Xiaomi Redmi Airdots 2: How to connect to Windows 10/11 and macOS PCs

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones 2 They are among the most popular budgets. TWS-The models are based on a combination of price, sound quality and battery life, but many users have difficulty connecting them to a computer, especially a Windows PC. 10/11 Problems arise due to Bluetooth stack features, lack of drivers or protocol incompatibility.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways of connecting, from standard pairing via the Bluetooth menu to the use of external adapters and specialized software. Separately, we will focus on typical errors (for example, when headphones are defined as an “audio device”, but there is no sound) and how to fix them. If you have already tried to connect unsuccessfully, do not rush to blame the headphones: in 90% of cases, the problem lies in the settings of the operating system or equipment.

For convenience, we have divided the instructions into stages, taking into account different scenarios, from simple pairing to solving complex cases when the PC “does not see” the headset or refuses to play audio. Also, we will give a table of compatibility with different versions of Windows and macOS, which will help to avoid unnecessary manipulation if your system does not initially support Airdots 2 at the proper level.

1. Preparation of headphones for connection

Before you try to connect Redmi Airdots 2 to your computer, you need to put them in pairing mode. This is a key step -- if you skip it, the PC just won't find the device on the list of available ones. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Remove the headphones from the case. They must automatically turn on (the indicator on each earpiece will light up).
2. Hold the button on the back of any of the headphones for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white alternately.
3. If the lights don't respond or go out immediately after you turn on, charge the headphones in the case for at least 15 minutes.

Important: If the headphones have already been connected to another device (for example, a smartphone), they must be reset.

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
3. Get the headphones out - they will be reset to factory settings.

Charge headphones in case ≥15 minutes | Remove headphones and wait for automatic activation | Hold the button on the headphone until flashing red/white |Reset settings if you previously connected to another device-->

If the headphones are only white (no red), it means that they are already in the mode of connection to the last device.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection on Windows

Most modern PCs and laptops have a built-in Bluetooth module that supports an A2DP profile (required for audio transmission). However, even with a module, problems can arise due to outdated drivers or conflicts with other devices.

Step 1: Checking the Bluetooth adapter

Before you connect your headphones, make sure that Bluetooth on your PC is on and working correctly:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Deploy the Bluetooth tab. If there are devices with an exclamation point, update the driver (right-click → Update the driver).
3. If there is no Bluetooth partition at all, your PC is not equipped with a module - you will need an external adapter (we will talk about it below).

Step 2: Connecting with headphones

When the adapter is ready, start connecting:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Turn on the Bluetooth slider and click Add the device.
3. Select Bluetooth from the list of device types.
4. In the list of available devices, find Redmi Airdots_XXX (where XXX — Unique identifier and click on it.

Once paired successfully, the headphones will appear on the list of connected devices, but that doesn't guarantee sound performance! Often Windows defines Airdots 2 as a Hands-Free device, not a stereo headphone, to fix this:

1. In Device Manager, find Redmi Airdots in the Sound, Video and Gaming Devices section.
2. Right-click → Properties → Driver → Update the driver.
3. Select Search for drivers on this computer → Select a driver from the list.
4. Manually specify Stereo headphones (A2DP) or headset with support for A2DP.

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If there is no A2DP profile on the list, download the Broadcom Bluetooth driver (for adapters on a Broadcom chip) or update the driver through Windows Update.

Table: Compatibility of Redmi Airdots 2 with Windows versions

Built-in (laptop) | External USB-dongle | Don't know |No Bluetooth-->

3. Connection to macOS: features and nuances

MacBook or iMac owners often encounter Redmi Airdots 2 connecting to the device, but the sound goes only to one headphone or with severe interference. This is due to the peculiarities of the implementation of Bluetooth in macOS, where the default protocol can be used HFP (for calls) instead of A2DP (for music).

Step 1: Matching with a Mac

The process of connecting to macOS is easier than on Windows, but requires attention to detail:

1. Open System settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and click Connect next to Redmi Airdots_XXX.
3. Wait for the sign to appear.

Step 2: Set up a sound profile

If after connecting the sound goes only in one headphone or the quality leaves much to be desired:

1. Open System settings → Sound.
2. Tab Out: Select Redmi Airdots Stereo (if there is no such item, go to step 3).
3. Input tab: disable the use of headphones as a microphone (this may conflict with stereo mode).

If only Redmi Airdots Hands-Free is displayed in the list of output devices, follow the following steps:

1. Open the terminal (can be found via Spotlight).
2. Type the command: sudo nvram bluetoothHostControllerSwitchBehavior=never and restart the Mac.
3. After the reboot, reconnect the headphones – an A2DP profile should appear.

For users M1/M2 The Mac may need an additional step: disabling the Automatic Switching feature, as it sometimes conflicts with third-party Bluetooth headsets. → Bluetooth → Settings (cog next to headphones).

4.Using an external Bluetooth adapter

If your PC is not equipped with a Bluetooth module or the built-in adapter is outdated (for example, only supports Bluetooth 4.0), you will need an external connection to connect Redmi Airdots 2. USB-Not all adapters work equally well with the TWS-Headphones – we recommend models on chips CSR 8510 or Broadcom BCM20702, Provide stable connection and support A2DP.

How to choose an adapter

When buying, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔹 Bluetooth version: minimum 4.2, better 5.0 (provides less latency).
• 🔹 Profile support: should be indicated A2DP and AVRCP.
• 🔹 Chipset: Preference CSR Broadcom (cheap adapters on Realtek often cause problems).
• 🔹 Drivers: Check if your OS is supported (for example, some adapters require manual driver installation on Windows 7).

Step-by-step connection instruction

1. Connect the adapter to USB-Wait for the drivers to install (usually installed automatically).
2. Put Redmi Airdots 2 in pairing mode (as described in the first section).
3. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and click Add Device.
4. Choose Redmi. Airdots_XXX If the device doesn't show up, update the adapter driver manually.

If the sound is interrupted or there are delays after connecting, try:

• 🔸 Disable other Bluetooth devices (mouse, keyboards) that may interfere.
• 🔸 Move the adapter closer to the headphones (for example, use the device) USB-extensioner).
• 🔸 In Device Manager, disable Power Savings for Bluetooth Adapter (Device Properties) → Power management).

💡

The external Bluetooth adapter on the CSR 8510 chip is the best choice for a stable connection of Redmi Airdots 2 to a PC. It provides A2DP support and minimal sound delays even on older versions of Windows.

5. Solving typical problems

Even after successful pairing, users often face a number of problems: no sound, headphones only connect as Hands-Free, or the connection is constantly broken, and let's look at the most common cases and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Headphones are connected, but there is no sound

If Redmi Airdots 2 is shown as connected, but the sound is going through the PC speakers:

• 🔊 Check if the headphones are selected as the default output device: Click on the sound icon in the tray → Open audio settings. In the Output section, select Redmi Airdots Stereo.

🔊 Update the Bluetooth driver (as described in Section 2).

net stop bthserv


net start bthserv

(Execute commands in the Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator).

Problem 2: The sound only goes to one headphone

This problem is typical of Windows and is associated with the wrong choice of audio profile.

• 🎧 In Device Manager, find Redmi Airdots in the Sound Devices section, right-click → Turn off the device, then turn on again.
• 🎧 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and connect again.
• 🎧 Use Bluetooth Command Line Tools to force switching to A2DP: btcom -d [MAC-headphone] -a A2DP (MAC-The address can be found in the device properties in Bluetooth Settings).