How to connect headphones Xiaomi AirDots to the smartphone: instruction + error solving

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including AirDots Pro 2, AirDots 3 and Redmi AirDots) remain among the most popular. TWS-But even with these devices, users often face problems when they first connect: the headphones are not on the list of available devices, only one earphone is connected, or the connection is constantly interrupted. This article will help you understand how to pair AirDots with Android or iPhone, what settings to check in advance and what to do if the standard procedure does not work.

We'll look at not only the basic instructions, but also hidden nuances that aren't written about in the official manuals, like why AirDots 3 Pro can't connect to an iPhone without resetting, or how to get the headphones to automatically switch between devices, and you'll also find a table of compatibility of AirDots models with different versions of Bluetooth and FAQ for typical errors.

If you’ve tried to connect your headphones and you’ve encountered a problem, skip the introductory section and go straight to the Problem Solving section. For beginners, we recommend starting with the basics.

What AirDots are and what are their differences?

Xiaomi AirDots has more than 10 models, and their connectivity may vary, and these are the key features of the most common versions:

• 🎧 AirDots Basic (1st generation) – only Bluetooth 5.0 support, no touch controls, up to 4 hours of operation.
• 🎧 AirDots Pro 2/Pro 2S — Bluetooth 5.2, noise-canceling (ANC), support LC3-codec.
• 🎧 AirDots 3/3 Pro — Bluetooth 5.3, adaptive ANC, Dual Device Connection (Simultaneously Connecting to Two Devices).
• 🎧 Redmi AirDots (2/3 generation – budget version with Bluetooth 5.0/5.2, without ANC, but with improved ergonomics.

Important: Bluetooth 5.2+ models (such as AirDots 3 Pro) can automatically switch between devices (such as from smartphone to laptop), whereas older versions require manual connection to each gadget.

If you're unsure of your headphone model, look at the box or check in the Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear app. For AirDots 3 Pro and later, it's also possible to define the model via voice assistant (clip the touchpad for 3 seconds and ask, "What model do I have?").

Preparing headphones for connection

Before the first pairing, you need to follow several mandatory steps, otherwise the smartphone may not see the headphones.

1. Charge headphones and case. Make sure that the case has at least 30% charge (the indicator should burn white or green). If the indicator is red or flashing, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes.
2. Remove the headphones from the case. Take out both earphones, they must automatically turn on (white/red light flashes). If the indicator is not on, press and hold the touchpad on each earphone for 3 seconds.
3. Reset previous settings (if the headphones have already connected to another device). To do this, put both headphones in the case, then press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.

Attention to detail: AirDots 3 Pro and AirDots 2S models have a reset button inside the case (under the headphone cover). Resets require pressing it 5 times in a row, rather than holding it, which often causes failed connection attempts.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are not turned on after you've been removed from the case (the indicators don't burn), check the contacts in the case for oxidation. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. This often solves the problem of dead headphones.

Step-by-step instructions for connecting

The pairing process depends on your smartphone’s operating system, and below are the general instructions for Android and iOS, as well as nuances for specific Xiaomi/Redmi models.

Android Connection (including Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco)

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn it on.
2. Remove both headphones from the case – they should automatically go into pairing mode (indicators flash alternately red and white).
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your model (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S or Redmi AirDots 3).
4. Click on the name and confirm pairing. Some Xiaomi smartphones may have a window offering to install additional software — agree, these are drivers for the correct operation of the ANC and gestures.

For owners of smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco there is a bonus: after connecting to Settings → Connected devices → Headphones will be an extended menu with settings gestures, ANC and equalizer. Here you can update the firmware of the headphones (if available).

Connection to iPhone (iOS)

On the iPhone, the process is almost identical, but there is an important caveat: some AirDots models (especially older ones) may not support AAC/SBC codecs, which will make the sound intermittent.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for them to appear in the list (can take up to 30 seconds).
3. Click "Connect." If the sound is distorted, go to Settings → Bluetooth → i (near the headphone name) → Sound and select High-quality Sound (AAC).

AirDots 3 Pro and later on iOS 15+, you can automatically switch between devices (e.g., from iPhone to MacBook) to activate it by:

Settings → Bluetooth → i (near AirDots) → Connect to this iPhone → Select “Automatically”

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If your iPhone doesn’t see AirDots, try turning off Bluetooth, restarting your phone, and trying again, and check if the headphones are connected to another device (like a laptop) – in which case they won’t show up on the list of available ones.

Connect to other devices (PC, Mac, Smart TV)

Xiaomi AirDots headphones are not only compatible with smartphones, but also to connect them to Windows, MacOS or Smart TV:

• 💻 Windows 10/11: Launch → Parameters → Devices → Bluetooth, then select the headphones from the list. If the sound is only in one headphone, update the Bluetooth driver through Device Manager.
• 🍎 MacOS: System settings → Bluetooth, then press "Connect." For models with ANC You may need to install Xiaomi Bluetooth Driver.
• 📺 Smart TV (Mi TV, Samsung, LG): On the menu. TV Find the settings → Sound. → Bluetooth devices. Note that the sound delay is on TV can reach 200-300 ms.

Solving Connection Problems

If the headphones are not connected or are not working stable, use this table for diagnosis:

Special attention should be paid to the firmware of headphones. Outdated software can cause problems with connecting to new smartphones (for example, AirDots 2S does not connect to Android 13 without an update).

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
3. Go to the connected device section and select your AirDots.
4. If an update is available, an Update button will appear.

⚠️ Warning: After updating the AirDots 3 Pro firmware, you may reset your device binding, you'll have to reconnect them to all your gadgets.

How to connect AirDots to multiple devices

AirDots 3/3 Pro and AirDots 2S models support multi-connection (simultaneous pairing with two devices), but this feature works in an unobvious way.

1. First, connect the headphones to the first device (such as a smartphone) in the standard way.
2. Then take a second device (like a laptop), turn on Bluetooth, and find AirDots in the list.
3. Connect to the second device. The headphones automatically "remember" both gadgets.
4. To switch between devices, it is enough to select AirDots in the Bluetooth list on the desired device.

Important: only one device will be able to sound at a time, and the multi-connection may not work if one device is running Android 10 or older, in which case a manual reconnection will be required.

For models without multi-connection support (such as AirDots Basic), you will have to manually disconnect the headphones from one device before connecting to another.

• Through the Bluetooth menu on the first device ("Forget the device").
• Or putting the headphones in the case for 10 seconds - they will automatically turn off.

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Multi-connection only works between Bluetooth 5.0+ devices. If one of the devices uses Bluetooth 4.2, the feature will not be available.

Customization of gestures and additional functions

All Xiaomi AirDots models (except Basic) support touch control, but default settings may not work.

On Android (for Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco smartphones):

1. Put the headphones on.
2. Open Settings → Connected Devices → [Name of Your AirDots] → Gesture Management.
3. Select the action for: 👆 Double touch of the left earphone (by default - the previous track). 👆 Double touch of the right earphone (by default - the next track). 👆 Touch and Retention (by default - voice assistant).

On iOS, gesture settings are changed through the Xiaomi Wear app:

1. Install the app from the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth.
3. In the app, select Devices → [Your AirDots] → Gesture settings.

Additional functions that are worth configuring:

• 🔊 ANC (Active noise cancellation: Included in headphone settings. AirDots 3 Pro has Adaptive mode ANC, which automatically regulates the noise reduction level.
• 🎵 Equalizer: In Mi Home you can select the pre-settings of the sound (Basic boost, Clean vocals, etc.).
• 🎮 Low latency mode: Activated by triple touching the touchpad (on supported models) Reduces sound latency to 80–100 ms, which is important for gaming.

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If they don’t work after you set up your gestures, check if the case is blocking the touchpad, and some models also turn off gestures when the battery is low (less than 10%).

How to extend the battery life

The lifetime of Xiaomi AirDots on a single charge varies from 4 to 7 hours (depending on the model and use of the ANC).

• 🔋 Turn it off. ANC, If you don’t need it, it reduces your work time by 20-30%.
• 📴 Reduce volume to 70-80% – at maximum volume, the battery sits down 1.5 times faster.
• 🔄 Regularly discharge your headphones to 0% and charge to 100% (1 time per month) to calibrate your battery.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating – do not leave headphones in direct sunlight or near heat sources.

If the battery starts to run out too quickly (for example, AirDots 2S lasts less than 2 hours), try:

1. Reset the headphone settings (button on the case 15 seconds).
2. Update the firmware through Mi Home.
3. Check the status of contacts in the case - oxidation can interfere with normal charging.

Critical nuance: in models AirDots 3 Pro and newer uses fast charging technology, but only when using the original Xiaomi cable with support for Quick Charge 3.0. Charging from other adapters can take 2 times longer.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots