How to reset Xiaomi AirDots Pro to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why you may need to reset headphones Xiaomi AirDots Pro

Xiaomi AirDots Pro headphones (also known as Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 or Redmi AirDots depending on the region) are among the most popular headphones. TWS-Xiaomi devices, which are reliable, even they sometimes require a complete reset, but the main reasons are that the headphones are not synchronized with each other, they don't connect to the phone, they give out a pairing error, or one of the headphones suddenly stopped working.

Resetting to factory settings isn't just a "reboot," it's a complete deletion of all the stored data: the list of conjugated devices, gesture settings, and even firmware updates (in some cases), and it helps in 90% of cases where headphones are bugged after a software update or mechanical damage to contacts in the case, but it's important to understand that after the reset, the headphones will return to the firmware that was installed at the time of purchase - all subsequent updates will have to be installed again.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (including hidden service), and how to avoid the typical bugs that can turn headphones into a brick. If your AirDots Pro is released before 2021, some steps may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you drop your headphones, follow a few mandatory steps that will save you from unnecessary problems and save data:

  • πŸ“± Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on all the gadgets they've been connected to. On Android: Settings β†’ Bluetooth β†’ Xiaomi AirDots Pro β†’ Forget the device. On iPhone: Settings β†’ Bluetooth β†’ (i) next to the headphones β†’ Forget this device.
  • πŸ”‹ Charge the case and headphones to at least 50%. Reset at low charge can be interrupted, and the headphones will not respond to the buttons.
  • 🎧 Check the physical condition: there is no damage to the contacts of the case or headphones.
  • πŸ“‘ Disable other Bluetooth devices nearby to avoid interference during the procedure.

If one of the headphones doesn't charge or turn on, the reset may not work, in which case, first try to clean the contacts with alcohol or gently bend them with a needle (no fanaticism!). If the problem remains, it's likely a hardware malfunction, and the reset will not help.

πŸ“Š What is the problem with your Xiaomi AirDots Pro?
Not connecting to the phone.
One earpiece is down.
Bad sound/noise
They are not synchronized with each other.
Another problem.

Method 1: Standard reset via a button on the case

This is the simplest and most official method recommended by Xiaomi itself, suitable for most AirDots Pro models released after 2019.

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Connect the case to the power source (the red charging indicator will light up).
  3. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15-20 seconds.
  4. The indicator on the case will flash white and red, which is a signal that the reset has begun. Release the button.
  5. Wait until the indicator lights up red (about 30 seconds) - the procedure is completed.

After reset, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode (the indicator will flash white), now they can be connected to the phone as new. If the indicator does not blink or burns constantly, repeat the procedure by holding the button longer (25-30 seconds).

β˜‘οΈ Checklist for standard reset

Done: 0 / 5

Important! On some firmware, after reset, the headphones may not sync with each other in the first 1-2 connections.

  1. First, connect the right earpiece (it is the main one).
  2. Wait until it flashes a double white signal.
  3. Take the left earphone out of the case - it should automatically connect.

Method 2: Reset by repeatedly pressing the headphones (alternative method)

If the button on the case doesn't work or the headphones don't respond to a standard reset, try this method. It works even on "locked" devices, but requires you to follow the steps precisely:

  1. Get both earphones out of the case.
  2. Press and hold the touch buttons on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
  3. When the headphones start flashing red, release the buttons.
  4. Press the touch buttons 5 times in a row (with an interval of 1 second) on each headphone.
  5. Put the headphones back in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.

After that, the headphones should reset, and if the indicators turn on purple, it means that the reset was successful, but you need a firmware update, in which case, connect the headphones to the phone and check for updates in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.

What if the headphones flash red and don’t reset?
If after 3-4 attempts the indicators continue to burn red, this may mean: - Discharged battery (charge the case and headphones to 100%). - Damage to contacts (try to gently move the headphones in the case during reset). - Software firmware failure (requires firmware through the PC, but this is risky for beginners).

Method 3: Service reset via Xiaomi app (hidden method)

Few people know, but the official Xiaomi Wear app (formerly Mi Fit) has a hidden feature of a complete reset, which only works for headphones that have ever connected to the phone.

  1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app (available for Android and iOS).
  2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
  3. Open the app, find your AirDots Pro in the list of devices.
  4. Go to Device Settings β†’ Further β†’ Reset settings.
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (earphones will restart).

This is a softer way than hardware reset, because it doesn't affect the firmware, but it won't work if the headphones aren't connected to the phone or are not defined by the app. In these cases, use the first two methods.

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If the Xiaomi Wear app does not have a β€œReset” option, upgrade to the latest version or try using the Mi Home app (the β€œOther Devices” section).

Table: Comparison of reset methods Xiaomi AirDots Pro

MethodDifficultyConditions requiredImplementation timeEfficiency
Resetting through the case button⭐ (simple)Case with charge, both headphones in case30-60 sec.90%
Multiple taps on the headphones⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)Headphones off the case, charged.1-2 minutes80%
Resetting through the application⭐ (simple)Headphones connected to the phone, installed Xiaomi Wear20-40 sec.70%
Flashing through PC⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)USB-C cable, PC, special software10-15 minutes95%

As you can see from the table, PC flashing is the most reliable, but also the most risky method, it requires special knowledge and can cause headphones to break if you do something wrong, and we recommend using it only as a last resort when other methods have not worked.

What to do if the reset did not help: diagnosis of problems

If the headphones are still not working after reset, the problem may be deeper. Here are the most common scenarios and their solutions:

  • πŸ”Œ Headphones don't charge in the case: check contacts for oxidation or debris. Try charging the case with another cable.
  • 🎡 The sound is interrupted or absent: it may be damaged membrane speaker. Try to gently blow the earpiece (not mouth!) or contact the service.
  • πŸ”„ The headphones don't sync: take them out of the case, wait 10 seconds, then put them back down and close the lid. Repeat 2-3 times.
  • πŸ“± Don't connect to your phone: try connecting to another device (tablet, laptop) If it doesn't work, the Bluetooth headphone module is a problem.

⚠️ If the headphones start beeping continuously after reset or the indicators are constantly on red, this is a sign of hardware failure.

If you're sure it's software, but reset doesn't work, the last option is manual flashing.

  • USB-C cable (to connect the case to the PC).
  • Mi Flash Tool or QFil (depending on the model)
  • Official firmware for AirDots Pro (can be found on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums).

Firmware reflashing is a complex and risky process -- if you've never done it, you'd better leave it to the professionals. A mistake during firmware can permanently knock your headphones out of order.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi AirDots Pro

Can I just drop one headphone if the other one is broken?
No, the reset is always done for both headphones at the same time. If one of them is faulty, the reset may not work or cause the synchronization to go wrong.
When you reset, the headphones plug in, but there's only one sound. What do you do?
This is a typical problem after a reset. Try: Turn off the headphones from your phone and reconnect. Put both earphones in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out. If it doesn't work, reset again, holding the button on the case for 25 seconds. If the problem remains, maybe the Bluetooth module in one of the headphones is damaged.
How to find out the firmware version on Xiaomi AirDots Pro?
Xiaomi doesn't officially provide a way to check the firmware version on these headphones, but you can try: Connect the headphones to the Xiaomi Wear app β€” sometimes the version is displayed in the "About the device" section. Use third-party apps like nRF Connect (for Android) to read service information. If nothing helps, focus on the date of purchase β€” the firmware probably corresponds to the latest version at that time.
Does the reset remove firmware updates?
Yes, a full reset returns the headphones to the factory firmware. All updates installed through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app will be lost. Once reset, it is recommended: Connect the headphones to the phone. Update the firmware through the official app (if available). Newer firmware versions often fix plug-in and sound bugs, so don't neglect this step.
Can I reset AirDots Pro without a case?
Technically, yes, but it's difficult. If the case is lost or broken, try: Use the multiple-press method (section 2 of this article). Connect your headphones to your phone and reset via the Xiaomi Wear app. If you don't have a case, you can charge your headphones via wireless charging (if the model supports) or direct connection to a power source (risky!).

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If none of the methods worked and the headphones still don’t work, it’s probably a hardware problem, in which case, contact Xiaomi’s service center or consider buying new headphones – repairs can cost more.