Modern acoustics from Xiaomi and sub-brands like Redmi or POCO have become incredibly popular due to the availability and sound quality. However, users often face the need not just to connect them to a smartphone, but to combine two devices together or reconnect the headset to a new signal source, this may be necessary when buying a second set, wanting to create a stereo pair from mono devices, or if you lose communication between the right and left earphone.
The synchronization process depends on the type of headphones you have, whether they're fully wireless (TWS), wired with a Bluetooth adapter, or classic wired models. Each of these will have unique features that will leave the devices unable to see each other. It's important to understand that the standard mode of pairing with your phone is different from the mode of combining two headsets into a single network.
In this article, we will take a look at all possible connection scenarios, from basic setup to complex reset and flashing cases, and learn how to activate hidden functions, avoid typical errors, and ensure a stable connection for maximum audio playback.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
Before you start to act, you need to make sure your equipment is ready to go. Battery charge is the first and most critical factor. If the headphones are discharged, they can go into sleep mode right during the pairing procedure, which will interrupt the process. Make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60%.
It's also worth checking the compatibility of the models. You can only connect two identical headphones of the same model (for example, two right-hand Earbuds Basic 2) or two headphones from the same set that have lost communication. Trying to combine different models, even from the same manufacturer, is technically impossible due to differences in data protocols and codecs.
Clear the list of previously connected devices on your phone. This will help avoid Bluetooth address conflicts. Go to your phone's settings, find your headphones in the list, and select "Forget device" or "Disable".
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect headphones that are in active music playback mode on another device, this will cause a priority conflict and the connection will not be established.
For wired models with Bluetooth modules (such as Xiaomi Sport Bluetooth Earphones), it is important to make sure that the adapter is not “stuck” in search mode. Sometimes you need to completely shut down the device by long-pressing the power button or removing the battery if the design allows.
☑️ Preparedness
Basic pairing TWS-smartphone-headphone
The most common scenario is the initial connection of True Wireless Stereo headphones to the phone. The algorithm is standardized, but has nuances for different series. For AirDots and Redmi Buds models, the procedure is usually automatic: it is enough to remove both earphones from the case.
If the automatic search does not start, you need to put the devices in forced detection mode. For this, on most models, you need to press and hold the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 5-7 seconds.
A new device will appear on your smartphone screen in Settings → Bluetooth, usually called Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless, or a model number like RBSC01A. Click on the name to connect.
- 🎧 Remove both earphones from the charging case at the same time.
- 📱 Unlock the smartphone screen and open Bluetooth settings.
- 🔍 Wait for the model name to appear in the list of available devices.
- ✅ Click on the device name to complete pairing.
Once successfully connected, the voice assistant usually reports status (“Connected” or “Connected”). If the sound comes from only one earphone, then the stereo within the kit itself is not synchronized yet and a reset procedure is required.
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If the phone sees only one headphone from a pair, try first to connect the one that is determined, and then in its Bluetooth settings select the option "Connect the second headphone", if it is available in the Mi Buds application.
How to connect two headphones with each other (Synchronization of a stereo pair)
A common problem with TWS headsets is that the left and right channels are out of sync. The headphones work independently, and the phone sees them as two different devices or just one, and to make them work in pairs, you have to do a hard reset and reconnect.
Place both headphones back in the charge case, but don't close the lid. If the case has a pairing button on the case (like the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2), press it for 10-15 seconds before the color change of the indicator. For models without a button (like AirDots), you need to pinch the touch areas on both headphones simultaneously while they are in the case or outside it (depends on the model), until the indicators flash red and then white.
Then delete the old headphone record in the phone's Bluetooth menu. Run the search again. Now the devices have to be defined as a whole. In some cases, you need to connect one headphone to your phone, turn off Bluetooth on your phone, then activate the second headphone to find each other, and then turn on Bluetooth again on your smartphone.
| Model headphones | Action for discharge | Indication of success | Retention time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots | Press the buttons 5 seconds (in the case) | Triple flashing. | 15-20 seconds |
| Mi True Wireless 2 | The button on the case | Orange indicator | 10 seconds. |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds | Hold the sensors down. | Sound signal | 10 seconds. |
| Redmi Buds 3 | Triple sensor press | Fast blinking. | 5 seconds |
It is important to perform all actions quickly and consistently. the interval between reset and reconnect should not exceed 30 seconds, otherwise the system timeout will return the headphones to normal operation.
Dual Audio mode: connecting two sets to the same phone
Many users want to know how to connect two pairs of Xiaomi headphones to the same phone to listen to music with a friend, a feature called Dual Audio or Double Audio, which is not supported by all smartphones, but only by those whose Bluetooth module version 5.0 and higher has the appropriate software support.
To do this, first plug the first pair of headphones in the standard way. Make sure the sound is played correctly. Then put the second pair into pairing mode. The Bluetooth menu on the phone (usually in the "Additional" section or three dots in the corner of the screen) should have the option "Connect the second device" or "Dual Audio".
If Android or the MIUI/HyperOS shell doesn’t allow you to do this directly, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, such as AudioShare or SoundSeeder. They create a local Wi-Fi network or use Bluetooth to stream audio to multiple receivers at once.
⚠️ Note: When two Bluetooth audio devices are connected, you may experience a desynchronization of sound (echo) or a decrease in bitrate.
Alternatively, a party might use the Sound Translation feature in player apps, if available, but native support for two active A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) profiles depends solely on the hardware of your smartphone.
Why is Dual Audio not working?
Configure wired headphones with a Bluetooth adapter
A separate category of devices are wired headphones with a built-in Bluetooth module, such as the Xiaomi Bluetooth Headset Basic or the Gaming Earphones series gaming headsets. Their connection has its own peculiarities, since they often emulate two devices: a headset (for calls) and a stereo (for music).
When you first turn on, these headphones can automatically try to connect to the last device. To dock them with the new gadget or between themselves (if the model supports multipoint), you need to ignore the automatic connection. Press the multifunction button (usually the central button on the wire) for 7-10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red and blue alternately.
In the Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Buds app (for compatible models), you can set the connection priority. This is especially useful if you use headphones with a PC and a phone at the same time. Multipoint allows you to keep two connections active, switching between them automatically when you call.
- 🔌 Connect the headphones to charging for stable operation of the module.
- 📶 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices you plan to connect to.
- 🔄 Activate the search mode on the headphones with a long press.
- 📲 Connect first from the main device (for example, PC).
- 📞 Then search and connect from the second device (smartphone).
It’s worth noting that Xiaomi’s wired Bluetooth headsets often require additional codecs to work in high quality. Check in the Android developer’s settings if the aptX or LDAC codec is activated if your headphones support them.
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For wired Bluetooth headsets, the key is the connection sequence: first the device for calling (HFP), then for music (A2DP) to avoid profile conflicts.
Problem Solving: Headphones Cannot See Each Other
If none of the above methods worked, and the headphones stubbornly do not want to connect with each other or with the phone, it may be a software failure or hardware malfunction. First of all, try to perform a complete reset of the network settings on your smartphone. This will not delete your personal data, but will clear the Bluetooth stack cache.
The problem may be the oxidation of the contacts of the charging case, if the headphones are not fully charged inside the case, they can not enter the pairing mode. Wipe the contacts on the headphones and inside the case with a cotton swab slightly moistened with alcohol.
In rare cases, you need to flash your headphones through special utilities on your PC, but this is only true for advanced users and models with an open bootloader. For most users, it is enough to update the firmware through the official Mi Buds app if the headphones somehow connect to the phone.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations, one earphone continues to flash red or does not turn on, the battery probably failed.
Also, check if the Bluetooth module is not "locked" on Android. Go to Settings → Apps → Show system processes → Bluetooth and select "Clear cache" and "Clear data." After restarting the phone, try pairing again.