Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 3 β one of the most popular wireless headphones in the line of budget TWS-Xiaomi devices, which are affordable, offer high-quality sound, easy seating and long-term workloads, but many users are faced with the question of how to connect headphones to the phone, control playback or reset settings? In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for using Redmi Airdots 3, including hidden features and solutions to typical problems.
We'll not only explore basic operations (connection, charging, control), but also nuances that are not written about in the official documentation, such as how to turn on low latency for games or why one earphone can work quieter than another, and this article will be useful for both beginners and experienced users who want to make the most of their Airdots 3.
1.Compact and appearance: what is in the box and how the headphones are arranged
Before you use it, you need to make sure that all components are in place. As standard with Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 3, you will find:
- π§ Two wireless headphones (right and left)
- π Charging case with charge level indicator
- π Cable USB Type-C for case charging
- π Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
The headphones are ergonomic with silicone earpieces that allow for a tight fit in the ear, and each earpiece has:
- π Microphone for calls and voice commands
- ποΈ Touch panel for control (touching)
- π Contacts for charging in the case
- πΆ Status indicator (blinks when connected or low charge)
Charging case is made of matte plastic, on the front panel is located LED-indicator showing the charge level of the case (from 1 to 4 segments). The button on the back of the case is used to reset the headphones or force the pairing mode to be activated.
2.The first connection to the smartphone: step-by-step instructions
Connecting Redmi Airdots 3 to your phone is easier than you think. Follow this guide to avoid errors:
- Remove the headphones from the case. They will automatically turn on and go into pairing mode (the indicators will flash red and white).
- Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone. Go to Settings β Bluetooth and turn on device search.
- Select Redmi Airdots 3 in the list. The name can appear as Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 or Redmi Buds 3.
- Confirm pairing. Some phones will require the code 0000 (default).
Once you've successfully connected, the headphones will stop flashing and light up white. Now the headphones are ready to use. If you can't connect, try:
- π Reboot Bluetooth on your phone.
- π Return the headphones to the case for 10 seconds, then remove again.
- π± Remove the device from the list of conjugates and repeat the process.
Headphones are identified in the list of Bluetooth devices |
The lights on the headphones burn white, not flash.|
The sound is played synchronously in both headphones |
The microphone is working (check through voice recording)
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Redmi Airdots 3 supports multi-point connectivity, meaning that it can be paired with two devices at the same time (e.g. smartphone + laptop), but only one device can play audio at the same time.
3. Headphone control: gestures and voice commands
The touch panels on Redmi Airdots 3 support multiple gestures, and here's the full list of controls:
| Gesture. | Action. | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Single touch | Reproduction/pause | It works on any headphone. |
| Double touch. | Next track (right earphone) / Previous track (left earphone) | In some firmware, it can be responsible for calling a voice assistant. |
| Triple touch. | Calling the voice assistant (Google Assistant/Siri) | Requires pre-setting in the Mi Home app |
| Holding 2 seconds | Rejection/acceptance of the call | It only works during an incoming call. |
If the gestures don't work:
β οΈ Attention! Check if the touchpads are covered with your fingers or a case. Also make sure the headphones are connected to the device - offline gestures do not work.
For gamers, it is useful to know that Redmi Airdots 3 supports low latency (about 80-100 ms) to activate it:
- Put the headphones on the phone.
- Open the Mi Home app (if not installed, download from Google Play or the App Store).
- Select Redmi Airdots 3 from the list of devices.
- Go to Settings β Sound Mode β Low latency.
π‘
If you use headphones frequently for calls, turn off the Noise Cancel feature in the Mi Home settings β this will improve voice legibility in noisy rooms.
4. Charging headphones and case: how to extend the battery life
Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 3 is equipped with batteries with a capacity of 43 mAh (earphones) and 300 mAh (case).When fully charged, the case can provide up to 4 additional cycles of recharging headphones, which together gives up to 20 hours of battery life.
To properly charge the device:
- π Use the original cable USB Type-C or Certified Approach.
- β‘ Charging the case takes about 1.5-2 hours, headphones in the case - 1-1.5 hours.
- π Do not leave your headphones in your case for more than 24 hours on charge β this can shorten battery life.
- π‘οΈ Avoid charging at extreme temperatures (below 0)Β°C or higher than 40Β°C).
Charge indicators help to monitor the status of the battery:
- π’ Green (case): charge over 60%.
- π‘ Yellow (case): charge from 20% to 60%.
- π΄ Red (case): charge less than 20%.
- π΄ Flashing red (earphones): discharged, charging required.
β οΈ Attention! If the headphones are not charging in the case, check the contacts for contamination. Wipe them with a dry cotton swab. If the problem persists, try resetting (see section 6).
π‘
For maximum battery life, discharge your headphones to 20% before charging and donβt keep them 100% all the time.
5. Sound tuning: equalizer, noise cancellation and microphone
By default, Redmi Airdots 3 has a balanced sound profile, but it can be customized to your preferences.
- Install the Mi Home app (if not already done).
- Connect the headphones and select them in the list of devices.
- Go to the section Sound settings.
- Select one of the pre-set profiles: π΅ Balanced (by default) πΈ Reinforced basses π€ Clear voices (for podcasts)
To manually adjust the equalizer, use third-party apps like Equalizer FX or Wavelet, which allow you to fine-tune frequencies, but require root rights on some devices.
Redmi Airdots 3's noise reduction is software-based and only works during calls, to improve its efficiency:
- π€ Speak clearly with the microphone close to your mouth.
- π In noisy places, cover the second microphone (on the back of the headphone) with your finger.
- π± Update your headphone firmware through Mi Home (if an update is available).
How to check the quality of the microphone?
6. Resetting settings and troubleshooting
If Redmi Airdots 3 started to work incorrectly (do not connect, one earphone is silent, settings are confused), resetting to factory parameters will help.
- Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 10-15 seconds.
- The indicators on the headphones will start flashing red and white β this means that the reset is done.
- Remove the headphones from the case and connect them again (as in the first use).
Typical problems and their solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| One earpiece is down. | Discharged or unsynchronized | Back in the case for 30 seconds, then retrieve, if it doesn't work, reset. |
| Headphones are discharged quickly | Actively used noise reduction or high volume | Turn off the noise reduction, reduce the volume to 70%. |
| The sound is interrupted. | Interference from other Bluetooth devices or weak signal | Reconnect the headphones, make sure the phone is within a radius of 10 meters. |
| The microphone is not working. | Contaminated or disabled in settings | Clean the microphone, check the microphone access permissions in the applications. |
β οΈ Attention! If the headphones don't connect after reset, try connecting them to another device. If the problem persists, you may need to replace them (warranty case).
7. firmware update: how to check and install the new version
Xiaomi periodically releases firmware updates for Redmi Airdots 3, which improve stability, sound and add new features.
- Install the Mi Home app (if not already done).
- Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
- Open Mi Home, select Redmi Airdots 3 from the list of devices.
- If an update is available, a notification will appear. Click Update.
- Wait until the process is complete (the headphones will reboot automatically).
During the update:
- π΅ Don't remove the headphones from the case.
- π Make sure the charge level of the case is not below 30%.
- πΆ Connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network or mobile internet.
After the update, check the firmware version in Mi Home (Device About section). Current version at 2026 is 1.7.0.3 or higher.
8.Comparison to other models: Should you buy Redmi Airdots 3 in 2026?
Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 3 remains relevant even a few years after its release due to its balanced specs, but they have both pros and cons compared to the new models:
| Characteristics | Redmi Airdots 3 | Redmi Buds 4 | Redmi Buds 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (2026) | ~1 500 β½ | ~2 500 β½ | ~4 000 β½ |
| Time to work. | 5:00 (20:00 with case) | 6 h (30 h with case) | 6 h (25 h with case) |
| Noise suppression | Basic (calling only) | Active (ANC) | Adaptive ANC |
| Sound delay | ~100 ms. | ~80 ms. | ~60 ms. |
| Water protection | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP54 |
Who will be the next Redmi Airdots 3 in 2026?
- π° Those who are looking for budgets TWS-Headphones with a good price/quality ratio.
If you want active noise cancellation or better sound, consider the Redmi Buds 4 or Redmi Buds 5 Pro. However, for everyday use, Airdots 3 remain a great choice.