How to connect both headphones Xiaomi Airdots to the iPhone: full instructions with solutions to problems

Xiaomi Airdots wireless headphones (including Redmi Airdots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and their modifications) are hugely popular due to the combination of price and quality. However, iPhone owners often face the problem: once connected, only one headphone works, and the second one remains silent or not determined by the system, the reason lies in the peculiarities of the Bluetooth protocol and Apple’s interface algorithms with third-party devices.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to connect both headphones to an iPhone, from basic synchronization to resetting and manual reconnection, and you’ll also learn why iOS can only “see” one headphone even after successful pairing, and how to fix it without going to the service. Instructions are valid for all Airdots models (including Pro 2, 3, SE) iOS versions from 13 to 17.

Why doesn’t the iPhone connect both Xiaomi Airdots headphones?

The problem with connecting only one headphone to the iPhone is due to several factors:

• 🔄 Unsynchronized pair: Headphones lost communication with each other (for example, after discharge or reset).
• 📱 iOS Limitations: Apple Optimizes Bluetooth for its AirPods, So Other Brands’ Devices May Not Connect Correctly.
• 🔋 Different Charge Levels: If One Headphone Is Dead, iPhone May Not See It in the List of Available Devices.
• 🔄 Bluetooth profile conflict: in the memory of headphones stored data about previous connections (for example, to Android-smartphone), which prevents synchronization with the iPhone.

Most often, the problem is solved by resetting the headphones and re-pairing, but in some cases additional manipulations are required - for example, forced switching of the Bluetooth profile or updating the firmware. Below we will look at all methods in order.

Preparing headphones for connection: charge check and reset

Before you connect Xiaomi Airdots to your iPhone, make sure that both headphones are charged and in good condition.

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid for 10-15 seconds. the indicator on the case should light up white or red (depending on the model).
2. Take both headphones out of the case – they should automatically turn on (blitzes red/white LED).
3. If one of the headphones does not respond to the extraction, try to wipe the contacts in the case and on the earphone with a dry cotton swab.

If the headphones don't turn on or the indicators don't burn, the problem may be a discharged case battery or a faulty contacts. In this case, connect the case to charge for 30 minutes, then try again.

Charge the case to 100%|Wipe the contacts of headphones and case|Make sure both earbuds are turned on when retrieving|Reset your settings (if you have previously connected to other devices)-->

Resetting Xiaomi Airdots: a universal way

If the headphones have previously connected to another device (such as an Android smartphone or laptop), their settings may conflict with the iPhone, in which case a complete reset will help:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually side or back) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (on some models, only white).
3. Open the case cover – the headphones should automatically restart and enter the pairing mode (the indicators will flash alternately).

Once reset, Xiaomi Airdots headphones will “forget” all previous connections and be ready for new synchronization.This method works for all models, including the Airdots Pro 2 and Mi True Wireless Earphones 3.

Step-by-step: connecting Xiaomi Airdots to the iPhone

After resetting the settings, follow the following steps to connect:

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your iPhone.
2. Take both headphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on (indicators flash).
3. In the list of available devices, find one of two: 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones (or other models) 🎧 Redmi Airdots_R redmi Airdots_L (left- and right-handed)

right-handed

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Once successfully connected, both earbuds should appear in the My Devices list as one device (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones). If you see two separate earbuds instead, move to the next section.

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If your iPhone doesn’t find the headphones, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth, and rebooting your smartphone, sometimes helping to turn off other Bluetooth devices (such as smartwatches or speakers).

Solution: iPhone sees headphones separately

If my devices are listed as Redmi Airdots_R redmi Airdots_L And as two different devices, that means that the headphones are not synchronized:

1. Remove both headphones from the list of connected devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⓘ → Forget this device).
2. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
3. Pull them out and wait for the indicators to flash in sync (usually white).
4. Reconnect by selecting only the right earpiece (R).

If synchronization does not occur, try to force the headphones to connect:

• 🔄 Remove both earphones from the case and hold the buttons on both for 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
• 📱 Connect to the right earbud via Bluetooth on iPhone.
• 🔊 After successful connection, the left earphone should automatically connect as part of the stereo pair.

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If the iPhone persists in seeing the headphones individually, the problem may be with the firmware. Update the headphones through the Mi Home app (available for Android) or contact the service.

Update firmware Xiaomi Airdots for compatibility with iPhone

In some cases, outdated headphone firmware can cause connectivity problems to the iPhone. Unfortunately, the official Mi Home app for Airdots updates is only available on Android.

1. Find another Android smartphone (you can borrow from friends).
2. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.
3. Connect your headphones to your Android device and check for updates in Profile → Headphones → Firmware Update.
4. After the update, reset your headphone settings (see section above) and connect them again to your iPhone.

Up-to-date versions of firmware for popular models:

If the firmware update didn’t help, check your iPhone’s audio settings: sometimes the problem lies in the wrong audio profile.

Additional settings on the iPhone for stable operation

Even after a successful connection, Xiaomi Airdots can run unstablely, interrupting the sound, turning off one earphone or experiencing delays.

• 📶 Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, speakers, keyboards) to avoid conflicts.
• 🔊 B Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content disable the option of Monoaudio – this will force the iPhone to transmit stereo sound.
• 🔄 B Settings → Bluetooth → ⓘ Next to the headphones, select Connect as a stereo pair (if available).
• 📱 Reboot your iPhone after you connect – it will reset your Bluetooth cache.

If the sound is interrupted or there are delays, try:

• 🎵 Use headphones at a distance of no more than 5 meters from the iPhone (walls and obstacles degrade the signal).
• 🔋 Charge headphones up to 100% - with a low charge, the stability of the connection can decrease.
• 📱 B Settings → Music offline EQ (Equalizer – it can put extra strain on Bluetooth.

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To listen to music on iPhone with Xiaomi Airdots, it is recommended to use applications with support AAC-Apple Music (Spotify) - Youtube or browser may experience delays in sound.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Let’s look at the typical problems and ways to solve them:

If neither method worked, maybe the problem is that the headphones are not working properly, check them on another device (Android or PC) and if they are not working properly, contact the service center.

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Before you go to the service, try connecting your headphones to another iPhone or iPad. If the problem recurs, it's the headphones. If it doesn't, your smartphone's Bluetooth module may be faulty.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions