Resetting settings on headphones Xiaomi Airdots: a full guide for all models

Xiaomi Airdots are some of the most popular wireless headsets, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even such reliable devices sometimes start to malfunction: do not connect to the phone, periodically turn off, give distorted sound or do not respond to touch. 90% of these problems solve factory resets – a procedure that returns the headphones to the original settings, as if you just unpacked them.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to reset correctly across Xiaomi Airdots models (including Airdots Basic, Airdots Pro, Airdots 2/3 and Redmi Airdots), why it might not work the first time, and what to do if the headphones don’t work after the reset anyway, and how to avoid the typical mistakes users make when trying to return the device to factory settings.

When you need to reset settings on Xiaomi Airdots

Resetting headphones is not necessary for any small thing, but only in cases where other methods have not worked.

• 🔌 Headphones do not connect to a phone or PC, although they used to work stably.
• 🔊 The sound is interrupted, distorted or lost in one of the headphones.
• 🎧 One earphone discharges much faster than the other or does not charge at all.
• 👆 Touch buttons do not respond to touch or trigger arbitrarily.
• 🔄 Headphones spontaneously disconnect from the device after 5-10 seconds after connecting.
• 📱 Bluetooth settings show an error: "Device not supported" or "Unable to connect".

If the problem is hardware-related (such as physical damage to the speaker or battery), resetting won't help. In such cases, it requires repair or replacement of the headphones. To distinguish a software failure from a breakdown, try connecting the headset to another device. If the problem persists on all gadgets, it is likely that the firmware or settings are to blame.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse resetting with firmware updates. Reset erases all user data (such as your Mi Account link) but doesn’t change the software version" (OTA), After reset, check for new versions in the Mi Home app.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, follow a few simple steps to avoid additional problems:

1. Charge the headphones and the case. Make sure that the charge level of both earphones is not lower than 30%, and the case has at least 50% charge. Resetting when the battery level is low can lead to incomplete erasure of settings or "hang" of the firmware.
2. Turn off the headphones from all devices. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone, PC or tablet and remove Xiaomi Airdots from the list of associated devices, which will prevent conflicts when you reconnect.
3. Check the firmware version. In the Mi Home app (Device Profile section), see the current version of the software. If it is outdated, update the firmware immediately after reset.
4. Prepare an alternative sound source. At the time of the reset, connect other headphones or speakers to the phone so you don't miss important notifications.

If you are using Xiaomi Airdots Pro 2 or a newer model with support for Dual Device Connection (simultaneous connection to two devices), before reset, disconnect the headset from both gadgets. Otherwise, there may be a synchronization error between the headphones.

Step-by-step: how to reset Xiaomi Airdots to factory settings

The reset procedure varies slightly depending on the headphone model. Below are instructions for the most popular versions. If your model is not on the list, use the Airdots Basic method - it is universal for most Xiaomi headsets.

Method 1: For Xiaomi Airdots Basic, Airdots 2, Airdots 3, Redmi Airdots

This method works for most models without touch buttons or with physical control buttons.

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then open the lid.
3. Press and hold the button on the case (usually side or back) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white alternately.
4. Release the button. The headphones automatically reboot and reset to the factory settings.
5. Close the case cover, wait 30 seconds, then remove the headphones - they are ready for a new pairing.

Method 2: For Xiaomi Airdots Pro, Airdots Pro 2 (touch control)

Models with touch panels are reset differently:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. The headphones will flash red, then white. Release the buttons.
4. Place the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
5. Get your headphones out – they should automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white light).

If the headphones don't flash white after reset, repeat the procedure by holding the buttons 2-3 seconds longer. Sometimes the sensors react with a delay.

Method 3: For Xiaomi Airdots Youth Edition (youth version)

This model requires a slightly different sequence:

1. Place the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press the button on the case 5 times in a row with an interval of 1 second.
3. Open the cover - the indicator should flash purple (a combination of red and blue).
4. Close the lid and wait 30 seconds. The headphones will reset and be ready for a new connection.

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If the headphones do not connect after reset, try resetting Bluetooth settings on your phone (in the menu "System → Reset → Network Settings Reset").

What to do if the reset did not help: alternative solutions

In rare cases, resetting does not solve the problem, but it may be because:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (earphones cannot complete the procedure).
• 📱 Conflict with the firmware of the phone (especially on custom ROM or beta versions of Android).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction (damaged Bluetooth module or contacts in the case).
• 🔄 Incomplete reset (if you interrupt the procedure before the time).

If the headphones still don’t work after reset, try the following steps:

1. Update the headphone firmware

Outdated software may cause incompatibility with new versions of Android/iOS. To update the firmware:

1. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Home, find Airdots in the device list, and check for updates in the Device Profile section.
4. If the update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

2. Check compatibility with the device

Some Xiaomi Airdots models (especially early versions) may not work properly with:

• 📱 Phones on Android 12+ Due to changes in the Bluetooth protocol.
• 🍎 iPhone devices with iOS 15 and newer (codec issues) AAC).
• 💻 Windows laptops 10/11 with outdated Bluetooth drivers.

Solution: try connecting the headphones to another device, and if they're stable, the problem is with your device settings.

3. Clear the case and headphone contacts

Contaminated or oxidized contacts can interfere with normal charging and synchronization. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol (do not use water!).

• 🔌 Metal contacts on headphones and inside the case.
• 🧲 Magnets that fix headphones in the case.

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations headphones still do not work, and the warranty period has not expired, contact the service center Xiaomi!

How to avoid problems after resetting: tips for setting up

After a successful reset, the headphones will return to the factory settings and will have to be reconfigured. Here are some tips to avoid repeated failures:

• 🔄 Don’t connect your headphones to multiple devices at the same time (unless the model supports Dual Connection.
• 📱 Turn off the headphones correctly: via the Bluetooth menu on your phone or the power button on the case. Do not pull them out of your ears while playing, this can lead to synchronization errors.
• 🔋 Watch your charge level: Headphones discharged below 10% can unpredictably shut down or lose connection.
• 🎵 Set up a sound profile: in the Mi Home app, select the optimal mode (Basic boost, Clear voice or Balanced).
• 🛡️ Turn off the Bluetooth power-saving mode on your phone (in battery settings.

If you are using Xiaomi Airdots Pro 2 or a new model with Mi AI Assistant support, you will have to reset the voice assistant after reset.

1. Open Mi Home and select your headphones.
2. Go to Settings. → Voice assistant.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to link to your Xiaomi account.

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After reset, the headphones may temporarily perform worse than before. That's normal: they need 1-2 charge/discharge cycles to stabilize performance.

Frequent errors when resetting settings and how to avoid them

Many users make the same mistakes that cause the reset to fail or fail, and the most common ones are:

Another common mistake is trying to reset the settings through the Mi Home app. At the time of writing (2026), no Airdots model supports software resets. All instructions on the Internet that suggest doing this through the app are outdated or apply to other devices (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds).

If you see the Mi Home Reset button, it's about the app's settings, not the headphones themselves. Pressing it won't affect the headset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Airdots Reset