How to connect to headphones Xiaomi Air 2: instructions for Android and iPhone

Xiaomi Air 2 (or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) wireless headphones remain popular due to the balance of price, sound quality and battery life. However, even with such devices, users face difficulties when connecting first — especially if it is about pairing with non-original firmware or after resetting. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of connecting (including hidden modes), typical errors and nuances of working with different operating systems.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi Air 2 supports Bluetooth 5.0, but their behavior may differ depending on the version of the headphone and smartphone software. For example, an iPhone with iOS 16+ may require additional setting of access rights, and Android 12+ may require disabling energy-saving functions for stable operation. We tested all scenarios and collected current data for 2026 (including bypassing restrictions for devices with root rights).

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing, make sure that the Xiaomi Air 2 headphones are fully charged. The indicator on the case of the charging case should burn white (at a charge level above 30%) or orange (if the charge is lower). If the indicator does not glow at all, place the headphones in the case and connect it to the power source for 10-15 minutes.

To activate the pairing mode:

• 🔋 Take both headphones out of the case – they should automatically turn on (you will hear a beep).
• 📱 Hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.
• 🔍 On your smartphone, turn on Bluetooth and find Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (or Xiaomi Air 2) in the list of devices).

If the headphones are not determined, check:

• 🔄 Are they already on the list of conjugate devices (sometimes you need to delete the old pair and reconnect).
• 🛠️ Is the phone activated flight mode or background restriction for Bluetooth (on Android it is configured in Settings) → Annexes → Special access).

2. Android Connection: A Step-by-Step Guide

On devices running Android 10 and later, the connection is automatically via the standard Bluetooth menu.

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth (the path may differ depending on the shell – MIUI, One UI, etc.).
2. Activate your search for new devices and select Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 from the list.
3. Confirm the pairing on your phone and headphones (if required). Xiaomi/Redmi s MIUI 12+ a pop-up window may appear with a proposal to install the Mi Earphones proprietary application - its installation is not required, but gives access to the equalizer and sensor configuration.

If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted or absent:

• 🎵 Check if left/right earphone only is activated (double touch on the sensor switches modes).
• 📶 Make sure there are no interference sources nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices at 2.4 GHz).
• 🔧 In Bluetooth settings, click on the gear icon next to Xiaomi Air 2 and select Audio Codec – preferably. AAC (for the balance of quality; or SBC (stability).

Make sure your headphones are charged | Activate Bluetooth on your phone |Delete old pairings (if any) |Select the AAC/SBC codec in the settings-->

Hidden feature: On MIUI 13+, you can turn on low latency for headphones.

1. Connect Xiaomi Air 2 to your phone.
2. Open the settings → Sound → Sound quality.
3. Select Low Latency (only when you are actively connected).

3. iPhone (iOS) connection: features and limitations

On iPhones with iOS 14 and newer, Xiaomi Air 2 connects as a standard Bluetooth device, but there are important points:

• 🍎 A pop-up with a suggestion to download the Mi Earphones app will not appear — it is not in the App Store. All settings will have to be done manually through Settings. → Bluetooth.
• 🔊 iOS is using a codec by default AAC, It's a solution that provides good audio quality, but can cause delays when watching videos).
• 📱 On iOS 16.+ You may need to allow Bluetooth access in your privacy settings for certain applications (e.g. YouTube or Spotify).

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the search.
2. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the sensors until the indicators flash.
3. In the list of devices, select Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 and confirm the connection.
4. If the sound goes only to one headphone, reboot Bluetooth on the iPhone (turn off / turn on the Control Point).

⚠️ Note: There is no official dual connection support (to both phone and PC) on iOS. If you need this feature, use Android or dedicated Bluetooth transmitters.

4. Solving Connection Problems

If the Xiaomi Air 2 headphones are not defined or are connected with errors, use this table:

If none of the methods did not help, try resetting the headphones to the factory settings:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Open the case lid.
3. Hold the touchpad on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red 3 times.
4. After resetting, reconnect the headphones.

5. Additional functions and hidden capabilities

Besides basic connectivity, the Xiaomi Air 2 supports a few useful features that many don’t know about:

• 🎶 Customization of controls: Double touching includes voice assistant by default, but on Android with Mi Earphones app you can reassign actions to switch tracks or adjust volume.
• 🔋 Quick charge check: On MIUI The charge level of the headphones and the case is displayed in the status bar when you open the cover. On iOS, you need to use the Battery widget (added to the Control Point).
• 🎤 Transparency mode: Activated by triple tapping on any earpiece, allowing you to hear surrounding sounds without removing your headphones (useful outside).
• 🔄 Auto Connection: On Android 11+ You can enable the option Automatic connection in Bluetooth settings so that the headphones connect to the phone immediately after extraction from the case.

Switchable chips: Some firmware versions (e.g. V12.2.6.0) have a Game Sound mode available that reduces latency to 80ms.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app.
3. Go to Sound Settings → Sound Mode and select Game Mode.

💡

If you have Xiaomi Air 2 SE (modification for the global market), then use the official Xiaomi Wear app to update your firmware, not Mi Earphones. It provides additional equalizer settings and device authentication.

6. Compatibility with other devices (PC, Mac, Smart TV)

Xiaomi Air 2 can be connected not only to smartphones, but also to other gadgets.

• 💻 Windows 10/11: Connection is standard through the settings → Devices → Bluetooth.To work stably, install Qualcomm Atheros drivers (if the sound is interrupted).
• 🍎 MacOS: Headphones are defined as Mi True Wireless, but may not support codec AAC. In this case, the sound will be transmitted through SBC (lower).
• 📺 Smart TV (Android TV, Tizen, webOS: Connection is possible, but with a sound delay of up to 200-300 ms. The solution is to use a Bluetooth transmitter with support for aptX Low Latency.

To connect to Windows:

1. Open Start → Settings → Devices → Add Bluetooth or another device.
2. Select Bluetooth and wait for the Xiaomi Air 2 to appear on the list.
3. Confirm pairing. If only one earphone is playing, update the sound card drivers.

⚠️ Note: Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.) may require manual installation of pulseaudio-module-bluetooth and bluez packets for proper operation. Installation commands: sudo apt update sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth bluez After installation restart the Bluetooth service: sudo systemctl restart bluetooth.

7. firmware update: when and how to do it

Xiaomi Air 2 firmware is automatically updated via the Mi Earphones app (Android only).However, there are cases when manual updates are required:

• 🔄 Bugs appeared (for example, spontaneously turning off one headphone).
• 🎵 New firmware version adds codec support LC3 (energy consumption).
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities (relevant for corporate use).

How to update firmware:

1. Install the latest version of the Mi Earphones app from Google Play.
2. Put the headphones on the phone.
3. Open the application and go to the Firmware Update section.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

💡

Do not interrupt the firmware update process, this can lead to the "bricking" of the headphones (they will stop turning on). If the update is suspended, put the headphones in the case, close the lid and try again in 5 minutes.

List of the latest firmware versions (current for 2026):

8. Frequent questions and answers