How to connect headphones Xiaomi Airdots with each other: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Airdots wireless headphones (including Redmi Airdots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds and their modifications) have become popular due to the affordable price and good sound. However, many users face the problem: one headphone connects to the phone, and the second one is silent or works separately, the reason most often lies in the loss of synchronization between the headphones – they simply “disconnected” during operation.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to reconnect Xiaomi Airdots, and what to do if standard methods do not help. We will examine both software methods (through reset and reconnection) and hardware methods (contact check, charging).

Important: the connection procedure may vary slightly depending on the model (for example, Airdots Basic, Airdots Pro, Airdots 3 or Redmi Buds). But the general principle is the same – headphones must “see” each other through the main (right) module, which is responsible for communication with the phone and synchronization.

Why are Xiaomi Airdots not connected to each other?

Before we get to the instructions, we will understand the causes of the problem. Most often, Xiaomi Airdots headphones lose communication with each other due to:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the charge can be critically low).
• 📱 Incorrect disconnection from the phone (for example, if you remove the headphones from the ears without stopping playback).
• 🔄 Firmware failure after update or abrupt power outage.
• 🎧 Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or on the headphones themselves.
• 📡 Interference from other Bluetooth devices (for example, if wireless speakers or a mouse are working nearby).

In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by resetting and re-syncing, but if the headphones do not respond to button presses or do not charge, this can indicate a hardware malfunction, such as oxidation of contacts or failure of the Bluetooth module.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones still don't connect after reset, check if the indicator on the right earphone is on when removed from the case.

Method 1: Standard synchronization through the cover

This is the simplest method that works in most cases, and it's suitable if the headphones have been working together before, but suddenly they've disconnected.

1. Put both earbuds in your case and close the lid. Wait 10-15 seconds - they should start charging (the indicators will light up or start flashing).
2. Take out both earbuds at the same time and wait 3-5 seconds. The right earbud should flash white twice - this is a signal to find the second earbud.
3. If the synchronization is successful, the indicators on both headphones will flash synchronously (usually white or blue).
4. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth. One name should appear on the list of devices (e.g. Redmi). Airdots_R Mi True Wireless).

If the lights flash separately or one of the headphones does not respond, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Forced resetting of settings

If standard synchronization doesn't work, you'll have to reset your headphones to the factory, which will remove all the connections you've saved and make the headphones re-experience each other.

1. Put both earphones in the case and close the lid. Wait 10 seconds.
2. Take out only the right earpiece (main) and hold the button on it for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white (or red and blue - depending on the model).
3. Return the right earphone to the case, take out the left and repeat the button holding (15-20 seconds).
4. After reset, put both earphones in the case for 30 seconds, then remove them simultaneously. They should automatically synchronize (the indicators will start flashing synchronously).

If the headphones don't connect after reset, try switching the right and left headphones (sometimes the left headphone becomes the main module).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Airdots 3 and Redmi Buds 3, the reset is performed differently: you need to hold the buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.

Method 3: Checking contacts and charging

If the reset didn't work, the problem could be in the hardware, and it's often the fault of:

• 🔌 Oxidized or dirty contacts in the case or on headphones (check the gold "dots" on the back of the headphones).
• 🔋 A discharged case – if its charge is below 10%, the headphones may not sync.
• 🧲 Damaged charging cable (try another one) USB-cable).
• 🔊 Mechanical damage to the speaker or microphone (if one earphone does not emit sounds at all).

How to check:

1. Take a cotton swab soaked in alcohol and gently wipe the contacts on the headphones and in the case.
2. Connect the case to charge for 30 minutes (even if the indicator is on). Sometimes the low charge of the case blocks synchronization.
3. Try charging headphones from another case (if possible).
4. Check if the indicator on the problem earphone is on when removed from the case. If not, the earphone does not charge.

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If the headphones do not charge, try to slightly press them in the case - sometimes the contacts do not fit tightly due to the deformation of the body.

Method 4: Update the firmware (for advanced users)

In rare cases, the problem lies in the outdated firmware of headphones. Xiaomi officially does not provide tools for manual updating of Airdots, but there are informal ways through applications like Earbuds Toolbox (for Android).

1. Download the Earbuds Toolbox app from Google Play.
2. Connect your headphones to your phone (even if they are not synchronized).
3. Launch the app and select your Airdots model from the list.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware can permanently disable your headphones. Use this method only if other methods have not worked, and you understand the risks.

Method 5: Connecting via another phone or PC

Sometimes the headphones refuse to sync because of a conflict with the phone's Bluetooth module, to rule out this:

1. Take another smartphone (or a Bluetooth PC) and try connecting your headphones to it.
2. If the second device has the headphones connected, the problem is the first phone: 📱 Remove headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices and connect again. 🔄 Reboot the phone. 🛠️ Reset network settings (Settings) → System system → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

If the problem is repeated on the second device, the headphones themselves are defective.

Critical information: Xiaomi Airdots headphones can “remember” up to 8 Bluetooth devices. If this limit is exhausted, they stop synchronizing correctly.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If none of these methods worked, the following scenarios are likely:

• 💀 Failure of the Bluetooth module in one of the headphones (most often in the right).
• 🔌 Damage to the food charge (earphone does not charge or turn on).
• 🎛️ Firmware failure that is not corrected by resetting.

In these cases, there are two options:

1. Contact the service center (if headphones are guaranteed). The cost of repair is rarely justified - it is cheaper to buy new ones.
2. For example, Redmi Buds 4 or Xiaomi Buds 4 are inexpensive and are free of many of the “childhood diseases” of the first generation of Airdots.

⚠️ Warning: If you disassembled the headphones yourself (for example, for cleaning), this will void the warranty.

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Before buying new headphones, check if your phone supports AAC or aptX codec – this will improve sound significantly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization Xiaomi Airdots