Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi and its sub-brands like Redmi and Poco often come in TWS (True Wireless Stereo) format, which means that the left and right are technically independent, but must work as a unit to deliver stereo. Users often face a situation where one earphone plays audio and the other is silent, or they connect to the phone as two different devices. Understanding how to properly sync them together is a key skill for comfortable use of the gadget.
The pairing process can vary depending on the model and the firmware version, but the basic principles remain similar for most devices in the ecosystem. The critical point is to simultaneously remove both headphones from the case for initial activation of mating mode. If you ignore this step, the devices may not find each other and start looking for a smartphone separately. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the setup, from the standard procedure to forced reset.
The principle of operation of TWS-headsets Xiaomi
True Wireless Stereo technology involves sending an audio signal to one of the devices (a master earpiece) which in turn translates it to the second (a plume earpiece). Newer models with Qualcomm or Realtek chips use Mirror Link technology, which allows both modules to receive a signal directly from the source, which reduces latency and improves stability. It is this internal link between the left and right channels that requires initial tuning.
When you first open the case, Xiaomi earphones automatically go to Pairing Mode, at which point they're looking not only for the phone, but also for their "partner." If one of the headphones has been previously connected to another phone or is in standby mode, synchronization may not occur. It's important to understand that there's only one device on the Bluetooth list for the user, even though there are physically two.
⚠️ Note: If you see two identical names on the Bluetooth list (e.g., "Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic" and "Mi True Wireless Earbuds") Basic_R"), It means that the headphones are out of sync, and you can't connect in this mode, because you're only going to hear sound in one channel.
For stable operation, both earbuds need to have the same firmware version. Update often occurs automatically through the Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Home app, but if one earbud is updated and the other is not (due to a discharged battery), they can stop "friending" each other. Regular check of the battery status in the application will help to avoid such situations.
Standard Primary Connection Procedure
For most models, like AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless Earphones, the primary bundle process is as simple as possible. You don't need additional buttons on the headphone body, because all the control logic is tied to the touch panels and contacts in the case, the main thing is to ensure that the right order of action is in time to find each other before connecting to the phone.
First, you need to fully charge the case and the headphones themselves. Then you should place both modules back in the charging case and close the lid for 5-10 seconds. This action forcefully turns them off and resets the current temporary connections. Then open the case lid, but until you remove the headphones, the LED indicator on the case (or inside) should start flashing white, signaling readiness for (mating).
- 📱 Step 1: Open Bluetooth settings on your smartphone and click “Forget the device” if old entries about your Xiaomi headphones are already on the list.
- 🎧 Step 2: Remove both earphones from the case at the same time and place them next to each other on the table.
- 🔗 Step 3: Wait for one of the headphones to go out or light up, and the other continues to blink – meaning they found each other.
- ✅ Step 4: Find one device in the Bluetooth list with your model name and connect.
If it goes well, the voice assistant will report the connection (usually by saying "Connected" or "Power on"). Now your stereo channels are connected and the sound will be distributed correctly. In some cases, especially with the Air 2 or Buds 3 series, you may need to confirm the pairing through a pop-up on the smartphone screen with a MIUI or HyperOS shell.
☑️ Checking of interface readiness
Multipoint mode: connecting to two devices
Many users want to know how to connect Xiaomi headphones to two devices at once, such as a laptop and a smartphone, a feature called Multipoint, which allows headphones to take a call from your phone while you watch videos on a tablet, automatically switching audio sources, but it is worth considering that not all models in the budget segment support this feature.
To activate the multipoint, first connect the headphones to the first device (like a smartphone) in the standard way. After successfully connecting and playing the sound, turn off Bluetooth on the phone (not breaking the pair, but just turning off the module). Then go to pairing mode on the headphones (usually requiring a long press on the touch zone or the button on the case) and connect them to the second device. After that, turn on Bluetooth on the first device - the headphones should automatically reconnect to both.
| Model headphones | Multipoint Support | Method of activation | Application for setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro | Yes. | Automatically. | Xiaomi Earbuds |
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Yes. | Through the app | Xiaomi Earbuds |
| Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 | No. | Not supported | No. |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | Yes. | Automatically. | Xiaomi Earbuds |
It is worth noting that when working in multipoint mode, battery consumption can increase by 15-20%. Also, if both devices play sound at the same time, priority is usually given to the incoming call or the last active source. If the function does not work, make sure that both devices have current Bluetooth drivers and OS versions installed.
Why does multipoint not work on older models?
Forced synchronization and resetting of settings
There are times when standard methods don't work: one earbud doesn't work, or they connect like different devices, and then you have to do a Hard Reset, which is a procedure that clears the internal memory of the earbuds of all the stored pairs and returns them to the factory settings, after which they start looking for each other as new.
For most models without a button on the case (e.g. AirDots, Redmi Buds) 3 Lite) the procedure is this: place the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the touch areas of both headphones at the same time. 5-7 So, for a second, until the lights flash red a few times, then close the case and wait. 10 seconds before re-attempting to pair.
For models with a button on the case (for example, Buds 3, Buds 3T, Air 2 Pro), the algorithm is simpler: put the headphones in the case, open the lid and press the functional button on the case for 10 seconds. The indicator should flash white three times, which signals a successful reset. After that, the old record about the headphones should be deleted in the Bluetooth list of the phone.
⚠️ Warning: During reset, do not remove the headphones from the case and do not close the lid until the indicators stop flashing. Interrupting the process can lead to a software failure (bug) when the headphones "forget" their serial number or communication protocol.
If the problem persists after reset, it may be the contact areas that are contaminated. Oxidation of contacts in the case or on the headphones themselves can prevent the signal to turn off / turn on, which leaves one earphone in sleep mode. Wipe the contacts with dry lilaless fabric or cotton swab lightly moistened in isopropyl alcohol.
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Hard Reset solves 90% of the problems with desynchronization, but requires re-pairing with the phone as a new device.
Use of the Xiaomi Earbuds app
To deeply adjust and diagnose your condition TWS-Xiaomi has developed a special application Xiaomi Earbuds (formerly known as Mi True Wireless), which allows you not only to update the firmware, but also to see the charge level of each earbuds separately, which is critical for diagnosing the problem.
You can download the app from Google Play or the App Store. Once you have your headphones installed and connected, open the app. If the headphones are connected correctly (like a stereopara), you will see an image of a case with two headphones and a percentage of charge for each. If the app shows only one headphone or the charge is displayed incorrectly (for example, 0% and 100%), this is a sure sign that the communication between the left and right module is broken.
The app also features headphone search and gesture settings. Sometimes reassigning gestures (such as turning off the triple tap) can eliminate false positives that users perceive as desynchronizing. In addition, the app often receives updates that correct connection bugs specific to a particular batch of devices.
- 🔋 Monitoring: Precisely mapping left and right headphone charge helps identify the "weak link".
- 🛠 Diagnostics: Verification of firmware version and availability of updates.
- 🎛 Customization: Equalizer and touch control settings.
Typical problems and ways to solve them
Even after setting up properly, users may experience periodic communication breaks or a quiet sound in one of the headphones. Often the cause is not a software failure, but radio interference or the physical condition of the device. For example, using a microwave or running router in the immediate vicinity can jam the Bluetooth signal.
Another common problem is the different volume levels, which can be caused by one earbud thinking it's the main one, and the other thinking it's the secondary one, and the channel balance is down, so you can reset your headphones, then find the Absolute Volume option in your Bluetooth phone settings, and switch it on or off, and then restart the phone.
⚠️ Attention: If one earphone went off to zero and was so for several months, the lithium polymer battery could go into a deep discharge. In this case, the earphone may not turn on or connect to the pair. Leave it in the case with the connected charger at least for a few minutes. 1-2 Even if the indicator is not on.
If the software methods do not help, it is worth checking the physical integrity. Falls could damage the internal antenna. In such cases, if the device is warranty, it is better to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, as self-opening of sealed devices. TWS-Headphones are almost impossible without damage to the body.
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To extend the life of batteries in TWS-earphones, try not to discharge them into a note regularly. It is optimal to put a case on charging when the headphones are about 20-30% of energy.