How to connect Xiaomi headphones with each other: all ways and life hacks

Why Xiaomi Headphones Aren’t Synced with Each Other and How to Fix It

Xiaomi's wireless headphones are some of the most popular on the market, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, many users face the problem: after buying or resetting, one headphone does not connect to the other, only one sound is heard, or the device is not determined by the phone at all, the reasons can be different from trivial discharge to software failures in the firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi earbuds can sync together, from standard procedures to hidden features that aren’t mentioned in the official instructions, and how to check models’ compatibility, what to do if the headphones are different generations, and how to avoid typical connection errors. If you’ve tried to connect your headphones but didn’t work out, don’t rush them into service: 90% of the time, you can solve the problem yourself in 5-10 minutes.

Important: The instructions in the article are relevant for all current Xiaomi, Redmi and Mi models, including AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds and Earbuds. For older versions (for example, the 2019 Mi AirDots Basic), additional steps may be required - we will note them separately.

Method 1: Standard synchronization through the case

The easiest and most reliable method is to use a charging case, which not only charges the headphones, but also automatically syncs them together when connected correctly.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid. Make sure they are properly placed on the magnetic contacts (usually there are hints in the form of drawings on the inside of the lid).
2. Wait 10-15 seconds, during which time the headphones should decide on the case and start synchronizing, usually accompanied by flashing indicators on the headphones (white or red).
3. Take both headphones out of the case at the same time, they should automatically connect to each other and go to the device search mode (the indicators will flash alternately).
4. Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone and find the headphones in the list of available devices. They usually appear as a single device, such as Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.

If the headphones are not synchronized automatically, try the following:

• 🔋 Check the case and headphones. If the lights don't burn at all, the devices are dead.
• 🔄 Reboot the case: Put the headphones inside, close the lid, then open it and press the reset button (if any) for 5-10 seconds.
• 📱 Remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices in the Bluetooth settings on your phone and reconnect again.

Charge the case and headphones to 100%|Remove the device from the phone’s Bluetooth settings|Check the correct placement of headphones in the case|Reset the case (if there is a reset button)|Update the headphone firmware (if available)-->

Method 2: Manual synchronization without a case

If the case is lost, broken, or the headphones don't sync through it, you can try to connect them manually, which doesn't work on all models, but it often helps in critical situations.

• 📱 Smartphone or tablet with Bluetooth 5.0 and higher.
• ⚡ Both earphones are charged at least 30 times%.
• ⏱ Time – the process can take up to 5 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices (if there are any).
2. Take the right earpiece (usually the main one) and press the touchpad or mechanical button for 10-15 seconds until the light flashes red and white alternately. This is reset mode.
3. Repeat the same thing with the left earpiece.
4. Put both earbuds side by side (at a distance of 1-2 cm) and wait for 20-30 seconds. They should automatically find each other and sync. Successful connection will confirm the simultaneous blinking of white indicators.
5. Now connect the headphones to the phone as one device.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), manual synchronization can only work if you first connect the right earphone to the phone, and then add the left one via the Bluetooth menu.

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If the headphones don't sync manually, try using a second smartphone or tablet, and sometimes the problem lies in the main device's Bluetooth cache.

Method 3: Sync with Mi Fit or Xiaomi Earbuds

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 or FlipBuds Pro) require an official app to work properly, not only helping to sync the headphones, but also updating the firmware, which often solves connection problems.

How to use the application:

1. Download and install Mi Fit (for older models) or Xiaomi Earbuds (for newer ones) from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign up (or sign in via your Xiaomi account).
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and put your headphones in your case. Open the lid, the app should automatically detect them.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. If the app offers to update the firmware, agree. It can take up to 10 minutes, but often solves synchronization problems.

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone and headphones (put them in your case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out).
• 📱 Check if Bluetooth and location permission are enabled (required for some versions of Android).
• 🔧 Remove the app cache in phone settings: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit/Xiaomi Earbuds → Memory. → Clear the cache.

Redmi AirDots (any version)|Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds|Xiaomi Buds 3/4|Xiaomi FlipBuds|Another model |I don't know-->

Method 4: Synchronization of headphones of different models

Can you connect headphones from different sets, like the one on the right of Redmi AirDots 2 and the one on the left of AirDots 3? That's technically possible, but it's not going to work properly: the sound might be behind, the bass might be gone, or one earphone might be turned off.

Instructions for "hybrid" connection:

1. Reset both headphones to factory settings (press the button/sensor for 15 seconds before flashing red).
2. Connect the right earphone to the phone as a separate device.
3. Enable the search mode on the left earphone (usually double pressing or holding the button).
4. On your phone, in Bluetooth settings, find a second headphone and plug it in. Some models (such as the AirDots Pro) may offer the "Plug as a second headphone" option.

⚠️ Warning: In this mode, the headphones will work as two separate devices, not as a stereo. The sound can go with a delay, and the microphone will work only on one earphone.

Solving common problems

If Xiaomi headphones don’t sync, the reasons could be both software and hardware, and let’s look at typical scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem 1: One earphone does not turn on

Symptoms: the indicator does not burn, the earphone does not respond to pressing, does not charge in the case.

Decisions:

• 🔌 Check the contacts in the case - they may be contaminated or bent. Clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔋 Try charging the headphone separately by connecting to charging through USB-OTG adapter (if the model supports the).
• 🔨 If the headphone doesn't respond anyway, the battery or the control board probably failed, and then the only thing that helps is repair.

Problem 2: Headphones are connected, but only sound is in one.

Symptoms: The phone sees both earphones, but the sound is only played in the right or left.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Reset the headphones: Put them in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out.
• 📱 In Bluetooth settings on your phone, find your headphones and select “Forget the device”, then connect again.
• 🎧 Check the sound balance in the phone settings: Settings → Sound. → Stereo balance (should be in the center).
• 🔧 Update the firmware through the official app (if available).

Problem 3: Headphones are constantly switched off

Symptoms: communication is interrupted every 1-2 minutes, headphones are connected, then disappear from the list of devices.

Decisions:

• 📶 Check if there are any sources of interference nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi routers at 2.4 GHz).
• 🔋 Charge headphones to 100% – with a low charge, communication can be unstable.
• 📱 Turn off Adaptive Bluetooth or Bluetooth Energy Saving in your phone settings.
• 🔧 Reset network settings on your phone: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

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If the headphones are turned off during a conversation, the problem may be the microphone. Try turning off noise cancellation in the settings of the Xiaomi Earbuds app (if you have such an option).

How to Check Compatibility of Models Before Buying

If you are planning to buy a second set of Xiaomi headphones or replace a lost headphone, it is important to make sure the models are compatible with each other.

1 Series and Generation

Headphones from the same series (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 and Redmi AirDots 3 Pro) are usually compatible, but there may be nuances with firmware.

2.Bluetooth version

Make sure both headphones support the same Bluetooth version.For example, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 (Bluetooth 5.0) won't work consistently with Xiaomi Buds 4 (Bluetooth 5.3).

3. Firmware and application

Some models require firmware updates via Mi Fit or Xiaomi Earbuds, and if one headphone is updated and the other isn’t, they may not sync.

Physical compatibility

Check if the headphones fit in the size and location of the contacts in the case. For example, FlipBuds are uniquely shaped and won't fit the AirDots case.

If you buy an earphone separately (for example, you lost one of the pair), it is better to look for the same model. In extreme cases, an earphone from the same series will work, but there is no guarantee of stable operation in this case - even official Xiaomi service centers do not make such promises.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones