You took Xiaomi's new wireless headphones out of the box, but they refuse to work together? One headphone connects to the phone, and the other one doesn't speak up or only makes system sounds? TWS-Headphones from budget Redmi AirDots to flagship Mi True Wireless 3. The reasons can be different from the banal discharge of the battery to the failure of the firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to synchronize two headphones, and also tell you what to do if standard methods do not help.
It's important to understand that the process of connecting the headphones to each other (pairing) and connecting them to the smartphone are two different operations. First, the headphones must "find each other" and create a pair, and then connect to the source of sound (phone, laptop, TV). If at some point there is a failure, you will hear the sound in only one earphone or hear nothing at all. We have collected current instructions for 2026, which work on all modern Xiaomi models, including Buddy, FlipBuds and Air 2 Pro.
1. Standard way: how to connect Xiaomi headphones through a button
Most Xiaomi models sync automatically when you first turn on, but if you don’t, use the manual method.It’s suitable for headphones with a physical button or touchpad (e.g. Redmi AirDots 2/3, Mi True Wireless 2).
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- 🔋 Charge both earphones to at least 30% (the indicator should burn white or green). If the battery is discharged, sync may not start.
- 📦 Put the headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds – this will reset the current connection settings.
- 🔄 Take out both earbuds and hold the button (or touchpad) on the right earbud for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white (pairing mode).
- 🤝 Repeat the action for the left earpiece, and in 5-10 seconds, the lights on both should light up white, which means that the pair is created.
- 📱 Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth. One name should appear on the list of available devices (e.g. Redmi). AirDots_XXX).
Charge the case and headphones to 50% |
Make sure the headphones are clean (dirty on the contacts interferes with charging)|
Turn off Bluetooth on other devices (may interfere with connection)|
Check that the headphones of the same model (different models are not synchronized)
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If you only have one earbud after that, try resetting (this is in the next section) and check if the phone is in Mono-Audio mode (in Bluetooth settings or special features).
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On some models (such as Mi True Wireless 3), you need to touch the touchpad on the right earphone three times to enter pairing mode, rather than holding it. Check the instructions for your model!
2. Resetting: When the standard method does not work
If the headphones don't want to connect even after a few attempts, there's probably a software failure, which will help a full reset.
| Model headphones | Resetting method | Sign of successful discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1/2/3), Mi True Wireless 2 | Hold the button on both headphones for 20–25 seconds until the indicators flash red 3 times. | The indicators go out, then light up white. |
| Mi True Wireless 3, Buddy | Put the headphones in the case, then hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 10 seconds. | The indicator in the case flashes orange, then white. |
| FlipBuds Pro, Air 2 Pro | Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 15 seconds. | The sound signal "Reset successful" (on some models). |
After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode, you only have to connect them to the phone. If the reset did not help, try updating the firmware (for this, see section 4).
What to do if the reset does not work?
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse resetting headphones with uncoupling from a Bluetooth device. Even after removing the headphones from the list of connected devices on the phone, they can remain paired with each other.
3 Connection problems: One earphone is not working
A common situation is that the headphones are connected (the indicators are white), but when you connect to the phone, the sound is only in one place.
- 🔊 Incorrect Bluetooth settings on the phone (for example, enabled "Mono" or "left/right earphone only").
- 🔄 Synchronization failure between headphones (they “think” they’re connected, but the connection is actually lost).
- 📱 Problems with the firmware of headphones or phone (especially relevant after updates) MIUI).
- 🔋 Different charge level (one earphone discharged more strongly and automatically shuts down).
How to diagnose and correct:
- Check Bluetooth Settings: On Android: Go to Settings → Connected devices → Settings (⚙️) headphone-on → Audio. Make sure you select Stereo mode. On iPhone: go to Settings. → Bluetooth → (i) next to the headphones → Call and audio device and select "Automatically".
- Reconnect the headphones: Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth list. Turn off Bluetooth on the phone for 30 seconds, then turn it on again. Reconnect the headphones (they should be defined as one device).
- Check volume balance: Android can have a Balance slider (left/right headphone) in Bluetooth settings. Make sure it's in the middle. On iPhone, balance is adjusted in Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual Effects → Stereo Balance.
Xiaomi (MIUI)|
Samsung (One UI)|
iPhone (iOS)|
Other Android |
I don't know.
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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smartphones (especially with the MIUI 12–14) There's a bug that makes the headphones connect as two separate devices. To fix this, go to Settings. → Connected devices → Bluetooth. find both headphones in the list (e.g. Redmi) AirDots_L redmi AirDots_R). Remove both devices. Reboot your phone. Reconnect your headphones, and they should be defined as one device.
4. firmware update: if the headphones are buggy after connecting
Failures in operation TWS-Headphones are often associated with outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its devices, correcting synchronization errors, problems with sound and autonomy:
For most models (Redmi AirDots 3, Mi True Wireless 2 and later), the update is automatically done when you connect to the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
- Install the Xiaomi Wear app (for headphones) or Mi Home (if the headphones are connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem).
- Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
- Open the app and find your headphones in the list of devices.
- If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click "Update" and wait for the process to be completed (the headphones should be in the case with the lid open!).
For older models (Redmi AirDots 1, Mi True Wireless 1), the firmware update may require manual installation via PC.
- 💻 Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware website (select your model).
- 📁 Unpack the archive and follow the instructions (usually a special utility is required, such as the Mi Flash Tool).
- ⚠️ Don't turn off your headphones while you're firmware.
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Updating your firmware is the only way to fix hardware bugs, such as spontaneously turning off one earphone or poor sound quality. If you have problems after updating, contact the service center (a microphone or Bluetooth module defect is possible).
5. Hardware problems: when to carry in the service
If none of these methods worked, it may be the hardware that's the problem, and here are the signs that you need to show the headphones to the specialist.
- 🔴 Indicators do not burn at all (even after a long charge) - a malfunction of the battery or board is possible.
- 🔊 There is a sound, but very quiet or with interference - the speaker or Bluetooth module could fail.
- 🔄 Headphones are constantly disconnected (even after resetting) - a problem with the antenna or firmware at the level of "iron".
- 💧 Traces of oxidation or corrosion on case or headphone contacts – cleaning or replacement of contacts is required.
Do not try to disassemble headphones yourself - their body is glued together, and if you do not open it carefully, you can damage the internal components. Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia and the CIS usually charge for diagnosis from 500 to 1500 rubles, and repair (for example, replacing the battery) costs 1000-3,000 rubles depending on the model.
If the headphones are warranty, don't bother repairing them yourself, it will void warranty obligations. Contact the store where you bought the device or an authorized service center. A list of official SCs can be found on the Xiaomi website.
⚠️ Warning: Before visiting the service center, reset your headphones to factory settings and remove them from all Bluetooth devices, which will help specialists diagnose the problem faster (they will see that the failure is not related to the user settings).
6. Alternative methods: if nothing helps
If the headphones stubbornly do not want to connect, but you are sure that the problem is not in the hardware, try these non-standard methods:
- 📱 Connect your headphones to another device (tablet, laptop, second phone), sometimes due to a conflict with a particular smartphone model.
- 🔄 Use Developer Mode on Android: Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Build Number in your phone settings). → System system → For developers → Debugging Bluetooth and turning on "Enable Bluetooth" HCI-Reboot your phone and try reconnecting your headphones.
- 🔋 Discharge your headphones to zero: Use your headphones until they go off. Leave them empty for 1-2 hours. Charge to 100% and try syncing again.
This method sometimes helps with failures of the power controller.
If you are an iPhone user, try resetting your network settings:
- Go to Settings → Main → Reset or Reset iPhone → Reset.
- Select "Reset network settings."
- After restarting the phone, reconnect the headphones.
This method helps if the problem lies in the cache of the Bluetooth module of the iPhone.
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Some Xiaomi models (such as the FlipBuds Pro) have a hidden feature called “Single-Earphone Mode” to turn it off, hold the touchpad on the left earphone for 5 seconds until the voice notification “Stereo mode” sounds.