How to sync Xiaomi AirDots: full instruction with error solutions

Xiaomi AirDots headphones (including the Pro 2/3, SE, Lite and Youth Edition) remain among the most popular wireless headsets due to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. However, many users face difficulties in first synchronizing or reconnecting after a reset. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of synchronizing, from basic connection to a smartphone to solving rare errors when the headphones refuse to connect with each other or device.

The AirDots feature is that they use dual connectivity, where each earbud can work independently (mono mode) or synchronously (stereo), which makes synchronization more difficult than wired models, and we'll look not only at the standard procedure, but also at the hidden features of the firmware that allow you to force resets or switch modes.

If you just bought headphones or encountered a problem after updating your firmware, this guide will help bring them back to life. For convenience, we divided the material into blocks by device type (Android/iOS/Windows/Mac) and separately made the section with errors and their solutions.

1. Preparation of headphones for synchronization

Before the first connection or after a long downtime, Xiaomi AirDots require basic training, which is especially important if the headphones have previously been paired with another device or discharged to zero.

Start by checking the charge of the case and headphones:

• 🔋 Case charge: connect it to the power source for 10-15 minutes. the indicator on the front panel should flash red (charged) or burn white (full charge).
• 🎧 Headphone charge: place them in the case for 30 seconds – if the indicators on the headphones light up red, and then go out, then they began to charge.
• 🔄 Reset connection: If the headphones have previously been connected to another device, remove them from the case and hold the touch buttons on both earphones for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.

Note the headphone firmware version. Outdated versions (e.g., V4.7.1 for AirDots Pro 2) can cause sync problems on new smartphones. You can check the version through the Mi Home app (Devices → Headphones → Settings → About the program).

⚠️ Attention: If the headphones are only red and not responsive to pressing, this indicates a deep discharge. In this case, place them in the case for 1-2 hours, even if the case indicator is burning white.

2. Synchronization with Android-smartphone

Connection to Android phones (including Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, etc.) occurs through the standard Bluetooth 5.0+ protocol. However, for full operation, it is recommended to use the proprietary Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app - it allows you to customize gestures, equalizer and update the firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone and turn on device search.
2. Remove both headphones from the case - they will automatically go into pairing mode (indicators will flash white).
3. In the list of available devices, select Mi True Wireless Earphones (or a similar name for your model).
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone if requested. PIN-code, enter 0000.
5. Install the Mi Home app (if not already installed) and link the headphones to your Xiaomi account to access additional features.

If the headphones are connected separately (for example, only the right one), perform forced synchronization:

• 🔄 Place both headphones in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds, then remove them.
• 📱 Hold the buttons on both headphones for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
• 🔍 Re-search the devices on the phone.

3. Connection to iPhone (iOS)

While Xiaomi AirDots is optimized for Android, it is fully compatible with iPhones (starting with iOS 12).There are nuances here: without the Mi Home app, you won’t be able to update your firmware or customize gestures, but the basic functionality (calls, music) will work.

Features of connecting to iOS:

• 🍎 In the Bluetooth device list, the headphones can be displayed as LE-Mi True Wireless or just AirDots.
• 🔊 For the correct operation of the microphone in calls, you must manually select AirDots as a sound input / output device (in the control panel during the call).
• 🔋 The charge level of the headphones is displayed in the Battery widget (if iOS 14).+).

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the search.
2. Remove the headphones from the case – they should automatically go into pairing mode (blinking white light).
3. Click on the AirDots name in the list of devices. If the connection does not occur, reboot Bluetooth on the iPhone (turn off / turn on the switch).
4. To reset the connection (if the headphones were connected to another device), hold the buttons on both headphones for 15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.

⚠️ Note: On iOS, there may be a problem when the right earphone connects as LE-Mi True Wireless_R, The left is separately as LE-Mi True. Wireless_L. This indicates a synchronization failure between the headphones. Solution: Perform a full reset (see section). 5) and reconnect.

4. Synchronization with PC (Windows/Mac)

Connecting AirDots to a computer or laptop requires Bluetooth 4.2+ support. On Windows 10/11 and macOS, the pairing process is similar, but there are differences in audio settings.

For Windows:

• 🖥️ Open the settings. → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
• 🔍 Click Add Add the device → Bluetooth.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case and select them from the list. If the device is not located, update the Bluetooth driver through Device Manager.
• 🔊 Once connected, install AirDots as the default playback device in the Control Panel → Sound.

For macOS:

• 🍏 Open System settings → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Hold the button on the right earphone for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing faster (pairing mode).
• 🖱️ Select AirDots from the list of devices. If macOS requests code, type 0000.
• 🎵 For correct sound reproduction in System settings → Select AirDots as the output device.

💡

If Windows 11 earphones are connected but the sound is interrupted, turn off the Absolute Volume feature in the Bluetooth device properties (the Service tab).

5. Resetting and forced synchronization

If AirDots refuse to sync with each other or with the device, the most effective way is to completely reset, which will return the headphones to the factory settings and clear all the stored pairings.

How to perform the reset:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Remove them and hold the touch buttons on both headphones for 20 seconds: 🔴 Light up red (1-3 seconds). 🔴→⚪ Blink red and white alternately (5-7 seconds). ⚪ Light up white (reset complete).

30 seconds

If the reset did not help, check for hardware malfunctions:

• 🔋 Battery discharge: if the headphones are not charged in the case, the problem may be in the contacts (clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol).
• 📡 Bluetooth interference: other devices (such as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi routers) can block the signal.
• 🛠️ Chip damage: If the indicators don’t respond to presses, it could indicate a Bluetooth controller failure (repair required).

6. Solving common errors

Even after a successful connection, users face typical problems: communication interruptions, different volumes in the headphones or microphone failure. Below is a list of errors and their solutions that are relevant for all AirDots models.

For AirDots models 3/Pro 3 supportive LC3-codec (low-energy Bluetooth standard) may have an issue of incompatibility with older smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note) 8). In this case:

• 📵 Turn off the Absolute Volume function in Bluetooth settings (on Android).
• 🔄 Switch the codec manually through the Developer Options app (if available).
• 📱 Update your phone to the latest version.

💡

If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is distorted (wheezing, stuttering), the problem is most often the Bluetooth codec. Try disabling AAC or aptX in the developer settings (on Android).

7. firmware update and hidden features

The proprietary Mi Home app not only allows you to manage AirDots settings, but also update their firmware, which is critical for solving synchronization problems, as new versions fix connection errors and add support for new devices.

How to update firmware:

1. Connect your headphones to your smartphone via Mi Home.
2. Go to Device Profile → Settings → Firmware Update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t interrupt the process!).
4. After the update, reset the headphones (section 5) and connect them again.

Hidden functions of AirDots:

• 🎵 Low Delay Mode: activated by triple tapping on the right earpiece (only works with supported Xiaomi devices).

⚠️ Note: When updating your firmware through Mi Home, make sure the headphone charge level is above 50%. interruption of the process may result in loss of performance (reflashing through the service center is required).

8. Alternative ways of connecting

If standard methods do not work, alternative synchronization methods are available, which are rarely mentioned in official instructions.

Connect via Fast Pair (only for Android 6+):

• 📱 Open the case with headphones next to the smartphone.
• 🔄 On the screen will appear a notification Set up a new device – click on it.
• 🎧 Follow the instructions on the screen (confirm the pairing).

This method only works for AirDots 3/Pro 3 and later.

Manual pairing via ADB (for power users):

1. Activate Developer Mode on Android (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number – press 7 times).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -a android.bluetooth.devicepicker.action.LAUNCH -n com.android.settings/.bluetooth.BluetoothPairingDialog
3. Manually select AirDots in the list of devices.

This method is useful if the headphones are defined by the system, but not connected through a standard interface.

Use of third-party applications:

• 📲 Bluetooth Auto Connect (Android) – Automatically restores connection after a break.
• 🍎 Bluetooth Explorer (macOS) – allows you to manually control connected devices.

💡

If the headphones connect to the phone but don’t play audio in games, check the audio output settings in the game itself. Some apps (like PUBG Mobile) require manual selection of the output device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization Xiaomi AirDots