How to connect Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 (Airdots 2) to your phone: instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 (better known as Airdots 2) remains one of the most popular headphones. TWS-The headset is a combination of price, sound quality and battery life, but many users have difficulty connecting first β€” especially when it comes to pairing with iOS devices or older versions of Android. In this article you will find step-by-step instructions with a photo, tips for eliminating typical errors and answers to frequent questions.

Structurally, Airdots 2 is different from the first version: there are no physical buttons on the headphone case, and control is through the touch panels. This also affects the connection process β€” for example, to activate the pairing mode requires holding the touch longer than in the classic models. We will analyze all the nuances, including the hidden function of resetting through 15-second retention of both headphones, which is not written in the official documentation.

This article is relevant for all Airdots 2 versions, including versions that support aptX and Redmi Airdots 2 (which are technically identical).If your headset is not determined by your phone, check the compatibility list at the end of the material.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with the phone, you need to properly remove the headphones from the charging case and transfer them to search mode, and many users miss this step, which makes the device not appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices.

Here's what we need to do:

  • πŸ”‹ Charge the case to at least 30% (the indicator on the front panel should flash white when connected to the power source.
  • 🎧 Take both earbuds out of the case at the same time, they will automatically turn on (a red light flashes). If one of the earbuds doesn't respond, check the contacts for oxidation.
  • πŸ‘† Activate pairing mode: Hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white (on the left - only white).

Note that if the light flashes only red, it means that the headphones are discharged or are in standby mode, in which case, return them to the case for 10 seconds, then re-extract.

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If the headphones were previously connected to another device, they must be reset. To do this, hold the touch panels on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators go out and light up again red.

2. Android Connection: A Step-by-Step Algorithm

On Android 8.0+ devices (including MIUI, ColorOS, One UI), the pairing process takes no more than 30 seconds.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth and activate the module (slider in the position "On".).
  2. In the list of available devices, find "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic 2" (or "Redmi Airdots 2"). If the name does not appear, update the list with the Update button (usually the icon). πŸ”„).
  3. Click on the headphone name and confirm pairing. Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12+) may require additional permission to access contacts, which can be turned off after you connect.
  4. Wait for the status Connected for both headphones (the list should display two devices: left (L) and right (R)).

If after connecting the sound is only in one headphone, perform the following actions:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module (turn it off/on in settings).
  • 🎡 Make sure that the player application is not activated Mono mode".
  • πŸ”§ Reset the headphone settings (see Section 4).

The headphones appear in the Bluetooth list as "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic 2 (L/R)" |

The headphones are on white (do not blink) |

The phone plays sound in both channels.|

The player app shows stereo mode (not "Mono")

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3. iPhone (iOS) connection: features and limitations

On Apple devices (iPhone, iPad), Airdots 2 connects in standard mode, but with two nuances:

  1. No support for aptX codec – iOS only uses AAC or SBC, which can affect sound quality.
  2. There is no separate left/right headphone display – there will be one device in the Bluetooth list.

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth and turn on the module.
  2. Hold the button on the right earpiece for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
  3. In the list of Other devices, select "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic 2".
  4. Confirm the pairing. A warning about an "uncertified accessory" may appear on the screen, and you can ignore it.

After connecting, check:

  • 🎼 In the Control Point (swipe down) displays the icon of headphones with the level of charge.
  • πŸ”Š The sound is played synchronously in both headphones (if not, see section 5).
Why can’t the iPhone have a microphone?
On iOS devices, the microphone in Airdots 2 often turns off due to Bluetooth protocol limitations. To activate it: 1. Go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth. 2. Click on the icon "i" next to the headphone name. 3. Turn on the "Microphone" option (if available) or select "Use for calls." If there are no options, the microphone will only work in Hands-Free mode (for calls), but not for voice messages.

4. Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do

Airdots 2 reset to factory settings is required in three cases:

  1. Headphones are not detected by the phone after several attempts to connect.
  2. The sound is played in only one headphone.
  3. There was an automatic disconnection from the device without a user command.

Discharge procedure:

  1. Place both headphones in the charger case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
  2. Pull them out and hold the touchpads on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators go out and then light up red.
  3. Return the headphones to the case for 5 seconds, then remove - they are ready for a new pairing.

Once reset, all previous connections will be removed and the headphones will return to the β€œout of the box” state. This is the only way to eliminate software failures associated with the firmware of the Bluetooth module.

πŸ“Š What brand of wireless headphones do you use most often?
Xiaomi (Airdots, Buds)
Apple (AirPods)
Samsung (Galaxy Buds)
JBL
other

5. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after a successful connection, users experience typical problems, and we've collected proven ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Headphones are not onCase or headphones dischargedCharge the case for 1 hour, then remove the headphones
The sound is interrupted.Interference from other Bluetooth devicesTurn off other headsets, reconnect Airdots 2
The microphone is not working.iOS Protocol LimitationUse it for calls or connect to Android
Headphones are discharged quicklyActive mode "Game" (low delay)Turn off Bluetooth settings (if available)

If the headphones turn off while listening to music, check:

  • πŸ“± Power saving mode on your phone (turn it off for Bluetooth).
  • πŸ”„ Automatic reconnection in Bluetooth settings (must be enabled).
  • 🎧 Case Charge – at a level below 20%, the headphones can be turned off.

πŸ’‘

If the headphones are still not working after all the manipulations, check them on another device. If the problem persists, it is a hardware defect that requires repair or replacement under warranty.

6. Additional functions: management and firmware

In addition to basic connectivity, Airdots 2 supports several hidden features:

Gesture control:

  • 🎡 Double touch - playback / pause (on any headphone).
  • πŸ“ž Triple touch – call the voice assistant (Google Assistant or Siri).
  • πŸ”‡ Holding 2 seconds – switching off the sound (only on the right earphone).

Firmware Update: Xiaomi periodically releases updates to improve connection stability to check the relevance of the version:

  1. Connect the headphones to the Xiaomi phone with MIUI 11+.
  2. Open the Mi Home or Bluetooth app in the settings.
  3. If an update is available, a notification will appear prompting you to install it.

Important: Do not interrupt the upgrade process, which can cause the headphones to fail, and the average installation time is 3-5 minutes.

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To check the current firmware version, close the headphones in the case and connect it to the PC via USB. In the root directory of the flash drive, a version.txt file with information will appear.

7. Compatibility with other devices

Airdots 2 supports connection not only to smartphones, but also to other gadgets:

The deviceSupportFeatures
Laptops (Windows/macOS)Yes.Bluetooth 4.2+ is required
Smart TVs (Android TV, Tizen)Yes.The sound may be delayed.
Game consoles (PS4, PS5, Switch)Partially.Just for sound, no microphone.
Fitness bracelets (Mi Band)No.β€”

To connect to Windows 10/11:

  1. Open the settings β†’ Devices β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Click Add Add the device β†’ Bluetooth.
  3. Select Mi True Wireless EBs Basic 2 from the list.
  4. Confirm the pairing (if necessary, enter the code 0000).

MacOS may require additional codec configuration.

  1. Open System settings β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Click on the headphone icon and select Sound Settings.
  3. Set the AAC codec priority (for better quality).

πŸ’‘

When connected to TVs or consoles, the sound may be delayed by 200-300 ms. This is due to the peculiarities of the Bluetooth stack of devices and is not a defect of the headphones.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Why the headphones are discharged quickly?
Airdots 2 standard running time is 4 hours on a single charge (with a case, up to 12 hours). If the battery goes down faster: Check if the game mode is activated (increases power consumption). Use headphones at 10-35 Β°C (in cold, battery capacity drops). If the headphones are older than 2 years, you may need to change the battery.
❓ Can I use a single headphone?
Yes, Airdots 2 supports mono mode. To do this: Take out only one headphone (right or left) from the case, it automatically connects to the phone as a standalone device. Note: mono mode increases the time to 5-6 hours.
❓ How to check the level of charge?
On Android with MIUI, the charge level is displayed in Bluetooth status. On other firmware: Install the Bluetooth Battery Monitor app from Google Play. On iOS, the charge level is shown in Control Point (swipe down). For the case: plug it into charging - the indicator will burn white (100%), orange (50-99%) or red (less than 50%).
❓ Why are the headphones not synchronized with each other?
If the left and right headphones are separate (for example, only one is playing), do: Return both earphones to the case for 10 seconds. Remove them and hold the touchpads on both for 10 seconds (until double blinking). Reconnect to the phone. If the problem persists, one of the headphones may be malfunctioning.
❓ Where to download the official app for Airdots 2?
Xiaomi does not release a separate app for Airdots 2. All settings are available through the standard Bluetooth interface. MIUI You can use: Mi Home to check firmware updates. Bluetooth Auto Connect to automatically connect. ⚠️ Note: Do not install applications from third-party sources (e.g., "Airdots Pro Config"). They are not related to Xiaomi and may contain malicious code.