How to connect the second wireless headphone Xiaomi to the phone: the full guide

Did you pull out of the box new wireless headphones Xiaomi, but faced with a problem: the phone sees only one of them? or after updating the firmware second headphone stopped connecting? TWS-Headphones from Redmi, Mi or Poco, the reasons can be different, from the banal discharge of the battery to the failure of synchronization between the headphones.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to connect the second headphone to the Xiaomi smartphone, including the Redmi Note, Mi 11/12/13, Poco F/X and others.

• 🔍 Check if the phone sees both headphones in the list of devices
• 🔄 Reset the headphone settings to the factory
• 📱 Set up sync via Mi Earphones or AIoT
• 🔋 Eliminate problems with nutrition and charging the case
• 🛠️ Update the headphone firmware to correct errors

Important: Instructions are suitable for most models TWS-Xiaomi headphones, including Redmi Buds 3/4/5 Pro, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/3, Poco Buds X1 And others. If your model isn't mentioned, don't worry, the algorithm of action is universal.

1. Check basic settings before connecting

Before you start complex manipulations, make sure that the problem is not the obvious. Often the second earphone will not connect because:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones or case
• 📴 Bluetooth disabled on your phone
• 🎧 Incorrect removal of headphones from the case
• 🔄 Automatic connection to another device (laptop, tablet)

Start with the simplest:

1. Open the case cover and make sure both headphones are in their seats.Indicators should flash white or red (depending on the model).
2. Take both headphones out of the case at the same time – they should automatically turn on and synchronize with each other (you will hear the beep).
3. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Bluetooth and make sure the feature is enabled. If the headphones have already been connected before, remove them from the list (Forget the device).

Some models (like the Redmi Buds 4 Pro) have automatic role allocation between the headphones: one becomes Master (main), the other becomes Slave (subject). If the synchronization is broken, the phone can only "see" the main earphone.

2. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If the basic check didn't work, the next step is hard reset, which will bring the headphones back to the factory settings and make them sync again, and the instructions vary depending on the model.

After discharge:

1. Remove the headphones from the list of connected devices on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth → Forget the device).
2. Return the headphones to the case, then pull them out - they should automatically turn on and enter pairing mode (the indicator flashes white and red).
3. On your phone, click Add a new device and select your headphones from the list.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are still out of sync after reset, check the case charge.Some models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite) require a minimum of 30% charge to properly operate the reset function.

Put both headphones in the case

Make sure the case is charged (the indicator is green)

Remove headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone

Close and open the case cover again.-->

3.Use of Xiaomi's proprietary applications

Some headphone models (such as Mi True Wireless 3 or Redmi Buds 4 Pro) require special software to work properly. Xiaomi offers two official apps:

• 📱 Mi Earphones – for audio tuning, charge check and firmware updates
• 🏠 Mi Home / AIoT – for integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem (if the headphones support the function)

How to connect headphones through Mi Earphones:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Open the app and allow access to Bluetooth and Notifications.
3. Take the headphones out of the case, and the app should automatically detect them. If that doesn't happen, click Add the device manually.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the pairing.

In the appendix, you can:

• 🔊 Set up equalizer and noise reduction modes (if supported)
• 📊 View the charge level of each headphone and case
• 🔄 Update the firmware (if a new version is available)
• 🎧 Check synchronization between headphones (in the Device Status section)

⚠️ Note: If only one headphone is displayed in the Mi Earphones app, it means that the sync between them is broken. Try resetting the headphones (section 2) or updating the firmware (section 5).

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If the app can't see the headphones, try turning off Bluetooth on your phone, then turn it on again and repeat the search. Sometimes it helps to reboot the smartphone.

4.Power and charging problems

One of the most common reasons that the second earbud doesn't connect is because it's not charging enough, and the problem can be in the earbud itself, or in the case, and here's how to diagnose and fix problems.

• 🔋 Case charge check: Connect the case to the charger. If the indicator does not burn or flashes red, the case is discharged. Charge it for at least 30 minutes before re-attempting to connect.
• ⚡ Contact check: Check the metal contacts in the case and on headphones. If they are contaminated or oxidized, gently clean them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔄 Forced recharge: Some models (e.g. Redmi Buds) 3 Pro) require the battery to be "reset" and put the headphones in the case, plug the case into the charger and hold it like this. 10-15 minutes, even if the indicator does not burn.

If one of the headphones is discharged more than the other, the case can prioritize charging the more discharged device.

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Place only the problem headphone back and close the lid.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes, then take it out and check the connection.

Critical information: Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Lite and Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S headphones have a known problem with the power controller. If one of the headphones discharges in 10-15 minutes after full charging, this may indicate a malfunction of the battery or board, in which case a replacement is required under warranty.

5. Update to the headphone firmware

If the second headphone connects but is unstable (e.g., it shuts down after a few minutes or makes noise), the problem may be with outdated firmware.

How to update firmware:

1. Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone and are charged at least 50%.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app and go to About Device or Settings.
3. If an update is available, you will see a notification.Click Update and wait until the process is complete (don't turn off Bluetooth!).
4. After the update, restart the headphones (put them back in the case and get them out again).

For some models (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) the firmware update is available only through Mi Home:

1. Add headphones to the Mi Home app (Smart Devices → Add Device).
2. Go to the headphone settings and check for updates in the firmware section.
3. If an update is available, connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network (updating over the air can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process! If the headphones turn off during the update installation, they may stop turning on. In this case, you will need to reset through the service menu (instruction in section 6).

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The firmware update is the only way to fix the left/right earphone error on Redmi Buds 3 Pro and Mi True Wireless 3 with software older than 1.4.0.

6.Service commands and hidden functions

If standard methods didn't work, you can try service commands that reset headphone settings at a lower level. These commands don't work on all models, but can save the situation when the headphones don't respond to a regular reset.

Redmi Buds 4 Pro and Mi True Wireless 3

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 30 seconds until the indicator starts flashing green and red alternately.
3. Open the case cover - the headphones should automatically enter the pairing mode.

For Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.


2.Push and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds.




3. wait for the beep (two short squeaks) and the flashing of the white indicator.




4. Connect the headphones to the phone manually via Bluetooth.

If the headphones still don’t sync, try forced reconnecting through developer mode on your Xiaomi phone:

1. Activate Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Bluetooth debugging option and turn it on.
4. Remove the headphones from the list of devices and connect them again.

Hardware malfunctions and warranty repairs

If none of the above methods worked, the problem could be hardware.

• 🔌 Damage to charging contacts in the case or on headphones
• 🔋 Bloating or failure of the battery in one of the headphones
• 📡 Bluetooth module malfunction (more common after falls or moisture ingestion)
• 🛠️ Antenna damage in the headphone (typical for models with flexible printed circuit board)

How to diagnose a hardware problem:

• 🔍 Check if the indicator on the problem headphone is on when you remove it from the case. If not, you may have a battery or board malfunction.
• 🎧 Try connecting your headphones to another device (laptop, tablet) and if the problem persists, it's the headphones.
• 🔊 Listen, if the earphone makes sounds when you connect, the absence of an audible signal may indicate damage to the speaker or microphone.

If the headphones are warranty:

1. Save a check or confirmation of purchase (e-check from the online store).
2. Contact the Xiaomi Authorized Service Center, and you can find a list of the centers on the website. mi.com/ru/service.
3. Pack your headphones and case in the original box (if it is preserved).

The average cost of repairing Xiaomi headphones is out of warranty:

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble your headphones for repair! Most Xiaomi models have adhesive body joint, and if you open the phone in a careless way, you can damage the antenna or speaker.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi headphones