How to connect headphones Airdots Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Modern wireless headsets from Xiaomi have become a benchmark for the ratio of price and quality, but the process of their initial activation in inexperienced users often raises questions. Many owners are faced with the fact that after extraction from the case, headphones do not appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices or work only in mono mode. This is due to the peculiarities of the logic of the chips Realtek and Qualcomm, which are used in various modifications of the Airdots line.

To successfully pair, you need to understand that the process is divided into two stages: synchronizing the left and right earbuds with each other, and then connecting the pair to the smartphone. Errors in the first stage lead to the fact that the phone sees two devices with the same name or only one playback channel. In this article, we will discuss the algorithm of actions that is guaranteed to work for models Redmi Airdots, Airdots 2, Airdots S and newer versions, including Airdots 3.

It is important to consider that the Bluetooth module in the phone should be active and visible to other devices. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to check the charge of the case and capsules themselves, since at a low energy level (less than 20%), the headset can go into energy saving mode, blocking the pairing mode.

Initial preparation and activation of Bluetooth

Before you try to connect the devices, make sure the headset is ready to go. The first step is always to remove both headphones from the charging case. Make sure the lights on the cases are on fire, which indicates contact with the battery. If the indicators do not respond, put them in a case for 15-20 minutes.

Then you activate visibility mode on your mobile device. To do this, go to Settings → Bluetooth and turn on the slider. At this point, do not immediately try to select the device from the list if it already appears there. First, you need to start forced pairing on the headphones themselves.

• 🔋 Make sure that the case is charged at least 30% for stable operation of indicators.
• 📱 Turn off Bluetooth on other nearby devices to avoid connection conflicts.
• 👂 Remove both earphones at the same time to start the auto-synchronization process.

Note the indicators: in standby mode, they should flash white at intervals of about one second. If the blinking is too fast or the color of the indicator is different (for example, red), this may indicate a discharge or error firmware.

The process of pairing: step-by-step instructions

The most critical thing is to start the mating mode. Unlike many other brands where it is easy to open the lid, it requires mechanical action. Take both earbuds in your hands and simultaneously press and hold the touchpads (or physical buttons, depending on the model) for 3-5 seconds.

You'll hear a voice message called "Pairing" or you'll see that the lights are flashing white very often, with little or no pause, which means that the detection mode is activated, and now the name Redmi Airdots or Mi True Wireless EBs Basic should appear on the smartphone screen.

After clicking on the device name in the phone menu, the process will take 5 to 10 seconds. Successful connection will be confirmed by the voice message "Connected" and the change in the pattern of flashing indicators - they will light up less often or go out completely. If you hear music in only one ear, then the synchronization between the left and right channel is broken.

⚠️ Warning: If you only have one earphone after you've connected, don't rush to remove the device, often with the simple return of both earphones to the case and re-extract in 10 seconds.

Solving Channel Dissynchronization Problems

One of the most common problems for Xiaomi budget model owners is the desynchronization of stereo channels, which happens when one earphone forgets a partner and starts working independently, visually, this is manifested by the fact that two devices with the same name appear on the Bluetooth list, or the phone sees only one earphone.

To fix this problem, you need to perform a full reset procedure. First, remove (forget) the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings. Then place both earbuds in the charging case, but don't close the lid. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 20 to 25 seconds.

• 🔄 Indicators should flash red 3 times, which will confirm the reset settings.
• 🔌 After reset, remove the headphones and give them 5 seconds to auto-patch each other.
• 📲 Only after one indicator goes out (or starts blinking slowly) look for the device on your phone.

This procedure clears the internal memory of the Bluetooth module and forcibly restarts the TWS protocol. It is important to perform actions quickly and clearly, since the timeout of the reset mode is limited. If the first time did not work, repeat the procedure, making sure that the headphones are in the case or tightly clamped in your fingers.

Features of connecting to different operating systems

Although Bluetooth is universal, Android and iOS operating systems handle codecs and connection profiles differently. On devices with a MIUI or HyperOS shell, the process is most smooth due to driver optimization. When connecting to an iPhone or iPad, you may need to manually select a profile in settings if the sound seems quiet or monophonic.

Android smartphones, especially third-party brands (Samsung, Huawei), sometimes require permission to access contacts and call logs to make the microphone work properly, without which you can listen to music but the person you are talking to won’t hear you. In iOS, these requests appear automatically when you first start an application or connect.

Note that Windows 10 and 11 computers often have stereo problems, and can connect headphones as a low-quality headset rather than a Stereo device.

Management settings and additional functions

Airdots headphones are controlled through touchpads or mechanical buttons, and by default, double tap plays or pauses the track, triple tap calls the assistant, and long hold activates the last dialed number or puts the call into standby mode, but these settings can be changed.

For advanced customization, including firmware updates and sensor calibration, it is recommended to use the MI Earbuds app (for newer models) or Xiaomi Earbuds. Older models such as Airdots 1 and 2 do not support the branded app and are controlled exclusively through Bluetooth system settings. In the app, you can customize gestures, check the charge level of each headphone separately and find the lost device.

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Use the MI Earbuds app to check firmware version. Updating firmware often fixes communication breakdown issues and improves the quality of voice calls.

Also worth mentioning is the Game Mode feature available in some models (e.g. Airdots 2 Pro, Airdots 3). It usually requires triple touch and touch panel retention for 2 seconds. You will hear a special sound alert. In this mode, sound delay is minimized, which is critical for shooters and rhythm games, but can slightly reduce battery life.

Diagnostics of malfunctions and care of the device

If the headphones stop charging or turning on, first check the contacts. On the legs of the headphones and inside the case are metal plates that eventually oxidize or become covered with earwax. Wipe them with dry soft cloth or cotton swab lightly moistened in alcohol.

Problems with quiet sound are often not caused by a break in the speaker, but by a contamination of the speaker mesh. Clean it carefully with a soft toothbrush. If the sound gets distorted or cracked even on a clean headset, it may be caused by moisture or mechanical impact.

• 💧 Avoid moisture: Most models have protection IPX4, but not designed for swimming.
• 🧹 Clean the speaker grids regularly to maintain high frequency quality.
• 🔋 Do not keep your headphones in a completely discharged state for a long time, this is detrimental to Li-Ion batteries.

In the case where neither reset nor cleaning helps, and the device is not determined by the computer to flash, a hardware malfunction of the power controller is likely.In such cases, given the affordable cost of Airdots models, repair is often economically inexpedient compared to buying a new pair.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to open the headphone case yourself, there are compact lithium batteries inside, which can cause fire damage, and there's also a leaky body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The correct sequence of actions when resetting and re-pairing solves 95% of problems with connecting Xiaomi headphones.