How to connect Xiaomi Air headphones to your phone, laptop or tablet: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi Air’s wireless headphones (including the Air 2, Air 3, Air Pro, and AirDots) are popular for their combination of sound, convenience, and affordable price. However, many users have difficulty connecting first — especially if they’re on custom devices like Windows PCs or MacBooks. In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for all scenarios, as well as solutions to typical problems, from lack of sound to persistent communication breakdowns.

We will not only analyze basic pairing over Bluetooth, but also the nuances of working with different versions of firmware, features of models with aptX and LDAC, and also give recommendations for optimizing the connection. If you just unpacked a new pair of Xiaomi Air or encountered an error after the update, this guide will help save time to find solutions.

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi Air first generation (2019-2020) may not support modern codec AAC and LDAC Check compatibility with your device in Xiaomi's official support list before buying.

1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection

Before pairing with a phone or computer, Xiaomi Air headphones need to be switched to search mode, a procedure that is different for new and previously used devices.

For new headphones (just out of the box):

• 📦 Take both headphones out of the case and wait until they automatically turn on (the indicator will light up).
• 🔄 If the indicator does not flash white/blue, press and hold the touchpad on the right earphone for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.
• 🎧 Return the headphones to the case, then pull them out again - it will reset the temporary settings.

For previously connected headphones:

• 🔋 Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
• 📱 Pull them out and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white.
• 🔄 After resetting, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode.

Charge the case to 30%|

Get both earphones out of the case |

Hold the touch panel for 5-10 seconds |

Wait for the white/blue indicator to flash-->

⚠️ Warning: If the indicator flashes red for more than 30 seconds, it indicates a battery charge below 5%. USB-C Qi wireless charging (depending on the model) before retrying.

2. Connecting to a smartphone on Android

The pairing with Android devices (including smartphones Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, etc.) occurs through the standard Bluetooth menu. However, for models Air 3 Pro and later, it is recommended to use the proprietary application Mi Earphones to activate additional functions such as transparent mode or equalizer settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your phone and turn on the module.
2. Take the headphones out of the case (they should flash white).
3. In the list of available devices, select Mi True Wireless Earphones (or the name of your model, such as Air 2 Pro).
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone and wait for the beep in the headphones.

For models with Mi Earphones support:

• 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔗 Connect your headphones via Bluetooth, then open the app.
• 🎛️ In the audio settings menu, activate LDAC (High quality or Game Mode (to reduce delay).

💡

If the headphones don’t appear in the Bluetooth list, try rebooting your phone or resetting your network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth).

3. Connection to iPhone (iOS)

Although Xiaomi Air is an Android device, it is compatible with iPhone and iPad, but due to the limitations of iOS, some features (such as LDAC or Game Mode) will not be available.

Instructions for iOS:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth and turn on the module.
• 🔄 Remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the right earphone for 3 seconds (until the white indicator flashes).
• 🔍 In the list of devices, select Mi True Wireless).
• ✅ Confirm the connection and wait for the beep.

⚠️ Note: on the iPhone headphones Xiaomi Air will use codec AAC If the sound is interrupted, try it:

• 🔋 Disable Energy Saving in iOS Settings.
• 📶 Reset the headphones (put in the case for 10 seconds).
• 🔄 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.

Xiaomi| Smartphone

Smartphone of another brand (Samsung, Realme, etc.)|

iPhone|

Laptop/PC on Windows|

MacBook|Another-->

4. Connection to a laptop or PC (Windows) 10/11)

Connecting to Windows can be difficult due to outdated Bluetooth drivers or conflicts with other audio devices.

Step 1. Check the Bluetooth adapter

• 🖥️ Make sure your PC supports Bluetooth 4.2+ (Air 3 Pro needs 5.0+).
• 🔧 Update the driver through Device Manager → Bluetooth (download the current version from the adapter manufacturer’s website).

Step 2. Connect the headphones

1. Press Win + I, select Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Click Add the device → Bluetooth.
3. Remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the right earphone for 5 seconds.
4. In the list, select Mi True Wireless... and wait for pairing to complete.

⚠️ Note: If the sound is only in mono mode (one earphone is silent), perform:

1. Open the Control Panel → Sound.


2. Find Mi True Wireless in the list of playback devices.




3. Right-click → Properties → Additional.




4. In the default format section, select 16 bits, 44100 Hz (CD quality).

5. Connection to a MacBook or Mac

On Apple devices (MacBook, iMac), Xiaomi Air's connection usually goes smoothly, but there may be problems with auto-connection after sleeping or rebooting.

Instructions for macOS:

• 🍎 Open System settings → Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Remove the headphones from the case and hold the button on the right earphone for 3 seconds.
• 🖱️ In the list of devices, select Mi True Wireless... and click Connect.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted, turn off the Automatic Sound Switch function in Bluetooth settings (relevant to macOS Monterey and newer).

Solving Auto Connection Problems:

• 🔄 After the first connection, restart the MacBook.
• 📋 In Bluetooth settings, right-click on Mi True Wireless → Remove, then reconnect.
• 🔋 Turn off the Power Saving mode in the battery settings.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Critical information: If after updating the firmware headphones Xiaomi Air 3 Pro ceased to support LDAC, reset through the application Mi Earphones (Settings → Reset to factory).

💡

Most connectivity problems are solved by resetting headphones (holding the buttons for 10 seconds) or restarting the sound source (phone/PC).

7. Additional functions and settings

Xiaomi Air headphones support a number of hidden features that can be activated through proprietary software or button combinations:

• 🎵 Game Mode (delay reduction): activated by triple tapping the right headphone (on Air 2 Pro and newer models).
• 🔇 ANC/Transparent mode: hold the touch panel 2 seconds to switch (only Air) 3 Pro).
• 📱 Voice assistant: Double tapping left earphone calls Google Assistant or Siri.

For models with support for Mi Earphones available:

• 🎛️ Equalizer setting (presets for bass, vocals, classics).
• 🔋 Displaying the level of charge of the case and headphones.
• 🔄 Update firmware (important for fixing connection bugs).

💡

To check the firmware version of the headphones, open Mi Earphones and go to Settings → About. Current firmware versions are published on XDA Developers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Air