How to connect headphones Xiaomi AirDots to a smartphone

Wireless headphones Xiaomi AirDots has become one of the most popular accessories in the budget category TWS-audio equipment, offering users decent sound quality and stable connection for a reasonable price. However, the process of initial setup, pairing two headphones with each other and then connecting to a smartphone often raises questions for beginners, especially given the lack of physical buttons on the case in the classical sense.

In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at all the steps in activating a headset, from case extraction to fine-tuning the Bluetooth protocol to minimize delays. You’ll learn how to properly reset to factory settings if devices stop “seeing” each other, and what nuances exist when working with Android and iOS operating systems.

Special attention should be paid to the correct procedure for the first turn on, as a violation of the sequence can lead to desynchronization of the left and right channels, when the sound will be played only in one earphone.

Headphone Preparation and Charging Before First Launch

Before trying to find a device in the list of available Bluetooth gadgets, you need to make sure that the battery has enough charge.The factory trim of Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic often assumes a partial charge, but it may not be enough for a full cycle of calibration and pairing.

Place both earbuds in a charging case and connect it to the power source via a Micro-USB cable (or USB-C in the newer versions). The indicator on the front of the case should light up red to signal the charging process. The case and headphones take about 1.5 hours to fully charge, but 15-20 minutes is enough for the initial run.

It's important to check the contact pads. There are metal contacts on the inside of the case and on the lower ends of the headphones themselves, so if they get a factory protective film or dust, they won't charge and the device won't turn on.

• 🔋 Make sure the indicator on the case burns red when connected to the charger.
• 🧹 Wipe the contacts with dry soft cloth if you notice oxidation or dirt.
• 🔌 Use a cable with a current of at least 1A for a stable power supply.

⚠️ Note: Do not use powerful chargers for smartphones (Quick Charge) 3.0/4.0) to charge the case of headphones, as voltage surges can damage the power controller inside the compact case.

Once the indicators on the headphones themselves (if visible inside the case) are gone, indicating full charge, you can retrieve them for further adjustment. If the indicators flash red immediately after extraction, return them to the case for a few minutes.

The process of primary pairing of headphones with each other

Key feature TWS-Xiaomi headsets need to synchronize the left and right modules with each other before connecting to a phone. Unlike conventional Bluetooth headphones, here the phone should not see two separate devices, but one headset.

Remove both earbuds from the case at the same time. During the first 5-10 seconds, they will automatically search for each other. At which point the indicators will flash quickly in white. When the communication between the modules is established, one of the headphones (usually on the right) will stop flashing or blink less often, and the second will continue to blink often, waiting for connection to the smartphone.

If you hear a voice message "Pairing," it means that the headphones are ready to search for an external device. In some models with firmware for the global market, the voice may be in English, while the Chinese versions report status in Chinese.

There is a nuance with AirDots S models and newer versions, where the synchronization process can take up to 30 seconds. If the pairing mode is not activated after half a minute, it is recommended to place the headphones back in the case, close the lid for 5 seconds and repeat the extraction procedure.

Connection to Android-based smartphones

For owners of Android devices, the connection procedure is standard, but has its own characteristics depending on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Open your smartphone settings and go to the Bluetooth section.

Activate the wireless module if it's turned off. Press Device Search or just wait for the system to scan the ether. The list of available devices should show the name of your model, for example, Mi True Wireless EBs. Basic_R or AirDots.

Click on the device name. The system can request a pairing confirmation — click OK or Hide. Once the connection is successful, you will hear a voice confirmation "Connected" and the status bar of the smartphone will show an icon of the headphone battery (if the shell supports this protocol).

In some cases, especially on older versions of Android (below 8.0), you may need to manually activate the HFP (Hands-Free Profile) profile to operate the microphone. This usually happens automatically, but if the person you are not hearing, go to the Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to the device and make sure that the Incoming Calls and Audio sliders are active.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Bluetooth on a smartphone.
• 🔍 Find the device in the list of “Available devices».
• ✅ Confirm the request for conjugation.

It is worth noting that when connected to a Xiaomi phone with a MIUI shell, a pop-up window with case animation can appear automatically if the headphones are original and have the appropriate chip firmware.

Setup of connection with iPhone (iOS)

Apple owners need to consider that the iOS ecosystem has a strong control over peripheral connectivity, a process similar to connecting to Android, but the settings interface looks different. Open Settings and select the Bluetooth partition.

Make sure the Bluetooth slider is in the active position.Your Xiaomi AirDots should appear in the "Other Devices" section. Click on the name and in a couple of seconds the status will change to "Connected."

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To improve the quality of communication on iOS, it is recommended in Bluetooth settings to click on the “i” symbol next to the device and turn off the “Automatic ear detection” option if the sound is interrupted when one earphone is removed.

It is important to understand that the native application for managing equalizer and firmware updates from Xiaomi on iOS may not work or work incorrectly with budget models of AirDots. To manage basic functions (volume, tracks) use standard iOS gestures if they are groped by the AVRCP protocol.

If the iPhone can’t see the headphones, try restarting Bluetooth on the phone itself, often addressing the Bluetooth stack cache, which in iOS sometimes doesn’t work well after a system update.

Connection to computer and laptop

Using Xiaomi AirDots with a PC or laptop allows you to enjoy music or watch movies wirelessly. For Windows 10 and 11, the procedure is as follows: press the Win key combination. + I to open the parameters, then go to the Devices section» → «Bluetooth and other devices».

Make sure your computer has Bluetooth on. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device," select "Bluetooth," and wait for the headphones to appear on the list. Once connected, the system can automatically install the drivers.

Control Panel -> Equipment and sound -> Reproduction devices

In the window that opens, find your headphones, right-click, and select “Use by default.” This is a critical step, as Windows often leaves the audio output device on the built-in speakers even after the headset is connected.

For macOS users, the process is even easier: click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or open system settings. Once you detect the device, click Connect. Mac OS X usually does a great job with the AAC codec, ensuring high audio quality.

Solving problems: resetting and reconnecting

The most common problem users face is channel desynchronization, where only one earpiece or monophone sound is played, and the Hard Reset is solved.

To perform the reset, place both headphones in the case. Make sure they start charging (red lights lit). Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 20-30 seconds without removing them from the case (or taking them out, depending on the model, but the classic method for AirDots 1/2/S is to keep the sensors out of the case before turning off, then hold them again until blinking).

⚠️ Attention: The exact reset procedure depends on the model. 1/2/S: Take it out, pinch the sensors on. 5 a second before turning it off, then another 20 I'll be back in red for Redmi Buds. 3/4: Hold the sensors in the case on the 10 seconds.

Problems can also arise from low battery power: At voltages below 3.5V, the Bluetooth module can run unstable, causing connection breaks, and charge the case and headphones completely before you try again.

• 🔄 Perform a complete reset of headphone settings.
• 📱 Remove the device from the list of saved in the phone.
• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones to 100%.

If nothing helps, check if the headphones are connected to another device nearby. Xiaomi AirDots can automatically try to reconnect with the last active gadget while ignoring the new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)