Connecting Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 to your computer: the full guide

Why Xiaomi Headphones May Not Connect to PCs and How to Fix It

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 wireless headphones have become a popular choice due to the combination of price, sound quality and compactness. However, many users face difficulties when trying to connect them to a computer — especially if it is a Windows 10/11 or macOS. Problems range from the lack of response of headphones to finding devices to sudden connection breaks. In this article, we will examine all the nuances from basic settings to solving rare bugs.

The main difficulty is that Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 is initially optimized for Android/iOS smartphones, and their interaction with PCs requires additional steps. For example, Windows may not support the A2DP profile (for streaming music) or HSP/HFP (for calls), which leads to distorted sound or no audio at all.

Another common problem is Bluetooth driver conflict: If your computer uses an external Bluetooth adapter (such as from TP-Link or ASUS), standard Windows drivers may not be fully compatible with Xiaomi devices, in which cases you have to update the software manually or even roll back to older versions, and we will go through all these scenarios in detail, from simple to complex.

Preparing headphones for connection: Step-by-step

Before you start pairing with a PC, make sure that the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 headphones are ready to connect.

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones. The charge level must be at least 30%, otherwise the device may turn off during settings. Check the indicator on the case: white light means full charge, orange - low level.
• 🎧 Remove the headphones from the case. They will automatically turn on, and you will hear an audible signal (if the charge is sufficient). If there is no signal, press and hold the touchpad on both earphones for 5 seconds.
• 🔄 Reset previous pairings. If the headphones have already been connected to another device (such as a smartphone), you need to "forget" them. To do this, press and hold the touchpad on both earphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.

When you reset, the headphones will go into pairing mode, as signaled by the flashing white light on both devices. If the light doesn't blink, repeat the procedure. Importantly, in pairing mode, the headphones discharge faster, so don't leave them in this state for long.

Charge of case >30% | Headphones removed and on |Previous pairings reset |Indicators flash white-->

Connecting to Windows 10/11: Step-by-step instructions

Pairing from a PC to Windows requires special attention to Bluetooth settings. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices. Make sure Bluetooth is on (slider to On).
2. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device" → select "Bluetooth".
3. In the list of available devices, find Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 (may appear as MI TWS or LE-MI-TWS).
4. Confirm pairing on the PC screen (if necessary). The headphones should emit an audible signal, and the list of devices will appear that says "Connected".

If the device doesn’t appear in the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth adapter. Open Device Manager (Win keys) + X), find the "Bluetooth" section, right-click on the adapter and select "Engage Device" (if available) or "Update Driver".
• 📥 Install drivers manually. Download the latest version from the manufacturer's website for your Bluetooth module (for example, for Intel). AX200 qualcomm QCA61x4).
• 🚫 Disable other Bluetooth devices. Sometimes conflict arises because of the simultaneously connected mouse, keyboard or speakers.

Windows 10|Windows 11|macOS|Linux|other-->

After successfully connecting, check what sound profile is being used.

1. Open the control panel. → Sound.
2. Find Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 in the list of playback devices.
3. Right-click → “Properties” → “Additional” tab, and you should choose the A2DP format (for music) or Hands-Free AG Audio format (for calls).

💡

If the sound is interrupted or distorted, try to disable the option in the device properties to "Allow applications exclusive control of this device."

Connection to macOS: features and nuances

On Apple computers, pairing is easier, but there are pitfalls. Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, for example, can connect as "earphones" (for music) or as a "headset" (for calls), and switching between modes doesn't always work correctly.

Instructions for macOS:

1. Open "System settings" → "Bluetooth".
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and click Connect next to Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.
3. Wait for the sound signal in the headphones - this means successful pairing.

If the headphones are connected, but there is no sound:

• 🔊 Check the audio output device. Click the speaker icon in the menu bar and select Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.
• 🔄 Reboot the Core Audio. Open the Terminal and type in the command: sudo killall coreaudiod After that, reconnect the headphones.
• 📱 Disconnect the headphones from other devices. MacOS may experience conflict if the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 is simultaneously connected to an iPhone or iPad.

Solving common connection problems

Even after successful pairing, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these solutions worked, try updating your headphone firmware.

1. Connect your headphones to your Android smartphone with either the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app installed.
2. Check for updates in the "Firmware" section.
3. After the update, reset the headphone settings and reconnect to the PC.

💡

If the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 headphones have previously been connected to an iPhone, they can be blocked by Automatic Switching. To turn it off, go to the iPhone in Settings → Bluetooth, click on the "i" icon next to the headphones and turn off the "Plug iPhone" option.

Customization of sound and microphone after connection

Once successfully paired, it is important to adjust the sound settings correctly to avoid echoes, noises or low volume.

• 🎵 Improved sound quality in Windows: Open the Control Panel → Sound. → Your headphone properties. Go to the Improvements tab and turn on the Toncompensation and Ambient Sound Virtualization options".
• 🎤 Customize microphone for calls: In the same device properties, go to the "Levels" tab and set the microphone volume to the 80-90%. Turn off the microphone boost, it will reduce noise.

Mono/stereo checks

1. Open "Audio" in macOS MIDI-settings” (via Spotlight).
2. Select Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and make sure the sound format is set to 2 channels, 16 bits, 44100 Hz.

To test the microphone in Windows:

1. Open the "Recording devices" in the sound settings.
2. Find Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and click on Properties.
3. Go to the “Listen” tab and turn on the “Listen from this device” option, so you will hear the microphone transmitting your voice.

💡

If in calls (Skype, Zoom, Discord) the interlocutors hear an echo, try in the settings of the application to turn off the option "Automatic volume control of the microphone".

Use of headphones with Linux and other OS

Linux users (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch) often find that Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 is connected, but the sound is delayed or absent.

First, install the necessary packages:

sudo apt install pulseaudio pavucontrol bluez-tools

Then follow the following steps:

1. Open pavucontrol (PulseAudio graphic mixer).
2. Go to the Configuration tab and select the A2DP Sink profile for Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.
3. If there is no sound, enter pactl set-card profile in the terminal <card_name> a2dp_sink (substitute <card_name> in the name of your Bluetooth card, which can be recognized by the pactl list cards command).

For ChromeOS (on Chromebook laptops):

• 🔄 Put the headphones in pairing mode (as described above).
• 🖥️ Open "Settings" → "Bluetooth and select Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2.
• 🔊 If the sound is distorted, turn off the "Sound Improvement" option in the sound settings".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

💡

If you use Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 to work in Discord or Zoom, in the settings of these applications manually select the headphones as an I/O device – this will prevent automatic switching to the PC speakers.

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones stop connecting to your smartphone after you connect to your PC, reset them (as described above) and re-pair them on all devices. Some Xiaomi models remember the last connected device and automatically try to connect to it.