Xiaomi AirDots 2: How to turn on and connect to your phone in 3 minutes

Xiaomi AirDots 2 wireless headphones (also known as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic) remain among the most popular headphones. TWS-But even with these simple devices, the process of first switching on and pairing with a phone is questionable — especially if you haven't used wireless technology before. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to activate headphones, the nuances of connecting to Android and iOS, as well as typical errors that interfere with the correct work.

It's important to understand that AirDots 2 doesn't have a physical power button -- it activates automatically when it's removed from the charging case, but that doesn't mean it's always going smoothly. For example, if the headphones have been lying around for a long time, they can go to a level where they don't turn on even after recharging. Or one of the headphones refuses to sync with the other. We'll look at all scenarios, including forced resets and manual mode switching.

This article will be useful for both beginners and those who have experienced problems after updating their phone firmware or changing their smartphone. For convenience, we have divided the material into blocks: from basic instructions to solving rare malfunctions. If you need to quickly find an answer to a specific question, use the FAQ block at the end of the article.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first turn on

Before you try to connect Xiaomi AirDots 2, make sure that all the prerequisites are met.This will save you most of the problems during the pairing phase.

Checklist before inclusion:

  • 🔋 Charging case charged (indicator should burn white or orange when connected to the device) USB).
  • 🎧 Headphones are correctly located in the case (contacts on headphones coincide with contacts in the nests).
  • 📱 Bluetooth is enabled on your phone (check notification panel or settings).
  • 🔄 The headphones were not paired with another device before (if they were, you will need a reset).

If the case is discharged, connect it to a power source (for example, to charge from a smartphone) for 15-20 minutes. The indicator on the case should light up in orange - this is a signal to start charging. Full charging of the case takes about 1.5 hours, but for the first turn on it is enough 10-15 minutes.

Charge the case at least 20% |

Check the location of the headphones in the nests |

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone |

Remove old connections (if headphones have been used before)|

Update the firmware of the phone (for Android 10)+ iOS 14+)-->

Note that if the headphones were left unused for more than a month, their batteries could run to a critical level, in which case, even after you plug the case into charging, the indicator may not light up, so the solution is to leave the case on charging for 30 to 40 minutes, then try to remove the headphones again.

2. Standard method of inclusion and connection

In most cases, Xiaomi AirDots 2 connects to the phone automatically after extraction from the case. Consider the step-by-step instructions for Android and iOS.

For Android smartphones (MIUI, Samsung, Pixel, etc.)

  1. Open the charge case cover - the headphones should stay inside.
  2. Press and hold the touch button on the case for 3-5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white (pairing mode).
  3. Remove both headphones from the case - they must automatically turn on (the indicators on the headphones flash red / white).
  4. On your phone, open Settings → Bluetooth and find Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic.
  5. You tap the name, you pair it, and when you connect it successfully, the headphones go out.

For iPhone (iOS 12 and newer)

  1. Unlock your iPhone and open the case cover (earphones inside).
  2. Press and hold the button on the case until the white indicator flashes.
  3. Remove the headphones – they will turn on automatically.
  4. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and select Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic from the list of available devices.
  5. Confirm the connection. An iPhone may be notified of the connection of the headphones (without specifying the model).

If the headphones don’t appear in the list of Bluetooth devices, try:

  • 🔄 Return the headphones to the case, close the cover for 10 seconds, then repeat the process.
  • 📱 Reboot your phone (especially relevant for Android with custom firmware).
  • 🔋 Check the charge of the case - at a level below 10%, the headphones may not turn on.

Xiaomi (MIUI)|Samsung|iPhone (iOS)|Other Android|I don't know-->

3.What to do if the headphones do not turn on

AirDots 2 is more likely than it seems to be to not respond to a case extraction, and there are many reasons, from a dead battery to a software failure, and we'll look at all the solutions that we can find, starting with the simplest ones.

Reason 1: Discharged headphones or case

Symptoms: the indicator on the case does not burn when connected to charging, headphones do not respond to touch.

Decision:

  1. Connect the case to charge for 30 to 60 minutes (use the original 5V/1A cable or adapter).
  2. Check if the indicator on the case is on: 🔴 Red - charging (level below 20%). 🟠 Orange – charging (level 20–80%). ⚪ White is full charge.

After charging, remove the headphones - they should turn on automatically.

Reason 2: Failure of synchronization between headphones

Symptoms: One earphone connects, the second does not; both earphones flash red, but do not connect.

Decision:

How to reset the synchronization between headphones?
To force AirDots 2 to sync, follow the following steps: 1. Place both headphones in the case and close the cover. 2. Open the lid and hold the touch button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately. 3. Close the lid for 5 seconds, then remove the headphones - they should sync automatically (indicators blink white). If this does not help, repeat the procedure 2-3 times or try to reset the headphones to factory settings (see the next section).

Reason 3: Software failure (reset required)

Symptoms: Headphones are not determined by the phone, flash non-standard colors (for example, blue), do not respond to touch.

The solution is hard reset:

  1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Connect the case to the charging (required!).
  3. Press and hold the touch button on the case for 30 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
  4. Release the button, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove the headphones - they will reset to the factory settings.

Problem 3: Only connect to one device

Symptoms: The headphones were paired with a laptop or tablet and didn't want to connect to the phone.

Decision:

  1. On your previous device (laptop/tablet), remove AirDots 2 from the list of Bluetooth devices.
  2. Reset your headphones (see Section 3).
  3. Put it back on the phone.

💡

If the headphones connect to the phone but the sound is only in one headphone, check the sound balance in the availability settings (Settings → Special features → Audio/balance).

6. Firmware update and additional functions

Many users don't know that Xiaomi AirDots 2 can be upgraded through its Mi Home app (now Xiaomi Home).Updates improve connection stability, add new gestures and fix bugs. Let's look at how to do that.

How to update the firmware of headphones

  1. Install the Xiaomi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
  2. Connect your headphones to your phone (they should be on the list of Bluetooth devices).
  3. Open Xiaomi Home, tap + → Add device → Headphones.
  4. Select Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic and follow the instructions.
  5. If an update is available, a notification will appear. Confirm the installation and wait for completion (the headphones should be in the case with the lid open).

Hidden functions after update

In the latest versions of the firmware, additional features have appeared:

  • 🎶 Low Delay Mode (for games) – activated by triple tapping the left earphone.
  • 🔊 Setup equalizer through Xiaomi Home (available presets "Basy", "Voice", "Balance").
  • 📱 Automatic connection when opening the case cover (does not work on all phones).

Important: If the headphones start to work worse after the update (for example, there were interference), try rolling back the firmware.

  1. Remove the headphones from Xiaomi Home.
  2. Reset them to factory settings (see Section 3).
  3. Connect again - the application will offer to install the latest version of the software.

7. Care and extension of service life

To make Xiaomi AirDots 2 last longer, follow simple operating rules. Many problems (such as fast discharge or poor sound quality) arise from improper care.

How to properly charge headphones

  • 🔌 Use the charger with the exit 5V/1A or 5V/2A. More powerful adapters could shorten battery life.
  • 🔋 Do not leave the headphones in a discharged state for more than a week - this leads to a deep discharge.
  • 🌡️ Avoid charging at temperatures below 0°C or higher than 40°C.

Cleaning and storage

  • 🧼 Clean your headphones and case with dry soft cloth. Use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to remove earwax.
  • 💧 Do not use liquids or abrasives – they can damage touch panels.
  • 📦 Keep your headphones in your case when you're not using them, and this protects them from dust and mechanical damage.

💡

If the headphones began to hold the charge worse, try to "calibrate" the battery: completely discharge them (before turning them off), then charge the case with headphones 100% without interruptions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots 2

❓ Why does one earpiece work quieter than another?
This may be due to: speaker contamination (clean with a soft brush); sound imbalance in the phone settings (check Settings → Special features → Audio/balance); hardware malfunction (if the problem remains after reset); also try to change the headphones in places — if the "quiet" earphone in the right ear has become loud in the left, the problem is with the phone settings.
❓ How to Reset Headphones If the Case Button Doesn't Work?
If the touch button on the case doesn't respond, try: Connect the case to charge and hold the button for 30-40 seconds (sometimes more effort is required); Use a thin object (such as a toothpick) to gently press the button on the side; Contact the service center - there is a possibility of a microswitch breakdown.
❓ Can I use AirDots 2 with a PC or laptop?
Yes, but there are nuances: On Windows 10/11, headphones connect like a normal Bluetooth device, but there may be no support for codecs (sound will be mono or with interference). For full operation, install the Bluetooth driver A2DP Sink. MacOS usually does not have problems, but sometimes you need to manually select the SBC codec in the audio settings.
❓ How long does AirDots 2 charge?
Official specifications: 🎧 Headphones: up to 4 hours of continuous playback (50 percent volume). 🔋 Case: Up to 12 hours of extra time (3 full charge earphones). Real time depends on volume, Bluetooth codec and ambient temperature. At maximum volume, the running time is reduced to 2.5-3 hours.
❓ Why the headphones are constantly turned off during a conversation?
This is a typical problem with: Weak Bluetooth signal (for example, if the phone is in your pocket and you walk around the room); conflict with other Bluetooth devices (turn off other gadgets); activated power saving mode on the phone (turn it off in the battery settings); also check if the Bluetooth channel is overloaded (for example, if the smartwatch and speaker are running simultaneously).