Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earphones and Mi AirDots Pro) have become one of the most popular models. TWS-The headset is a combination of price, sound quality and convenience, but many users face a problem: after buying or resetting the headset, one of the headphones stops working, does not sync with the other or connects to the phone separately. In 90% of cases, this is solved by the correct connection of headphones to each other โ a procedure that few people know in detail.
In this article, weโll break down all the current ways to pair two AirDots (including hidden firmware features), explain why headphones can โunplugโ on their own, and give a checklist for fault diagnosis. Instructions are suitable for 2019-2026 models, including Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Xiaomi AirDots Youth Edition and Mi AirDots S. If youโve tried the standard method (holding the button for 15 seconds) and it didnโt work, youโll find alternative methods here.
Why AirDots Don't Connect: 5 Reasons Why AirDots Are Unconnected
Before we get into the instructions, itโs important to understand whatโs keeping the headphones from syncing, and most often the problem isnโt hardware failure, but software failure or user missteps.
- ๐ A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the voltage may not be enough to synchronize).
- ๐ฑ Conflict with previous connection to another device (earphones "remembered" the old phone and do not want to reconnect).
- ๐ Failure of firmware after incorrect update or abrupt power outage during synchronization.
- ๐ง Mechanical damage to contacts in the case-charging (oxidation, pollution or wear of spring connectors).
- ๐ ๏ธ Manually resetting the pair through a service menu (for example, after battery repair or replacement).
Fun fact: Redmi AirDots 2 and later uses Bluetooth 5.2, which automatically tries to restore the connection between the headphones when removed from the case, and if this does not happen, the problem is precisely the settings, not the โobsoleteโ version of Bluetooth of your smartphone.
โ ๏ธ Warning: If one of the headphones doesnโt respond to the press of the button at all (does not blink, does not make sounds), donโt rush to bring it to the service. First check if moisture has fallen under the membrane of the button โ this is a common problem after training or rain. Dry the earphone with a hair dryer (cold air!) for 10 minutes.
Method 1: Standard button synchronization (for all models)
This is a basic method that works on 95% of Xiaomi AirDots devices.If you've never connected your headphones or reset, start with it.
- Put both earphones in the charger case and close the lid. Make sure the indicators on the case are on (meaning charging).
- Remove both earphones from the case. They must automatically turn on (white/red LED flashes).
- Press and hold the touch button on the right earphone for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (pairing mode).
- Repeat the same for the left earpiece. In 5-10 seconds, both should sync (blinking white at the same time).
- Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth โ they should show up as a single device (e.g. Redmi). AirDots_R Mi True Wireless).
Make sure both earphones are charged (indicators on the case are on fire)
Remove the headphones from the case and wait for automatic switching on
Hold the button on the right earphone for 15 seconds (up to a red and white flash)
Repeat for the left earphone
Wait 10 seconds โ the signal of the connection should sound-->
If you do this, you can still connect your headphones separately, then move on to the next way, and maybe the memory of the devices has the old settings.
Method 2: Forced reset via charging case (for 2020+ models)
Xiaomiโs 2020 and later headphones (including Redmi AirDots 3 and Mi AirDots Pro 2) have a hidden case reset feature that helps when standard synchronization fails due to a software glitch.
- Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Connect the case to the power source (charger or Power Bank).
- Press and hold the button on the case (usually side or bottom) for 20 seconds. The indicators on the case should go out, and then blink red.
- Release the button and wait until the indicators start flashing white (this means that the reset was successful).
- Get the headphones out of the case โ they should automatically sync.
Important: This method only works on hardware-button cases. If you have a case without a button (e.g. Mi AirDots S), use Method 3.
| Model headphones | Supports the case dump? | Retention time of the button |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1st generation) | โ No. | โ |
| Redmi AirDots 2/2S | โ Yes. | 20 seconds. |
| Mi AirDots Pro | โ Yes. | 15 seconds. |
| Redmi AirDots 3 Pro | โ Yes. | 25 seconds |
| Mi AirDots Youth Edition | โ No. | โ |
โ ๏ธ Warning: After a case reset, the headphones may temporarily lose contact with the phone. Don't be afraid, just remove them from the list of conjugated devices in the Bluetooth settings and reconnect them.
Method 3: Manual reconnect via Bluetooth (for Android/iOS)
Sometimes the headphones physically connect (flash synchronously), but only one connects to the phone, which means that the device has stored the old data about the pair, the solution is to "make" the system forget the old settings.
On Android:
- Open Settings โ Bluetooth.
- Find both headphones in the list of devices (usually they are displayed as Redmi). AirDots_L redmi AirDots_R).
- Click on the gear next to each headphone and select Delete/Forget device.
- Return the headphones to the case, pull them out and repeat the standard synchronization (Method 1).
On the iPhone (iOS):
- Go to Settings โ Bluetooth.
- Click on the "i" icon next to each headphone and select Forget this device.
- Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone again.
- Get the headphones out of the case โ they should connect as one device.
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If the headphones are still connected separately, try turning off Bluetooth on all other devices nearby (laptop, tablet, smartwatch), sometimes conflict arises from trying to connect to multiple sources at once.
Method 4: Update firmware via Mi Home (for models with support)
Not everyone knows, but some Xiaomi AirDots models (like the Mi AirDots Pro 2 and Redmi AirDots 3 Pro) support firmware updates through the Mi Home app.If the headphones don't sync due to a software glitch, the update could fix the problem.
- Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Connect your headphones to your phone (even if they work separately).
- Open Mi Home, click Profile โ Settings โ Add your device and select your AirDots model.
- If an update is available, a notification will appear. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to confirm the update and wait for completion).
- After the update, restart the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds and get it out).
Note: Not all models support this method, and if your headphones don't show up on Mi Home, they don't have a firmware update.
What to do if the update is suspended?
Method 5: Hardware reset via service menu (advanced method)
If none of the previous methods worked, it is possible that headphones require a complete hardware reset, which is suitable for advanced users and requires accuracy.
Instructions for most models:
- Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Press and hold the touch buttons on both headphones at the same time (at least 30 seconds).
- Without releasing the buttons, open the case cover (earphones should stay inside!).
- Keep holding the buttons for another 15 seconds until the lights start flashing red (this is a reset signal).
- Release the buttons, close the case cover for 10 seconds, then pull out the headphones - they should sync.
For the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and Mi AirDots Pro 2 models, the process is slightly different:
1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Press the left earphone 5 times in a row (with an interval of 1 second).
3. Press the right earphone 3 times in a row.
4. Wait for the double beep - this is a confirmation of the reset.โ ๏ธ Warning: Hardware reset erases all user settings, including sound uniformity (EQ) and binding to the account Mi. After the procedure, the headphones will return to the factory parameters.
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If the hardware reset didnโt help, itโs probably hardware (damage to the board or contacts), in which case, contact Xiaomiโs service center with a check for the purchase (the AirDots warranty is usually 12 months).
Frequent AirDots Connection Errors and How to Avoid Them
Many users make the same mistakes that make headphones reluctant to sync, and here are the most common:
- ๐ Impatient: Holding the button for less than 10 seconds (it takes 15 seconds to reset!).
- ๐ด Ignoring indicators: if the headphone flashes red, it is discharged, and synchronization will not take place.
- ๐ฑ Connect to the phone before synchronization: first, the headphones must connect to each other, only then - with the phone.
- ๐ Use of a non-original charger: cheap cables may not provide enough current to properly operate the case.
- ๐ก๏ธ Overheating or hypothermia: If the headphones were lying in the sun or in the cold, let them warm up/cool down to room temperature.
Itโs also worth remembering that Xiaomi AirDots doesnโt support connecting to two devices at the same time (like a phone and a laptop).If you tried to connect them to multiple gadgets, it could have caused a pair conflict.