How to Connect Both Headphones Xiaomi AirDots S: Full Guide 2026

Xiaomi AirDots S wireless headphones (also known as Redmi AirDots S) have become one of the most popular budget accessories due to the combination of price and quality. However, many users face a typical problem: after buying or resetting, only one headphone works, and the second one remains dead, due to the lack of synchronization between the left and right modules, as well as the peculiarities of the Bluetooth 5.0 protocol that uses the device.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can connect both headphones, from basic instructions to non-standard situations (such as when one headphone is not determined by the system), how to reset the settings correctly, which buttons are responsible for what, and why a simple smartphone reboot sometimes helps, and a unique method of forced synchronization through an engineering menu (only for Android), which few people know.

Important: If you're connecting AirDots S for the first time, skip the reset sections and go straight to the basic instructions. If the headphones were already in use and stopped working synchronously, start with the hardware reset section.

Why Only One Headphone Works: 5 Reasons

The problem with connecting a single headphone Xiaomi AirDots S almost always associated with a violation of pair synchronization between the left (L) and right (R) modules.

• 🔋 A discharged battery in one of the headphones (even if the indicator is on, the charge can be critically low).
• 📱 Bluetooth error on a smartphone — especially after an OS update or settings reset.
• 🔄 Synchronization failure between headphones (often after interruption of connection or removal from case in the wrong order).
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage to contacts in the case or on the headphones themselves (oxidation, pollution).
• 📦 Improper extraction from the case — if you first take out the left earphone and then the right one, you can work mono mode.

The most common situation is when the right earbud connects as the main one and the left one is silent, which is because in AirDots S, the right module is the master device and the left one is the slave, and if the synchronization between the two is broken, the system ignores the second earbud.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones have never worked together (for example, after buying), first check if they are fake.The original AirDots S have a serial number on the case and headphones that can be checked through the Mi Home app.

Step 1: Hardware resetting headphones to factory settings

Before you try to connect your headphones, make sure to complete a full reset.This will remove all saved pairs and return the devices to the “out of the box” state. The manual is suitable for the Xiaomi AirDots S of all revisions (including the Redmi AirDots S and Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2).

If the indicators do not flash white after resetting:

1. Take the headphones out of the case and put them on the table.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Place the headphones back in the case and repeat the reset button on the case.

After successful reset, headphones should:

• 🔴 Flash red when discharged.
• ⚪ Blink white when ready to connect.
• 🔴⚪ Alternately flash red and white in reset mode.

⚠️ Warning: If one of the headphones flashes red for more than 30 seconds after reset, this indicates a hardware malfunction (a discharged battery or damage to the contacts). Try charging the case for 1-2 hours, then repeat the reset.

Step 2: Basic phone connection (Android/iOS)

Once reset, the headphones are ready to pair, and the important thing is that you need to plug them in in a specific order, otherwise the synchronization may not work.

Instructions for Android:

1. Open the case cover (earphones should flash white).
2. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list, find the Mi True Wireless EBs Basic_R (right-handed headphone) and tap on it.
4. Confirm pairing. Through the 5-10 seconds, the Mi True Wireless EBs Basic_L (left earphone) should appear and automatically connect.

Instructions for iOS (iPhone):

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Take both headphones out of the case (they should flash white).
3. In the list of devices, select Mi True Wireless EBs Basic_R.
4. Wait for the right earphone to connect, then the left (it may take up to 30 seconds).

If the left earphone is not automatically connected:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on).
• 📱 Remove the device from the list of conjugates and reconnect.
• 🔋 Check the case charge (the indicator should be green or orange).

Step 3: Forced headphone synchronization (if the automatic one is not working)

If the left earbud doesn't appear on the device list after you connect the right earbud, you'll need manual synchronization, which works in 90% of cases where standard connectivity doesn't work.

Method 1: Engineering menu (Android only)

1. Connect only the right earphone to the phone.
2. Open the Mi Home app (if not installed, download from Google Play).
3. Go to Profile → Settings → Add the device → Headphones.
4. Select Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic and follow the instructions.
5. After connecting the right headphone, the application will suggest synchronizing the left one - confirm the action.

Method 2: Manual synchronization through buttons

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Take out only the right earpiece and wait 5 seconds (should flash white).
3. Remove the left earphone and hold the touchpad on it for 5 seconds until you hear a double beep.
4. Place both headphones back in the case, then pull them out together - they should sync automatically.

Method 3: Reset via Bluetooth Auto Connect

If the headphones are defined but not synced, install the Bluetooth Auto Connect app:

• 🔍 Find Mi True Wireless EBs Basic_R.
• 🔄 Tap three dots next to the device and select Disconnect & Reconnect.
• 🔗 Repeat the action 2-3 times, which often helps to wake up the left earphone.

💡

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be the firmware of the headphones, in which case only the firmware through special software will help (see the section "Firmware Update").

Step 4: Update the headphone firmware (if available)

Xiaomi AirDots S periodically receive firmware updates that fix synchronization errors. You can check the relevance of the version through the official Mi Home app.

How to update firmware:

1. Connect your headphones to your phone (both of them!).
2. Open Mi Home and find the device in the list.
3. If an update is available, a firmware update notification will appear - tap on it.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (don’t turn off the headphones during the process!).

Up-to-date firmware versions for AirDots S (for 2026):

⚠️ Warning: If your headphones stop working after you upgrade, reset the hardware and reconnect them. In rare cases, the firmware may fly off, requiring manual recovery via PC (instructions in Computer Recovery).

Step 5: Recovery of headphones through a computer (advanced method)

If all previous methods have failed and the headphones are still out of sync, you can try to manually reflash them over a PC, a method that requires special software and is only suitable for advanced users.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11.
• 🔌 Bluetooth adapter 4.0+ (built-in or external).
• 📁 NRF Connect (download from the official website)
• 📄 Firmware for your model (you can find it on the 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu forums).

Step-by-step:

1. Install nRF Connect and start the program.
2. Place the headphones in firmware mode: take them out of the case, hold the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds until you hear a triple signal.
3. In nRF Connect, click Select Device and select Mi True Wireless EBs Basic_R.
4. Go to the DFU (Firmware Update) tab and download the firmware file (.zip or.hex).
5. Start the firmware process and wait until it is completed (don’t interrupt!).
6. After updating, reset and connect the headphones again.

💡

Before you run your firmware through your PC, check the headphone model with the serial number on the case. Installing an inappropriate firmware can bring the device down!

Common User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many of the problems with Xiaomi AirDots S are caused by the wrong connection, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

• 🚫 Connect the left earphone first → Always start with the right ( R) as it is the lead.
• 🚫 Use of caseless headphones → If you don’t put them in the case after use, they discharge unevenly, which leads to loss of synchronization.
• 🚫 Interrupt the connection process → If you uncouple on the half, the headphones can “forget” each other.
• 🚫 Ignoring firmware updates → Older versions of software often contain plug-in bugs.
• 🚫 Charging the case from powerful adapters (more than 5V/1A → This can damage the power controller.

Another common problem is that the headphones are plugged in, but there's only one sound.

• 🔊 Check the sound balance in the phone settings (Settings) → Sound. → Stereo balance).
• 🔄 Reboot the headphones: Put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out.
• 📱 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and reconnect.

💡

If the headphones are still not working together after all the manipulations, check them on another device (e.g., a tablet or a second phone).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)