The process of activating wireless communication on headsets from the Chinese giant often raises questions among beginners, especially given the variety of models. Bluetooth modules in these devices usually activate automatically when extracted from the case, but there are nuances that require manual intervention. Understanding the logic of the indicators and buttons will allow you to avoid most pairing problems.
Unlike wired acoustics, there is no physical on/off switchboard in the conventional sense. Xiaomi uses a smart power management system, where the main trigger is contact with charging pads or mechanical pressing on touch areas. If you first unpack the device, you will have to go through the initial procedure of forced transfer to pairing mode so that the smartphone sees the gadget.
This article covers all the current series, from the budget Redmi Buds to the flagship Mi True Wireless. We will examine not only standard scenarios, but also methods of real resetting when the standard connection stops working correctly.
The principle of activation of the wireless module
Most users mistakenly believe that the headphones need to be turned on every time you use it. In fact, removing the charger already triggers the activation of the internal power circuits. The Bluetooth radio wakes up instantly if the device has previously been paired with a phone. However, if you use the headset for the first time or change your smartphone, the mechanism works differently.
The key element here is the charging case, which stores the last connection information and controls the energy saving modes, and when you open the lid, a magnetic or mechanical sensor is activated inside, which signals the headphones, and at that point they start looking for the last device known, and if the connection is not established, they go into visibility mode.
There's an important caveat to active noise cancellation (ANC) models, which can take a couple of seconds longer to turn on because of the microphone calibration. Don't rush to close the lid right away, give the system time to initialize. If the indicators blink white or orange, that's a signal of readiness to go.
⚠️ Attention: If the indicator on the case is red, it means a critically low charge. In this state, Bluetooth may not turn on at all, even if you remove the headphones.
Understanding this logic helps save time. You don't have to look for hidden buttons if the device behaves predictably. Just make sure the contacts are clean and the case is charged.
Primary activation and pairing mode
When you first use or connect to a new phone, you need to manually search for the device. Standard procedure requires you to switch the headphones to Pairing Mode. For most Xiaomi and Redmi models, the algorithm is the same: remove both earphones from the case and hold the touch areas or physical button on the case.
The retention time varies from 3 to 5 seconds. You should see the indicators start flashing at a high frequency, usually white. This means that the device broadcasts its ID on the air. On the smartphone screen, the model name, for example, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, will appear on the list of available networks.
If standard sensor retention doesn't work, look at the button on the case itself, which is often located on the end or inside between seats, and pressing it will force you to search even if the headphones are inside (though it's better to remove them). This is especially true for the right earpiece, which TWS-Systems often act as a master device.
☑️ Pre-conjugation check
Once you find a device in your phone's menu, click on the name of the device. The process of establishing the connection takes a few seconds. A successful connection is confirmed by a voice message "Connected" or a characteristic beep, from which point on, the activation will occur automatically.
Instructions for models with a button on the case
A number of advanced models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or AirDots Pro, feature a physical control button on the charging case. This simplifies the task, since it does not require the removal of headphones to activate visibility mode.
To enable the search mode, perform the following actions:
- 🔘 Place both headphones in the case and leave the lid open.
- 🔘 Press and hold the function button for 2 seconds.
- 🔘 Watch the indicator: it should start flashing white.
- 🔘 Find the device in the Bluetooth list on your smartphone and pair.
This feature is useful when you need to quickly switch to another gadget without having to take out the headphones. The button is also used to reset settings if you hold it longer (about 10-15 seconds), in which case the indicator flashes orange several times, signaling a return to factory settings.
| Model | Positioning of the button | Interconnection action | Color of indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless 2 | Side of the case | Holding 2 seconds | White (blinks) |
| AirDots 3 Pro | Behind the case | Holding 2 seconds | White (blinks) |
| Redmi Buds 3 | Inside (between the ears) | 3 sec. | Orange/White |
| Mi Air 2S | Side/Back | Double-push | White (blinks) |
Using a physical button reduces the risk of sensors accidentally activating on the headphones themselves, making the process more controlled and reliable, especially in poor lighting conditions.
Activation through sensory control
Budget and mid-budget series like Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic often lack a button on the case, and in these models, the control logic is all tied to the touch zones of the headphones themselves, which requires more precise actions from the user when you first set up.
To enable Bluetooth on such devices, you must:
- 👆 Remove both headphones from the charging case.
- 👆 At the same time touch the sensory areas on both headphones.
- 👆 Hold your finger around 5-7 seconds before the indication appears.
- 👆 Wait until one of the headphones (usually the right one) blinks, and the second one goes out or flashes less often.
It's important to not confuse modes. A short touch usually controls music or calls, and a long one involves functions or resets. A touchpad responds to heat and pressure, so you need to touch confidently, but without much pressure. If you use gloves, the control may not work.
Why isn't the sensor working?
In some versions, the right earphone is the main one. If it is discharged or damaged, the left one may not turn on at all. Always check the charge of both channels before trying to activate.
Use of the Xiaomi Earbuds app
For owners of smartphones based on Android and iOS, it is recommended to use a specialized application Xiaomi Earbuds (or Mi Wear), which allows not only to track the charge, but also to manage Bluetooth settings more flexibly.
Once you install the app and connect to the device, open the device menu, and you'll find "Find new devices" or something similar there, which is convenient if the physical button is triggered and the sensors are delayed, and the program also shows the exact percentage of charge on the left and right channels separately.
Additional features of the software include:
- 📱 Update firmware to improve communication stability.
- 📱 Set up the equalizer and noise reduction modes.
- 📱 Finding lost headphones (if they are in range).
- 📱 Reassignment of sensory commands.
⚠️ Attention: All app features must allow geolocation and Bluetooth access in your smartphone settings. Without these permissions, device search may not be available.
Regular firmware updates through the app often solve problems with spontaneous shutdown or poor sound quality.
💡
If the app doesn't see the headphones, try clearing the Bluetooth app's cache in Android settings (Settings -> Apps -> Bluetooth -> Memory -> Clear the cache).
Diagnostics and Solving Connection Problems
Even high-quality devices sometimes fail. If the headphones aren't turned on or visible to the phone, the problem can be a software conflict or battery discharge. The first step should always be to check the charge level of the case and the headphones themselves. Leave them on charge for at least 30 minutes.
A common problem is to desynchronize the left and right channels, in which case the phone sees two devices with the same name or only one. The solution is a full reset. To do this, place the headphones in the case, open the lid and hold the reset button (or sensors) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange 3 times.
The main symptoms and solutions:
- 🔇 No sound: check the volume on the phone and in the app.
- 🔇 Intermittent communication: move away from sources of interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
- 🔇 Not included: Clean contacts with alcohol or dry cotton swab.
- 🔇 Only One Ear Can Be Heard: Complete Resetting.
If nothing works, try Forget the Device in your phone's Bluetooth settings, turn off Bluetooth itself on your smartphone, restart your phone and start pairing again, a classic method that eliminates 90% of software errors.
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Full reset (Hard Reset) is a universal solution for most channel desynchronization problems. TWS-Xiaomi headphones.