Why Xiaomi AirDots only connects one headphone and how to fix it

Introduction: Why Xiaomi headphones work separately

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and Mi AirDots Pro) are built on True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology, where each headphone connects to the sound source independently but synchronizes with each other. However, users often face the problem: once connected to the phone, only one headphone (usually the right one) works, and the left one is silent or connects as a separate device.

The causes of the problem lie in three key factors:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (especially if they were lying for a long time without using them).
• 📱 Mating error after updating the firmware of the smartphone or headphones.
• 🔄 Resetting the settings of one of the headphones (for example, after accidentally pressing the reset button).

This article provides a universal AirDots sync guide for all models (2019-2026), including solutions for cases where headphones refuse to connect at the same time even after reset. MIUI), iOS and Windows.

Preparation: check before synchronization

Before you reset or reconnect your headphones, do some basic checks, and 60 percent of the time, the problem is solved at this point.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi AirDots headphones were connected to another device (such as a laptop or tablet), they must first be disconnected from it via the Bluetooth menu.

• 🔋 Check the headphones: place them in the case for 10-15 minutes. The indicator on the case should burn white (charging is coming) or green (full charge). If the indicator is red or flashing, charge the case.
• 🎧 Take both headphones out of the case and wait until they automatically turn on (white LED flashes). If one of the headphones does not turn on, see Hard Reset".
• 📱 On your smartphone, turn off Bluetooth, then turn on again. Remove Xiaomi AirDots from the list of paired devices (in Bluetooth settings, click on the gear icon next to the headphones and select Forget the device).

If after these actions, the headphones are still connected separately, go to manual synchronization.

Manual synchronization of headphones Xiaomi AirDots

The algorithm for pairing headphones with each other is the same for all models of Xiaomi AirDots, but there are nuances for the firmware MIUI 12+ and iOS.

1. Step 1: Take both earphones out of the case. They should turn on automatically (blinking white LED).
2. Step 2. Press and hold the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
3. Step 3. Place the headphones back in the case for 5 seconds, then pull them out. They should sync automatically (the indicators will light up white and stop blinking).
4. Step. 4. Connect to headphones via Bluetooth on your smartphone. one name should appear in the list of devices (for example, Redmi). AirDots_R Mi True Wireless).

If the headphones flash red and white alternately for more than 30 seconds, the sync failed. Repeat steps 1-3, holding the buttons for 20 seconds.

💡

On models Mi AirDots Pro and Redmi Buds 3/4 to reset you need to press not touch buttons, but physical (located on the inside of the headphones).

Features of connection on Android and iOS

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI firmware and Apple devices, the connection process may differ due to the features of Bluetooth stacks.

For Android (MIUI/HyperOS)

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and enable device search.

2. In the list, find Redmi. AirDots_R (or similar name) and click Connect.

3. If there is a request for permission to access contacts / microphone, agree - it is necessary for the correct operation of the headphones.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ And HyperOS can trigger a bug when the headphones connect as a Call Device, not as a Music Device. To fix this, go to Bluetooth Settings. → Headphones → Device Profile and Choose High Quality Audio (AAC/SBC). For iOS (iPhone/iPad) 1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth. 2. Wait until Mi True Wireless (or your model name) appears on the list). 3. Click Connect and wait for the sign to appear Connected. 4. If the sound is only in one headphone, open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner), click on the AirPlay icon and select Mi True Wireless (Stereo). What to do if your headphones are connected as "Mono" On iPhone, your headphones can be defined as a mono device because of a conflict of Bluetooth profiles: 1. Forget the device in Bluetooth settings. 2. Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds. 3. Reconnect the headphones by holding the button on the case (if any). 4. Once connected, open any audio app (such as Apple Music) and select the headphones as the output device from the playback menu. If manual synchronization doesn't work, perform a full reset. This method works even for "dead" headphones that don't respond to pressing. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid. Connect the case to the power supply (red charge indicator will light up). Open the case cover and press the button on the back of the case (near the connector). USB-C) 4 times in a row at 1 second intervals. The indicator should flash red, then white. Close the case cover for 10 seconds, then pull out the headphones. They should automatically sync. For Mi AirDots Pro and Redmi Buds 3/4 The reset is done differently: Take the headphones out of the case. Press and hold both touch buttons for a period of time. 30 seconds until the indicators go out and light up again purple (for Buds) 3/4) Or blue (for AirDots Pro). Put the headphones back in the case on the 5 seconds, then get it out. 💡Hard resetting through the button on the case is the most reliable way to return the headphones to the factory settings. Use it if other methods have not worked. If the headphones are synchronized, but the sound is interrupted or only one channel is running, the problem may lie in the firmware of the headphones or Bluetooth drivers on the smartphone. Update of the firmware headphones Xiaomi periodically releases updates for AirDots, fixing bugs with sound. To update your firmware: Install the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (for new models). Connect your headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Open the app, go to Profile → My devices. → Headphones. If an update is available, the Update button will appear. Press it and wait until it is completed (don't turn off Bluetooth!). Reset Bluetooth settings on your smartphone On Android: Go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Network reset. Confirm reset. This will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices. Reset your smartphone and reconnect your headphones. On iOS: Open Settings → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Reset the network settings. Enter the password and confirm the reset. 💡If after updating the firmware headphones stopped working, try rolling back the version through the Xiaomi Wear app. To do this, in the headphone menu, hold your finger on the firmware version during the 5 Seconds: rollback option (not available for all models) Alternative ways to connect If standard methods don't work, try non-obvious solutions: 🎵 Connecting through a third-party application, applications like Bluetooth Auto Connect or TWS Earphones (available on Google Play) can force your headphones to sync. Install the app, select Xiaomi AirDots from the list of supported devices, and follow the instructions. 🖥️ PC connection. Sometimes headphones sync when you connect to Windows or MacOS. For this: - On Windows: Open Options → Devices → Bluetooth, select Add Device → Bluetooth and connect Redmi AirDots_L redmi AirDots_R Once they're connected successfully, they're going to be combined into a stereo device. - On MacOS: Open System Settings → Bluetooth and connect both headphones manually. 🔄 Using a different smartphone. Try connecting your headphones to another phone (like friends or family) If they're in stereo, the problem is your smartphone (usually Bluetooth drivers). ⚠️ Note: When connecting to Windows 10/11 Xiaomi AirDots headphones can be defined as two separate devices (Headset and Hands-Free).To get stereo sound, in the Control Panel → Select Redmi AirDots Stereo as the Default Device. FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots Why does the left earphone connect separately and not work in pairs? This is due to a synchronization failure between the headphones. Most often the problem is solved by manual reset (see section "Manual synchronization"). If the reset did not help, check: - Charge the battery of the left earphone (it could discharge faster than the right one). - Physical damage (try to clean the contacts in the case carefully with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol). - Headphone firmware (update via Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear). Can you use only one headphone (mono mode)? Yes, all Xiaomi AirDots models support mono mode: 1. Take out only one headphone from the case (for example, the right one). 2. Connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. 3. The sound will only be played in one headphone. Important: In mono mode, battery life increases by about a half. 30%. How to check the firmware version on Xiaomi AirDots? To find out the firmware version through the official application: - For Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless: use Mi Home. - For Mi AirDots Pro and Redmi Buds 3/4: Use Xiaomi Wear. Instructions: 1. Connect your headphones to your smartphone. 2. Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices. 3. Go to Device Settings → 4. The firmware version will be specified in the format V1.2.3.4 Or something like that. What if you don't turn on your headphones after you reset? If your headphones don't respond to your presses and don't charge, do the following steps: 1. Check the case: plug it into charging for 1 hour. If the indicator doesn't burn, the problem is the case battery. 2. Try a forced reboot: place the headphones in the case, close the lid, then open and immediately press the button on the case 5 times. 3. If the headphones still do not work, contact the Xiaomi service center - a malfunction of the Bluetooth controller is possible. If you urgently need sound, connect the case to the smartphone via cable USB-C (In some cases, the case works as an external USB-sound adapter). Will Xiaomi AirDots support aptX or LDAC? No, Xiaomi AirDots headphones (including Pro and Buds 3/4 models) only support AAC codec and basic SBC. AdapX or LDAC codecs require premium headphones (e.g., Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Mi True Wireless Earphones 3). To improve the sound quality of AirDots: In the Bluetooth smartphone settings, select High Quality Audio (AAC) Profile. Disable power saving features for Bluetooth. Use Neutron Power Players (emptions, Power Player, or Neutron).