that directly affect the pairing process and further work:

• 🎧 Bluetooth version: 5.0 (provides stable connection up to 10 meters without interference)
• 🔋 Working time: up to 5 hours on one charge (with a case - up to 20 hours)
• 🎵 Codec: Supports AAC and SBC (Important for sound quality on iPhone and Android)
• 📱 Compatibility: Android 5.0+/iOS 10+ (But for full work is recommended Android 8.0 or newer)
• 🔄 Multipoint: no (cannot be connected to two devices at the same time)

Note the firmware version of your smartphone. For example, Android 12 and later may require additional location permission to run Bluetooth — this is not a bug, but a feature of Google’s security policy. iPhones usually do not have such problems, but sometimes require manual confirmation of the connection in the settings.

The important nuance is that the Xiaomi Air 2S does not support LDAC or aptX, so for audiophiles, the sound quality may seem average, but for everyday use (music, podcasts, calls) it is more than enough.

Preparing headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with the phone, you need to initialize the headphones correctly, a step that is often missed, which leads to errors later.

1. Take both earphones out of the charger case. They should automatically turn on (the indicators will flash white).
2. If the indicators do not catch fire, place the headphones back in the case for 5 seconds, then remove again.
3. Press and hold the touchpad on the right earbud for 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately - this is pairing mode.

If the lights flash only white, the headphones have been paired with another device before, in which case you need to reset (instructions in the next section). Also make sure that the charge of the case and headphones is at least 30% - with a low battery level, the connection process can be interrupted.

Get your headphones out of the case | Check the indication (white flashing light) | Activate the pairing mode (5 seconds of retention) | Make sure the battery charge (>30%) | Remove old connections (if any)

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⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect the headphones to the phone if they are in a case. the system recognizes them as a single device (case), and not as separate headphones, which will lead to improper stereo sound.

Interface with Android-smartphone: step-by-step instructions

The process of connecting to Android devices (including smartphones Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme and others) takes no more than a minute, if you follow the algorithm:

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → Wireless Networks → Bluetooth).
2. Activate the Bluetooth transmitter (slider in the upper position).
3. In the list of available devices, find Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S (or similar name) and tap it.
4. Confirm pairing on the phone (contact and media access permission may be required – this is normal for functions to function properly).

Once successfully connected, the headphones will stop flashing and turn blue (playback mode). To check the performance, run any audio file - the sound should go synchronously from both earphones. If only one earphone sounds, reset (section 5).

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On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12+, after connecting, a pop-up will automatically appear with a suggestion to install the Mi Earphones branded application. Its installation is not mandatory, but gives access to additional equalizer settings and gesture management.

Connection to the iPhone: features and nuances

The pairing with the iPhone (or iPad) is the same, but there are a few key differences:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and make sure the switch is active.
2. Wait for Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S to appear in the list of Other devices.
3. Tap the headphones. There's no need to type in on iOS. PIN-code - the connection will happen automatically.
4. After pairing, the headphones will appear in the section My devices marked Connected.

On iOS 15 and later, you may notice that the headphones support notifications about low battery power. We recommend that you allow this alert to know when to recharge the case. Also on the iPhone, you can automatically switch the sound between devices on the same Apple ID (for example, from iPhone to MacBook), but for Xiaomi Air 2S it works unstable.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, you can’t use the Mi Earphones branded app, as it’s only available for Android.This means you won’t be able to set up an equalizer or update your headphone firmware via iOS.

If the sound is only in mono mode (one earpiece), try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone.
• 📱 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 🎧 Put the headphones in the case for 30 seconds, then remove and repeat pairing.

Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do

Reset to factory settings is required in three cases:

1. Headphones have previously been paired with another device, and the new connection fails.
2. One of the headphones is not working or is connected separately.
3. After updating the firmware of the smartphone, there were problems with sound.

To perform the discharge:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Open the case cover and press simultaneously on the touch panels of both headphones.
3. Hold them for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red (3 times in a row).
4. Release the buttons – the headphones will reset and automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white).

Once reset, all previous connections will be removed, and you will need to re-connect the headphones to the phone, which solves 90% of problems with unstable connection or lack of sound in one of the headphones.

Additional settings through the Mi Earphones app

The Mi Earphones app (available only for Android) allows you to fine-tune the work of the headphones.

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow access to Bluetooth and location.
3. The app will automatically detect Xiaomi Air 2S – tap them to connect.

The following functions are available in the annex:

• 🎛️ Equalizer: Pre-setting (bass, vocals, balance) or manual frequency adjustment.
• 🔄 Gesture management: setting up double/triple touch actions (playback, voice assistant call).
• 📲 Update firmware: checking and installing the latest versions of headphone software.
• 🔋 Battery status: displaying the charge level of each earphone and case in real time.

Note that once you update your firmware through the app, your headphones can automatically turn off. That's okay -- just plug them back in. Mi Earphones also has Find Headphones, which can help you detect a lost gadget if it's in Bluetooth range.

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Updating the firmware through Mi Earphones improves connection stability and adds support for new codecs, but can reset the user's equalizer settings.

Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems, and here are proven ways to fix them:

1.The headphones plug in, but no sound.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔇 The sound is redirected to another device: on Android, check the Quick Settings Panel (Displayer icon), on iOS - the Control Center.
• 🎵 Incorrect Bluetooth profile: in Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to Mi Air 2S and select Use for Media Audio.
• 🔌 Hardware malfunction: try connecting your headphones to another phone. If the problem persists, contact the service.

Permanent breaks of connection

This is most often related to:

• 📶 Interference: Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, speakers).
• 📱 Energy Saving: On Android, Turn Off the Adaptive Battery for Bluetooth App in Battery Settings.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: update the headphones through Mi Earphones.

3. Different volume in the headphones

So it's like this:

• 🔊 In the Mi Earphones app, check the sound balance (Section Sound) → Balance).
• 🧹 Clean the earwax mesh with a soft brush (do not use sharp objects!).
• 🔋 Make sure both earbuds are charged the same (the difference in battery level can affect volume).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions