How to connect headphones Xiaomi AirDots to the smartphone: instruction + error solving

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including the Pro, Pro 2, 3, SE) have been a hit thanks to a combination of price and quality. But even with such popular gadgets, users often have difficulties when connecting for the first time — the device is not located, the sound is interrupted, or one earphone does not work. This article will help you understand everything from basic settings to solving non-obvious problems.

We're going to look at not only the standard Bluetooth pairing, but also alternatives for different scenarios: connecting to an iPhone, reconnecting after a reset, and what to do if the headphones refuse to connect to the phone. We're going to focus on AirDots' unique feature, which is the automatic switching between MIUI devices that many people don't know about.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with your phone, you need to activate your headphones correctly, and many people miss this step, which causes problems finding the device.

• 🔋 Charge the case: Connect the case to the power source on 30-60 Minutes (indicator must burn red while charging) Minimum charge for successful connection — 20%.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones: Take both earphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on (blitzes white indicator).If this does not happen, press and hold the touchpad on each earphone for 3 seconds.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (if previously connected): Place the headphones back in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.

Important: if the headphones are lit red, this means low charge (less than 10%), in which case the connection may be interrupted - it is better to wait for full charging. On AirDots 3 and later, the indication is implemented through the LED on the front panel of the case: white - ready to pair, blue - already connected to the device.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection (Android/iOS)

The basic pairing method is the same for most smartphones, but there are nuances for iPhones and devices on MIUI.

1. Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone: go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the switch.
2. Find the headphones in the list: in the section "Available devices" should appear the name Mi True Wireless Earphones (or AirDots_X, If the device is not displayed, update the list (Update button or swipe down).
3. Confirm pairing: click on the headphone name in the list. On Android, you may need to confirm the code (usually 0000 or 1234), on iOS, the connection is automatic.

On devices. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco s MIUI 12+ After the connection, a pop-up will appear with a proposal to install the Mi Earphones app (formerly Airdots App:

• 🎛️ Customize touch gestures (double touch, hold)
• 🔊 Adjustment of the equalizer and sound effects
• 📊 Check the level of charge of each headphone

Important for iPhone: iOS may not display the level of charge of the headphones in the status bar. To see it, add the Battery widget to the home screen (swipe right → Change → add a widget). Also on AirDots 3 and later, the feature of fast switching between iPhone and Mac (if both devices are tied to the same Apple ID).

3. Alternative ways of connecting

If the standard method didn't work, try one of these options, which is especially useful for device detection problems or after resetting.

Method 1: Manually adding the device (if the headphones are not displayed)

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Press "Add device" → "Untitled" (or "Other device").
3. Enter. MAC-Headphone address (indicated on the sticker under the case cover or in the documentation).

On iOS, manual addition to MAC-The address is not possible, but you can try it:

1. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again.
2. Reboot the iPhone.
3. Hold the button on the case for 10 seconds for forced pairing mode (the indicator will flash quickly white).

Method 2: Connect via the Mi Home app

This method works for AirDots Pro 2 and later:

1. Install the Mi Home app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Press "+" → "Add device" → select the category "Hearbursts".
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (may need to be scanned) QR-case-code).

Method 3: Connecting to two devices at the same time (multipoint)

Multipoint (simultaneous connection to two sources) is available only on AirDots 3 Pro and AirDots 4.

1. Connect the headphones to the first device (for example, a smartphone).
2. Open the case cover and hold the button on it for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue and red.
3. On the second device (laptop, tablet) start searching for Bluetooth devices and select Mi True Wireless Earphones.

⚠️ Warning: Multipoint connectivity may cause a delay in sound on one of the devices. To reset the settings, place the headphones in the case and hold the 15-second button.

4. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face common bugs, and we've put together proven solutions for each of them:

For AirDots Pro 2 and later, there is a hidden low-power function to activate it:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app.
3. Go to Settings → Battery → Economical mode.

In this mode, the operating time is increased by 20%, but the sound quality at high frequencies decreases.

💡

If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted when you move, try changing the Bluetooth codec in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → Build Number – press 7 times, then in Settings → System → For developers → Bluetooth Codec, select SBC instead of AAC).

5. Sensory control setup

Xiaomi AirDots headphones support gestures to control playback and calls. By default, the following commands are configured:

• ⏯️ Double touch: playback / pause (both headphones) or call voice assistant (left earphone on some models).
• 📞 Hold 1 second: Reject incoming call (on AirDots 3 – switch track forward/backward).
• 🔇 Holding 2 seconds: turn on/off noise reduction (AirDots 3 Pro).

To reassign gestures:

1. Open the Mi Earphones app.
2. Go to the Touch Control section.
3. Select the headphone (left/right) and assign an action for each gesture.

On iPhone, gesture settings are only possible for basic functions (play/pause, call response). Extended options (e.g., double-touch Siri) require:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the "i" icon next to AirDots.
3. Enable the option "Use as a headset".

⚠️ Attention: on AirDot models SE The touchpad is less sensitive, and the gesture requires a more confident touch (not a weak touch). If the commands are not recognized, try touching closer to the center of the panel.

6. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates fix connection errors, improve sound and add new features. You can check the relevance of the version through the Mi Earphones app:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the application and go to Settings → Firmware Update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

The update process takes 3-5 minutes. Interrupting the update can lead to the “bricking” of the headphones – in this case, only flashing through the Xiaomi service center will help.

If the headphones began to work unstable (self-disconnect, not synchronized), perform a complete reset:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Get your headphones out, they'll be ready for a new pairing.

💡

After resetting, the headphones will lose all user settings (gestures, equalizer), and they will have to be reconfigured through the Mi Earphones app.

7. Compatibility with other devices

Xiaomi AirDots headphones work not only with smartphones, but also with other gadgets.

• 💻 Laptops (Windows/macOS): Windows. 10/11: Launch → Parameters → Devices → Bluetooth → "Add a device. On Mac: In the menu bar, click on the Bluetooth icon → "Connect the device. To work smoothly, disable other Bluetooth devices (mouse, keyboard).
• 🎮 Game consoles (PS5, Nintendo Switch): PS5 Does not support AirDots directly – a Bluetooth adapter is required (e.g, 8BitDo WB02). Nintendo Switch: Connection is only possible "TV Mode" (via base) using an adapter.
• 📺 Televisions (Smart) TV): Xiaomi. TV: Settings → Bluetooth → Add the device. Samsung/LG: You may need to manually enter PIN-code (0000). Lip-sync (sound delay) is solved by choosing a codec. SBC customized TV.

To connect to Linux (Ubuntu, Mint) use the command in the terminal:

bluetoothctl


power on




agent on




scan on




pair [MAC- headphone address]




connect [MAC- headphone address]

MAC-The address can be found on a sticker under the case cover or via hcitool scan (you need to install a bluez package).

8. AirDots model comparison: which is better to choose?

If you haven’t bought a headphone yet, here’s a quick comparison of current models (for 2026):

For most users, AirDots 3 is the best choice: they offer balanced specs for a price. If noise reduction and long-term operation are important, consider AirDots 3 Pro or 4. The SE model is suitable for rare use (for example, for sports).

Note that AirDots 4 has LC3 (for Bluetooth 5.2+) support, which improves sound quality with low bitrate, but requires a smartphone with Android 12+ or iOS 16+ to work.

FAQ: Frequent questions