How to connect headphones Xiaomi AirDots to your phone, laptop and other devices: full instruction

Introduction: Why you need the right AirDots setup

Xiaomi AirDots (including the Pro, Pro 2, 3 and SE) remain among the most popular wireless headsets due to the combination of price, sound quality and convenience. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with the first connection – especially if it comes to non-standard devices like Smart TVs or game consoles. This article will help you understand everything from basic pairing with the phone to fine-tuning the sound profile.

It’s important to understand that the connection process can vary depending on the version of the headphone firmware and the device’s operating system. For example, AirDots 3 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.2 with the LC3 codec, which requires an updated Bluetooth stack on the smartphone. We’ll look at all current scenarios — including when the headphones refuse to connect after a reset or upgrade.

If you've just unpacked your headphones or you've encountered a device not found error, don't rush to return them to the store. 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved by simple steps, which we'll describe below. Let's start with the simplest one: connecting to an Android smartphone.

Connecting Xiaomi AirDots to Android smartphone

For most Xiaomi users, this process is simplified by the proprietary MIUI ecosystem. However, even on pure Android (for example, on Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy), the connection takes no more than a minute.

  1. Activate the pairing mode: 🔋 Take the headphones out of the case - they will automatically turn on. 🎧 Press the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones, if it is AirDots). 3/Pro 2) on 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red. 📱 On your phone, turn Bluetooth on to the Quick Settings Panel or through Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.

Select the device in the list

The list of available devices will show the name of your headphones (for example, "Mi True Wireless Earphones 2" or "Redmi AirDots 3 Pro").

Confirm the conjugation

Some devices may require code confirmation (usually 0000 or 1234). MIUI This step is often overlooked.

If the headphones don’t appear on the list, try:

  • 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on).
  • 🧹 Clear the Bluetooth app cache in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Show it all. → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
  • 🔋 Charge the case to 50%+ — When the charge is low, the headphones may not transmit the signal.

Headphones charged (indicator on the case is lit green)

Bluetooth on your phone is enabled and visible for other devices

The distance between the phone and headphones is not more than 1 meter

Headphones are not connected to another device (for example, a laptop)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and later, after updating the firmware, protection against accidental connection can work. To turn it off, touch the touch panel on the right earphone three times for 2 seconds - the indicator will flash blue.

Interface with iPhone (iOS) and features of the work

While AirDots is optimized for Android, it works great with iPhones (starting with iOS 12).

  • 📱 The iPhone will not display the charge level of the case (only headphones).
  • 🎵 Codecs. AAC and SBC It is supported by aptX or LDAC — no.
  • 🔊 The “Double-Tap to Call Voice Assistant” feature calls Siri by default, not Google Assistant.

Step-by-step instructions for iOS:

  1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
  2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see the section above).
  3. In the "Other Devices" list, select your AirDots.
  4. Wait 5-10 seconds – the screen will appear the inscription “Connected”.

If the connection is interrupted:

  • 🔄 Reboot your iPhone and headphones (put them in your case for 10 seconds, then pull them out).
  • 🚫 Remove the headphones from the list of devices and repeat pairing again.
  • 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi during connection time – sometimes interferes with the conflict of radio frequencies.

Xiaomi Smartphone (MIUI)

Android phone from another brand

iPhone (iOS)

Laptop/PC (Windows/macOS)

Smart TV game console-->

Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows 10/11, macOS)

Using AirDots with a computer opens up new possibilities, from listening to music to attending Zoom conferences, but it is more likely to cause problems due to outdated Bluetooth drivers or conflicts with other devices.

For Windows 10/11:

  1. Make sure that Bluetooth is on (tray icon or Settings → Devices → Bluetooth).
  2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
  3. In Windows, click "Add Device" → "Bluetooth".
  4. Select AirDots from the list. If the device is not found, update the Bluetooth adapter driver through Device Manager.

For macOS:

On a MacBook or iMac:

  1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
  2. Click "Connect" next to the headphones name.
  3. If the sound is interrupted, turn off automatic audio switching in Bluetooth settings.
Problem.Reason.Decision
The headphones are plugged in, but there's no sound.Not selected as an output devicePCM by sound icon → "Open sound parameters" → Select AirDots
The sound is interrupted.Weak Bluetooth signal or interferenceMove closer to your PC, disable other Bluetooth devices
The microphone is not working.In the microphone settings, another device is selectedSettings → System → Sound → Enter → Select AirDots

💡

If your Windows 10 headphones are connected as a Phone instead of a Headphone, remove them from your device list, update your Bluetooth driver, and re-pair. This will solve the sound quality problem.

Sound tuning and gesture management

Once you've successfully connected, you'll need to optimize your sound and adjust your control, and depending on the AirDots model, you'll find different options:

Change the Bluetooth (Android) codecs:

For better sound:

  1. Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
  2. Press the badge. ⚙️ near AirDots.
  3. Select "Sound Quality" or "Code" (if available).
  4. For music, AAC or aptX (if supported) is recommended.

Customization of gestures (for models with touch control):

  • 🎵 Double touch: playback/pause (by default).
  • 📞 Triple touch: Calling the voice assistant.
  • 🔇 Hold 2 seconds: Turn off the sound (on AirDots 3 Pro).

To reassign gestures:

  1. Install the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
  2. Connect your headphones to your Xiaomi account.
  3. Go to the device management section and select the desired actions.
How to turn on low-latency mode (Game Mode)
On AirDots 3 Pro and later, a mode for games with a delay of <50 ms is available. To activate it: 1. Open the Xiaomi Wear app. 2. Select headphones → Sound settings → Game mode. 3. Activate the switch. Attention: in this mode, audio quality decreases, but synchronization with video improves.

Connect to Smart TVs, game consoles and other devices

Using AirDots with a TV or PlayStation/Xbox requires a separate approach, and the main challenge is that not all devices support Bluetooth out of the box.

Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi):

  • 📺 If TV Bluetooth is built-in: Go to Settings → Sound. → Sound output → Bluetooth devices. Activate pairing mode on your headphones. Select AirDots from the list.

Use a Bluetooth transmitter (such as Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver) connected to AUX or optical TV output.

Game consoles:

  • 🎮 PlayStation 4/5: Only Sony headphones are officially supported, but you can use a Bluetooth adapter (for example, a phone with a Bluetooth headphone, 8BitDo WB02).
  • 🖥️ Xbox Series X/S: Bluetooth is missing – only through an adapter or wired connection to the controller.
  • 🎮 Nintendo Switch: Supports Bluetooth with 13.0.0 Update+. For connection: Settings → Bluetooth audio → Add the device.