How to synchronize headphones Xiaomi AirDots with each other: 5 working ways

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including the Pro, 2, 3, Youth, and SE models) sometimes lose sync between the left and right earphones. Instead of stereo, you hear a monophone signal in only one device, or they refuse to work together at all. The problem arises after resetting, battery discharge, or software failures. In this article, step-by-step instructions on how to return sync without going to the service center.

The main cause of the problem is a breakdown in communication between the master headphone (usually the right one) and the slave (left one). 90% of the time, the problem is solved software-based: reset, forced resynchronization or firmware updates. Less often, hardware malfunctions (charging case connector, headphone contacts) are to blame. We will analyze all scenarios, from simple to complex, taking into account the features of different versions of AirDots.

Why Xiaomi AirDots Stop Working Together: 4 Reasons

Before you start setting up, it is important to understand what caused the disconnect, which will help you choose the right recovery method.

• 🔋 Battery discharge to 0%. If one of the headphones is completely dead and the other one is not, after charging, they may not sync automatically.
• 🔄 Reset: After manual reset (e.g., by holding a button), the headphones forget each other. Re-setting is required.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: If headphones have previously connected to multiple smartphones/tablets, they may get confused about connection priorities.
• 🛠️ Software failures. Rarely, firmware errors occur (especially after updates) and flashing through the Mi Home app helps.

In most cases, the problem is temporary and is resolved in 5-10 minutes, except for mechanical damage (for example, oxidation of contacts in a case or falling headphones). If none of the methods below helped, it is worth checking the headphones for physical malfunctions.

Method 1: Forced synchronization via a button on the case (for all models)

The most versatile method, running on AirDots of any generation, is suitable if the headphones are on but not connected.

1. Put both earphones in the charger case and close the lid. Wait 10 seconds.
2. Open the case cover. The headphones must automatically turn on (the indicator blinks).
3. Press and hold the button on the case (side or bottom) for 15-20 seconds until the headphones start flashing alternately red and white.
4. Release the button. The headphones should sync (the indicators will light up white and go out).
5. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth. If sync is successful, one device (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones) will be displayed in your Bluetooth settings.

If the lights flash only red, it means that the headphones are discharged. Charge them in a case for at least 30 minutes and repeat the procedure.

Case charge > 30% | Both headphones are in the case |The button is held until alternate blinking |Indicators are lit white after the release of the button-->

⚠️ Note: On AirDots 3 and AirDots Pro 2, the reset button may be inside the case (under a rubber plug.

Method 2: Resetting settings through holding buttons on headphones

If the first method didn't work, try resetting directly on the headphones, which is effective when one of the headphones doesn't respond to the case or connects separately.

Instructions for AirDots 1/2/Pro/Youth:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds (up to a double beep).
3. Put the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds, then open.
4. Wait for automatic synchronization (the indicators will light up white).

For AirDots 3 and later:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Open the lid and press the button on the case three times quickly (the interval between presses is 1 second).
3. Indicators should flash purple - this is a signal of a successful reset.

If the left earphone flashes red and the right earphone flashes white after reset, it means that the master role is not assigned, in which case only flashing through Mi Home (see Method 4) will help.

Method 3: Reconnect via Bluetooth phone settings

Sometimes the problem lies not in the headphones themselves, but in the Bluetooth cache on the smartphone, especially for Android 10+ and iOS 14+ devices, where the system can “forget” the profiles of the headphones.

1. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone.
2. Find Mi True Wireless Earphones (or similar to your model name) and click Forget the device.
3. Return the headphones to the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then open.
4. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for Mi True Wireless Earphones to appear on the list of available devices.
5. If the synchronization is successful, the status of the device will be indicated Stereo or A2DP.

On the iPhone, check out:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Click on the i icon next to AirDots and select Forget this device.

💡

If the headphones are connected as two separate devices (e.g. Mi True Wireless Left and Right), the reset was incorrect. Repeat Method 1 or 2.

Method 4: Update the firmware through the Mi Home app

If the headphones still don't sync, the problem could be with the outdated firmware Update via the official Mi Home app often resolves software glitches.

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your headphones to your phone (even if they work separately).
3. Open Mi Home, go to Profile → Settings → Add the device.
4. Select Headphones and follow the instructions on the screen.
5. After connecting, check for updates in the device section.

If the update is not available:

• 🔌 Connect the headphones to charging (case should be charged at 50%+).
• 📶 Connect your phone to stable Wi-Fi (Firmware Update requires internet connection).
• 🔄 Re-launch the Mi Home app.

⚠️ Note: On AirDots 3 and later, the firmware update can take up to 10 minutes!

Method 5: Checking for hardware faults

If none of the software methods worked, it could be physical damage.

• 🔌 Contacts in the case, oxidation or contamination of contacts leads to incomplete charging of the headphones.
• 🎧 Headphone indicators. If one of the headphones doesn't blink when it's removed from the case, it may have run out of battery or damaged board.
• 🔊 Sound in each earpiece. Connect them individually to your phone (via Bluetooth Settings). → Mi True Wireless Left/Right). If one of the headphones does not make sound, this is a sign of a malfunction of the speaker.

For diagnosis:

1. Try charging headphones from another case (if possible).
2. Connect the headphones to another phone/tablet.
3. Check if touch buttons respond to touch (a beep should be heard).

If the headphones do not charge or turn on even after reset, most likely, repairs will be required. In Xiaomi service centers, diagnostics take 1-2 days, and the cost of repair (for example, replacing the battery) starts from 1,500 rubles.

💡

If the headphones are physically healthy but not synchronized, the problem is almost always solved software-based: Start with forced synchronization (Method 1), then try resetting (Method 2) and firmware updates (Method 4).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to sync Xiaomi AirDots, users often make common mistakes that only make the problem worse.

• 🚫 Use a non-original case, cheap ones can charge headphones incorrectly, which leads to synchronization failures.
• 🚫 Interrupt the reset process. If you release the button ahead of time, the headphones can "hang" in standby mode.
• 🚫 Connecting your headphones to multiple devices at once, which confuses their memory and prevents automatic synchronization.
• 🚫 Ignore firmware updates. Outdated software often causes software failures.

Also avoid:

• 💦 Moisture on the contacts of the case or headphones (even if the model has protection) IPX4).
• 🔥 Overheating (do not leave headphones in direct sunlight or near heat sources).
• 🔋 Full battery discharge (charge the case when the red light light is on).

If you bought AirDots used, make sure to reset completely before using (Method 2) - the previous owner could change the connection settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions