How to connect Xiaomi AirDots 3 to a phone, laptop or tablet: instructions with photos and videos

Xiaomi AirDots 3 wireless headphones (also known as Redmi AirDots 3) have become one of the brand’s most popular accessories thanks to a combination of high-quality sound, convenience and affordable price. However, even with such a simple device, users often have questions: how to make the first connection, what to do if the headphones are not on the list of available devices, or how to synchronize them with different gadgets.

Unlike wired headphones, wireless headphones require pre-pairing with a Bluetooth sound source. The process seems simple, but there are pitfalls: for example, AirDots 3 can automatically connect to the last device used, which sometimes interferes with connecting with a new gadget. We will consider all possible scenarios, from a standard procedure to forced resetting if something goes wrong.

Preparing headphones for the first connection

Before you start pairing, make sure your Xiaomi AirDots 3 is ready to go.

• 🔋 Charge your headphones and your case, even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't guarantee that you're not going to be able to do that. 100% Plug the case into the charger. 10-15 minutes if the headphones have not been used for a long time.
• 📦 Remove the headphones from the case. They should automatically turn on, as indicated by the flashing white indicator on each earpiece.
• 🔄 Check the synchronization between the headphones. If the left and right headphones flash alternately (one white, the other red), then they are not synchronized - you will need to reset (more about this below).

If new headphones are new, they should be in default pairing mode, but after the first connection to another device, they can "remember" it and automatically try to connect when the next turn on. To avoid this, you can manually activate the search mode: to do this, hold the touchpad on both earphones for 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing white and red alternately.

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If the headphones don't respond to touch, try cleaning the touch panels of dust or moisture with a dry wipe, sometimes just wipe them with microfiber cloth to restore sensitivity.

Interface with Android-smartphone (MIUI, Samsung, Pixel, etc.)

The process of connecting to Android phones is almost the same regardless of the manufacturer, but there are nuances for Xiaomi devices with MIUI firmware.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone and activate the module.
2. Remove the headphones from the case – they should automatically appear in the list of available devices called Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 or Redmi AirDots_3_XXXX (where XXXX — unique identifier).
3. Click on the headphone name in the list. If you request confirmation of pairing, select Connect or OK.
4. Wait for the message Connected. In some firmware (for example, MIUI 14), a window may additionally appear with a suggestion to install the Mi Earphones branded application - its installation is optional, but gives access to the equalizer and gesture settings.

Xiaomi devices with MIUI may be notified of the Low Latency Mode after they are connected, which reduces lag when watching videos but slightly increases battery consumption, and can be activated in Bluetooth settings next to the headphone name.

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Connection to iPhone or iPad (iOS)

While Xiaomi AirDots 3 is optimized for Android, it works well with Apple devices, too.

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait until they appear on the list as Mi True Wireless Earphones 3.
3. Click on the headphone name. If you get a warning that your device isn't certified for iOS, ignore it -- it's a standard message for all non-Apple accessories.

Once connected, check the microphone settings: by default, iOS can only use the headphones to play audio.

1. Back to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the i icon next to the headphones name.
3. Enable the Microphone or Use for calls (depending on the iOS version).

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Synchronization with a laptop or PC (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Connecting to computers has its own peculiarities, especially when it comes to Windows, where you sometimes need to install additional drivers.

On Windows, after connecting, it is recommended to check the sound settings:

1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the tray and select Open sound parameters.
2. In the Withdrawal section, select Mi True Wireless Earphones 3.
3. Click on the device properties and make sure that the Stereo profile is selected (not Headset if the microphone is not needed).

Solving Connection Problems

If the headphones aren’t defined by the device or only one connects, try the following steps:

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are on red and white for more than 10 seconds alternately, this is a sign of hardware synchronization failure).

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module on your phone/PC: turn it off and turn it on again.
• 📱 Remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices and try to connect again.
• 🔋 Check the charge of the headphones: if the level is below 10%, they may not be in pairing mode.
• 🚫 Disable other Bluetooth devices nearby – they may cause interference.

If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted or interference is heard:

• 📶 Reduce the distance between the headphones and the sound source (optimally, no more than 1 meter).
• 🔊 Check your audio settings: Some apps (like YouTube) may have “low quality” mode enabled to save traffic.
• 🔄 Switch the codec in the developer settings (Android): give preference SBC instead AAC, if there is a stutter.

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If problems with connection occur only on one device, and on other headphones work normally - the reason is in the Bluetooth settings of this gadget, and not in the headphones.

Resetting headphones to factory

The only reliable way to bring headphones back to life if they stop syncing with each other or do not respond to the connection is a complete reset. For Xiaomi AirDots 3, the procedure looks like this:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the case cover and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds.
3. The indicators on the headphones will start flashing red and white alternately, and then go out - this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Close the case, wait 10 seconds and remove the headphones – they will automatically enter the pairing mode.

Once reset, all previous connections will be erased, and the headphones will return to the factory settings, which will also solve the problem if:

• 🔊 One of the headphones doesn't make sound.
• 🔋 Headphones discharge quickly (reset resets battery statistics).
• 📱 Headphones connect to the wrong device automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse reset with normal shutdown! If you just hold the touchpad 3-5 seconds, the headphones will only go into pairing mode, but the settings will not reset.

Additional functions and settings

Full management of Xiaomi AirDots 3 is possible through the proprietary application Mi Earphones (available for Android).

• 🎛️ Set up an equalizer (3 pre-profiles) + custom).
• 🔄 Update the headphone firmware (if a new version is available).
• 🎧 Reassign gestures (for example, double tapping to switch tracks).
• 🔋 View the charge level of each headphone and case separately.

To install the annex:

1. Download Mi Earphones from Google Play or AppGallery.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the app and follow the instructions on the screen.

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 📱 Make sure they are connected via Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Restart the application.
• 📋 Check that you have the latest version of the app.

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To quickly check the charge of headphones without the application, just open the case cover next to the connected Xiaomi smartphone – a pop-up with a percentage of charge will appear.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots 3