How to sync Xiaomi headphones with each other: instructions for all models

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular TWS-The headsets are on the market due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality, but many users face a problem: after buying or resetting the settings, the left and right earphones no longer sync with each other. Instead of stereo, you hear mono, you don't have one headphone, or you both work independently, and that's a problem that's common across all the lines, from budget Redmi Buds to flagship Mi True Wireless Earphones.

In this article, you will find step-by-step synchronization instructions for different models, ways to diagnose faults and solve common errors. We will analyze both standard methods of pairing via a smartphone and “hidden” functions that are not written in the official manuals. Particular attention will be paid to the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro model, where synchronization depends on the firmware version and may require a forced update through the Mi Fit application.

If you've tried to plug in your headphones, but you've failed, don't rush to bring them into service. 90 percent of the time, it's software-solved, no repairs, and the key is to identify the cause correctly: it could be battery discharge in one of the headphones, firmware conflict, even mechanical damage to the contacts in the case. Let's start with basic methods and gradually move on to advanced ones.

Preparation for synchronization: what to check before the start

Before trying to sync your headphones, make sure all the preconditions are met, which will save time and eliminate typical errors.

The main requirements for successful synchronization:

• 🔋 Battery charge: both earbuds must be charged at least 30%.If the indicator on one of them does not burn or flashes red, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes.
• 📱 Compatible device: For initial settings, you will need a smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12+ Bluetooth 5.0 enabled.
• 🎧 Clean contacts: check the metal contacts on headphones and in the case - they should be clean (wipe with an alcohol wipe if necessary).
• 🔄 No other connections: Disconnect your headphones from all devices in Bluetooth settings to avoid conflicts.

Pay special attention to the charging case. In Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro and Redmi Buds 5 models, the case not only charges, but also initiates the synchronization process when you first connect. If the case is damaged (for example, after a fall), the headphones may not recognize each other. Check if the indicator on the case is on when you connect to charging - if not, the problem may be in it.

⚠️ Note: If you recently updated the firmware of the headphones through Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear, and after that they stopped syncing - try rolling the firmware back to the factory version. In some cases, new versions of the software contain bugs that disrupt communication between the headphones.

Charge both headphones up to 30%+

Clear contacts on headphones and in the case

Disable headphones from all Bluetooth devices

Update the Mi Fit/Xiaomi Wear app to the latest version

Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps to reset your Bluetooth cache)

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2. Standard synchronization method (for most models)

This method is suitable for most people. TWS-Xiaomi headphones, including Redmi Buds 3/4/5, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/3 If the headphones are new or have been reset to factory settings, they should automatically sync when they are first removed from the case:

Step-by-step:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid for 5-10 seconds.
2. Open the cover of the case – the indicators on the headphones should flash white or blue (search mode).
3. On your smartphone, turn on Bluetooth and find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 3) in the list of devices.
4. Click on the name to connect. If requested PIN-code - enter 0000.
5. Wait for the message “Connected” – now both headphones must work in stereo mode.

If after connecting the sound comes from only one earphone, follow the following steps:

• 🔄 Reset the headphones: place them in a case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then remove.
• 📱 In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone “forget” the device (click on the gear next to the headphone name). → «Delete/Forget»).
• 🔋 Check if one of the headphones is discharged (the indicator on it does not burn or flashes red).

Touch-controlled models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) may require additional touch on the headphone body to activate synchronization mode, usually triple touching on the right or left earpiece for 3 seconds.

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If the headphones are not defined by the smartphone, try connecting them to another device (tablet, laptop), which will help to identify whether the problem is in the headphones or in the Bluetooth module of your phone.

3. Forced synchronization (if the standard method does not work)

If the headphones don’t sync automatically, you’ll have to manually start the process, which works for all Xiaomi models, but can take several attempts.

Instructions for forced synchronization:

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located on the back) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white (reset mode).
3. Open the cover of the case – the headphones should automatically synchronize (indicators blink blue).
4. Connect the headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth, as described in the previous section.

For models without a physical button on the case (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Lite), use an alternative method:

• Remove both earphones from the case.
• Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
• Place the headphones back in the case, then remove - they should sync.

If the headphones are still out of sync after this action, the problem may be the different versions of the firmware on the left and right earphones, which often happens after a failed upgrade, the solution is to reset the firmware to the factory version via the Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear app.

4. synchronization via Mi Fit/Xiaomi Wear app

For some models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 Pro) synchronization is possible only through the proprietary app. This is due to the fact that the headphones use advanced code (for example, LC3 or aptX Adaptive), which require additional configuration.

How to sync through the application:

1. Install the latest version of Mi Fit (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for newer ones) from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign up (or sign in to your Xiaomi account).
3. Place the headphones next to the smartphone and wait for the notification of the new device.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will automatically update the firmware (if required) and sync the headphones.

If the app doesn't see the headphones:

• 📱 Reboot your smartphone and re-start the Mi Fit/Xiaomi Wear.
• 🔄 In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, remove all previously saved Xiaomi devices.
• 🌐 Check your Internet connection – the app may need to download a firmware update.

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and later, the Xiaomi Wear app has the option “Restore connection between headphones.” It is located in the settings menu of the headset (the gear icon next to the device name), which is a feature that forcibly resets the connection between the left and right earphone and triggers re-synchronization.

Redmi Buds 3/4/5

Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/3

Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro

Another Xiaomi model

Not Xiaomi.

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5. Solving synchronization problems

If the headphones are still out of sync, use this table to diagnose the problem:

If none of the methods worked, try a full reset:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and green.
3. Remove the headphones – they should be reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: After a complete reset, the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Redmi Buds 5 Pro headphones may lose their binding to the Xiaomi account. To restore functionality (for example, gesture control), you will have to re-add them to the Xiaomi Wear app.

6. Model compatibility: can headphones be synchronized from different lines

A common question is, can you use the left earphone from Redmi Buds 3 with the right earphone from Mi True Wireless Earphones 2? The answer is no. Xiaomi headphones only synchronize in pairs of the same model. Even if they look the same, the internal chips and firmware differ.

Exceptions:

• 🔄 Headphones from the same series, but different generations (for example, Redmi Buds 3 and Redmi Buds 3 Lite) are not compatible.
• 🎧 Dual Device Connection models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) can connect to two devices at the same time, but only in pairs.
• 🔋 Cases from different models (for example, from Redmi Buds 4 and Xiaomi Buds 3) are not interchangeable, since they have different connectors and charging protocols.

If you lose one headphone, the only option is to buy a new set. Buying a separate headphone (left or right) is not officially supported by Xiaomi, although some service centers offer such a service informally.

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Xiaomi headphones are synchronized only in pairs of the same model. The use of headphones from different lines (for example, Redmi and Mi) is impossible due to differences in firmware and hardware.

7. firmware update for stable synchronization

In some cases, the synchronization problem is caused by outdated firmware, such as the early versions of the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro software, where the headphones lost communication after 10 to 15 minutes of use, and the solution is to update the firmware through the official app.

How to update firmware:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear app.
3. Go to the headphones section (the headset icon at the top of the screen).
4. If an update is available, a firmware update notification will appear. Click on "Update."
5. Do not remove the headphones from the case and do not close the application until the process is complete (usually takes 2-5 minutes).

After the update:

• 🔄 Reset the headphones (place in the case for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Reconnect them to your smartphone.
• 🎵 Check the sync by turning on the music.

If the update is hanging:

• Close the application and restart it.
• Check your internet connection (update downloaded from Xiaomi servers).
• If the problem repeats, reset the headphones to the factory settings and try again.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the firmware update process, even if it takes more than 5 minutes. For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Redmi Buds 5 Pro models, an interrupted update can lead to a complete loss of headphone functionality (you will need to flash through the service center).

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronizing Xiaomi headphones