Xiaomi Earpods wireless headphones (including AirDots, Air 2, Air 2 Pro, Air 3 and more) have become some of the most popular smartphone accessories due to the combination of price, sound quality and convenience. However, many users face problems when first connecting: the device is not located, the sound is interrupted or the headphones refuse to sync with each other.
We will look at not only the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure, but also alternative methods (for example, through the Mi Home app), as well as recommendations for optimizing sound and increasing battery life.
If you’ve just unpacked new Xiaomi Earpods or have trouble updating your smartphone firmware, this is the guide for you. Whether you’re using Android (including MIUI, HyperOS) or iPhone, the connectivity algorithm is universal, and we’ll note the differences separately.
1. Preparation of headphones for the first connection
Before you start pairing, make sure the headphones are fully charged and in good condition. Even if the indicator on the case is green, this does not always mean 100% charge: sometimes you need to reset the headphones to the factory if they were previously connected to another device and behaved unstable.
To activate the pairing mode:
- Take both headphones out of the case - they should automatically turn on.
- Press the button on the case (or the touchpad on the headphones, depending on the model) for 5-10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing white and red (search mode).
- If the indicator does not flash, return the headphones to the case, close it and try again in 10 seconds.
⚠️ Note: On models of Xiaomi Air 2 SE And the newer button on the case may not be there, but instead it uses touch control, so to put them in pairing mode, touch and hold the touch area on the right earphone for 5 seconds.
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If the headphones don't respond to pressing, check if moisture has entered the contacts of the case. Wipe them with a dry wipe and try again in 15 minutes.
2. Standard Bluetooth connection
The connectivity algorithm is the same for most smartphones, but there are nuances for Android and iOS.
For Android (MIUI/HyperOS, Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.):
- Open Settings → Bluetooth and activate the module.
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Redmi AirDots 3).
- Click on the name and confirm the pairing. Some models will need to enter PIN-code - default is 0000.
For iPhone (iOS 15 and newer):
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- Wait until your Xiaomi Earpods model appears in the Other Devices section.
⚠️ Note: Some features (such as automatic switching between Apple devices) will not work on iPhones, and there may be no headphone charge indicator in the status bar.
Connect via the Mi Home app (for advanced features)
The official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models) lets you not only connect your headphones, but also adjust the equalizer, update the firmware, change gesture control and track the charge level of each headphone separately, which is especially useful for Air 3 Pro models and newer ones that support LDAC (high-quality audio codec).
Instructions for connecting via Mi Home:
After connecting in the application, additional options will be available:
- 🔊 Sound setting: selecting preset profiles (Bases, Vocals, Balance) or manual equalizer adjustment.
- 🔄 Gesture control: changing actions for double/triple touch (e.g. calling voice assistant or switching tracks).
- 📲 Firmware Update: Critical fixes for communication stability and sound quality.
Charge your headphones to 50% or more |
Install the latest version of Mi Home|
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network|
Turn it off. VPN (It can block Xiaomi servers)-->
4. Solving common connection problems
If the headphones do not connect or work incorrectly, use this table for diagnosis:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones are not on the Bluetooth list | The pairing mode is not activated | Reset your headphones (press the button on the case for 15 seconds) and try again |
| The sound is interrupted or stuttered | Interference from other Bluetooth devices | Disable unnecessary gadgets, reboot the smartphone |
| Only one earpiece works. | Failure of synchronization between headphones | Return both headphones to the case, wait for the flashing indicator, take them out again. |
| Low volume level | Volume Limitation in Android/iOS Settings | Turn off the Safe Volume Level in the Sound Settings |
| Headphones are discharged quickly | Active AAC or LDAC (High Power Consumption) codec | Switch to SBC in Bluetooth Developer Settings |
⚠️ Warning: If after updating the firmware of the smartphone (for example, to HyperOS on Xiaomi 14) headphones stopped connecting, try to remove them from the list of associated devices and add again. → System system → Resetting network settings.
What if the headphones are connected but there is no sound?
5. Sound optimization and gesture tuning
Even after a successful connection, many users note that the sound of Xiaomi Earpods can be significantly improved.
Equalizer setting:
- 🎵 In the Mi Home app, select Basa's profile+ for electronic music or Pure high for vocals.
- 🔊 In the smartphone settings (Sound) → Turn off all preset effects (such as Dolby Atmos or Mi Sound Enhancer) if they distort the sound.
Gesture control (for models with touch panels):
- 👆 Double tap on left earpiece: previous track/voice assistant call.
- 👆 Double touch on the right earpiece: the next track / call reception.
- 👆 Triple touch: activation of game mode (reduces sound latency).
The Air 3 Pro and Buds 4 Pro models are also available with a transparent mode (transmission of external sounds) activated by holding the touchpad on any headphone for a long time.
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Use the AAC codec for iPhone and LDAC for Android (if supported) to provide better lossless sound quality.
6.How to reset Xiaomi Earpods to factory settings
If the headphones start to glitch (spontaneously turn off, do not sync or do not respond to touch), hard reset will help.
For AirDots, Air 2, Air 2 SE:
For Air 3, Air 3 Pro, Buds 4:
- Press the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds until you hear the beep.
After resetting, the headphones will lose all saved settings (including connection history), and they will have to be paired again, as in the first use.
7. Compatibility with other devices (PCs, laptops, TV)
Xiaomi Earpods can be connected not only to smartphones, but also to smartphones Windows/macOS, Smart TV And even game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, but there are nuances:
Connection to Windows 10/11:
Connect to Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Xiaomi TV):
- 📺 On the remote. TV press Settings → Sound. → Sound output → Bluetooth devices.
- 🔍 Choose headphones from the list. TV (For example, Xiaomi Mi TV) may need to be introduced PIN 0000.
- ⚠️ Lag (sound delay) when watching movies is eliminated in the settings TV: Activate Game Sound or Low Delay.
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To connect to PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, use a Bluetooth adapter (for example, 8BitDo Wireless Adapter 2) because consoles don’t support direct sync with most TWS-headphone.