How to pair Xiaomi headphones with each other: full instruction with nuances

Xiaomi wireless headphones have long ceased to be just an accessory — they have become an integral part of everyday life. But what if you have purchased two separate headphones (for example, after losing one of the pair) or want to create a duet of different models for amplified sound? Headphone pairing is a procedure that allows you to synchronize the left and right modules into a single stereo system, but it does not always go smoothly.

In this article, we will analyze all the official and alternative ways to connect Xiaomi headphones, from classic AirDots to flagship Buds 4 Pro. You will learn how to check the compatibility of models, which buttons are responsible for what, and what to do if the headphones “can’t see” each other. And also – unique life hacks for models with a Qualcomm QCC3040 chip, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

Importantly, the procedure is different for Mi True Wireless headphones and the Redmi Buds line, and if you've tried to connect them before and failed, you've probably missed a key step, and then you'll find step-by-step visualization instructions, a compatibility table, and answers to frequent errors.

1.What Xiaomi headphones can be hidden between each other?

Not all Xiaomi models support earphone-earphone pairing, and here are the basic compatibility criteria:

• 🔹 Same series: for example, AirDots 3 with AirDots 3, but not with AirDots 2. The exception is some models on a Qualcomm chip (see table below).
• 🔹 One chipset: headphones on BES2300 (Redmi Buds 3 Lite will not be connected to the models on the QCC3040 (Buds 4 Pro).
• 🔹 Up-to-date firmware: for models 2022+ The software version is not lower than 1.4.0.8 (you can check in the Mi Home application).

⚠️ Warning: If you try to connect headphones from different sets (for example, left from one set and right from another), there is no guarantee of sound. In 30% of cases, there is a volume imbalance or a delay of up to 200 ms.

2. Preparation of headphones for pairing

Before you connect the headphones, you need to bring them to the "start state", which is especially important if they were previously paired with another device.

Charge the case to 100% (the indicator is lit green)

Remove both earphones from the case

Remove them from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone

Reset the settings (see instructions below)-->

How to Reset Xiaomi Headphones:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. For models without a button (such as Buds 4 Pro), use the combination: touch the touchpad on both headphones 4 times in a row.

⚠️ Note: After reset, AirDots 3 Pro and later headphones may require re-activation via the Mi Home app. Without this, they will not appear in the Bluetooth list.

3. Standard method of pairing (for most models)

This method works for 80% of Xiaomi headphones, including AirDots 2/3, Redmi Buds 3 and Buds 4. The main condition is that both headphones must be the same model and reset to factory settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Take both earphones out of the case. They should automatically turn on (indicators flash white).
2. Place them near you (no more than 5 cm away).
3. Press and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
4. Repeat the action for the left earpiece, and after the second signal, the lights should flash in synchronous blue.
5. Connect to your headphones via Bluetooth on your phone – they should show up as a single device (e.g., “Mi True Wireless Earphones 3”).

💡 Useful tip: If the headphones don't connect the first time, try swapping them in the case (put the left in the right slot and vice versa.

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For Buds 4 Pro, check the sound mode in the Mi Home app after pairing. By default, "Game Mode" can be enabled, which adds 80ms latency. Turn it off for synchronous sound.

4. Alternative methods for problem models

If the standard method didn't work, try one of these, which is suitable for headphones with custom chipsets or after a bad firmware.

Method 1: Forced pairing through the case button

It works for AirDots 2, Redmi Buds 3 and similar models:

1. Put both headphones in the case, open the lid.
2. Press the button on the case 3 times at intervals of 1 second. the indicator should blink purple.
3. Close the lid for 10 seconds, then open – the headphones should connect automatically.

Method 2: Use of the Mi Home App

Relevant for models 2021+ year:

1. Install the Mi Home app (version no lower than 6.5.4).
2. In the section "Add the device" → "Headphones" select your model.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. At the interface stage, the app may suggest updating the firmware, you can agree.

⚠️ Note: When updating your firmware through Mi Home, do not remove the headphones from the case until the process reaches 100.

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For models on the Qualcomm QCC3040 chip (for example, Buds 4 Pro), pairing is possible only through official software.

5. Solving common problems

Even after successful pairing, there can be problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

🔧 Technical nuance: If two separate devices are displayed in Bluetooth settings after pairing (for example, "Mi Earphones L" and "Mi Earphones R"), this means that the program synchronization has not passed:

1. Remove both devices from the list.
2. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Turn on the plane mode for 30 seconds, then re-conjugate.

6. pairing of headphones of different models (experimental method)

Xiaomi doesn’t officially support connecting headphones from different lines, but there’s a workaround for some chipsets.This method only works for models on Qualcomm QCC3040/QCC5141 (e.g. Buds 4 Pro + AirDots 3 Pro).

Instructions:

1. Reset both headphones (see section 2).
2. Install the nRF Connect app on Android (available on Google Play).
3. Enable the developer mode on your phone (Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number (7 taps)).
4. In nRF Connect, connect to each earpiece individually and manually change the Device UUID setting to the same (e.g., 00001101-0000-1000-8000-00805F9B34FB).
5. Reboot the headphones and try the standard pairing.

⚠️ Attention: This method can lead to loss of warranty and unstable microphones, and in 40% of cases, echoes occur when calling.

7.How to check the quality of the pairing?

After successfully connecting the headphones, you need to make sure that they work correctly. Here are 4 tests to help identify problems:

• 🎵 Stereobalance test: Play a song with a clear distribution of sound (e.g. "Bohemian Rhapsody" guitar on the right, vocals on the left). If the balance is broken, reset the settings.
• 🕒 Synchronicity test: clap your hands next to your headphones. The sound should be played simultaneously on both. Delays over 50 ms are noticeable by ear.
• 📞 Microphone test: Call another phone and check if your voice is missing. For Buds 4 Pro, the norm is a delay of up to 100ms.
• 🔋 Power consumption test: Put your headphones in a case for 10 minutes. If one is discharged more than the other (a difference of more than 15%), the pairing is unstable.

📊 Normal indicators after pairing:

• Bluetooth signal strength: -60 dBm and higher.
• Sound delay: up to 150 ms (for games, <100 ms is critical).
• Battery discharge: Both headphones should lose charge with a difference of no more than 5%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about pairing Xiaomi headphones