How to connect one headphone Xiaomi AirDots: all ways + problem solving

Why Xiaomi AirDots doesn’t want to work separately – and how to fix it

Did you only pull one Xiaomi AirDots (or Redmi AirDots) headphone out of the case, but it refuses to connect to the phone? Or connects, but immediately shuts down after 5 seconds? TWS-Xiaomi headphones — and it's not always connected to a breakdown. Most often, the fault is the wrong Bluetooth settings, the failure of synchronization between the headphones or the features of the firmware of a particular model.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to connect a single headphone (left or right) to a smartphone, tablet or computer, from basic steps to “surgical” methods like resetting. And we’ll also look at why some AirDots models don’t fundamentally support mono mode and what to do about it. If you’ve tried to plug an earphone in but it’s silent or flashing red, don’t rush it into service: 90% of the time, the problem is solved in 5 minutes.

First, you need to decide what your model is.

🎧 Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 (and newer versions)
🎧 Redmi AirDots 3 Pro (and modifications)
🎧 Xiaomi Air 2 SE / Air 2 Pro

But AirDots Basic, AirDots S and the first versions of AirDots Pro often require “dancing with a diamond” – read about this in the section about circumvention of restrictions.

Method 1: Standard connection of one headphone (if the model supports mono-mode)

If your AirDots are on the list above, try this method. It works for most modern Xiaomi models, where mono mode is turned on out of the box.

Take the earpiece out of the case and wait for it to flash white (search mode). If the indicator is red, see "What to do if the earphone doesn't blink."
On your smartphone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
In the list, find the name of your model (for example, Redmi). AirDots_3Pro_R For the right earpiece or for the left earpiece.
Confirm pairing. If you request access to contacts/microphones, allow it.

⚠️ Note: If only one device is displayed in the Bluetooth list without the “L”/”R” (e.g., just Mi AirDots Pro) – your model does not support separate connection.

Get the headphone out of the case and wait for the white flashing

Make sure that Bluetooth on your phone is turned on

Remove old AirDots connections in settings (if any)

Charge the headphone to at least 30%-->

Method 2: Forced Enabling Mono Mode Through Resetting

If the standard connection didn’t work, the headphones could “forget” their role (left/right) after updating the firmware or crashing, in which case a hard reset will help.

Instructions for most AirDots models:

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
Press and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
Get the right earphone (e.g., right earphone) and try to reconnect it according to the instructions in Method 1.

For Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and Xiaomi Air 2 Pro, the procedure is different:

Get both earphones out of the case.
Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the reset sound.
Put the headphones back in the case, then get only the right one.

What if the earphone does not blink after reset?

If the indicator does not respond to reset, the problem may be in the discharged battery of the case or headphone. Connect the case to charge for 30 minutes, then repeat the procedure. If it does not help, check the contacts in the case for oxidation (clean with alcohol).

⚠️ Warning: After reset, the headphones may lose communication with each other. To restore stereo mode, put both earphones in a case for 10 seconds - they sync automatically.

Method 3: Bypassing the restrictions for models without official mono mode

If you have Xiaomi AirDots Basic, AirDots S or the first version of AirDots Pro, the manufacturer has blocked separate connection at the firmware level, but there is a workaround - forced to turn off the second headphone after connecting the pair.

Algorithm of action:

Connect both headphones to your phone in stereo mode (they should work together).
Open a list of connected Bluetooth devices on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth → gear next to Mi AirDots).
Find the option to turn off the sound in the left/right earphone (the name may vary depending on the phone model).
Select the earpiece you want to turn off (e.g. left earpiece) and then the sound will only go through the right earpiece.

For iPhone or device owners without this option in Bluetooth settings:

📱 Use applications like Bluetooth Auto Connect (Android) or SoundAssistant (Samsung) where you can manually turn off channels.
🎛 On PC (Windows/macOS) After connecting the pair, open the Sound Control Panel and turn off the unnecessary headphone manually.

Xiaomi AirDots Basic

Redmi AirDots (1/2/3 generation)

Xiaomi Air 2 / Air 2 Pro / Air 2 SE

Xiaomi AirDots Pro (version 1 or 2)

Another model-->

Table of compatibility of mono-mode for popular Xiaomi models

Model headphones	Official mono-regime	Reset required for activation	The roundabout (if there is no official support)
Xiaomi AirDots Basic	❌ No.	❌ No.	Disabling the channel in Bluetooth settings
Redmi AirDots (1 gen)	❌ No.	❌ No.	Applications for manually switching off the headphone
Xiaomi AirDots Pro (1 gen)	⚠️ Partially (right only)	✅ Yes.	Reset + connect the right earphone
Redmi AirDots 2	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	—
Xiaomi Air 2 Pro	✅ Yeah (both headphones)	✅ Only after the firmware update	—

⚠️ Note: If your model does not support mono mode even after reset, do not try to reflash the headphones with left-hand firmware. This can lead to a complete loss of functionality (earphones will stop turning on or charging).

Problem Solving: The headphone is connected but not working

Situation: The headphone is determined in the Bluetooth list, the pairing is successful, but there is no sound — or it turns off after a few seconds.

🔋 Battery discharged: even if the indicator is on, the earphone can be discharged below 10%.Put it in the case for 15 minutes and reconnect.
🔊 Incorrect Bluetooth profile: in the settings of the connected device, select a profile A2DP (for music instead HFP (call-in).
📱 Conflict with other devices: Remove all saved AirDots connections in your phone, tablet, and PC, then reconnect.
🔄 Synchronization failure: If the earphone flashes red, put it in a case with the second earpiece for 10 seconds, then pull it out.

If the headphone is connected, but the sound is interrupted or there are interference:

📶 Check the distance to the device (maximum 10 meters without obstacles).
📵 Disable other Bluetooth devices nearby (fitness bracelets, wireless mice).
🔄 Restart your smartphone or PC.

💡

If the headphone is connected, but the sound is only in one channel (for example, bass disappears), try to turn on the option in the phone settings Absolute Options → Disable Absolute Volume.

How to connect one Xiaomi headphone to a computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)

The PC algorithm is almost the same as the phone, but there are nuances. On Windows 10/11:

Open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
Turn on Bluetooth and press Add Device → Bluetooth.
Select your headphone (e.g., Mi). AirDots_Pro_R).
After connecting, open the Control Panel → Sound, find the headphone in the list and install it with the default device.

On macOS:

Open System settings → Bluetooth.
Click Connect next to the found headphone.
If there is no sound, open System Settings → Sound and select the headphone as the output device.

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth


pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover




bluetoothctl




power on




scan on




pair [MAC- headphone address]




connect [MAC- headphone address]

⚠️ Note: PCs with Realtek Bluetooth adapters may have problems connecting AirDots due to outdated drivers. Update them through Device Manager or from the manufacturer's website.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Error 1: The headphone flashes red and doesn't connect.

Reason: battery is dead or firmware is out.

🔌 Charge the case and headphone for 30–60 minutes.
🔄 Make a reset (see Method 2).
📱 Remove the headphone from the list of conjugate devices on the phone.

Error 2: The headphone is connected, but immediately switches off.

The reason: Bluetooth profile conflict or Android power saving.

📵 Turn off Adaptive Battery for Bluetooth in settings (Settings) → Battery. → Energy consumption of applications).
🔧 In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Build number - tap 7 times) turn off AVRCP 1.6.

Mistake 3: You can’t choose the left/right headphone separately.

The reason: the model doesn't support mono mode.

🎛 Use the workaround from Method 3.
🛒 Buy a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter with Dual Audio support (e.g. Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver).

💡

If the earphone stopped connecting after falling or getting moisture, the problem is likely hardware, in which case the reset will not help - you need a diagnosis in the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I use a single Xiaomi AirDots headphone for calls?

Yes, but only if the model supports mono mode, in which case the microphone will only work in the right earphone (in most Xiaomi models). HFP Bluetooth.

Why is the left earphone not connected separately, and the right – yes?

In some models (for example, AirDots Pro 1 gen), the right earphone is the master and can work independently, and the left one is the slave, which connects only through the right one. To use the left one separately, you will need to flash it (risky!) or buy an adapter.

How do I check if my model supports mono-mode?

Check the model name on the box or in the Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear app. Check the compatibility table in this article. If your model isn't on the list, try plugging the headphone separately -- if it flashes white for more than 30 seconds, there's support.

Can I connect a Xiaomi headphone to a TV?

Yes, if your TV supports Bluetooth. For example, on Xiaomi TV or Samsung QLED, open Settings → Sound → Sound → Bluetooth devices and select an earpiece. For older TVs, use a Bluetooth transmitter (such as 1Mii B06).

What if the headphones stopped syncing after reset?

Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid for 20 seconds. Then pull them out, they must automatically sync (white light blinks). If it doesn't work, repeat the reset, but hold the button on the case for 25 to 30 seconds.