How to turn on Xiaomi AirDots Pro: 3 working methods + solving typical errors

Xiaomi AirDots Pro (also known as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic) remains one of the most popular headphones. TWS-But even experienced users sometimes have difficulty first turning on or re-activating after a long downtime. In this article, we will analyze all official and alternative ways of inclusion, as well as typical errors that prevent headphones from starting correctly.

The AirDots Pro feature is that it doesn't have a physical power button, and instead it uses touch controls, which is often confusing. If your headphones don't respond to the presses, don't rush to bring them to the service. 90% In cases, the problem is solved by resetting or by the right sequence of actions. V4.7.1_20210615 and V5.2.8_20230110 — The instructions are relevant to both versions.

1. Standard way of inclusion: step-by-step algorithm

The main activation method for Xiaomi AirDots Pro is to use a charging case, which works both for the new device and after the battery is completely drained.

Check the case charge. The indicator on the front panel should flash white when connected to the charger. If the indicator is not lit, the case is discharged (it takes 10-15 minutes of charging for the minimum level).
Remove the headphones. Open the case cover and pull out both earphones at the same time. They should automatically turn on, as indicated by a brief flash of a white indicator on each earpiece (1 time).
Wait for the synchronization. The headphones will connect with each other (the process takes 3-5 seconds), after which the right earphone will emit an audible signal, and the left one will blink twice.

If the headphones don’t turn on automatically, try manually activating them with the sensor:

🔴 Single touch on the touch panel of any headphone (if they have already been removed from the case).
🟢 Double-touch – an alternative way to turn on (does not work on all firmware).
🔵 Holding 3 seconds – forced reboot (use if the headphones “hang” during the synchronization stage).

Case charge ≥ 20%|Headphones clean (no moisture / dust in the contacts)|Bluetooth on your phone is on|Distance to the phone ≤ 1 metre-->

Important: If the headphones have been paired with another device before, they can automatically connect to it. To avoid this, turn off Bluetooth on all previously paired gadgets or reset (more about this in the next section).

2. Forced inclusion without case

It's not uncommon for a case to be lost, broken, or discharged, and fortunately, AirDots Pro can be turned on without it, and you'll need to:

Make sure your headphones are 10 to 15 percent charged. If they're completely discharged, plug them into any one of them. USB-Charger via Type-C → Micro-USB adapter (sold separately).
Press and hold the touchpad on the right earbud for 10-12 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and white alternately.
Release your finger – the earphone will turn on in search mode (the indicator will flash white every 2 seconds).
Repeat step 2 for the left earphone, then wait for their automatic synchronization (sound signal).

This method doesn't always work, depending on the firmware version. On AirDots Pro with software older than V4.5.1, it can take up to 3-4 attempts.

🔋 Check the battery charge (plug in for 5-10 minutes).
🧹 Clean the contacts on the headphones with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
🔄 Try to hold the sensor not 10, but 15-20 seconds (on some batches of devices, the response time is different).

💡

If the headphones are switched on but not synchronized, put them back in the case for 10 seconds, then re-take them, which resets the current connection and triggers a second pair.

3. Resetting settings as a last resort

If standard methods didn't work, the headphones probably had a software failure, in which case a full factory reset would help, which erases all the stored connections and returns the device to the "out of the box" state.

Resetting instructions:

Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
Connect the case to the charger (the indicator should burn red).
Open the case cover and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 20 seconds.
The indicators will flash red and white – let go of your fingers.
Close the case cover for 5 seconds, then open it and take out the headphones. They should turn on in the first setting (blinking white every 3 seconds).

After reset, Xiaomi AirDots Pro headphones will be:

📱 Forgotten all previously associated devices.
🔊 Reset gesture settings (resetting required in the Mi Home app).
🔋 Optimized power consumption (can help if headphones are quickly discharged).

What if the reset didn't help?

If the headphones are still not turned on after reset, the problem may be in the hardware: 1. Battery contacts are oxidation or mechanical damage (disassembly is required). 2. Bluetooth chip - failure after a drop or moisture. 3. Firmware - a critical failure (solved by flashing through a service cable, but this is not guaranteed). In such cases, we recommend contacting the authorized Xiaomi service center with a check for purchase (warranty - 12 months).

Problems with inclusion: diagnosis and solutions

Even after successful inclusion, AirDots Pros can behave unstable, and we have collected typical symptoms and ways to treat them:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The headphones are turned on but immediately switched off.	Discharged battery or failure of the power controller	Connect the case to charging for 30+ minutes, then re-energize
The indicator flashes red and does not turn white.	Critical discharge or battery damage	Try charging your headphones directly through the adapter. If it doesn't work, replace the battery.
One earpiece is turned on, the second is not	Loss of synchronization between headphones	Perform reset (section 3), then pair the headphones again
Headphones are turned on but not connected to the phone	Conflict with Bluetooth cache on the phone	Remove the device from the list of conjugates on the phone, then connect again

Pay special attention to the indicators on the headphones - their behavior will tell you at what stage the failure occurred:

🔴 Red constant - battery discharge < 5%.
🔴⚪ Red. + white alternately - the mode of reset / update firmware.
⚪ White slow blinking - readiness to pair.
⚪⚪ White double blinking – successful synchronization between headphones.

Headphones do not respond to touch|They are not synchronized with each other.|Not connecting to the phone.|They're discharged fast.|Another problem.-->

5. Update firmware for stable operation

If your AirDots Pros are released before 2021, there is a good chance that they have outdated firmware with power bugs installed.

🔄 Unintentional disconnection of headphones.
🎵 Interruptions of sound when switched on.
🔋 Incorrect display of the charge level.

Instructions for updating:

Install the Mi Home app (version 6.0.100 or later).
Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
Open Mi Home, go to Profile → Settings → Firmware Update.
If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions (earphones must be charged at ≥ 50%).

Important: during the upgrade, do not remove the headphones from the case and do not interrupt the process! The average refresh time is 5-7 minutes.

💡

Updating the firmware through Mi Home is the only official way. "Hand" firmware from third-party sites can turn headphones into a "brick" (loss of functionality without recovery).

Alternative activation methods

If none of the above methods worked, try out the non-standard techniques that sometimes help to “reanimate” AirDots Pro:

🔌 «Hard reboot via charging: Connect the case to charging. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid. In 10 seconds, open the lid and immediately press the sensor on both headphones for 5 seconds.
❄️ Cooling/heating: If the headphones overheat (for example, after a long charge), put them in a cool place for 15 minutes. If the contacts are oxidized from moisture, gently warm the case with a hair dryer (temperature). ≤ 40°C) 2-3 minutes.

Change of power source

Try charging the case from another power supply (for example, from charging a smartphone).
Use it. USB-Computer ports – sometimes they give a more stable voltage.

If you buy AirDots Pro from hand, be sure to check:

🔋 Battery status (Mi Home displays the charge level of the case and headphones).
🎧 Synchronization between headphones (must be connected as one device).
🔊 Sound quality (no wheezing or interruptions).

Without an adapter, it is impossible to charge headphones - they do not have a built-in connector.

Why are the headphones not synchronized after reset?

This is a typical problem for firmware older than V4.3.2. Solutions: Put your headphones in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, then pull out. Hold the sensor on the right earphone for 10 seconds, then on the left (not at the same time!). Update the firmware through Mi Home (section 5). If nothing helps, one of the headphones may be faulty (most often the left one).

How to check the originality of AirDots Pro?

AirDots Pro fakes are often sold under the guise of the original.Signs of fake: 📦 Packaging without hologram or with typos in the title (Mi True Wireless Earphones instead of Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic). 🔊 Low quality sound (no support) AAC or). 🔋 Case charges longer than 2 hours (original - 1.5 hours). 📱 In Mi Home, the device doesn't show up or shows a connection error. check the serial number on Xiaomi Verify's website.

How long does the first incorporation take?

When you first turn on AirDots Pro perform: Self-diagnosis (3-5 seconds); synchronization between headphones (5-10 seconds); Search for devices to pair (up to 30 seconds); Total time - up to 45 seconds; If the process is delayed longer than a minute, reset (section 3).

Can I use one headphone separately?

Yes, but with reservations: 🎧 The right earphone always works on its own. 🎧 The left earphone can only be used separately once the pair is connected for the first time. If you've never connected both earphones, the left earphone won't work. To switch to mono mode: Get both earphones out of the case. Put the left earphone back in the case. The right earphone will remain connected.