Xiaomi’s AirDots wireless headphones (including Basic, Redmi, Essential) have become some of the most popular on the market due to their affordable price and decent sound quality. However, the process of first activating or re-pairing them with a new device often causes difficulties for users, especially when you need to combine left and right headphones into a single stereo system or restore communication after resetting.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly connect Xiaomi AirDots headphones to a smartphone based on Android or iOS. You will learn about the intricacies of pairing mode, forced reset methods and ways to solve typical problems when gadgets stop “seeing” each other or the phone.
Before you start setting up, make sure your headphones are charged. The case and capsules require a stable voltage to function properly. If the indicators do not light up when removed, place them in the charging box for 15-20 minutes.
Preparation of headphones and smartphone for work
The first step before pairing is to properly prepare the equipment, and many users make the mistake of starting to search for a Bluetooth device while the headphones are still in the case, and it is important to understand that pairing mode is activated only after removing the gadgets from the charging case.
Remove both headphones from the case at the same time. Indicators should light up to signal the start of work. If you are using the Xiaomi AirDots Basic 2 or earlier, pay attention to the behavior of LEDs: they can flash red, which means waiting for a connection between them.
On your smartphone, go to Bluetooth settings. Make sure the wireless module is active. If there's a record in the list of previously stored devices "Xiaomi_BHS_E6" or similar, but no connection is made, you need to delete the profile. Click on the gear icon next to the name and select "Forget device" or "Disable".
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to connect to the headphones while the lights on them keep flashing fast, which means the left and right modules haven't synchronized yet. 1-2 seconds).
⚠️ Warning: Make sure protective films are removed from charging contacts on the headphones themselves. Often new devices come with insulation that prevents battery discharge during storage but interferes with normal operation.
Standard procedure for pairing with Android and iOS
The process of connecting to different operating systems is almost identical, since Xiaomi AirDots uses the standard Bluetooth protocol. However, there are nuances in the display of the device in the list of available gadgets.
Once you have removed the headphones and they have gone into standby mode (slow blinking of one of the indicators), open the list of available devices on the phone "Xiaomi_BHS_E6", "AirDots" or "Redmi AirDots." Click on the name to initialize the connection.
In some cases, the system may request a pairing confirmation. The code is not usually required, but if it is requested, try entering 0000 or 1234. Successful connection is accompanied by a beep in the headphones and changing the status in the phone menu to "Connected".
- 📱 For Android: Go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth and start scanning.
- 🍏 For iOS: Open Settings → Bluetooth and select the device from the list of "Other devices".
- 🔊 Sound check: Once connected, play back the audio to make sure the sound is in both ears.
If the phone sees two devices with the same name (for example, two devices "Xiaomi_BHS_E6"), This means that the headphones are not connected to each other and work in mono mode, in which case a standard connection will not help - you will need a reset procedure.
Synchronization of left and right headphone (Reset)
The most common situation is when only one earbud is running or the phone sees two separate devices, in which case you have to force reset and repair the left and right modules together, a procedure that often solves 90% of the problems with desynchronization.
First, remove the headphone profile from your smartphone's Bluetooth memory ("Forget the device"). After that, place both headphones back in the charging case. Wait for them to turn off (the indicators go out). Now remove both headphones at the same time.
Immediately after extraction, start quickly pressing the touch areas of both headphones 5 times in a row. On models with a mechanical button (for example, Xiaomi AirDots Youth Edition), you need to press the buttons for 5-7 seconds until the indicators light up in red. Then put them again in the case and after 10 seconds remove. Now they must look for each other again.
☑️ Algorithm of resetting headphones
The key here is speed. Once you've extracted it from the case, you only have a few seconds before they try to connect to the last known phone, and if you don't have time to press the reset buttons, you'll have to do it again.
⚠️ Note: When performing a reset, keep the headphones close to each other (at a distance of no more than one another). 5-10 If they're far away, they may not find each other to make a stereo pair.
Using a single headphone (Mono mode)
Many users prefer to use only one headphone, such as while driving a car or at work, to hear the surroundings. Xiaomi AirDots supports mono mode but require the right sequence of actions to activate.
To use only one module, first make sure that both earbuds are in the case. Remove only the one you plan to use (left or right), wait until it goes into pairing mode (slow blinking), and connect it to the phone.
If you want to switch to a second headphone, simply place the first back in the case (it will turn off), and then remove the second.The phone must automatically reconnect to the new active device. In some cases, you need to manually select the device in the Bluetooth list.
Why isn't the second headphone connected?
It is important to note that in mono mode, functionality may be limited, for example, volume control or voice assistant call may not work on all models using only one capsule.
Compatibility table and indicators
Understanding the signals given by the headphones makes it much easier to diagnose problems. Different Xiaomi and Redmi models can use slightly different LED color schemes.
| Status of the indicator | Meaning | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Fast flashing white | Interconnection mode (device search) | Search for the device in the Bluetooth menu of the phone |
| Slow flashing white (once in 2 seconds) | Waiting for connection / Synchronization | Wait for a connection to your phone or second headphone |
| Burning red. | Low battery charge | I need you to charge. |
| Persistent white light | The headphone is charged or connected | We can use it. |
Note that on some models, such as the AirDots Basic 2, the indicator can flash red when searching for a pair, which is different from the standard white blink.
Solving Connection and Sound Problems
Even after successful pairing, there may be problems with connection stability or sound quality, often due to software conflicts or interference rather than to a breakdown.
If the sound is interrupted or heard in only one ear while playing music, check the balance settings in the phone. On Android, this is in Settings → Special Features → Improved Audibility → Balance of Sound. Make sure the slider is centered.
Another common problem is low volume, which may be due to the difference in Bluetooth volume levels and system volume, try to increase the volume at maximum on the phone, and then turn it down with the buttons on the headphones themselves (if the model supports adjustment), or vice versa.
💡
If the sound is deaf or quiet, check the speaker grids. They are often clogged with earwax, which critically reduces the volume. Clean them carefully with a dry soft brush.
In case the phone stopped seeing the headphones after the operating system update, try clearing the Bluetooth cache on the smartphone. To do this, in the developer menu (or in the application settings), find the application "Bluetooth" and click "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data".
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The main cause of connection problems is the desynchronization of the stereo pair. 9 out of 10 cases are solved by a complete reset (5 taps) and re-pairing.