How to connect both headphones Xiaomi: 5 working ways (2026)

Did you take Xiaomi's new wireless headphones out of the box, turn them on, but only one sound comes in? Or did the left/right earphone stop working after the firmware update? This problem is familiar to many owners. TWS-Headphones brand — from budget Redmi Buds to flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. the reasons can be different: from the banal discharge of the battery to software failures in firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to synchronize both headphones, including hidden functions. MIUI, You'll learn how to get your stereo back in 2 minutes, even if the headphones aren't identified by the phone or plug in separately, and why the problem often arises after the upgrade. MIUI How to avoid this in the future.

Why Xiaomi’s One Headphone Doesn’t Connect: 7 Top Reasons

Before we get to the bottom of this, it's important to understand the root of the problem, because 80 percent of the time, it's not hardware failures, but software settings or user errors, and here's a full list of reasons why one earbud might be silent or not connected:

• 🔋 A discharged battery – one earphone sat down and automatically disconnected from the pair. Often found in models with asymmetrical energy consumption (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, where the right earphone discharges faster).
• 📱 Bluetooth connection failure – the phone “forgot” the settings of a pair of headphones after updating the OS or resetting the network.
• 🔄 Headphones out of sync – left and right modules have lost touch with each other (typical for cheap models after long storage in a discharged state).
• 🛠️ Software glitch firmware - especially relevant after automatic updates via Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage - ingress of moisture, fall or wear of contacts in the charging case.
• 🔌 Problems with the charging case - oxidation of contacts or a malfunction of the power controller (earphones do not charge until the end).
• 📲 Conflict with other devices – headphones have previously been paired with another phone/laptop and don’t want to reconnect.

If your Xiaomi headphones are older than 2 years, it is also worth checking the wear of the battery. Over time, the battery capacity drops, and one of the headphones can turn off at a charge level below 30%.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones were purchased on AliExpress or other marketplaces at a price below the market average, there is a high probability of counterfeiting. These devices often lack synchronization between the headphones at the hardware level.

Method 1: Forced synchronization via charging case (works 90% of the time)

It’s the fastest and most versatile method that works for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Buds 4 Active, Xiaomi Buds 3 and older versions.The point is to reset the current pair and get the headphones to reconnect to each other.

You'll only need a charger case and the headphones themselves.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid (earphones should start flashing white/red).
3. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the side or bottom) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
4. Close the case cover, wait 5 seconds and open again.
5. Now the headphones must sync automatically (the indicators on both will flash the same).
6. Connect to them via Bluetooth as a new device.

If the button on the case is missing (as in Xiaomi Air 2) SE), Use an alternative method:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.


2. Press the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds.




3. Put them back in the case and repeat steps 1-3 from the main instruction.

Make sure the case is at least 30% charged |

Get your headphones and put them next to you.|

Turn off Bluetooth on your phone |

Close all apps that use headphones (Spotify, YouTube, etc.)|-->

⚠️ Note: On the models Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and Buds 4 Pro reset settings through the case will not work - it uses a different synchronization system).

Method 2: Manual connection via Bluetooth settings (for Android and iOS)

Sometimes the problem isn't with the headphones themselves, but with the cache of the phone's Bluetooth module, which is especially true after the upgrade. MIUI Or iOS, when the system forgets the headphone configuration, here's how to fix it on different platforms:

For Android (MIUI, Realme UI, ColorOS and others.)

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your Xiaomi headphones in the list of conjugate devices and click on the gear next to the name.
3. Choose to Delete the device (or Forget it).
4. Return the headphones to the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out.
5. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for the headphones to appear on the list of available devices. They should show as Mi True Wireless... or Redmi Buds.
6. Click on them to connect. If you have a request for code confirmation (usually 0000 or 1234), type it in.

For iPhone (iOS 15 and newer)

On the iPhone, the algorithm is slightly different due to the features of the Bluetooth stack Apple:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the letter i next to the headphones name.
3. Select Forget this device and confirm.
4. Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
5. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the case (if any) until the indicator blinks.
6. Headphones should appear on the list as a new device. Connect to them.

If the headphones still connect separately, try rolling back the Bluetooth version of the protocol on your phone.

• 📱 On Android: Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on Build Number in your phone settings), then select the Bluetooth version in Developer Settings A2DP and set AVRCP 1.3.
• 🍎 On iPhone: Reset Network Settings in Settings → Mainstream → Transfer or discharge.

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If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only in one, check the audio balance in the phone settings. → Special facilities → Mono-audio balance. On iPhone: Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual → Stereo balance.

Method 3: Reset and flash through the official app (for advanced models)

Xiaomi mid- and premium headphones (FlipBuds Pro, Buds 4 Pro, Buds) 3T Pro) support firmware updates and diagnostics through proprietary applications. If standard methods don't work, try this method.

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 8.0+ or iOS 12+.
• 🔌 Xiaomi Wear (for new models) or Mi Fit (for older models).
• 🔋 Charge headphones and case at least 50%.

Instructions:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign up (or sign in via your Xiaomi account).
3. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth (even if they don’t work properly).
4. In the main menu of the application, find your headphones and tap on them.
5. Go to the device settings → Update the firmware.
6. If a new version is available, click Update. Don't interrupt the process, which can result in a complete loss of communication with the headphones.
7. After the update, reset: Device settings → Reset the settings.

For Redmi Buds 4 Pro and later, the Equipment Check feature is available, which tests headphone synchronization and case contacts. If the test shows an error, contact the service center - it may be a hardware malfunction.

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones stop turning on or flash red after the firmware update, it's a sign of bad firmware. Try to return them to factory settings by holding the button on your case for 30 seconds. If it doesn't work, contact the service.

Method 4: Checking and cleaning contacts in the charging case

If the headphones are not charged in the case or one of them is constantly discharged, the problem may be oxidized or contaminated contacts, this is especially true for models with metal connectors (Redmi Buds 3 Pro, Xiaomi Air 2).

You'll need:

• 🔦 Lantern (to inspect contacts).
• 🧴 Cotton swabs and alcohol (isopropyl or medical).
• 🧲 Magnet (optional, to check magnetic fastening).

Step-by-step cleaning:

1. Take the headphones out of the case and look at the contacts (metal dots on the headphones and inside the case), if they are blackened or covered with white coating, it is oxidation.
2. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts on the headphones and in the case.
3. Let dry for 5-10 minutes (you can use a hair dryer at minimum power).
4. Check the magnetic mount: the headphones must stick securely to the case, and if the magnets are weakened, the case must be replaced.
5. Put the headphones in the case and check if charging has started (the indicator should burn red).

If after cleaning, one earphone still does not charge:

• 🔌 Try charging the case from another cable/power supply.
• 🔋 Check the battery capacity of the case using the AccuBattery app (if supported).
• 🔧 Disassemble the case (at your own risk!) and check the integrity of the plumes.

Method 5: Alternative methods for older models (no application support)

If you have a budget model (Redmi AirDots, Mi Basic, etc.) that does not support proprietary applications, try these methods:

Double-dump method

It is suitable for headphones that are connected separately, but do not synchronize with each other.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Take out only the right earpiece and hold the touchpad for 10 seconds until it flashes red.
3. Return it to the case, take out the left and repeat step 2.
4. Get both earphones out – they should sync automatically.

Use of the second telephone

Sometimes the headphones stick on one device and refuse to connect to another, to reset this binding:

1. Take a second phone (or tablet) and connect your headphones to it.
2. Play any sound (music, video) for 30 seconds.
3. Turn off the headphones from the second device.
4. Go back to the main phone and try to connect again.

Update Bluetooth drivers on PC

If the headphones work normally with the phone, but do not connect to the laptop / PC:

• 🖥️ On Windows: Update the Bluetooth driver through Device Manager → Bluetooth (download the latest version from the laptop manufacturer's website).
• 🍎 On Mac: Reset the Bluetooth module via Terminal with the command: sudo pkill bluetoothd then restart your computer.

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If neither method worked, check the headphones on another device. If the problem persists, it's a hardware malfunction, and repairs are essential.

What to do if nothing helps: Diagnostics of a breakdown

If you've tried all of these, but one earphone still doesn't work, it's time to do a hardware malfunction diagnosis.

If you are sure that the problem is hardware, but headphones are warranty, do not disassemble them yourself - this will void the warranty. mi.com/ru/service). Cost of repair:

• 🔧 Battery replacement: 1200–2000 ₽.
• 🔊 Dynamic replacement: 1500–2500 ₽.
• 📡 Replacement of Bluetooth module: 2000–3500 ₽.

For models over 2 years old, repairs can be unprofitable - it's cheaper to buy new headphones. For example, Redmi Buds 4 Lite cost about 2000. ₽, Renovating the old ones will cost the same amount.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones