Connecting Xiaomi AirDots to a smartphone: instructions for all models (2026)

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones are some of the most popular TWS-Headsets are on the market due to the combination of price, sound quality and battery life, but even experienced users sometimes have difficulty connecting or re-pairing after resetting. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of connecting - from the basic instructions to solving non-standard problems, including the features of different versions of AirDots (Pro, Pro 2, 3, SE etc.).

Xiaomi’s headphones feature Bluetooth 5.0/5.2 with support for A2DP (for audio) and AVRCP (playback control) profiles, which means they’re compatible with almost any device: Android and iOS smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even some TVs. But to work properly, you need to set up your initial setup — that’s what we’ll talk about later.

1. Preparation of headphones Xiaomi AirDots to connect

Before pairing with your phone, you need to make sure that the AirDots headphones are ready to connect.

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones. Make sure the indicator on the case is white or green (depending on the model). If the indicator is red, plug the case into charging for 15-20 minutes. Headphones should automatically charge when placed in the case.
• 📱 Device compatibility. Xiaomi AirDots works with Android 5.0+ iOS 10+. On older versions, there may be problems with the codec SBC or AAC.
• 🔄 Reset previous connections: If the headphones were already paired with another device, they should be returned to search mode (more on this in the next section).

Important: Some models (such as AirDots 3 Pro) support fast Mi AI connectivity on Xiaomi smartphones. If you have a phone of this brand, the system can automatically offer pairing when you open the case.

⚠️ Note: If the indicator on the case flashes red for more than 30 seconds, this indicates a critical charging error.Try using another cable or power adapter (the original one from Xiaomi with Quick Charge support is recommended).

2. Basic way to connect to Android and iOS

The standard pairing procedure is the same for most AirDots models, and let’s take a look at the steps:

1. Remove the headphones from the case. They should automatically turn on (the indicators on the headphones will flash white / red).
2. Activate Search Mode: For AirDots 1/SE: Press the button on the case for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red alternately. For AirDots Pro/Pro 2/3: open the case cover - the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator flashes white).
3. On your smartphone: Open Settings → Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth (slider in the "On" position). In the list of available devices, find Mi AirDots Basic_R (for the right model) or Mi AirDots Pro_L (For the left. Press the name.

Confirm the conjugation

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Once successfully connected, the headphones will stop flashing and light up in blue or purple (depending on the model). The list of Bluetooth devices on the phone will show a record of Mi AirDots... marked "Connected".

3. Features of connection for different models of AirDots

While all AirDots have similar operating principles, each model has nuances, and the key differences are:

Important for AirDots 3 Pro: this model supports dual connection (to two devices simultaneously).To activate the function, after the first pairing, press the touchpad on the right earphone for 2 seconds - the voice message "Dual connection is enabled".

⚠️ Warning: AirDots Pro 2 headphones may conflict with some Huawei smartphones due to the implementation of the aptX protocol. If the sound is interrupted, in the Bluetooth settings of the phone, prioritize the codec AAC.

4. Solving Connection Problems

If the headphones aren’t defined by the phone or only one of the pair is connected, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reset your headphones: Put both earbuds in your case. Press the button on your case for 10 to 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white at the same time. Remove the headphones -- they should reset to the factory settings.

Problems with one earphone

• Make sure that both headphones are charged (the indicators on them should burn when removed from the case).
• If one headphone is not connected, put it in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then repeat pairing.

Conflict with other Bluetooth devices

• Turn off all unnecessary gadgets in Bluetooth settings.
• On Android, clear the Bluetooth cache: Settings → Apps → Show everything → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear the cache.

If the problem persists, check the headphone firmware version. For AirDots Pro 2 and later, you can update the software through the Mi Home app (Device Profile → Firmware Update section).

5. Connect Xiaomi AirDots to a PC or laptop

AirDots headphones can be used with computers running Windows, macOS or Linux. Instructions for Windows 10/11:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your PC (via Start → Settings → Devices → Bluetooth or Taskbar).
2. Put the headphones in pairing mode (see section 2).
3. In Windows, click Add Device → Bluetooth.
4. Select Mi AirDots... from the list. If the system requests a driver, wait for the automatic installation.
5. After connecting, go to Control Panel → Sound and install AirDots as the default output device.

For macOS, the process is similar: open System Settings → Bluetooth, find the headphones in the list, and click Connect. On Linux, you may need to install pulseaudio-bluetooth and bluez packages.

⚠️ Warning: Windows sometimes has a problem with latency (up to 200-300 ms).To reduce lag, in the headphone settings (in the Control Panel) → Sound. → Properties) select a codec AAC instead SBC.

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If the headphones connect to a PC but the sound is distorted, try turning off the Absolute Volume option in Bluetooth settings. On Android, this is done via Settings → System → For developers → Turn off Absolute Volume (if the item is missing, turn on the developer mode by pressing the build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).

6. Optimize the work of Xiaomi AirDots after connecting

To keep the headphones running smoothly, adjust them to your needs:

• 🎵 Codec Choice: On Android: In Bluetooth settings, click on the gear icon next to AirDots and select AAC (Best quality) or aptX (low latency). On iOS, the codec is automatically selected, but you can reset your network settings: → Mainstream → Reset → Resetting network settings.
• 🔊 Touch control setting (for models with sensors): AirDots Pro/3 Pro: Double-touch play/pause; triple-touch next track; hold-to-back call voice assistant. Use the Mi Home app to change actions. → Gesture management»).
• 🔋 Saving charge: Turn off your headphones when not in use (they automatically shut down after 5 minutes without sound).For AirDots 3 Pro, turn off ANC Listening to music increases your work time by 1-2 hours.

If you use headphones for calls, check the microphone quality in your phone settings. On Android, you can do this through Settings → System → Developer → Debugging Bluetooth audio (turn on the “High quality microphone” option).

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For maximum autonomy, keep the case charge above 30%. If the discharge is below this threshold, the headphones may not charge properly, which will cause them to be turned off after 1-2 hours of use.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems.

• 🔊 The reason: interference from other devices (Wi-Fi router, microwave) or weak Bluetooth signal. Solution: move closer to the phone (maximum distance - 10 meters without obstacles) or switch to codec SBC.
• 🎧 One earphone discharges faster: Reason: uneven charging in the case or software failure Solution: Reset (section 4) and charge the headphones to 100% in the case.
• 📱 Headphones don't connect after phone update: Reason: glitch in Bluetooth stack after update Android/iOS. Solution: Remove the headphones from the list of devices and perform pairing again.

For models with ANC (AirDots 3 Pro), it is important to remember that the noise reduction function actively consumes charge. If you do not need an ANC (for example, in a quiet room), turn it off via the touchpad or the Mi Home app.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions