Synchronizing two Xiaomi Bluetooth headphones: a complete guide for all models

Stereosound through two separate headphones is one of the key features of modern TWS-But what if your Xiaomi or Redmi headphones suddenly stopped working in sync? Or you bought two identical headphones separately and you want to pair them? In this article, we will analyze all synchronization methods for AirDots, Buds, Earbuds and others, as well as solve typical problems: from different volume levels to the complete absence of sound in one headphone.

It's important to understand that pairing two headphones (inter-ear synchronization) is different from connecting them to a phone. Many users confuse these steps, which causes difficulties. We'll go through both scenarios in detail: when the headphones are new (and you need to "connect" them for the first time) and when they have been used but disconnected, and you'll learn which Xiaomi models support Dual Mode (simultaneous connection to two devices) and how this affects synchronization.

If your headphones don't work together, don't rush to bring them to the service. 90% of the time, the problem is solved software-just reset or update the firmware. And for owners of older models (for example, Mi AirDots Basic 2019), we have prepared separate recommendations, because their synchronization algorithm differs from modern Buds 4 Pro or FlipBuds Pro.

1. What Xiaomi headphones can be synchronized with each other

Not all Xiaomi wireless headphones support the mode TWS (True Wireless Stereo, where two headphones work independently but synchronize sound:

• 🔹 Supporting. TWS: all models of Mi AirDots, Redmi Buds, Xiaomi Buds, FlipBuds, Earbuds (for example, Buds) 3T Pro, AirDots 3 Pro).
• 🔸 Not supportive. TWS: old models with a neck strap (for example, Mi Bluetooth Neckband) or wired headphones with a Bluetooth adapter.
• 🔶 Special cases: Some models (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic) require manual synchronization when first connected.

It is also important to distinguish between synchronizing headphones (to work like a stereo) and connecting to a sound source (phone, laptop), the former automatically when removed from the case (for most models), and the latter requires manual pairing via Bluetooth Settings.

If you bought two identical headphones separately (for example, two left-handed Redmi Buds 3 Lite), they can not be synchronized with each other – they must be from the same set, in which case the only way out is to purchase a second headphone from the same pair (with the same serial number).

Preparation for synchronization: what to do before the start

Before you start pairing your headphones, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid the typical mistakes:

1. Charge your headphones and your case. Make sure that the charge level of each earphone is at least 30%. To check, put them in the case, the charge indicators should burn white or green.
2. Update the firmware. Outdated software can cause synchronization problems. For most Xiaomi models, the update is automatically when you connect to your phone via the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
3. Reset. If the headphones have been used, reset (instruction below), which is especially true if they were previously connected to another device.

For models with Dual Mode support (such as Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) turn off this mode in the application settings before synchronizing. Otherwise, the headphones may try to connect to two different devices at the same time, which will disrupt their communication with each other.

Charge the case and headphones to 100%|

Remove headphones from the list of associated devices on the phone |

Reset the headphone settings (if used previously)|

Update the firmware through Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear|

Disable Dual Mode (if supported)-->

If you use headphones with a wireless charging case (like the Redmi Buds 3 Pro), make sure the case is not in the charging station during synchronization.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to synchronize Xiaomi headphones with each other

The synchronization algorithm depends on the model and the current state of the headphones. Let's consider two main scenarios:

Scenario 1: First Connection (New Headphones)

1. Remove the headphones from the case. Wait for the lights on both earphones to flash white/red (pairing mode).
2. Wait for automatic synchronization. The headphones must emit an audible signal (usually a short double beep), and the indicators will flash synchronously, which means that they successfully communicated with each other.
3. Put it on the phone. → Bluetooth Find the device (e.g. Redmi Buds 4) and pair.

If the headphones are not synchronized automatically (the indicators flash out of sync or one of the headphones is not showing signs of life), move to manual sync (see scenario 2).

Scenario 2: Manual synchronization (if the headphones are disconnected)

1. Put both earphones in the case. Close the lid for 10 seconds, then open.
2. Press the buttons on both headphones. For touch-controlled models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro: tap and hold the touchpad on each earphone for 10-15 seconds until the lights start flashing red and white. For models with mechanical buttons (e.g. Redmi AirDots 2): press the physical button on each earphone.

Wait for the beep.

Put it on the phone.

Mi True Wireless Earphones

If after these actions, the headphones still do not sync, try resetting them to the factory settings (instructions in the next section).

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For Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and Buds 4 Pro models, after manual synchronization, it may be necessary to restart the phone so that the sound begins to play correctly in stereo mode.

4. Resetting headphone settings: when and how to do

Resetting to factory settings helps in cases where:

• 🔹 The headphones are not synchronized with each other despite repeated attempts.
• 🔸 One of the headphones does not connect or makes intermittent sound.
• 🔶 The headphones connect to the phone as two separate devices (e.g. Mi AirDots Left and Mi AirDots Right).

The discharge procedure depends on the model:

After reset, the headphones will automatically disconnect and be ready for a new synchronization, you will need to re-connect them (see section 3) and connect them to the phone.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after successful synchronization, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: One earphone is quieter than the other

This may be related to:

• 🔹 Clean the earphone with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔸 Different charge levels, fully discharge and charge both earbuds.
• 🔶 In the Bluetooth settings on your phone, check for Mono/Stereo or Sound Balance (e.g. on iPhone: Settings) → Universal access → Audiovisual → Stereo balance).

Problem 2: Headphones connect as two separate devices

That means that the internaural synchronization has failed.

• 🔹 Reset your settings (see Section 4).
• 🔸 Update the firmware through Mi Home.
• 🔶 Check if your model supports TWS (see section 1).

Problem 3: Headphones are constantly disconnecting

Possible causes:

• 🔹 Weak Bluetooth signal. Make sure the phone is within 10 meters of the headphones and there are no obstacles between them (walls, metal objects).
• 🔸 Conflict with other devices: Turn off Bluetooth on other gadgets (laptop, tablet) that may have previously connected to headphones.
• 🔶 Case malfunction: Try charging headphones from another case (if possible) or connecting them to charging directly (for wire-enabled models).

The headphones are not synchronized with each other.|

One earpiece is quieter than the other|

The headphones are connected as two separate devices.|

They are constantly disconnected during use.|

There was no problem.-->

6.Synchronization features for older models

Xiaomi headphones released before 2020 (for example, Mi AirDots Basic, Redmi AirDots first version), have unique synchronization features:

• 🔹 No automatic synchronization. The first connection requires manual pairing (see Scenario 2 in Section 3).
• 🔸 No voice tracking, focus only on light indicators (blinding red/white).
• 🔶 Frequent firmware issues: These models don’t get updates through Mi Home, so crashes may require PC flashing (instructions are available on forums). 4PDA or XDA Developers).

For Mi AirDots Basic (2019), the following synchronization algorithm is used:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press the buttons on both headphones for 5 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
3. Release the buttons and wait until the indicators start flashing synchronously white (this can take up to 30 seconds).
4. Connect to your phone as a single device (Mi) AirDots_Basic_R).

If you have this particular model and it refuses to sync, try this trick: put the headphones in the case, close the lid, then open it and quickly (within 2 seconds) press the buttons on both headphones. This sometimes works when the standard method does not help.

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For older Xiaomi models (2018-2019), it is recommended to completely discharge the headphones before syncing, then charge to 100%.

7. Diagnostic software tools

If manual methods don’t help, use Xiaomi’s specialized headphone diagnostic and management apps:

• 📱 Mi Home / Xiaomi Wear: Official firmware update and headphone status apps available for Android and iOS.
• 🛠️ nRF Connect (Android/iOS): It's a tool for testing Bluetooth connections, which helps you check if the phone can see both earbuds separately.
• 🎧 Earbuds Battery (Android): Shows the charge level of each earphone and case, which is useful for diagnosing power problems.

For advanced users:

• 🔧 ADB-commands: you can manually reset the Bluetooth module settings on the phone if the problem is there. For example, the command to reset the Bluetooth cache: adb shell pm clear com.android.bluetooth Attention: this will remove all the mated devices!

If you are using an iPhone, check the settings in Settings → Bluetooth → (i) next to the headphone name, where you can turn on the "Plug iPhone" option and turn off "Automatic switching" (if it interferes with stable operation).

8. When to contact the service

If all of these methods have not worked and the headphones are still out of sync, this may indicate a hardware malfunction.

⚠️ Attention: If one of the headphones is completely turned on (does not respond to charging, does not flash the indicator), do not try to disassemble it yourself. In 90% of cases, this leads to damage to the board, and repair becomes impossible.

• 🔹 Headphones do not charge in the case (the indicator does not burn).
• 🔸 One of the headphones emits a constant squeak or crackle.
• 🔶 After reset, headphones are not defined by the phone even as separate devices.
• 🔳 On the headphone case, traces of oxidation or moisture are visible.

Before the service visit:

1. Make sure your model is still warranty-worthy (usually 12 months from the date of purchase).
2. Bring a check or warranty card (for official Xiaomi services).
3. Check if your problem is a frequent issue – there may be a solution.

The cost of repairing Xiaomi headphones in informal services is usually 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the model and breakdown). Replacing the battery is cheaper (about 1,000 rubles) than replacing a Bluetooth module (2,500-3,500 rubles).

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones