Modern wireless headphones from Xiaomi and its sub-brands like Redmi and Poco have become the standard of quality in the budget and mid-range segment. However, despite their popularity, the process of their first pairing or reconnecting to a new device often raises questions among users, many are faced with the fact that the device is not visible in the list of available devices or refuses to pair after resetting the phone.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for activating the pairing mode on various models of the Chinese giant headsets. The key here is to understand the indicator signaling and the sequence of taps, which can vary depending on the generation of the device. TWS-The True Wireless Headset.
Properly configuring Bluetooth connectivity ensures not only stable sound transmission, but also the correct operation of the microphone and control buttons. Errors at the initial stage can lead to desynchronization of channels or the inability to use one of the headphones, so it is important to carefully follow the instructions adapted to a particular product line.
Preparation of the device and charge check
Before you try to turn on visibility mode, you need to make sure that the battery is sufficiently charged. Low charge often blocks the Bluetooth module or causes the indicator to flash in an unusual way, which leads the user to be confused. Put the headphones in the charging case for 15-20 minutes if they have not been used for a long time.
It’s also worth checking if your device is automatically connected to another gadget. If your Xiaomi Earbuds have previously been linked to a friend’s phone or tablet, they may try to connect to them when extracted from the case, in which case automatic reconnection prevents you from going into search mode for a new device.
Make sure your smartphone or computer has a wireless module on, sometimes allowing the Bluetooth to be turned off and re-enabled in the system settings, which allows you to update the list of available devices and reset possible software scan errors.
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If the headphones are new, be sure to remove the protective film from the charging contacts on the headphones themselves, otherwise the case will not be able to charge them before the first use.
Activation of the coupling mode TWS-model
The most common headphone format from Xiaomi is TWS (True Wireless Stereo), such as the AirDots series, Redmi Buds and Mi True Wireless. The process of putting them into pairing mode has its own nuances, which depend on the presence of a physical button on the charging case.
If there is a button on the case (usually round, on the end or back), the algorithm is simple: place both earbuds inside, close the lid, then open it and press the button. The indicator should flash white (sometimes with alternating colors), signaling readiness to connect. This is a state of search mode, which lasts about 2-3 minutes.
In models without a button on the body (for example, the old Redmi AirDots), the procedure is performed through the touch panels of the headphones themselves, you need to remove both devices from the case and simultaneously pinch the touch areas for 5-7 seconds until the indicators start flashing quickly, and it is important to perform this action quickly before they try to connect with each other.
☑️ Checking readiness TWS
It is worth noting that in some versions, touch control requires a precise finger hitting the active area. If the indicators do not respond, try to wipe the surface of the headphones with a dry cloth to remove fat or moisture that interferes with contact.
Neck-to-neck headphones pairing
Classic wireless headsets like Mi Sport Bluetooth or Redmi Neckband are easier to manage thanks to the physical buttons on the body. There is a multifunction button on the end of the device or on the inside of the neck rim, often marked with a phone icon or a universal power symbol.
To enable the pairing mode, you need to press this button and hold it for 5-7 seconds. The device will first turn on (usually the voice assistant will say "Power on"), but hold the button further. After the audible signal or change the color of the indicator to flashing blue (or alternate blinking blue and red), the headphones will go into detection mode.
Unlike in the TWS-And the models, there's no risk of the left and right channel being out of sync, because they're physically wired together, but if you've used it before, it can automatically connect to the last device. In this case, before turning on the pairing mode, it is better to turn off Bluetooth on the old phone.
⚠️ Note: When you first turn on new headphones with a neck rim, they can automatically go into pairing mode without pressing the button for a long time. If you hear a voice message "Pairing" immediately after turning on, no additional activation is required.
Connecting to Android and iOS smartphones
After successfully activating visibility mode on the headphones themselves, you need to perform actions on the receiving device. On smartphones running Android (including the MIUI shell or HyperOS), you should go to the settings menu and select the Bluetooth partition.
Click on the new device search button or just wait for your model name to appear in the "Available Devices" list. Xiaomi usually appears as "Mi True Wireless EBs Basic," "Redmi AirDots" or simply "AirDots." Click on the name to initiate the mating procedure.
- 📱 Open the settings on your smartphone.
- 🔵 Go to the Bluetooth section and turn on the slider.
- 🔍 Find the name of your headset in the list of devices.
- ✅ Click on the device name to connect.
The algorithm is almost identical for iPhone and other iOS devices. Open Settings → Bluetooth, make sure the switch is active. Apple's system scans the airwaves thoroughly, and Xiaomi's headphones must be defined as an audio headset. Once you click on the device's name, the status will change to Connected.
This is standard procedure for implementing voice control and displaying the caller's name, and without confirmation of these rights, the headset's functionality can be limited to music playback only.
Synchronization of left and right channel
One of the most frequent user problems TWS-Headsets are the desynchronization of channels, when the sound comes from only one earbud or they are defined as two different devices. This can happen after resetting the phone settings or discharging one of the headphones stronger than the other.
To solve this problem, you need to perform a factory reset (Hard Reset). Remove the device from the Bluetooth list on the phone ("Forget the device"). Place both headphones in the case and make sure they charge (the red indicator burns). Then, without removing them, press and hold the touch panels (or the button on the case, if any) for 10-15 seconds.
The indicators must flash several times (usually 3 times) red or orange, then go out. This means that the headphones are cleared. Now you need to remove them from the case at the same time. They must automatically find each other, and only one indicator (usually the right earpiece) should flash slowly, waiting for a connection to the phone.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Two devices visible. | Dissynchronization of channels | Reset (Hard Reset) |
| Sound on the left only. | Mono mode or communication error | Put both in the case, close, open. |
| No sound when you ring. | The wrong source is chosen. | In the call, press the speaker button and select BT |
| Quiet sound | Different volume of the device and headphones | Turn the volume to max on both devices |
What to do if the reset does not help?
Use of the Xiaomi Earbuds app
For advanced functionality management, it is recommended to use the Xiaomi Earbuds app (available in Google Play and the App Store), which allows you not only to connect the device, but also to configure the equalizer, update the firmware and change the purpose of touch buttons.
When you first start up, the app automatically scans the space for compatible devices. If your headphones support the MIUI fast setup protocol, a pop-up with animations and charge level will appear immediately after opening the case cover next to the unlocked smartphone.
The application can be used to check the microcode version. The firmware update often solves connection stability and sound quality issues that are seen in early versions of the device, and it is recommended to check regularly for updates in the "About headphones" section.
⚠️ Attention: During the update of firmware through the application, it is strictly not recommended to open the case cover or distance the phone from the headphones.
Solving the visibility problems of the device
If the headphones are on, the light flashes, but the phone can't see them, the problem can be in the crowded list of paired devices on the smartphone itself. Operating systems have a limit on saved profiles. Try to remove old, unused devices from the Bluetooth list.
Also consider distance and interference. Approach your headphones closer to your phone (at a distance of 1-2 meters), having working microwave ovens, powerful Wi-Fi routers or USB 3.0 ports in the immediate vicinity can create electromagnetic interference, jamming the signal.
In rare cases, a full smartphone reboot helps, clears the Bluetooth stack cache and resets the dangling detection services. If that doesn't work, check the headphones with the other phone: if they're visible there, it's a problem with the software on your main smartphone.
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If the headphones are not visible on any device after all the manipulations, the Bluetooth module may have failed or the built-in battery has died, requiring long-term low-current charging.