How to sync Xiaomi headphones with each other: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi's wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets because of their price-to-quality ratio, but even they sometimes fail users. One of the common problems is that the left and right earphones stop working in sync, one connects to the phone, and the other is silent or produces a latency sound. In some cases, the headphones do not recognize each other at all, although both are charged and on.

The causes of this problem can range from a simple Bluetooth connection failure to hardware malfunctions. Fortunately, 90% of the time, you can solve the problem yourself without going to the service center. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to synchronize Xiaomi headphones with each other, from simple to advanced, and also explain how to avoid such failures in the future.

Important: Instructions are suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models, including AirDots, Buds, FlipBuds and others TWS-If your model does not support automatic synchronization (for example, some budget options), this will be indicated separately.

Why are Xiaomi headphones not synchronized with each other?

Before we get to the bottom of this, we need to understand the root of this problem, and here are the main reasons why headphones stop working as a pair:

• 🔋 A discharged battery of one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the charge can be critically low).
• 📱 Firmware failure or conflict with Bluetooth-module smartphone (especially after OS update).
• 🔄 Incorrect pairing – headphones “forgot” each other after resetting or connecting to another device.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions: damage to contacts in the case, failure of the Bluetooth chip.
• 📦 Unoriginal firmware (relevant for headphones purchased on AliExpress or in unofficial stores).

The most common situation is when one earbud connects to the phone and the other is not identified, which is because Xiaomi uses True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology, where the main earbud (usually the right one) transmits a signal to the follower (left one), and if communication between them is broken, the sound only goes through one.

Less common is when both headphones are connected to the phone, but the sound is not synchronized (delay up to 1-2 seconds), this can be due to Bluetooth codecs (for example, AAC vs SBC) or interference from other wireless devices.

Preparing for synchronization: what to do before the start

Before you try to sync your headphones, follow a few mandatory steps that will save time and increase your chances of success:

1. Check the charge: Make sure both the headphone and the case are at least 30% charged. If the indicator on the case flashes red or does not burn at all, plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes. Some models (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Pro) require a minimum charge of 50% for stable synchronization.
2. Clean the contacts: Dirt or oxidation on metal contacts in the case and on headphones can disrupt charging and communication. wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol (do not use wet wipes!).
3. Disable other Bluetooth devices: If your phone has a smartwatch, speaker, or fitness bracelet connected, they may cause interference. Turn them off temporarily via Settings → Bluetooth.
4. Update the firmware of the headphones (if available): Some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) support software updates through the Mi Home app or Xiaomi Wear. Check for updates.

Attention! If the headphones have been disassembled or physically impacted (bumps, falls), the sync may not work due to damage to the antenna or chip, in which case repair will be required.

Method 1: Automatic case synchronization (for most models)

It is the simplest and most versatile method that works for Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless Earphones and more. TWS-The algorithm is the same for most devices:

1. Place both earbuds in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds, which will reset the current connection settings.
2. Open the case cover and wait until the headphone indicators start flashing white or blue (search mode).
3. Press and hold the button on the case (if any) for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white (synchronization mode).
4. Wait for a stable white glow (usually 10-20 seconds), which means that the headphones are connected to each other.
5. Connect your headphones to your phone via Settings → Bluetooth. They should show up as a single device (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones).

If after 30 seconds the indicators continue to flash alternately (red-white), it means that the synchronization failed. Try method 2 or 3.

If your model is not listed in the table, try holding the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the color of the indicator changes. Some headphones (for example, Poco Buds X1) sync automatically when you first remove them from the case - in this case, just reboot them (see method 4).

Method 2: Manual resetting (if not automatically)

If automatic synchronization didn't work, try forced reset, a method that's suitable for headphones that used to work as a pair but have stopped recognizing each other after a failure.

Instructions:

1. Remove both earphones from the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds until the lights go out and light up again (usually red).
3. Place the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
4. Open the lid and wait until the indicators start flashing white (search mode).
5. Connect the headphones to the phone. They should be defined as one device.

Attention! On some models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3T), the reset is performed differently: you need to quickly press the touch panel of each earphone 5 times, and then place them in the case. If after resetting the headphones still do not sync, check them on another device (tablet or second phone) – this will help eliminate the problem with the smartphone.

Method 3: Synchronize with Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active) are synchronized via a proprietary app, which is useful if the headphones are defined by the phone, but only sound is heard through one.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app (for new models) or Mi Home (for older ones) from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth (even if they work separately).
3. Open the app and find your model in the list of devices. If it is not, click Add Device (+) and select the headphones manually.
4. Go to Headphone Settings → Synchronization (or Sound Settings → TWS Mode).
5. Click Sync Headphones and follow the instructions on the screen.

In some cases, the app may suggest updating the firmware — agree, as this often solves sync problems. If the app can't see the headphones, try:

• 🔄 Restart Bluetooth on your phone.
• 📱 Remove headphones from the list of associated devices and connect again.
• 🔧 Update the Xiaomi app itself Wear/Mi Home to the latest version.

💡

If the app doesn’t find headphones, try connecting them to your phone via Settings → Bluetooth → Additional settings → Low-power (LE) devices. Some Xiaomi models use this protocol for initial setup.

Method 4: Reboot the headphones (if they don’t respond)

If the headphones don't respond to presses, don't blink, or are unstable, forced reboot will help. TWS-Headphones including Xiaomi and Redmi.

How to reboot:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Connect the case to charging (via cable or wireless charging if supported).
3. Leave the headphones to charge for 1-2 hours, even if the indicator shows a full charge.
4. After 2 hours, remove the headphones from the case and hold the touch panels for 10 seconds until they turn off (the indicators go out).
5. Place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then open and try to connect again.

This method works if the headphones are “hanging” due to a firmware failure or conflict with the phone’s Bluetooth module. If the reboot didn’t work, try connecting the headphones to another device (for example, a laptop or a second phone) to help determine whether the problem is in the headphones or in your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention! Some users try to reanimate their headphones by disassembling the case and closing the battery contacts. This is extremely dangerous, you can damage the board or get an electric shock. If the headphones do not respond to the reboot, contact the service center.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If neither of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware or firmware. Here's what you can do:

• 🔧 Check the headphones on another device (tablet, laptop, second phone) if they work normally, there is a problem in your smartphone (possibly a Bluetooth module failure).
• 📦 Update the firmware of the headphones through Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home. Sometimes the manufacturer releases patches to fix synchronization bugs.
• 🛠️ Contact the service center if the headphones are warranty, possible malfunctions: damage to the Bluetooth chip, oxidation of contacts in the case, failure of memory of headphones (reflashing required).
• 💰 Check the headphones for authenticity. Xiaomi fakes often have synchronization problems. Compare the serial number on the box and in the Mi Home app.

If the headphones are old (for example, Xiaomi AirDots 1st generation), perhaps their battery is worn out and does not hold a charge for stable operation, in this case, replacing the batteries will help (repair costs are from 800 to 1500 rubles).

Last tip: if you bought headphones on AliExpress or in an unofficial store, check if your model supports automatic synchronization. Some budget clones (such as the QCY T1 under the guise of Xiaomi) require manual connection of each headphone.

💡

If the headphones don't sync after all the attempts, it's probably a hardware problem. Don't try to disassemble them yourself, it can make the breakdown worse.

How to avoid synchronization problems in the future

To make Xiaomi headphones work stably, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Charge your headphones regularly, keeping the charge from running out. The best way to do this is to plug the case into the charger when the charge drops below 20%.
• 📱 Don’t connect your headphones to multiple devices at the same time, which can cause Bluetooth profile conflicts.
• 🔄 Reset your settings periodically (every 2-3 months), especially if you notice delays in sound.
• 🛡️ Keep your headphones in your case when you're not using them, and this protects them from dust and physical damage.
• 📲 Update your firmware via Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home when new versions come out.

If you often use headphones for games or watching videos, turn on low-latency (if supported) mode in your phone settings.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and click on the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Enable the option Low Sound Latency or Game Mode (name depends on the phone model).

This will reduce the latency of sound, but may slightly reduce battery life.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones