How to turn both Xiaomi AirDots headphones on: a complete synchronization guide

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (and their modifications: AirDots Pro, AirDots 2/3, Redmi AirDots) have become popular due to the affordable price and good sound. However, many users face the problem: after removing from the case, only one earphone works, and the second one is silent or not connected, this situation arises from a synchronization failure between devices or an incorrect switching sequence.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn two headphones on at once, from basic instructions to complex cases where the headphones have “decoupled” or stopped interacting with each other. You’ll learn how to sync AirDots with your phone correctly, what to do if one earphone doesn’t respond, and how to avoid typical connection errors. The instructions are relevant for all models of the line, including the latest versions that support Bluetooth 5.2.

Why only one headphone works: the main reasons

Before you try to turn on both earbuds, it's important to understand why they don't work together, and most often, one of three things is the problem.

• 🔋 Discharged battery – if one of the headphones is completely sat down, it will not turn on even if there is a charge in the case.
• 🔄 Synchronization failure – headphones “forgot” each other after prolonged inactivity or incorrect shutdown.
• 📱 Phone connection error – smartphone “sees” only one headphone due to conflict of Bluetooth profiles.

Less commonly, the problem is hardware malfunctions (e.g., damage to the contacts in the case or failure of the microphone in one of the headphones). 90% of the time, it is enough to reset and re-sync to return the stereo sound. Next, we will look at how to do this correctly.

Basic instructions: how to turn both headphones Xiaomi AirDots

If you have just bought headphones or haven’t used them in a long time, start with the standard turn-on procedure:

1. Remove both headphones from the case - they must automatically turn on (the indicator will light up on each).
2. Wait for the synchronization – the headphones will emit an audible signal (usually a double squeak), and the indicators will start flashing alternately (red / white).
3. Connect to the phone: Open the settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone. In the list of available devices, find Mi AirDots Basic_R (or a similar name for your model. Click "Connect".

If done correctly, Bluetooth status will show "Connected to media audio" and sound will come from both headphones, and if one of them is silent, move to the next section.

What to do if the headphones are not synchronized with each other

If the headphones are not emitting a double signal and flashing synchronously after being removed from the case, they need to be forcibly synchronized.

1. Return both headphones to the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Remove only the right earpiece (it is the main one in the pair) - wait until it starts flashing white.
3. Press the touch button on the right earphone for 15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately (synchronization mode).
4. Take out the left earphone – it must automatically connect to the right (double signal will sound).

If the synchronization has not occurred:

• 🔄 Repeat the procedure, but this time start with the left earpiece (in some models, the main one is the left one).
• 📵 Make sure the headphones aren’t connected to other devices (turn them off in Bluetooth settings on all gadgets).
• 🔋 Check the charge of the case – if it is discharged, the headphones will not be able to synchronize.

Reset Xiaomi AirDots settings to factory

If standard methods don't work, do a full reset, which will remove all the connections you saved and return the headphones to their original settings.

Instructions for discharge:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and press the touch buttons on both headphones at the same time (for 20-30 seconds).
3. The indicators will flash red 3 times in a row - this is a signal of a successful reset.
4. Close the case, wait 10 seconds and re-extract the headphones.

Once reset, the headphones will be like new ones, they need to be re-synchronized and connected to the phone, and if the reset didn't work, the problem could be a firmware or hardware malfunction.

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If your headphones don’t sync after reset, try connecting them to another smartphone (like Android 10+ or iOS), and sometimes conflicts arise because of an outdated version of Bluetooth on your phone.

Problems with connecting to the phone: solutions

Even if the headphones are successfully synchronized with each other, they may not connect to the smartphone. Let's consider typical scenarios and ways to eliminate them:

If the problem persists, try updating your headphone firmware through the official Mi Home app (available for AirDots Pro models and later).

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Mi Home, find the device in the list.
3. Go to the "Update" section and follow the instructions.

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Xiaomi phones with MIUI 12+ may experience a bug when the system automatically switches the headphones to mono mode to save power. To fix this, turn off the option "Responsive Sound" in the Bluetooth settings.

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many of the problems with Xiaomi AirDots are caused by the wrong actions of users, and here are the most common mistakes:

• 🔌 Removing headphones one at a time – always take them out of the case at the same time, otherwise they may not sync.
• 📴 Using a case as a powerbank – if you connect a case to a charger with headphones inside, it can knock their firmware down.
• 🔄 Frequent change of devices – connection to 5+ gadgets in a row leads to conflicts in the memory of headphones.
• 🚫 Ignoring updates – outdated firmware can cause synchronization problems (current for AirDots Pro and newer).

How to use headphones to avoid problems:

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones only with the original cable (the use of cheap charging can damage the battery).
• 📱 Periodically (once a month) remove your headphones from the Bluetooth device list and reconnect.
• 🔕 If you do not use headphones for more than a week, put them in a case - this will prevent battery discharge.

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If you often lose one headphone, turn on the "Device Search" feature in the Mi Home (available for models with a Bluetooth 5.0+ chip).This will help determine the location of the earphone on the signal, even if it is turned off.

Hardware malfunctions: when it is time to contact the service

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware.

• 🔴 The indicator does not burn when removed from the case (damage to contacts or battery).
• 🔊 The sound is only in one headphone, even after reset (driver malfunction).
• 📶 The headphone does not communicate with the phone at a distance of more than 1 meter (problems with the antenna).
• 💧 Visible damage (battery bloating, contact corrosion, cracks in the body).

In these cases, self-repair is not recommended - it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center or to a proven master.

Before visiting the service, check the warranty - if the headphones are less than a year old, repairs can be free (provided there are no mechanical damages).

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Don’t try to disassemble the headphones yourself – 90% of the time it causes damage to the plumes or microphones. Even if you see a “simple” repair on YouTube, without special tools and experience, the risk of finally breaking the device is very high.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions