Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Connection: Full Instruction with Problem Solutions

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds (including the Basic 2, Basic 2S, Air 2/2S/2 SE and AirDots Pro) have become some of the brand’s most popular gadgets thanks to a combination of sound quality, compactness and affordable price. However, even with such devices, users often have questions about how to make the first connection, what to do if the headphones are not determined by the phone, or how to switch between devices. This article covers everything from basic settings to solving non-obvious problems.

Not only will we look at the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure, but we’ll also look at hidden features (like low latency activation for games), and we’ll also give you a checklist to diagnose common bugs. We’ll focus on the differences between Android connectivity (including Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphones) and iPhone, where the algorithm may be different. If you’ve just unpacked your headphones or experienced problems after a firmware update, here’s the latest solutions for 2026.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with your phone, make sure the Mi True Wireless Earbuds are ready to go. Start by checking the charge of the case and the headphones themselves - the indicator on the front of the case should burn white or green (depending on the model). If the indicator is red or flashing orange, plug the case into charging for 15-20 minutes.

Important point: Xiaomi headphones often come in power saving mode. To wake them up, follow the following steps:

• 🔋 Remove both headphones from the case and wait 5-10 seconds - they should automatically turn on (the indicator on each headphone flashes).
• 🔄 If the indicators do not respond, press and hold the touchpad on any of the headphones for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
• 📱 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled (check the Quick Settings Panel or Settings menu). → Connections → Bluetooth).

A critical detail for Air 2/2S models: if the headphones have previously been paired with another device, they can automatically try to connect to it.To reset this tether, place both headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds (until the red and white lights flash).

Remove the headphones from the case|Check the charge of the case (indicator is not red)|Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Reset previous connections (if necessary)-->

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If the headphones don’t respond to touch, wipe the touch panels with a dry wipe – sometimes contamination blocks the operation.

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

The algorithm for pairing with Android devices (including Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, etc.) is the same for most models of Mi True Wireless Earbuds. Consider the process with the example of Mi Air 2S:

1. Open the case cover – the headphones should automatically go into pairing mode (the indicators will start flashing alternately red and white).
2. On your phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list, find a device called Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 (or similar for your model) and tap it.
4. Confirm pairing – the phone may request access to contacts and call history (this is normal for hands-free functions).
5. Wait for the sound signal in the headphones ("Connected") and check the status in the Bluetooth menu - it should show "Connected".

For owners of Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer, a quick connection option is available: when you open the case cover next to the phone, a pop-up window will appear with a suggestion to connect - just click "Hide".

If the headphones don't show up on the list of devices, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in settings).
• 📵 Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device (e.g. a laptop).
• 🔋 Check the case charge - at a level below 20%, the pairing mode may not be activated.

Basic 2|Air 2S|AirDots Pro|Another model |I don't know-->

3. iPhone (iOS) connection: nuances and limitations

While Xiaomi optimizes its headphones primarily for Android, they are compatible with the iPhone (iOS 12 and later), but there are a few key differences:

1. no quick pop-up window – on the iPhone you will have to search for headphones manually through Settings → Bluetooth.

2.Limited codecs – iOS only supports SBC and AAC, so the sound can be less detailed than on Android with aptX.

3.There is no charge level display - unlike AirPods, the Mi True Wireless Earbuds charge does not show up in the iOS battery widget.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Open the case cover and wait for the flashing indicators on the headphones.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on search.
3. Select Mi True Wireless... from the list. PIN-code, use 0000.
4. After connecting, check the sound – sometimes you need to manually select the headphones as the output device in the control panel (swipe down from the upper right corner).

⚠️ Attention: On iOS 16+ You may have a problem with the delay of sound when you watch video. Solution: turn off Bluetooth, reboot your iPhone, then reconnect your headphones. If the problem persists, use your headphones only for music/calls.

4. Problem Solving: Headphones don't connect

If Mi True Wireless Earbuds are not detected by your phone or are connected with errors, use this diagnostic manual:

Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them:

If none of the methods worked, try updating your headphone firmware through the official Mi Home app (available for Android).

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.
3. Sign up and add headphones as a new device.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphone battery runs out during the update, they may fail. Make sure the case charge level is above 50%.

5 Additional features: low latency, mono mode, touch control

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds supports several hidden features that can be activated:

• 🎮 Low latency (for games): activated by triple touching the sensor on any headphone (only on Android). ~200 ms to ~100 ms.
• 🔊 Mono mode: you can use only one headphone (for example, the right one for calls). To do this, remove only the right earphone from the case - it will connect automatically.
• 📞 Call management: Single touch - accept/complete call. Double touch - reject call.
• 🎵 Music control: Single touch - playback / pause. Double touch - next track. Triple touch - previous track (or activation of voice assistant).

For Air 2S and newer models, control settings are available through the Mi Home app:

1. Open the app and select your headphones.
2. Go to the Control Settings.
3. Set up actions for single/double/triple touch.

Important: The touch panels on the headphones are sensitive to moisture, and after training or rain, dry them before use, or the touch may not work.

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For minimal audio delay in games, use low latency (triple touch) and AAC codec (on Android 10+).

6. How to reconnect the headphones to another device

If you want to use Mi True Wireless Earbuds with multiple devices (like a smartphone + laptop), the algorithm depends on the model:

For Basic 2/AirDots models:

1. Disconnect the headphones from the current device in Bluetooth settings.
2. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid for 5 seconds.
3. Open the lid - the headphones will go into pairing mode.
4. Connect to the new device via Bluetooth.

For Air 2/Air 2S models:

These headphones support multipoint (simultaneous connection to two devices) to add a second device:

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (for example, a smartphone).
2. Open the case cover and press the button on it 1 time - the headphones will go into pairing mode for the second device.
3. On the second device (laptop), find the Mi Air 2S in the Bluetooth list and connect.

⚠️ Warning: In multipoint mode, headphones can automatically switch between devices when playing audio, for example, if a phone rings, the sound will switch from laptop to phone.

To remove all associated devices and reset settings:

1. Put both earbuds in the case.
2. Open the lid and press the button on the case 4 times in a row (for Basic 2) or hold it for 10 seconds (for Air 2S).
3. The indicators should flash red and white – this is a signal of a successful reset.

Extension of service life: care and storage

To make Mi True Wireless Earbuds last longer, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charging: Use the original cable USB-C (For Type-C models, or quality, don't leave the case charging for more than 24 hours, which reduces battery life. Charge at 10-35.°C (avoid direct sunlight).
• 🧼 Clean your earbuds and case with a dry soft brush (such as a toothbrush) once a week. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (not water!) to remove earwax.
• 🌡️ Storage: Keep your headphones in a case, which protects them from dust and mechanical damage. Avoid wet areas (bathroom, kitchen next to the sink). If you don't use your headphones for longer than a week, discharge them to 40-50% and store them in a cool place.

What can't be done:

• ❌ Charge the case from powerful adapters (more 5V/1A) — This can damage the power controller.
• ❌ Use headphones in the rain or in the shower (even if they are protected) IPX4, This does not mean complete water resistance).
• ❌ Pull the cable when charging - connector USB-C (Micro-USB in older models is easily damaged.

The average battery life in Mi True Wireless Earbuds is 2-3 years when properly operated. If the battery life is reduced to 1-1.5 hours (at the initial 4-5), this is a signal to replace the battery in the service center.

FAQ: Frequently Asked About Mi True Wireless Earbuds