How to sync Xiaomi Mi Airdots headphones: a complete guide to problem solving

Why Xiaomi Mi Airdots Headphones Are Not Synced and How to Fix It

Xiaomi Mi Airdots wireless headphones (including the Basic, Pro, Pro 2 and SE models) are popular for their price-performance ratio. However, many users face a problem: one earphone does not connect to another, the sound is only in one device, or the gadget is not determined by the smartphone at all, the reasons can be different from banal discharge to firmware failure.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for syncing headphones between yourself and your smartphone, as well as solutions to typical problems. We will look at both standard methods (via Bluetooth) and alternative methods - using special applications and resetting. If you just bought Mi Airdots or experienced problems after an update, this information will help to restore the device to work.

It is important to understand that the synchronization process may vary depending on the headphone model and firmware version. For example, the Mi Airdots Pro 2 supports fast pair synchronization over NFC, which is not available in the basic version.

Preparing for synchronization: what to check before connecting

Before you start setting up, make sure that the basic conditions for successful synchronization are met, which will save time and eliminate obvious errors.

• 🔋 Battery charge: both earbuds must be charged at least 30%. If the indicator on the case does not burn or flashes red, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes. In Mi Airdots Pro, the charge level can be checked through the Mi Home app.
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility: headphones work with Android 5.0 devices+ or iOS 9.0+. On older versions, there may be problems with connecting or not having sound in the microphone.
• 🔄 Lack of previous connections: If the headphones have already been paired with another device (such as a tablet), they must be reset or removed from the Bluetooth list on the previous gadget.
• 🛠️ Clean contacts: check if there is any dirt or oxidation on the metal contacts in the case and on the headphones themselves.

If you’re using Mi Airdots with a computer or laptop, make sure your Bluetooth adapter supports A2DP (for audio) and HFP (for microphone). Windows 10/11 may require a driver update through Device Manager.

⚠️ Note: if the headphones were lying unused for a long time (more than 3 months), their batteries could discharge to a critical level, in which case charging may not start the synchronization process - you will need to "wake up" the headphones with a long press on the touch panel (10-15 seconds).

Standard synchronization of headphones Xiaomi Mi Airdots with a smartphone

If you're connecting headphones for the first time, follow this instruction.The process is the same for most models, except for the Mi Airdots Pro 2, where NFC support is added.

1. Take both earphones out of the case. They should automatically turn on (the indicators will flash white and red).
2. On your smartphone, activate Bluetooth (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth on Android or Settings → Bluetooth on iOS).
3. In the list of available devices, find Mi Airdots Basic_R (Or a similar name for your model. Click on it to connect.
4. Wait for the message of successful connection. Both earbuds should sync with each other automatically (indicators will light up blue or flash synchronously).

If the headphones are not determined, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone (disable/enable module).
• 📵 Remove headphones from the list of paired devices and reconnect.
• 🔋 Put the headphones back in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out and try again.

For Mi Airdots Pro 2, an alternative method is available via NFC:

1. Activate NFC on your smartphone.
2. Apply the back cover of the case to NFC-phone chip (usually located on top of the body).
3. Confirm the connection in the window that appears.

Manual synchronization of headphones with each other (if not paired automatically)

Sometimes the headphones connect to the phone, but only one of them is sounding, which means that the internaural synchronization has not occurred, and the problem is solved by forced mating.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Take out the right earpiece (there's a control button on it) and wait until the light flashes red and white.
3. Press and hold the touchpad on the right earbud for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red-blue (Sync Mode).
4. Take the left earpiece out of the case, and in 5-10 seconds, both devices should connect (the indicators will light up blue or go out).

If the synchronization has not occurred:

• 🔄 Repeat the process, but this time hold the button on the right earpiece for 20 seconds (until double blinking in red).
• 📵 Check if the left earbud is connected to another device (like a laptop) and remove it from the list of paired gadgets.
• 🛠️ Update the headphone firmware through the Mi Home app (available for Pro and Pro 2).

⚠️ Note: Mi Airdots Basic and SE The touchpad is only on the right earpiece, and if you try to sync them through the left, it doesn't work -- it doesn't have a control button.

Reset Xiaomi Mi Airdots to factory settings

If the headphones don't sync despite all attempts, a complete reset will help, which removes all the connections saved and returns the device to its original settings.

Instructions for all models except Mi Airdots Pro 2:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Take out only the right earpiece and wait until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Press and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red 3 times (reset signal).
4. Put the headphone back in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds, then pull out both devices and try to connect again.

For the Mi Airdots Pro 2, the process is slightly different:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. Let go when the indicators start flashing red-blue.
4. Put the headphones back in the case, then reconnect.

⚠️ Note: after reset, the headphones may be temporarily identified under a different name (e.g, LE_Basic_R instead of Mi Airdots Basic_R). This is normal – after the first connection, the name will be restored.

💡

If the reset didn't work, try connecting your headphones to another smartphone or tablet. Sometimes the problem lies in the Bluetooth cache on the main device. On Android, you can clear the cache in Settings → Apps → Show all apps → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear the cache

Solving problems with connection to the computer (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Syncing Mi Airdots with PCs is often difficult due to outdated drivers or conflicts of Bluetooth profiles.

Windows 10/11

If the headphones are defined, but the sound is only in one of them or is absent at all:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Find Mi Airdots in the list and click Delete Device.
3. Turn the headphones into search mode (take them out of the case) and add them again.
4. After connecting, go to Control Panel → Sound, select headphones and install them with the default device.

macOS

On a MacBook or iMac:

• 🍎 Open System settings → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Remove the headphones from the list if they are there.
• 🔋 Take the headphones out of the case and wait until they appear in the list of available devices.
• 🎧 After connecting, check the sound settings in System settings → Sound. → Exit.

Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.)

Linux may require additional packages:

sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth


pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover

Then restart Bluetooth:

sudo systemctl restart bluetooth

If the sound is interrupted or there is interference, try turning off the AAC codec in the Bluetooth settings (use SBC or aptX if supported).

💡

On Windows 10/11, after connecting the headphones, be sure to check that they are selected as the default output device. Often, the system automatically switches to speakers.

Update firmware and specialized applications for Mi Airdots

If the headphones are unstable (self-disabled, poor sound quality, out of sync), the problem may be outdated firmware. For the Pro and Pro 2 models, official updates are available through the Mi Home app.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
3. Open Mi Home, press + → Add device → Headphones.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. If an update is available, the app will prompt you to install it.

For basic models (Basic, SE) there are no official updates, but you can use third-party utilities like Airdots Flasher (at your own risk!).

• 🔧 Change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global).
• 🎛️ Set up the sensitivity of touch panels.
• 🔋 Optimize battery consumption.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware can cause permanent damage to the headphones. Before using Airdots Flasher, back up the original firmware (if you have the option).

Also useful applications for diagnosis:

• 📊 Bluetooth Auto Connect – automatically connects headphones when Bluetooth is turned on.
• 🎧 Headset Battery – shows the charge level of each headphone separately.
• 🔊 SoundAssistant – allows you to fine-tune the equalizer for Mi Airdots.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

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

If the headphones are connected, but the sound is interrupted or there is interference:

• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the headphones and the smartphone (walls, metal objects).
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones in Bluetooth settings.
• 🎵 Try another audio player (e.g. Poweramp instead of the standard one).
• 🔋 Check if the battery is discharged in the headphones (at a charge level below 15%, failures are possible).

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If the headphones began to hold a charge worse, try to "calibrate" the battery: completely discharge them before turning them off, then charge them in the case to 100% without interruptions. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions