Xiaomi AirDots 2: How to connect to a laptop via Bluetooth in 2 minutes

Xiaomi AirDots 2 (or Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2) wireless headphones have long been a popular choice due to a combination of price and quality. However, many users are faced with the problem of how to connect them to a laptop correctly? Unlike smartphones, where the process is often automated, on Windows or macOS PCs, nuances can occur - from the lack of sound to the inability to detect the device.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to connect, from standard Bluetooth pairing to solving common bugs (for example, when the headphones are not defined or connected as an “audio device” but there is no sound), and learn how to reset AirDots 2 settings if they were previously connected to another device, and what drivers may be required for stable operation.

Important: the instruction is relevant for all versions of Xiaomi AirDots 2, including versions with support for AAC and aptX. If you have a newer model (for example, AirDots 3 Pro or Buds 4), the process may be different - check in the documentation for the device.

Preparation of headphones Xiaomi AirDots 2 to connect

Before you connect AirDots 2 to a laptop, make sure the headphones are ready to pair. A common mistake users make is trying to connect when the headphones are in standby mode or already connected to another device (such as a smartphone).

To put Xiaomi AirDots 2 in search mode:

• 🔋 Charge the case to at least 30%. If the indicator on the case is not on, the headphones may not turn on.
• 🎧 Take both earphones out of the case. They should automatically turn on (white light will light up).
• 🔄 Activate pairing mode: press the button on the case for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.

If the lights don’t flash, try resetting (instructions in the section below) and check if another device is blocking the connection – for example, if the headphones were previously connected to a smartphone, turn them off in the phone’s Bluetooth settings.

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If the headphones don't respond to the button, try putting them back in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then repeat the process. This will reset temporary connection errors.

Connecting to a laptop on Windows 10/11

The pairing process on Windows is usually easy, but there are nuances associated with the Bluetooth version of the adapter and drivers.

1. Open Bluetooth settings: Press Win + I → go to Devices → Bluetooth and other devices. Activate the Bluetooth switch (if it is turned off).
2. Add a new device: Click Add Device → Bluetooth. In the list, find Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 (or Xiaomi AirDots 2) and select it.

Confirm the conjugation

• A request for code confirmation (usually 0000 or 1234) may appear on the screen.
• Wait for the message "Done!"

If the headphones are connected, but there is no sound, check:

• 🔊 Output device: click on the sound icon in the trea → Choose Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2.
• 🔄 Connection Profile: in Control Panel → Make sure the headphones are using a stereo profile (not a headset").

Bluetooth on your laptop

Headphones in pairing mode (flashing red / white)

Disconnected from other devices

Latest Bluetooth drivers installed-->

Connection to MacBook (macOS)

On macOS, pairing is easier, but you may need to adjust your audio profile further.

1. Activate Bluetooth: Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar → Enable Bluetooth. Or go to System Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Connect your headphones: In the list of devices, find Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 and click "Connect." If you request confirmation, agree.

Set up the sound.

• Go to System Settings → Sound → Output.
• Choose Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2.

On a MacBook with M1/M2 chips, there may be a problem when the headphones are connected, but the sound is delayed or interrupted, due to the optimization of the Bluetooth stack in the new processors.

• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (forget the device in the settings and mate again).
• 📱 Disable other Bluetooth devices (mouse, keyboard) that may interfere.
• 🔧 Update macOS to the latest version (in new updates, Apple fixes bugs with Bluetooth).

Windows 10

Windows 11

macOS (Intel)

macOS (Apple Silicon)

Linux

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Common mistakes and their solution

Even with the right connection, Xiaomi AirDots 2 may not work properly. Let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods did not help, try resetting the headphones to the factory:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press the button on the case for 15-20 seconds until the indicators start flashing red.
3. Open the lid and repeat the connection process.

Update of firmware and drivers

If Xiaomi AirDots 2 is connected but is not stable (for example, sound disappears or interference appears), the problem may be in outdated headphone firmware or Bluetooth adapter drivers of the laptop.

How to update the firmware headphones:

• 📱 Use the official Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
• 🔍 In the app, find AirDots 2 in the list of devices and check for updates.
• ⚠️ Do not interrupt the update process – this can cause headphones to fail.

Update of Bluetooth drivers on Windows:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find the Bluetooth partition and select your adapter (e.g. Qualcomm QCA61x4A or Intel Wireless-AC).
3. Right-click → Update the driver → Automatic search.
4. If there are no updates, download the latest drivers from the laptop manufacturer’s website (for example, Lenovo, HP, ASUS).

For macOS, no driver update is required – all fixes come through system updates. However, if you have Linux, you may need to manually configure the Bluetooth stack (for example, installing a pulseaudio-module-bluetooth package).

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Updating the headphone firmware through Mi Home can take up to 10 minutes.Do not remove the headphones from the case and do not close the application until the process is complete.

Alternative ways of connecting

If the Bluetooth connection is unstable or your laptop does not support Bluetooth 5.0 (required for AirDots 2 to work properly), alternative methods can be used:

• 🎵 Bluetooth adapter: if you have an old module (for example, Bluetooth 4.0), buy an external adapter with support for 5.0 (cost from 500) ₽). Connects through USB and provides a stable connection.
• 🔌 Audio Cable: Xiaomi AirDots 2 does not support wired connection, but you can use a Bluetooth transmitter (such as Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver) that connects to the laptop through 3.5 mm or USB-C.
• 💻 Software codec: If the sound is interrupted, try changing the codec in the settings. On Windows, you can do this through the Control Panel. → Sound. → Device properties → Additional (select) AAC instead SBC).

Linux owners may need to manually configure PulseAudio. Install pavcontrol and select the "A2DP Sink" profile for AirDots 2 in the audio settings.

sudo apt install pavucontrol


pavucontrol

Compatibility with different laptops

While Xiaomi AirDots 2 should work with any laptop that supports Bluetooth 4.2+, in practice, there may be compatibility issues.

If your laptop is not on the list, check:

• 🔍 Bluetooth Adapter Version (in Device Manager).
• 📋 Availability of updates BIOS (Sometimes manufacturers fix Bluetooth bugs at the firmware level).

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On laptops with AMD-processors (e.g. Lenovo with Ryzen) may need to disable Bluetooth Low Energy technology in the adapter settings for stable headphone performance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi AirDots 2

On macOS: The version can be seen in the System Report (About this Mac → System Report → Bluetooth).

If your question is not covered in the FAQ, check the official documentation of Xiaomi or contact for support through the Mi Home app. To diagnose Bluetooth problems on your laptop, you can use utilities like Bluetooth Command Line Tools (for Windows) or bluetoothctl (for Linux).

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If the headphones are connected but the sound is interrupted, try reducing the distance between the headphones and the laptop (optimally up to 1 meter) and turning off other Bluetooth devices.