How to connect Xiaomi AirDots 2 to a smartphone and computer: full instructions with a photo

Xiaomi AirDots 2 wireless headphones (also known as Redmi AirDots 2) remain among the most popular budget headphones. TWS-But many users have difficulty connecting first, especially if they're on custom devices like Windows laptops or older versions of Android. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of pairing, including the hidden functions of the headphone firmware, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors.

It's important to understand that AirDots 2 supports Bluetooth 5.0, but their behavior may vary depending on the firmware version. For example, early headphone batches had an auto-reconnect bug to the latest device that Xiaomi fixed in the 2021 updates. If your model is released later, there should be no problems — but we'll still look at manual reset methods in case of failures.

This article will be useful for both beginners and experienced users: here you will find not only basic instructions, but also unique techniques to speed up connection to several devices at the same time (for example, to a phone and a laptop), as well as ways to diagnose malfunctions if the headphones refuse to turn on or are defined by the system as an “unknown audio device”.

Preparing headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with any Xiaomi AirDots 2 device, you need to switch to search mode, which is done differently depending on whether you connect to them for the first time or re-connect.

• 🔋 Charging headphones: Make sure both earphones are at least 30% charged. The indicator on the case should flash white when removing the headphones. If the indicator is red, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes.
• 🎧 Case extraction: Take out both earbuds at the same time. They should automatically turn on (a beep will sound). If one of the earbuds does not respond, try rebooting it by holding the touchpad for 10 seconds.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: If the headphones have already been paired with another device, they need to be reset. To do this, hold the touch panels on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.

Note that unlike the newer models (AirDots 3 Pro or Buds 4), AirDots 2 does not have a separate reset button on the case. All manipulations are performed exclusively through the touch panels on the headphones themselves. If after reset the indicators are constantly lit red - this indicates battery drain (you need to charge the case).

⚠️ Attention: Some users confuse reset mode with pairing mode. If you hold the touchpads for less than 10 seconds, the headphones will just reset but not reset. It takes 15 seconds to completely reset and flashing red and white.

Connecting to a smartphone on Android

The process of pairing with Android usually goes smoothly, but there are nuances depending on the version of the OS. On devices with Android 10 and later, the accelerated Fast Pair protocol is used, which automatically recognizes Xiaomi headphones and offers to connect through a pop-up. On older versions (for example, Android 8-9) you will have to do it manually.

Instructions for modern versions of Android:

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Connection settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate Bluetooth (slider in the top position).
3. Get your headphones out of the case - through 5–10 The list of available devices will appear "Redmi". AirDots_XXXX" (where XXXX — unique identifier).
4. Click on the headphone name and confirm the pairing.

If the Fast Pair pop-up window does not appear:

• 📱 Check if Google Play Services is enabled (without it, Fast Pair doesn't work).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 📦 Update the headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (if available for your model).

On Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices with MIUI shell, additional confirmation may be required in the Bluetooth app. After connecting, it is recommended to go to the headphone settings (the gear icon next to the name) and turn off the option "Automatically turn off sound when retrieving" if it interferes.

Charge the case and headphones|Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone|Get both earphones out of the case|Reset your headphones (if you have been connected before)|Update Google Play Services-->

Connection to iPhone (iOS)

Although Xiaomi AirDots 2 is not certified for iPhone (unlike AirDots 3 Pro), it works perfectly with iOS, but with some limitations.The main problem is the lack of support for AAC (advanced audio codec), so sound can be transmitted through SBC, which slightly degrades the quality at high frequencies. However, for conversations and music on Spotify or Apple Music, this is enough.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on the iPhone.
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for the list to appear "Redmi". AirDots_XXXX".
3. Click on the name and wait for the message "Connected".
4. (Optional) Go to Settings → Bluetooth → The “i” icon next to the headphones and turn on the “Automatically Connect” option.

Important nuances for iOS:

• 🎵 No dual microphone support: only the microphone on the right headphone will work when calling.
• 🔊 There is no charge indicator: iPhone does not show the level of the battery headphones (unlike Android).
• 🔄 Reconnection problems: If the headphones don’t automatically connect, forget them in Bluetooth settings and pair them again.

⚠️ Note: On iOS 16 and later, there may be a bug where the headphones are connected, but the sound only goes to one headphone. → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Balance stereo and make sure the slider is in the middle.

Connection to a computer (Windows 10/11)

Windows interfaces often raise the most questions, as the system may not recognize AirDots 2 as an audio device, primarily because of outdated Bluetooth drivers or conflict with other connected devices. Consider two scenarios: through the standard interface and using Mi Bluetooth Audio (official software from Xiaomi).

Method 1: Standard connection

1. Press Win + I, go to Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and click "Add Device".
3. Select Bluetooth and wait for Redmi to appear. AirDots_XXXX".
4. Click on the headphones and wait for the driver installation to be completed.

Method 2: Mi Bluetooth Audio (recommended)

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is not played:

1. Download the Mi PC Suite and install the Mi Bluetooth Audio.
2. Run the program and follow the instructions on the interface screen.
3. After connecting to Control Panel → Sound, select AirDots 2 as the default device.

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If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is distorted, try turning off all effects (e.g., "Sound Improvement" or "Spatial Sound") in Windows audio settings. This often solves the crack problem.

Connecting to multiple devices at the same time

Officially, Xiaomi AirDots 2 doesn’t support multipoint (simultaneously connecting to two devices), but there’s a workaround that works because the headphones remember the last connected device, but can quickly switch between them manually.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (for example, a smartphone).
2. Turn on Bluetooth on a second device (like a laptop).
3. On your smartphone, turn off Bluetooth (don’t remove headphones from the list!).
4. On your laptop, find AirDots 2 in the list of available devices and connect.
5. Now, to switch between devices, it is enough to turn off Bluetooth on the current one and turn on the other.

This method is not ideal (you have to manually switch Bluetooth), but avoids constant reconnection. For a full multipoint, you will need headphones with Bluetooth 5.2+ support, for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro.

Solving common problems

If the headphones don't connect or don't work properly, 90 percent of the time, one of three things is to blame: a dead battery, a firmware conflict, or a Bluetooth adapter problem on the device, and let's look at the typical symptoms and how to fix them.

Headphones are not on

• 🔌 Check the case charge: plug it into the charger for 30 minutes. If the indicator doesn't light up, the battery or power controller is a problem.
• 🔄 Reset your headphones (hold the touch panels for 15 seconds).
• 🛠️ Clean contacts on headphones and in the case with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

The sound is interrupted or distorted

• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the device (walls, metal objects).
• 🔊 In the sound settings, turn off all effects (e.g., Equalizer or "3D-sound").
• 📱 On Android, turn on the “Developers” mode and set the “Bluetooth Codec: SBC" (instead AAC).

One earpiece is down.

• 🔄 Restart the problem earphone (hold the touchpad for 10 seconds).
• 🔗 Make sure the headphones are synchronized with each other: put them in the case, close the lid, then pull them out again.
• 🎛️ On Windows, check in the Control Panel → The sound that both earphones are identified as "Stereo".

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations, one of the headphones still does not work, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, a contact dump or damage to the speaker). In this case, contact the service center - self-repair without experience can damage the second headphone.

Update of the headphone firmware

AirDots 2 firmware affects connectivity stability, sound quality and uptime. Xiaomi periodically releases bug fixing updates (for example, version 1.7.5 fixed a bug with spontaneous microphone shutdown).

Instructions for updating:

1. Install Mi Home from Google Play or App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the smartphone (they should be in the list of conjugated devices).
3. Open Mi Home, press + → Add Device → Headphones.
4. Select AirDots 2 from the list and follow the instructions.
5. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Confirm the installation and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

Important observations:

• 📱 Upgrade is only possible with Android or iOS. On Windows or Mac, you can not flash headphones.
• 🔋 Make sure the headphones and case charge exceed 50%. interruption of the process can lead to a breeze (earphones will stop turning on).
• 🌍 The region in the Mi Home must be set as "China" or "Russia". In some regions (for example, "India") updates for AirDots 2 may not be available.

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Updating the firmware through Mi Home is the only official way. Don't use third-party firmware or "custom" patches: it can put the headphones out of order.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots 2