How to connect headphones Xiaomi AirDots to the smartphone: instructions for all models

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including the Pro, Pro 2, 3 and SE models) have become some of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and convenience. However, many users have difficulties when connecting for the first time - the device is not located, the sound is interrupted or only one earphone is running. This article will help you understand all the nuances of pairing AirDots with Android and iOS phones, as well as solve typical problems.

Weโ€™ll look at not only the basic connection procedure, but also hidden features (like activating low latency for games), optimizing sound through MIUI settings, and giving recommendations for headphone care. If youโ€™ve just unpacked AirDots or encountered a pairing error, hereโ€™s the answers.

1. Preparation of headphones Xiaomi AirDots to connect

Before you pair the headphones properly, many people miss this step, which causes problems finding the device.

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Charge the case: Connect the case to the power source for 30 to 60 minutes (the indicator on the front panel should burn red or orange). ~1.5 hours.
  • ๐ŸŽง Remove the headphones: Take both earphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on (blitzes white indicator).If this does not happen, press and hold the touchpad on each earphone for 3 seconds.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset settings (if previously connected): Place both headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.

Note: Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and later support fast pairing via MIUI Pop-up (pop-up when opening a case next to a Xiaomi smartphone).If this feature does not work, check if the firmware of the headphones is updated (for this, see section 5).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the indicator on the case flashes red, the headphones are discharged. Charging less than 10% can prevent successful pairing.

2. Step-by-step instruction: connecting to Android

The process of pairing with Android (including Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) takes no more than a minute if the headphones are properly prepared.

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Bluetooth on your phone and activate the module.
  2. Remove the headphones from the case (they should be on โ€“ a white indicator flashes).
  3. In the list of available devices, find Mi AirDots. BASIC_R (for the base model) or Mi AirDots Pro_2_R (For the Pro version, click on the title.
  4. Confirm the pairing on the phone (it may be necessary to allow access to contacts and call history).
  5. Wait for the message โ€œConnected to media audioโ€ (the sound will be transmitted to both headphones).

If the headphones are not listed:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on the module).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Make sure there are no active phones on the phone. VPN Power saving modes โ€“ they can block device search.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Check the charge of the headphones (the indicator on the case should burn white when connected to charging).

Headphones removed from the case |

Bluetooth on your phone turned on |

Case charge > 20%|

Headphones are reset (if connected earlier)-->

Important: Headphones Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro require the firmware case version 1.4.0+ for stable work with Android 12+. Update the firmware through the Mi Home app if you have problems.

3. iPhone connection (iOS) - features and nuances

While AirDots are optimized for MIUI, they are compatible with the iPhone, but there are a few key differences:

  • ๐ŸŽ No support. AAC-Codec: iPhone will use the SBC (It's not critical for listening to music, but for podcasts or audiobooks, the difference is notable.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š No separate volume control: On AirDots Pro, double tap adjusts volume only on Android.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ There is no pop-up window when opening the case (unlike AirPods).

Instructions for iOS:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Remove the headphones from the case (the indicator should flash white).
  3. In the list of โ€œOther devicesโ€ look for Mi AirDots... and tap by name.
  4. Wait for the "Connected" status.

If the sound is only going to one earpiece:

  1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings.
  2. Return both headphones to the case for 10 seconds.
  3. Reconnect.

Xiaomi AirDots BASIC (1st generation)|

Xiaomi AirDots Pro/Pro 2|

Xiaomi AirDots 3/3 Pro|

Redmi AirDots (2 or 3) |

Another model-->

4. Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect

If AirDots aren't defined by the phone or are only partially connected, the reasons could be both software and hardware. Let's look at typical scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Headphones donโ€™t appear in the Bluetooth listCase or headphones dischargedCharge the case for 1-2 hours, remove the headphones and repeat the search
Only one headphone is connected.Failure of synchronization between headphonesReset the settings (hold the button on the case for 15 seconds), then connect again
The sound is interrupted or stutteredInterference from other Bluetooth devicesDisable other gadgets (fitness bracelets, speakers), reboot Bluetooth on your phone
The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound.Media Audio Profile Not SelectedIn Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to AirDots and select Media Audio.

If the problem persists:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Check Compatibility: AirDots 3 Pro Requires Android 8.0+ or iOS 12+.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Update the firmware of the headphones through Mi Home (section "Device Profile" โ†’ Update of the POยป).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Clean the contacts of the case and headphones from oxidation (use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol).
What if the headphones are connected, but immediately switched off?
This problem is often related to Bluetooth profile conflict. Try this: 1. On Android: go to Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ All applications โ†’ Bluetooth, clear cache and data. 2. On iOS: forget the device, reboot the iPhone, then reconnect. 3. If it doesn't work, reset the network settings on the phone (Settings) โ†’ Mainstream โ†’ Reset โ†’ Resetting network settings).

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not use Xiaomi AirDots headphones with Android Go phones (such as Redmi Go or Nokia 1.

5. Sound optimization and hidden functions

Once you've successfully connected, you can improve the sound quality and activate additional features.

  • ๐ŸŽต Equalizer: MIUI Go to Settings. โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Equalizer and select Preset Bass or Rock for a more saturated sound. On iPhone, use the equalizer in Settings โ†’ Music.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Low Latency Mode: For games, activate it in Bluetooth settings (click on the gear next to AirDots and select Low Latency.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Monosound: If one earphone does not work, turn on monosound in the special features settings (Settings) โ†’ Special opportunities โ†’ Audio/visual โ†’ monosound).

For models AirDots Pro 2 and later, branded features are available:

  • ๐ŸŒ™ Adaptive noise reduction (ANC): Activated by double tapping on the left earpiece (only on Android).
  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Transparent mode: Allows you to hear surrounding sounds without removing the headphones (triple touch on the left earpiece).

To check the headphone firmware version:

  1. Connect AirDots to your phone.
  2. Open the Mi Home app.
  3. Go to the device profile (Profile โ†’ Headphones โ†’ Information).
  4. The current version for AirDots 3 Pro is 2.0.7+.

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Low latency increases headphone battery consumption by 15-20%, and use it only for gaming or video.

6.How to extend the life of a headphone battery

The life of the AirDots battery depends not only on the model, but also on the operating conditions.

  • AirDots BASIC: 4 hours (headphones) + 12 hours (with case).
  • AirDots 3 Pro: 6 hours (with ANC) / 7 hours (without ANC) + 28 hours (with case).

To maximize the battery capacity:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Do not store discharged headphones: If you do not use more than 3 days, leave in a case with a charge of 40-60%.
  • ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Avoid extreme temperatures: Do not leave the case in direct sunlight or in the cold (optimum: 10-35).ยฐC).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Use the original cable: Charging from powerful adapters (18W+) reduces the battery life.

Signs of battery wear:

  • The working time was reduced to 1-2 hours.
  • Headphones discharge to 0% in 5-10 minutes without use.
  • The case does not hold the charge (the indicator goes out a few minutes after disconnecting from the network).

โš ๏ธ Note: If Xiaomi AirDots headphones suddenly stop turning on, try waking them up by putting them in a case and plugging them into a 30 minute charger, which solves the dead battery problem in 70% of cases.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

In rare cases, standard Bluetooth pairing may not be available (e.g., on custom Android firmware or older devices).

  • ๐Ÿค– Mi Home app: Install Mi Home from Google Play or App Store. sign up or sign in to Xiaomi account. click Add Deviceยป (+) โ†’ ยซHeadphonesยป โ†’ Select the AirDots model. Follow the instructions on the screen (may need to scan). QR-case-code).
  • ๐Ÿ”— Manual input MAC-Addresses (for power users): If the headphones are defined as an "Unknown device", you can try connecting to the device. MAC-Address: Install Bluetooth Auto Connect. Enable Bluetooth debugging in the developer settings (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Assembly number (shackle 7 times) โ†’ For developers โ†’ Debugging by Bluetooth. In the app, select AirDots and type in MAC-address (indicated on the sticker under the case cover).

For AirDots 3 Pro and Redmi AirDots 3 models, you can connect to two devices at the same time (for example, to a phone and a laptop).

  1. Connect the headphones to the first device.
  2. Open the case and press the pairing button (hold 3 seconds).
  3. Connect to the second device via its Bluetooth settings.

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect Xiaomi AirDots to a laptop or PC?
Yes, the process is similar to connecting to a phone: On Windows: Start โ†’ Settings โ†’ Devices โ†’ Bluetooth โ†’ Adding Device. On macOS: Open System Settings โ†’ Bluetooth. Note: A PC may not support AAC or aptX codecs, so sound will be transmitted via SBC (lower quality).
Why do headphones discharge quickly?
Main reasons: Active use of ANC (noise reduction) โ€“ increases consumption by 30-40%, low latency (for games), battery wear (after 300-500 charging cycles), solution: disable unnecessary functions in Bluetooth settings or via Mi Home.
How to reset Xiaomi AirDots settings to factory?
For all models except the AirDots 3 Pro: Place both headphones in the case. Open the case cover. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. For AirDots 3 Pro: Remove the headphones from the case. Hold the touchpads on both headphones for 10 seconds.
Can I use one headphone separately?
Yes, all Xiaomi AirDots models support mono mode: Take out only one headphone (right or left) from the case. It automatically connects to the phone as a standalone device. Note: In mono mode, the running time increases by 1-1.5 hours.
How to update the headphone firmware?
The update is available only through the Mi Home app: Connect your headphones to your phone. Open Mi Home and go to your device profile. If an update is available, you will receive a Software Update notification โ€“ click Update. Do not turn off your headphones or close the case cover during the process (takes 2-5 minutes).The latest firmware version for AirDots 3 Pro (May 2026): 2.0.7.186.