How to sync Xiaomi Wireless headphones: a complete guide to problem solving

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users face problems synchronizing: one earphone does not connect, the sound is interrupted, or the gadget is not detected at all by the phone. This article will help you understand how to properly synchronize Xiaomi Wireless headphones with different devices, restore the connection between the left and right modules, and also eliminate typical problems.

We will look at the instructions for all current models – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, and give recommendations for settings for Android, iOS, Windows and even MacOS. Particular attention will be paid to cases when the headphones refuse to work after a firmware update or prolonged downtime. If you have already tried standard ways to connect via Bluetooth and nothing has worked – here you will find alternative methods and unique reset techniques that are not described in the official documentation.

1. Preparing Xiaomi headphones for synchronization

Before you start connecting, make sure your headphones are ready to sync, and many problems are caused by trivial things like a dead battery, power saving on your phone, or mechanical damage to the contacts in your case.

Here's what you have to do:

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones to a level of at least 30% (optimum - 50%+). On models with a charge indicator (for example, Xiaomi Buds) 3T Pro) check that all LEDs flash when the lid is opened.
• 📱 Turn off Charge Saving or Battery Optimization on your phone – it can block the search for new Bluetooth devices.
• 🔄 Remove the headphones from the case and wait for automatic on (usually accompanied by an audible signal).If there is no sound, press and hold the touchpad on both headphones for 5 seconds.
• 🚫 Make sure the headphones are not connected to another device (like a laptop or tablet.

If you are connecting the headphones for the first time, they should automatically go into pairing mode when removed from the case. Re-synchronization (for example, after resetting) may require manual activation of this mode – read about this in the next section.

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On Redmi AirDots 3 and later, pairing mode is activated by double tapping the touchpad on either headphone. For older versions (such as AirDots Basic), you need to hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

2. Standard synchronization with the phone (Android/iOS)

The process of connecting to a smartphone is the same for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances depending on the operating system.

For Android (MIUI, Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.)

On Android phones, sync is done via the standard Bluetooth menu. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Bluetooth (on MIUI, the path can be Settings → Bluetooth).
2. Activate Bluetooth if it is turned off.
3. Remove the headphones from the case – they should appear in the list of available devices called Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds or similar (depending on the model).
4. Click on the headphone name in the list and confirm the pairing.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4), after connecting, a notification will appear about the availability of the Xiaomi Earbuds proprietary application (formerly Mi Earphones), its installation is optional, but it is recommended for setting gestures, equalizer and firmware updates.

For iPhone (iOS)

On the iPhone, the algorithm is almost the same, but there are a couple of features:

• 🍎 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth and make sure the function is enabled.
• 🔍 Wait until your headphone model appears on the list (may appear as "Unknown Device" - this is normal for first-time connections).
• 🔗 Click on the device and wait for pairing to complete. on iOS 16+ You may need to confirm through a pop-up window.

Important: On iPhones, some Xiaomi headphone features (such as gesture customization) may not be available without installing the Xiaomi Earbuds app from the App Store. However, the Bluetooth connection itself works without it.

Manual activation of the pairing mode

If the headphones don't show up in the list of available devices, they may not have switched to sync automatically, in which case it needs to be activated manually.

If after these manipulations, the headphones are still not detected, try resetting them to the factory settings - the instructions are given in one of the following sections.

Make sure the headphones are charged.|Try connecting to another device.|Check if the "Airplane" mode on the phone is turned on|Update the headphone firmware (if available)-->

4. synchronization of headphones with each other (left + right)

One of the most common problems is when only one earbud plugs in and the other one doesn't talk or makes a mistake, and that's because the left (L) and right (R) modules are lost, and here's how to restore synchronization.

Method 1: Automatic pairing through a cover

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then take them out.
3. Wait for the double beep – this means that the communication between the headphones is restored.

Method 2: Manual pairing (for touch-controlled models)

• 🎧 Remove both earphones from the case.
• 👆 Hold the touchpad on the right earpiece for 15 seconds until you hear the reset sound.
• 🔄 Repeat the same for the left earpiece.
• 🔗 Put both headphones back in the case, close the lid for 20 seconds, then pull them out.

If these methods didn’t work, the problem may be the firmware. Try updating it through the Xiaomi Earbuds app or do a full reset (instruction below).

5.Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is hard reset, which will remove all the saved connections and return the headphones to the "out of the box" state.

Redmi AirDots (1-3 generation) and Mi True Wireless:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Open the cover and hold the button on it for 20 seconds.
3. The indicator will flash red, then white – this is a signal of a successful reset.

For Xiaomi Buds 3/4 and Redmi Buds 3/4 Pro:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Hold the touch panels on both headphones at the same time for 10 seconds.
3. Wait for the sound signal and flashing indicators on the case.

Once reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode, and now you can reconnect them to the phone, just like when you first use them.

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Resetting removes all the stored devices from the memory of the headphones, and after this procedure, they will have to be re-synchronized with all the gadgets they were previously connected to.

6. Connection to PC (Windows) 10/11) macOS

Synchronizing with a computer is not much different from connecting to a phone, but there are a few nuances that are worth knowing about.

For Windows 10/11:

The algorithm is standard, but sometimes there are problems with the aptX or AAC codec:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Press "Add device" → Bluetooth.
3. Select your headphones from the list and wait for the connection to complete.

If the sound is interrupted or absent:

• 🔊 Go to the Control Panel. → Sound. → Headphone properties.
• 🔄 In the "Additional" tab, try changing the sound format to 16 bits, 44100 Hz.
• 🚫 Disable other audio devices in Task Manager.

For macOS:

On a MacBook or iMac, the connection is even easier:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and wait for the headphones to appear on the list.
3. Press "Connect" and confirm the pairing.

If the headphones are connected but there is no sound:

• 🎵 Check if they are selected as the output device in System settings → Sound.
• 🔄 Reboot your Mac – sometimes it helps to reset Bluetooth conflicts.

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On Windows, for stable operation of Xiaomi headphones, it is recommended to turn off power saving for the Bluetooth adapter. To do this, go to Device Manager → Adapter Properties → Power Management and uncheck the “Allow disconnection of this device...”.

7. Solving typical synchronization problems

Even after a successful connection, users have a variety of problems, and we've collected the most common ones and how to fix them.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones connect to a phone, but only sound is in one of them, check the audio balance in the phone settings. → Sound. → Balance stereo. On iOS, in Settings → Universal access → Audiovisual content → Balance.

If neither of these methods worked, check the headphones on another device. If the problem recurs, one of the Bluetooth modules or the battery may have malfunctioned, in which case we recommend you contact the Xiaomi service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones