How to connect the second headphone Xiaomi Redmi Airdots: full instructions with solutions to problems

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones (including Redmi Airdots models) 2/3/Pro/S) They are among the most popular budgets. TWS-But many users face a common problem: once connected to a phone, only one headphone works, and the second one remains silent or not detected at all. The reasons can be different – from the banal discharge of the battery to the failure of synchronization between headphones.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to connect the second headphone, including forced resynchronization, resetting settings and diagnostics of hardware malfunctions. You will learn how to distinguish a software failure from a breakdown, what manipulations will help restore the headset without contacting the service center, and what to do if the headphones stopped synchronizing after updating the firmware of the smartphone. The instructions are valid for all versions of Redmi Airdots and are compatible with the Android/iOS.

Why the second headphone Redmi Airdots: the main reasons

Before you start setting up, it's important to understand why one of the headphones fell off. 80 percent of the time, the problem is software-based and solved without disassembling the device.

• 🔋 Battery discharge – The second earphone may not turn on due to full discharge, even if the first one is still running.
• 🔄 Synchronization failure – the headphones lost communication with each other (typically after a long downtime or update of the phone software).
• 📱 Conflict with Bluetooth – the smartphone “forgot” one of the headphones or connects only to the main (right).
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage - ingress of moisture, fall or wear of contacts in the case.
• 🔧 Outdated firmware – some Redmi Airdots 3 Pro models require an update via the Mi Home app.

The easiest way to diagnose this is to put both earbuds in a case for 10 to 15 seconds, then remove them and wait for the indication. If the second headphone doesn't flash a white/red LED, the problem is more hardware. If it flashes, but only one connects, it's synchronization.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones were purchased separately (not included), they may belong to different batches and not support pair work. Check the serial numbers on the box or in the Bluetooth settings.

Preparation for connection: charge check and reset settings

Before you manipulate your headphones, make sure they're charged, and even if the indicator on the case is green, it doesn't guarantee 100% charge for both.

1. Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid. Connect the case to charge for 30-60 minutes (use the original USB-C or Micro-USB cable depending on the model).
2. Remove the headphones from the case - on each should flash a white indicator (meaning they are on and ready to pair).
3. If the indicator does not flash, press and hold the button on the headphone for 10 seconds until you see a red light (reset).

If after charging the second headphone still does not respond, try a forced reset:

1. Press and hold the button on the WORKING Earphone for 15-20 seconds.


2. Wait for the indicator to go out, then flash red and white.




3. Repeat for the second headphone.




4.Put both in the case for 5 seconds, then retrieve.

This method often helps if the headphones have “forgotten” each other after connecting to another device.

Synchronization of headphones with each other (pair connection)

If both earbuds are flashing, but the phone only sees one, forced synchronization is required.

For Redmi Airdots 1/2:

1. Remove both earphones from the case.
2. Press and hold the buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. Release when the indicators start flashing alternately red and white (Sync mode).
4. Wait for 20-30 seconds – the headphones should “find” each other (the indicators blink synchronously white).

For Redmi Airdots 3/Pro/S:

1. Put the headphones in the case, close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
3. Remove the headphones – they are automatically synchronized.

If the synchronization is not successful, repeat the process by resetting the settings (see the previous section).

Both headphones are charged (white flashing indicator)|

Reset setup performed (red indicator when holding the button)|

The headphones are synchronized (blinking synchronously) |

Bluetooth on your phone is enabled and visible for all devices-->

Connecting to the phone: step-by-step instructions

When the headphones are synchronized, you just have to connect them to your smartphone, and the algorithm is the same for Android and iOS, but there are some nuances:

1. Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on your phone and turn it on.
2. Remove both headphones from the case – they should automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white light).
3. In the list of available devices, find Redmi Airdots_R or Redmi Airdots_L (where R is right, L is left).
4. Click on the name of the headphones to connect. PIN-code, enter 0000.

Important: Some models (like the Redmi Airdots S) can be displayed as one device — Redmi Airdots without suffixes. In this case, connect to it, and both earphones will work automatically.

⚠️ Note: iPhone (iOS) may require additional connection confirmation in the top pop-up window. If the sound is only going to one headphone, check the mono/stereo settings in Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Stereo balance.

Update to the firmware via Mi Home (for Redmi Airdots 3/Pro/S)

If the headphones are connected but are not stable (sound is cut off, the second earphone is turned off), the problem may be in outdated firmware. Redmi Airdots 3/Pro/S models are updated via the official Mi Home app:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone (see the previous section).
3. Open Mi Home, press + → Add device → Headphones.
4. Select your Redmi Airdots model and follow the instructions on the screen.
5. If an update is available, confirm its installation (earphones should lie in the case!).

The update process takes 2-5 minutes. Don't remove the headphones from the case or close the application until it's finished. After the update, reset and re-sync.

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If Mi Home doesn’t see the headphones, try changing the region in the app profile to China – sometimes this helps detect the device.

What to do if nothing helps: Diagnostics of malfunctions

If the second earpiece doesn't work after all the manipulations, the reason may be hardware.

• 🔌 Contact problems in the case - clean the contacts on the headphone and in the case with an alcohol napkin.
• 💧 Moisture intake – if the earphone falls into water or is used in the rain, drying is required (put in rice for 24 hours).
• 🔊 Faulty speaker -- hold the earphone to your ear and turn on the music at maximum volume. If you hear a quiet crackle or no sound at all, the speaker is damaged.
• 🔋 Bloated battery – carefully disassemble the earphone (at your own risk!) and check the battery.

Redmi Airdots will need a plastic blade and a hair dryer to disassemble the adhesive.

• Battery (usually 3.7V 43mAh)
• Board with Bluetooth module and button.
• Dynamic (soldered to the board).

⚠️ Attention: Self-repair is not warranty! If headphones are warranty, contact the Xiaomi service center with a check. The cost of repairing the speaker or replacing the battery in official centers is from 800 to 1500 rubles.

Alternative ways to use a single headphone

If you can't get the second headphone back up, but the first one's working, you can use it separately.

1. Reset the headphone settings (hold the 10 seconds button to the red indicator).
2. Connect to it via Bluetooth as a mono headset (the name will be Redmi). Airdots_R or Redmi Airdots_L).
3. On Android in Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to the headphone name and select Use for calls.

Note: mono mode will not have stereo sound, and the operating time will be reduced by about 30% (since one earphone consumes energy faster than a pair).

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If you use one headphone for calls, turn off the Noise Reduction function in Bluetooth settings – this will reduce the sound latency.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions