Xiaomi AirDots: how to connect to your phone, PC and other gadgets – full instruction

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including the Pro, Pro 2, SE, 3 and other models) have become one of the most popular accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and convenience. However, many users face difficulties when connecting for the first time - the device is not on the Bluetooth list, the sound is interrupted or the headphones refuse to work synchronously. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of connecting (to a smartphone, computer, TV), and also solve typical problems.

AirDots features Bluetooth 5.0 protocol with support for AAC and SBC codecs, which provides a stable connection at a distance of up to 10 meters. But even with modern standards, pairing can go wrong. For example, headphones Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 require a firmware update through the Mi Home app when you first connect to the iPhone — without this they will work only in mono mode.

If you’ve just unpacked your headphones or encountered a bug after reset, follow our instructions Step-by-step. We’ve also added video guides, compatibility tables, and answers to frequent questions, from “why does the red light flash” to “how to turn on low latency for games.”

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with any Xiaomi AirDots device, you need to take off sleep mode and activate search mode.

• 🔋 Charging headphones: Make sure both headphones are in the case and charged at least 30%. The indicator on the case should burn white (full charge) or orange (partial). If the indicator flashes red, connect the case to charge for 10-15 minutes.
• 🎧 Removing headphones: Take both earphones out of the case at the same time. They should automatically turn on (the beep will sound). If one of the headphones does not respond, return it to the case and repeat the extraction.
• 🔄 Pair mode activation: Press the touchpad on both headphones for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white. For AirDots 3 and newer models, it is enough to hold the button on the case for 3 seconds.

⚠️ Note: If the lights flash only red, it means battery power below 10%. Connect the case to charge for 30 minutes and repeat the procedure. Also check that the headphones are not in "single use" mode (this is indicated by the blue flashing light).

2. Connect to a smartphone (Android and iOS)

The process of pairing with the phone depends on the operating system. On Android (especially on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices), the connection is almost automatic, whereas on iPhones, additional steps may be required.

For Android:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the adapter.
2. Take your headphones out of the case and wait for the “Mi True Wireless Earphones” (or similar name for your model) to appear in the list of devices.
3. Click on the headphone name and confirm pairing. On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14) may require input PIN-code - default is 0000.

For iOS (iPhone/iPad):

On the iPhone, the algorithm is a little more complicated due to the peculiarities of Bluetooth:

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones (see section 1).
3. Select "Mi True Wireless Earphones" from the list of devices.** If the name doesn't appear, turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone again.
4. After connecting, open the Mi Home app (if installed) and update the headphone firmware – this will solve the mono sound problem.

⚠️ Note: On iPhones with iOS 16 and later, there may be a problem when the headphones only connect as a mono (one channel). Solution: press the button on the case for 10 seconds to reset, then repeat the pairing. If it does not help, update the firmware through Mi Home.

Headphones are charged at more than 30% |

Coupling mode activated (blinks red and white)|

Bluetooth on your phone is enabled and visible for all devices |

Mi Home app updated (for iPhone)-->

3. Connection to a computer or laptop (Windows, macOS, Linux)

PC interfaces have their own nuances, especially on Windows 10/11, where drivers can be problematic. Consider the step-by-step instruction for each OS.

Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Press "Add device" → Bluetooth.
3. Activate the search mode on the headphones (see section 1).
4. Select “Mi True Wireless Earphones” and wait for the connection to be completed.

If the headphones are not defined:

• 🔄 Update your Bluetooth driver via Device Manager (find the adapter in the “Bluetooth” section and select “Update Driver").
• 🖥️ Install Mi Bluetooth Driver from Xiaomi’s official website (relevant for older versions of Windows).
• 🔌 Try connecting through another. USB-port (if an external Bluetooth adapter is used).

macOS:

On a MacBook or iMac, the process is simpler:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
3. Click "Connect" next to the name Xiaomi AirDots.

⚠️ Note: On macOS Ventura and later, you may need to allow access to the microphone in privacy settings, otherwise the headphones will only work to play back sound.

Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.):

On Linux, use bluetoothctl:

bluetoothctl


power on




agent on




scan on




pair [MAC- headphone address]




connect [MAC-address

MAC-The address can be found through the hcitool scan command (you need to install the bluez package).

4. Connection to TV, game console and other devices

Xiaomi AirDots can be connected not only to a phone or computer, but also to a Smart TV, PlayStation, Xbox or even a fitness bracelet (if Bluetooth is supported).

To connect to the TV:

1. Go to Settings → Sound → Sound output → Bluetooth devices.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the headphones.
3. Select Xiaomi AirDots from the list of available devices.

⚠️ Attention: On Samsung TV There may be no codec support until 2020 AAC, So, if you want to use wired headphones, or if you want to buy a Bluetooth transmitter that supports aptX, you can use it.

5. Resetting headphone settings (if not connected)

If Xiaomi AirDots refuses to connect, flashes the wrong color or only works in mono mode, perform a hard reset. This will return the headphones to the factory settings.

Instructions for all models:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
3. Close the lid and remove the headphones – they will automatically reboot.
4. Repeat the connection process (see section 1-2).

For AirDots Pro 2 and later:

• 🔄 Reset is performed through triple tapping on the touch panel of each headphone (within 2 seconds).
• 📱 After reset, be sure to update the firmware through Mi Home, otherwise synchronization problems may occur.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all stored devices from the memory of the headphones, and after the procedure, they will have to be reconnected to all the gadgets they have previously worked with.

💡

If the headphones don't connect after reset, try using another device (like a second phone) to pair them first, sometimes sticking to the Bluetooth cache on the main gadget.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users face common errors, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Headphones are connected, but only sound is in one.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔊 Not synchronized with each other: Put both headphones in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out and reconnect.
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update the software through Mi Home (section "Firmware").
• 🎵 Incorrect codec: On Android in Bluetooth settings, select a profile for headphones AAC instead SBC.

Problem 2: Permanent connection breaks

What to do:

• 📶 Interference from other devices: Disable nearby Bluetooth gadgets (smart watches, speakers).
• 🔋 Low charge: Charge headphones to 100% – at a level below 20%, the connection becomes unstable.
• 📱 Bluetooth problems on your phone: Reboot your smartphone or reset your network settings (Settings) → System system → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

Problem 3: Flashing red light and headphones are not turned on

This signals a critical discharge or malfunction:

• 🔌 Connect the case to charge for 1-2 hours. If the indicator does not change color, try another cable or power supply.
• 🔄 If charging doesn’t help, reset (see Section 5).
• 🛠️ If the headphones still do not respond - contact the service center (possible malfunction of the power controller).

💡

If the connection problems occur only on one device (for example, on the iPhone), but on other gadgets the headphones work normally – the problem is in the Bluetooth settings of that device, and not in the AirDots themselves.

7 Additional features and hidden capabilities

Xiaomi AirDots supports a number of hidden features that many users are unaware of.

• 🎮 Low-latency mode (Game Mode): Activated by triple tapping the touchpad on any headphone, reduces sound latency to 80 ms (useful for gaming).
• 🎶 Equalizer setting: In the Mi Home application, you can select the sound presets: "Bases", "Clarity", "Balance".
• 🔊 Monoconnect: You can use only one headphone (for example, the right one) by putting the second in the case. To change the lead headphone, press the touchpad for 3 seconds.
• 📞 Voice Assistant: Double-touch calls Google Assistant (Android) or Siri (iOS).

AirDots 3 and later, the Spatial Sound feature (included in Mi Home) is available, which mimics surround sound, but only works with supported apps (e.g. Netflix, YouTube Premium).

⚠️ Warning: Game Mode increases battery consumption by 15-20%, and use it only when needed (e.g. in shooters or races).

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)