How to connect headphones Xiaomi AirDots with each other: a complete guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones are some of the most popular TWS-But many users are faced with the problem that when they buy or reset their headphones, they don't sync with each other, so one headphone connects to the phone, and the other one doesn't speak or works separately. What is the reason and how to correct the situation?

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all AirDots models (including the Pro, 3, SE, and Youth Edition) and solutions to common bugs. We will explore why headphones “disconnect,” how to pair them together correctly, and what to do if standard methods don’t work. No water is just proven methods from experts and users.

If you are first encountering with TWS-It's important to understand that these work as master and slave earbuds, and usually the right earbud is master and the left earbud is slave, which is why, when you're not synchronized correctly, you often only have one earbud. You'll then learn how to reconnect between them.

Why are Xiaomi AirDots not connected to each other?

Before we try to pair headphones, we'll figure out what's causing the problem, and the most common ones are the following:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the charge can be critically low).
• 🔄 Reset settings after firmware update or manual reset via button.
• 📱 Bluetooth device conflict that your headphones have previously connected to (for example, if you’re trying to connect to a new phone).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction (damage to contacts in the case or the headphones themselves).
• 🔊 Incompatibility of firmware (if the headphones were updated separately).

80 percent of the time, the problem is software-based, you just reset your settings and re-sync your headphones, but if you've tried that before, and it's zero, it could be physical damage, for example, if one of the headphones fell or got wet, the charging and synchronizing contacts could become oxidized.

An important nuance: AirDots Pro and AirDots 3 models use an improved Bluetooth 5.0 chip that automatically restores the connection after a break, and if your headphones don't support this feature, they will have to pair manually every time they are removed from the case.

⚠️ Attention: If the headphones do not respond to button presses and do not charge, do not try to disassemble them yourself. Xiaomi AirDots uses adhesive connections, and if you open the microphone or speaker improperly, you can damage the microphone or speaker.

Preparing for synchronization: what to do before mating

Before you start connecting headphones, follow several mandatory steps:

1. Charge the case and headphones to 100%. Even if the indicator shows a charge, connect the case to the network for 10-15 minutes. Sometimes the low charge of one of the headphones blocks synchronization.
2. Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth list on any gadgets they’ve connected to before, eliminating conflicts when reconnecting.
3. Clean the contacts on the headphones and in the case with a dry cotton swab. Oxidation or dirt can disrupt charging and synchronization.
4. Update the firmware (if available).For some AirDots models, Xiaomi releases updates that fix connection errors.

If you are using AirDots Pro or AirDots 3, check the firmware version through the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the app and find the device in the list.
3. Go to Settings → Update firmware.

Remove Bluetooth headphones from all devices |

Charge the case and headphones to 100%|

Clear contacts with a cotton swab |

Update the firmware (if available)|

Rebooting your smartphone (sometimes helps)-->

Tip: If the headphones have not been used for a long time, leave them in the case for charging for 1-2 hours. Sometimes a deep discharge leads to a failure of the power controller, and only prolonged charging restores performance.

How to pair Xiaomi AirDots with each other

This method works for most models, including the first-generation AirDots, Pro, SE and Youth Edition.

1. Remove both headphones from the case and wait until they start flashing white/red (search mode).
2. Press the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (reset mode).
3. Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid. Wait 20 to 30 seconds.
4. Take the headphones out of the case. They should automatically sync (the indicators will flash white at the same time).
5. Connect to headphones via Bluetooth on your phone by selecting them from the list of available devices (usually displayed as Mi AirDots). Basic_R or similar).

If the headphones still don’t connect after this, try an alternative method (described below) and check if one of the headphones is on a permanent red light, which is a sign of a discharge or malfunction.

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If your headphones don't respond to long-term button pressing, try pressing them one by one, 5 seconds on the right, then on the left, and sometimes this works better than pressing them simultaneously.

Alternative method: manual synchronization through the case

If the standard method didn't work, use this method, which is particularly effective for AirDots 3 and Pro, which use an improved communication chip.

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (behind or below) for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Open the case cover – the headphones should automatically synchronize (the indicators will light up white).
4. Connect to the headphones via Bluetooth on your phone.

This method resets the case settings and forces the mating process, and if it didn't work, it might be a problem with the firmware or hardware.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal objects (clips, needles) to reset - this can damage the button on the case.

Problem Solving: What to do if the headphones are not synchronized

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

If the problem persists, try connecting the headphones to another phone or tablet to help determine if your smartphone is to blame, for example, some Xiaomi and Redmi models have Bluetooth bugs in older versions of MIUI.

Firmware Update: How to Fix Connection Errors

For AirDots Pro, AirDots 3 and SE models, Xiaomi periodically releases firmware updates that fix synchronized bugs.

1. Install the official Xiaomi Wear app (for Android) or Mi Home (for iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your AirDots in the list of devices.
4. Go to Settings → Update firmware.
5. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn off the headphones!).

The update takes 2-5 minutes. Once it is complete, the headphones will automatically restart. If the upgrade fails (e.g., the headphones will turn off), repeat the procedure or reset them to the factory settings.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update - this can lead to a complete loss of performance of the headphones. If the indicators are on white for more than 10 minutes and the progress does not change, remove the headphones from the case, reset them and try to upgrade again.

After the update, check the firmware version:

• For AirDots Pro, the current version for 2026 is 1.7.1.0 or higher.
• For AirDots 3 - 2.0.0.8+.
• For AirDots SE - 1.4.0.3+.

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Updating the firmware solves 90% of sync problems in AirDots Pro and newer models. OTA-Updates (e.g. first generation), the only way out is reset and manual synchronization.

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi AirDots owners make the same mistakes that prevent proper synchronization, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔌 Using a non-original charging cable, cheap cables may not provide enough current, which causes the headphones to not fully charge and synchronization is lost.
• 📵 Pressing headphone buttons with dirty or wet fingers, touch buttons may not work if they are hit by moisture or fat.
• 🔄 Interrupt the reset process. If you release the buttons ahead of time, the headphones will not go into mating mode.
• 📱 Connecting to headphones from multiple devices at the same time creates Bluetooth conflict.
• 🔊 Ignoring indicators: The color and frequency of flashing indicators indicate the mode in which the headphones are in (see the table below).

To avoid problems, always monitor the status of the indicators:

If the indicators behave outside the box (e.g., they are green or blue), this may indicate a faulty controller, in which case contact the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions