Xiaomi Airdots: how to sync both headphones – the complete guide

Xiaomi Airdots wireless headphones have become a hit thanks to the combination of price and quality, but even such popular devices sometimes have problems. The most common complaint of users is when one of the headphones stops working or does not sync with the pair. If you are faced with a situation where only one earphone connects to the phone and the second is silent or flashes red, this article will help you return stereo sound in a few minutes.

The reasons for desynchronization can vary from simple battery discharge to firmware failure. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by simple reset and re-synchronization, but it is important to do it correctly. We have compiled all the relevant ways for Airdots Basic, Airdots Pro, Airdots 2/3 and Redmi Airdots models, including the rare cases when standard methods do not work.

Why are Xiaomi Airdots headphones out of sync?

Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand the root of the problem, and consider the main reasons why Xiaomi Airdots may lose touch with each other:

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is green, the real charge can be critically low).
• 📱 Failure of firmware after updating or incorrect disconnection from the device.
• 🔄 Automatic connection to another gadget (for example, if the headphones were previously paired with a laptop).
• 🎧 Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or the headphones themselves (often after falls).
• 🔌 Case problems: contact oxidation or failure of the charging controller.

Fun fact: Airdots 3 Pro and later use the improved Realtek RTL8763B chip, which is less likely to lose synchronization, but the first generation (Airdots Basic) suffer from this problem more often due to the simplified connection scheme.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones fall into water or are exposed to extreme humidity, the synchronization may be lost due to corrosion on the board.

Preparing for synchronization: what to do before resetting

Before you reset your settings, follow a few simple steps to avoid unnecessary actions and save time:

1. Check the charge of both earphones. Put them in the case for 10 to 15 minutes, even if the lights are green. Sometimes the battery controller lies.
2. Remove the headphones from the list of conjugate devices on the phone/PC. Path: Settings → Bluetooth → Xiaomi Airdots → Forget the device.
3. Reboot your phone. Yes, it's trivial, but it often helps if the problem is in the cache of your smartphone's Bluetooth module.
4. Check the case: clean the contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (do not use metal objects!).

If you're still out of sync after this manipulation, move on to reset, but remember, factory reset erases all the stored connection profiles, and the headphones will become "new" for all your devices.

Method 1: Standard reset and synchronization (works 80% of the time)

This is a universal method that is suitable for most Xiaomi Airdots models. Follow the instructions carefully, as the order of action is important:

1. Take both headphones out of the case and place them next to each other (no more than 10 cm apart).
2. Press the buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.
3. Put the headphones back in the case and close it. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Take the headphones back. They should automatically sync (the indicators will flash white in unison).
5. Connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Mi Airdots (or similar) should appear in the list of devices.

If the lights flash different colors (e.g. one red, one white), then the synchronization is not correct. Repeat the reset process again, holding the buttons for 25-30 seconds.

Hold the buttons strictly at the same time|Indicators should flash red+white-coloured|The headphones are on a flat surface.|Distance between headphones not more than 10 cm|Case charged at least 30%-->

⚠️ Note: Airdots 3 Pro and Redmi Airdots models may require triple button pressing (rather than holding) to reset.

Method 2: Manual pairing through the case (for stubborn headphones)

If a standard reset didn't work, try an alternative method that makes the headphones reconnect through the case, a method that is particularly effective for the Airdots 2 and Airdots Pro models:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close it.
2. Connect the case to charge (even if it's charged). Leave it on charge for 5 minutes - it will reset the internal controller.
3. Turn the case off from charging, open it and take out the headphones.
4. Press the buttons on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear a beep.
5. Return the headphones to the case, close it for 10 seconds, then pull out - they should sync automatically.

This works because the case is the intermediary of the connection, so if the headphones flash white after that, it works. If you don't, move on to the next one.

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If the headphones don't respond to button retention, try pressing them one by one, first 5 times on the left, then 5 times on the right, which sometimes wakes up the hung Bluetooth module.

Method 3: Update the firmware (if the headphones don't sync after reset)

In rare cases, the problem lies in the outdated firmware of headphones, especially for the early Airdots Basic and Airdots Pro games, where there were bugs with the connection, you can update the firmware only through the official Mi Home app (formerly Mi Fit):

1. Install the Mi Home app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect your headphones to your phone in single-connection mode (even if only one works).
3. Open Mi Home → Profile → Settings → Add the device → Headphones.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen. Don't turn off the headphones during the process!

Once updated, reset Method 1 to help you apply the changes. Note: newer firmware versions for Airdots 3 add autorecovery, which reduces the frequency of desynchronization.

What to do if none of the methods work?

If all of these methods fail, the problem may be hardware.

• 🔌 Case contacts: often oxidation or contamination interferes with normal charging and synchronization.
• 🔊 Headphone speakers: if one headphone does not emit sounds even after reset, the speaker wire may have come off (disassembly is required).
• 📡 Bluetooth module: rarely fails. Check if the headphones connect to other devices (tablet, laptop).
• 🔋 Battery: If the headphone is discharged in 5-10 minutes, the battery is out of order.

If you're sure the problem isn't the mechanics, try reflashing the headphones manually through a PC, which would require Flash Tool for Airdots and the original cable, but it's a risky method that can kill the headphones if you do something wrong.

How can we prevent desynchronization in the future?

To avoid recurring problems, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Charge your headphones correctly: don't leave them in a case for more than 24 hours. overcharging shortens battery life.
• 📱 Turn off Bluetooth when you're not using headphones. This reduces the load on the connection module.
• 🔄 Don't connect your headphones to multiple devices at the same time. This often causes crashes.
• 🧼 Clean contacts once a month with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
• 📦 Store in a case. Without protection, headphones are subject to static electricity, which can damage electronics.

Advice from an engineer at Xiaomi: Airdots 3 and later have a hidden feature to auto-disable an unused earphone. If you only listen to music through one earpiece for more than 10 minutes, the second one can "sleep." To wake it up, press the button on the silent earpiece.

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If the headphones start to de-synchronize after falling or getting moisture, the problem is almost certainly hardware, in which case resetting the software settings will not help - repairs are needed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization Xiaomi Airdots