How to use Xiaomi AirDots headphones: from connectivity to hidden features

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including AirDots Pro, AirDots 2/3 and AirDots Youth) have become some of the most popular accessories thanks to a combination of sound quality, convenience and affordable price. However, even these simple devices have nuances in management, connectivity and configuration that are not always obvious at first glance. This article will help you understand all the subtleties from basic smartphone connectivity to hidden features and solving typical problems.

We’ll look at not only the official instructions, but also practical life hacks that the manufacturer doesn’t always mention, such as how to reset headphones if they stop syncing, or how to activate low latency for games, and focus on compatibility with Xiaomi devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) and other brands – iPhone, Samsung, Windows PC.

If you have just bought AirDots or have been using them for a long time, but want to unleash their potential to 100% - this article is for you. Let's start with the most important thing: how to connect headphones to your phone or computer.

1. Connect Xiaomi AirDots to a smartphone or PC

The process of connecting AirDots to a device depends on the type of device (Android/iOS/Windows) and the headphone model. The general principle is the same, but there are important nuances for each platform.

First, make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator on the case should be white or green when it opens). If the indicator is red or flashing, plug the case into charging for 10-15 minutes. Also check that your device is Bluetooth enabled (Settings). → Connections → Bluetooth on Android or Settings → Bluetooth on iOS).

• 📱 Android (Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO): Use the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app for quick connection and access to additional settings.
• 🍎 iPhone/iPad: Connect as a normal Bluetooth device through Settings → Bluetooth, but some features (such as displaying battery power) may not work.
• 💻 Windows/macOS: You need to manually add the device to the Bluetooth menu. 10/11 Select Adding the device → Bluetooth and wait for Mi AirDots to appear on the list.

To activate the pairing mode:

1. Take both headphones out of the case - they will automatically turn on.
2. Press the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds, until the indicators start flashing white and red (on AirDots Pro 2 models - only white).
3. In the list of available Bluetooth devices, select Mi AirDots Basic_R (Or a similar name for your model).
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone/PC.

2. Headphone control: gestures and buttons

Xiaomi AirDots supports touch control (touching the panel) or physical buttons (on older models). Gesture functions can be reassigned in the proprietary app, but by default they are:

On models with physical buttons (such as AirDots Basic):

• 🎵 Single press: playback/pause.
• 🔀 Double tap: next track (only on the right earpiece).
• 📞 Retention: Rejecting a call or activating a voice assistant.

Important: on headphones without a display (unlike Xiaomi Buds), there is no visual feedback about the gesture being triggered - focus on the sound signal (squeak) or the phone's reaction.

3.Configure via Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear app

The Mi Home and Xiaomi Wear apps (available for Android and iOS) offer additional AirDots features that are not available through standard Bluetooth settings.

• 🔊 Set up an equalizer (preset profiles or customized profiles).
• 🎧 Reassign control gestures (for example, make a double touch to call the voice assistant).
• 🔋 View the charge level of the case and each headphone separately.
• 🔄 Update the firmware of headphones (if available for your model).

To connect headphones to the application:

1. Install Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear from Google Play/App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!).
3. Click Add Device (+) → Select Audio → Headphones → Your AirDots model.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to confirm pairing via Bluetooth).

If the headphones are not defined in the annex:

⚠️ Note: Make sure you are using the latest version of the app. On iPhone, some features (such as firmware) may not be available due to Apple restrictions.

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If the app doesn’t show the charge level of the headphones, try turning them off and reconnect them via Bluetooth, then update the data in Mi Home (pull the screen down).

Sound and noise cancellation modes

AirDots Pro 2, AirDots 3 and later support active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode.

• 🎛️ Gestures: Touchbar retention for 2 seconds (configurable in the app).
• 📱 Annex: tab Sound → Noise suppression.

Comparison of regimes:

On models without ANC (such as AirDots Basic), you can improve sound through the equalizer in the Mi Home app.

• 🎶 For music: increase the frequencies of 60–250 Hz (bass) and 2–6 kHz (medium).
• 🎤 For podcasts: Raise 500Hz – 2kHz (voice).
• 🎮 For games: disable the equalizer or select the Dynamic profile.

5. Problems and solutions

Even reliable Xiaomi AirDots sometimes fail, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

🔌 Headphones don't connect to the phone

• 📱 Reboot Bluetooth: Turn off and turn on the module on your phone again.
• 🔄 Reset the headphones: Put them in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out and hold the buttons for 15 seconds until red/white flashes.
• 🗑️ Remove the device from the list of conjugates in Bluetooth settings and connect again.

🎧 One earpiece is down.

• 🔋 Check the charge: put the problem headphone in the case for 5 minutes.
• 🧹 Clean contacts in the case and on the headphone with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
• 🔄 Perform reset (see instructions above).

🔊 Poor sound quality (wheezing, cliffs)

• 📶 Make sure the distance to the phone is no more than 10 meters (no obstacles).
• 🎛️ In Bluetooth settings, select Sound Quality Priority (if any).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones or reset the network settings on the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones stop working after falling or getting moisture, don’t try to disassemble them yourself! AirDots models use adhesive joints, and unprofessional repairs can damage microphones or battery.

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Most connectivity problems are solved by resetting your headphones and re-pairing. If that doesn’t work, check your model’s compatibility with the device (e.g., old AirDots Basic may not work properly with the iPhone 14+).

6.Reset to factory settings

If the headphones are not synchronized, connected or malfunctioning, a complete reset will help.The instructions are suitable for all AirDots models, but may be slightly different for the stitched versions:

1. Place both headphones in a charged case (the indicator should burn white/green).
2. Close the case cover and wait 10 seconds.
3. Open the lid and get the headphones out.
4. Press the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white (on AirDots Pro 2 – only white).
5. Put the headphones back in the case - the reset is complete.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The headphones are automatically synchronized with each other.
• 📱 They need to be reconnected to the phone/PC.
• ⚙️ All personal settings (gestures, equalizer) are reset.

If the dumping didn't help:

⚠️ Attention: Headphones may have suffered a software failure after a failed firmware update. In this case, try updating the software through the Mi Home app or contact the service. Do not use third-party firmware - this will deprive you of warranty!

7. Operation and care advice

To make Xiaomi AirDots last longer, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charging: Use the original cable or a certified USB-Type-C. Do not leave your headphones in your case for more than 24 hours on charge - this reduces battery life. Charge at a temperature of 10-35°C (not in the sun or in the cold).
• 🧼 Clean: Clean the mesh speakers with a soft brush (such as a toothbrush) 1 time per week. To remove earwax, use a dry cotton swab (not alcohol!). Wipe the body with a microfiber cloth slightly moistened in soapy solution.
• 💧 Protection from moisture: AirDots models Basic/Pro protect IPX4 — They can withstand splashes, but not water immersion. 1–2 Do not use your headphones in the rain or in the shower.

Critical: If your headphones get wet, turn them off immediately, dry them with a fan (not a hairdryer!) for 12 hours and then try to turn them on. Don't put them in rice or silica gel -- it's useless for electronics.

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Use the original case to store your headphones, which protects against dust and mechanical damage. If the case is lost, buy a magnetically-fixed case (for example, from Baseus or Spigen).

8 Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi AirDots has some non-obvious features that are not mentioned in the official instructions:

• 🎮 Low Delay Mode: Activated via Mi Home → Headphone settings → Play mode. Reduces the latency to 80–100 MS (good for shooters and rhythm games) only works on Android and Xiaomi/POCO/Redmi smartphone.
• 🔊 Mono mode (one earphone): Take out only one earpiece from the case, it automatically connects as a mono device, suitable for calls or podcasts when the second earpiece is discharged.
• 📡 Connect to two devices: Connect your headphones to the first device (like your phone); turn off Bluetooth on the first device and connect to the second device (laptop); Limit: AirDots can’t work with two devices at the same time (unlike Xiaomi Buds 4).
• 🔋 Quick charge check: Open the case next to the connected Xiaomi smartphone – a pop-up with the level of charge will appear. On the iPhone, the charge level is displayed in the Battery widget (you need to add manually).

For AirDots Pro 2 and later, voice notifications (such as low charge or incoming call) are available. → Voice prompts.

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Low-latency mode (Game Mode) greatly improves the mobile gaming experience, but can reduce battery life by 10-15%.

FAQ: Frequent questions