How to connect Xiaomi AirDots to your phone or PC: 3 working methods

Wireless headphones Xiaomi AirDots (and their modifications: AirDots Pro, AirDots) 2/3, Redmi AirDots have become popular due to a combination of price and quality, but many users face problems when connecting for the first time: the device is not on the Bluetooth list, the sound is interrupted or the headphones turn off after a few seconds. In this article, step-by-step instructions for all models, solving typical errors and hidden settings that will improve the quality of communication.

We will look not only at standard pairing via Bluetooth, but also at alternative methods for Android, iOS and other applications. Windows/macOS. We will pay special attention to the unique problem of AirDots models. 2S and pro 2 Lite โ€“ conflict with Bluetooth protocols 5.2 on new smartphones, because of which headphones may not connect to Android devices 12+ iPhone 13/14.

1. Headphone preparation for connection: reset and activation

Before the first pairing, Xiaomi AirDots must be switched to search mode. If the headphones have already been used with another device, reset.

For AirDots Basic, AirDots 2 and Redmi AirDots:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Charge the case to 100% (the indicator burns white.
  • ๐ŸŽง Take both headphones out of the case โ€“ they will automatically turn on (blinks red/white LED).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Press the touchpad on both headphones for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately (reset mode).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ After reset, put the headphones back in the case, then pull them out again - they will go into search mode (white flashing lights).

For AirDots Pro, AirDots 3 Pro and AirDots SE process:

  1. Take the headphones out of the case and wait for automatic switching on.
  2. Tap the right earphone touch panel three times, it will go into pairing mode (the voice assistant will tell โ€œReady to pairโ€).
  3. To reset, press the sensor on both headphones for 20 seconds until the signal sounds.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If your headphones don't flash white after reset, check the contacts in the case for oxidation.

๐Ÿ“Š What AirDots model do you use?
AirDots Basic/2
AirDots Pro/3 Pro
Redmi AirDots
Another model
I don't know.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection (Android/iOS)

The most common way is to pair via the Bluetooth menu, which is universal for all smartphones, but there are nuances for different versions of Android and iOS.

For Android (versions 8โ€“14):

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Connected devices โ†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Activate Bluetooth and wait for the Mi True Wireless device (or Redmi AirDots for the corresponding model) to appear in the list.
  3. Click on the headphone name. If you have a request to confirm the code, type 0000.
  4. After successful connection, the status will display โ€œConnected for audioโ€.

For iPhone (iOS 14-17):

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Go to Settings. โ†’ Bluetooth.
  • ๐Ÿ” In the list of โ€œOther devicesโ€ find Xiaomi AirDots (may appear as Mi True Wireless). EB old-model).
  • ๐Ÿ”— Click on the name and wait for pairing. iPhone does not require confirmation code.
Model headphonesDisplayed name in BluetoothWhether required PIN-codeSupport for AAC/aptX
AirDots BasicMi True Wireless EBYes (0000)AAC (no aptX)
AirDots 2Mi True Wireless ESNo.AAC
AirDots ProMi True Wireless ProNo.AAC + LHDC (Android)
AirDots 3 ProXiaomi Air 3 ProNo.AAC + aptX Adaptive

โš ๏ธ Note: On the iPhone models AirDots Pro and newer will work only in mode AAC โ€” support LHDC/aptX Available only on Android with MIUI or through third-party firmware.

Make sure the headphones are charged|Activate Bluetooth on your phone|Get both earphones out of the case.|Reset your headphones when you connect to the previous one-->

3. Alternative ways of connecting

If the standard method doesn't work, try these options, which are especially useful for devices with unstable Bluetooth or older versions of protocols.

Method 1: Connect via the Mi Home app (Android only)

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Install the Mi Home app from Google Play.
  • ๐Ÿ” Launch the application, go to the Profile โ†’ Settings โ†’ Add the device.
  • ๐ŸŽง Select the Audio category and find your AirDots model.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will automatically update the headphone firmware if a new version is available.

Method 2: Manually select Bluetooth profile (for Android)

On some smartphones (such as Samsung or OnePlus), AirDots only connect as a "phone call device," not for music.

  1. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth.
  2. Open the Settings. โ†’ Connected devices โ†’ Settings (โš™๏ธ) near AirDots.
  3. Enable the options โ€œMedia Audioโ€ and โ€œHigh-quality Audioโ€.
  4. Reboot the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds and get it out).

Method 3: Connection to PC (Windows) 10/11 macOS)

To use AirDots with a computer:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ On Windows: Open the settings โ†’ Devices โ†’ Bluetooth, click Add Device and select AirDots from the list.
  • ๐ŸŽ On macOS: Go to System Settings โ†’ Bluetooth and pair. For models with LHDC It may be necessary to install a driver LHDC Encoder.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted, turn off the Absolute Volume option in Bluetooth settings, which will solve the volume synchronization problem on Android.

4. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face common bugs, and here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: Headphones are not on the Bluetooth list

  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Check the case charge - at a discharge below 20%, the headphones are not activated.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the headphones (see section 1).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Reboot your smartphone and re-activate Bluetooth.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ If you are using Android 12+, Turn off the Quick Connection feature in Bluetooth settings โ€“ it can block new devices from being discovered.

Problem 2: The sound is interrupted or lagged

Causes and solutions:

Symptoms.Possible causeDecision
The sound โ€œbreaksโ€ every 5-10 seconds.Wi-Fi conflict (both run at 2.4GHz)Turn off Wi-Fi or switch router to 5GHz
Sound delay in games/videoSBC codec is used instead of AAC.In Bluetooth settings, select โ€œSound Quality Priorityโ€
Headphones turn off when you call.Microphone conflictTurn off the option ยซHD-voice" in settings SIM-map

Problem 3: Only one earphone works

This is most often due to:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Different levels of headphone charge (check in the Mi Home app).
  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Sync failure. Put both earbuds in the case for 30 seconds, then pull out.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Contamination of contacts in the case, wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
What if the headphones are connected as a โ€œphoneโ€ and not โ€œmusicโ€?
This problem is typical for Samsung smartphones and some Xiaomi models with the HyperOS shell. Solution: 1. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth. 2. Open Settings โ†’ Connections โ†’ Bluetooth 3. Press the icon. โš™๏ธ Next to AirDots. 4. Turn on Media Audio and turn off Calls. 5. Reset your headphones (put it in your case for 10 seconds). If there is no Media Audio option, upgrade your headphone firmware via Mi Home or reset your Bluetooth settings on your phone (Settings) โ†’ System system โ†’ Reset โ†’ Resetting network settings).

5. Sound and battery optimization

Once connected, configure AirDots for maximum comfort.

Sound tuning

  • ๐ŸŽต In the Mi Home app, select the sound profile: Balance โ€“ universal mode; Enhanced bass โ€“ for music; Clear voice โ€“ for podcasts / calls.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š On Android with MIUI activate LHDC (for AirDots Pro 2 and later in Settings โ†’ Connections โ†’ Bluetooth settings โ†’ Sound quality.
  • ๐ŸŽง To reduce noise outside, turn on Transparent Mode (available on AirDots 3 Pro and AirDots) SE).

Battery savings

To extend the working hours:

  • โšก Turn off Automatic Turnoff in the headphone settings (if you do not use them more than 1 time a day).
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Manually disable Bluetooth headphones when not needed โ€“ this will save up to 20% of charge.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Store headphones in a case - even when turned off, they discharge in 2-3 days.

Hidden functions

Few people know that AirDots supports:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Low-latency mode for games: touch left earphone three times (works on AirDots 3 Pro and newer).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Fast switching between devices: pinch the sensor for 2 seconds to transition to the last connected gadget.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Voice assistant: Double tapping right earphone calls Google Assistant/Siri.

๐Ÿ’ก

For maximum stability, turn off the battery saving feature for Bluetooth devices on your phone. On Android, this is done in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Special access โ†’ Battery Optimization (Find Bluetooth and Turn Off Optimization).

6. Connection to TVs and other devices

Xiaomi AirDots can be used not only with smartphones, but letโ€™s look at the nuances of connecting to popular gadgets.

Xiaomi TVs (MI TV, Redmi TV)

  • ๐Ÿ“บ Go to Settings. โ†’ Bluetooth and devices โ†’ Add the device.
  • ๐Ÿ” Select AirDots from the list. On some models TV may be required PIN-code.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š To synchronize the sound in games, turn on in the settings TV โ€œLow delay of soundโ€ modeยป.

Game consoles (PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch)

There is no built-in AirDots support on PlayStation and Switch, but you can use a Bluetooth adapter:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Connect the adapter (for example, 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter 2) to the console.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Put the adapter in pairing mode and connect AirDots as usual.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Nana PS5 You may need to turn off the microphone in the sound settings.

Smart watches and fitness bracelets

Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3 Redmi Watch 3 supports AirDots for listening to music:

  1. Open the Bluetooth menu on the watch.
  2. Activate device search and select AirDots.
  3. Confirm the pairing. The sound will only be played from the clock (not at the same time as the smartphone).

โš ๏ธ Note: AirDots cannot be connected on the Apple Watch โ€“ watchOS supports only headphones with an Apple chip W1/H1.

7. Update of firmware and diagnostics

If the headphones are unstable, the reason may be outdated firmware, and you can update it in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Mi Home app

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Connect AirDots to your phone via Bluetooth.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Open Mi Home, find the headphones in the list of devices.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the headphones!).

Method 2: Manual firmware (for advanced users)

For models AirDots Pro and AirDots 3 Pro, you can install firmware manually through ADB:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.BLUETOOTH_SETTINGS


adb push firmware.bin /sdcard/




adb shell am startservice -n com.xiaomi.bluetooth/.update.FirmwareUpdateService

โš ๏ธ This method is risky, because if you make a mistake, your headphones may stop turning on. MIUI.

Diagnosis of malfunctions

If the headphones are not on or charged:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Check the voltage on the contacts of the case with a multimeter (should be) ~3.7V).
  • ๐Ÿ” Inspect the headphones for physical damage (cracks, bloating battery).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ For disassembly, use a plastic spatula - metal tools will damage the body.
How to check the actual battery level?
Install the Bluetooth Battery Monitor app on Android, which will show the exact percentage of charge of each headphone and case (not working on all models). Alternatively, type ##4636## into the phone's engineering menu, select Battery Information, and find the AirDots device in the list.

FAQ: Frequent questions

Can you connect Xiaomi AirDots to two phones at the same time?
No, AirDots only supports one device at a time, but you can switch between gadgets quickly: press the touchpad for 2 seconds to disconnect from the current device and activate the search mode for a new one.
Why are the headphones plugged in, but there is no sound?
Reasons: The phone has the wrong Bluetooth profile (e.g., Calls Only) Solution: In Bluetooth settings, select Media Audio. Windows does not have a driver installed A2DP. Solution: Update Bluetooth drivers via Device Manager. Sound is directed to another device (like a phone speaker).Solution: Pull the notification bar and select AirDots as the output device.
How to Reset Xiaomi AirDots if They Donโ€™t React?
If the headphones don't turn on or respond to touch: Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid. Connect the case to charge for 30 minutes (even if the indicator isn't on), pull out the headphones and pinch the touchpads for 30 seconds (up to double beep). Repeat the connection procedure from scratch. If this doesn't work, there's a problem in the hardware (a dead battery or a damaged controller).
Which app is best for managing AirDots on iPhone?
The official Mi Home app doesn't support iOS. Alternatives: Headset Battery Monitor shows battery power. Bluetooth Auto Connect automatically plugs in the headphones when you open the case. Equalizer FX โ€” Equalizer setting (works systemically, not only for AirDots).
Can I use AirDots to make calls to Discord/Zoom?
Yeah, but there's a nuance: Windows/macOS in the application settings (Discord) โ†’ Settings โ†’ Voice and video) select AirDots as I/O. On mobile devices, AirDots will automatically become the audio output device when you connect to a call. For better microphone quality, turn off the Absolute Volume option in Bluetooth settings (on Android). โš ๏ธ AirDots Basic and AirDots 2 microphone quality is low โ€“ for important calls it is better to use a headset with wire.