Users of budget and mid-budget wireless headphones from Xiaomi and sub-brand Redmi often face an unexpected problem: people complain about a quiet sound or a complete lack of voice during a conversation. The first thing the owner of the device begins frantically to inspect the case of the gadget for a small black hole, but can not immediately understand where the microphone is located, which causes panic, especially if the headphones have just been purchased.
In fact, in the vast majority of models, such as the Xiaomi Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, the microphone hole is not highlighted with a separate color or icon, which is misleading. It is often disguised as a general design or merges with a speaker grid. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the architecture of Xiaomi acoustic systems, show the exact location of the recording elements and explain why they may not work.
It is important to understand that the design of modern TWS-The True Wireless Stereo involves miniaturization, so engineers have to hide sensitive elements in hard-to-reach places. In most Redmi AirDots models, the microphone is on the inside of the case, closer to the bottom end, and looks like a tiny hole less than 1 millimeter in diameter. If you search for it on the external “back” of the headphone, you will not find anything, since there is usually only a touch sensor or a brand logo.
Architecture of the acoustic system and the location of microphones
To find the microphone effectively, you need to understand how the sound system works in different Xiaomi lines. The company uses several types of designs depending on the price segment and the year of release of the device. In early models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, engineers used a classic scheme with one microphone on each ear, this hole is usually located on the inside of the “leg” or main unit facing the user’s neck.
More advanced models, such as the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 or Air 2 Pro, use the ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) noise reduction system, which has already installed two or even three microphones on each headphone, one of which is aimed at the user's mouth, and the second is an auxiliary one, which captures background noise for subsequent suppression by the processor.
- 🎙️ Main microphone: Located at the bottom of the inner face, often hidden behind a decorative grille or next to charging contacts.
- 🔇 Noise reduction microphone: located on the outer end or on top, its task is to catch the wind and hum of the street.
- 📞 Headset microphone: in wired models Xiaomi (for example, Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro) is always on the plastic control unit of the cable, which is popularly called “bullet».
And you should pay special attention to wired headsets, because it's easier to find the element. In flat-cable models, the microphone is built into the thickening on the wire. If you have a Xiaomi Piston, the microphone hole will be on one of the faces of this thickening, next to the call response button. Unlike wireless counterparts, it's less moisture-resistant, so it's easier to damage mechanically or to clog with dust.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to clean the microphone hole with sharp metal objects such as needles or pins.The membrane inside is less than a millimeter deep and damages it, after which the earphone will stop transmitting sound forever.
The location of the elements directly affects the quality of communication. If you wear the earphone incorrectly, covering the smallest hole on the inside with your finger or palm, the sound for the interlocutor will become deaf and intermittent, which is why knowing the exact geometry of your Xiaomi or Redmi device is critical for comfortable conversations.
Technical reference
Search for microphones in popular models: Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless
The most popular and controversial series is the Redmi AirDots (first and second generation) and their global versions of the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, which have a microphone on the inside of the earphone, and if you take the right earphone in your hand and rotate it with the side that goes into your ear, towards you, you can see a small circular hole in the bottom, closer to the charging contact, and it can be covered with a small metal mesh.
In the Redmi AirDots 2 and Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, the layout remains similar, but the shape of the body has changed. Here, the microphone hole is also on the inner edge, but it can be shifted slightly higher to the center of the headset, often confusing this hole with a wear sensor (which may not be in the basic models) or simply with a decorative element.
Consider more expensive models like the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic. Here, the design of the legs is similar to the AirPods. In this case, the microphone is at the bottom of the leg, on the end. This is a classic solution that allows you to get the sound source as close as possible to the user's mouth. One or two holes can be seen on the end: one for the main microphone, one for the noise cancellation system.
For owners of Mi True Wireless Earphones Air series (long leg) models, it is important to know that the microphone is at the bottom of the leg. Often users close this hole with their finger when they correct the earpiece during a conversation. In active noise cancellation (ANC) models, the number of holes increases. For example, in Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Pro, there can be three on each ear: one at the bottom, one at the top on the head and one inside the bowl.
Accurate knowledge of the model is necessary, because in the line of Redmi Buds (separate series) the location may differ. In Redmi Buds 3 Pro microphones are placed strategically: one on the leg, one inside the ear for bone conduction (in some versions) or for voice capture, and one outside.
Why the microphone is not working: the main causes and diagnosis
If you find a hole, but the people you're talking to can't hear you, the problem may not be the physical absence of the microphone, but the software or physical blockages, the most common cause is the banal pollution. Earwax, dust and pile from clothes eventually clog the protective net tightly, because the hole is microscopic, even a thin layer of fat can completely block the access to the sound wave.
The second common cause is a software failure or incorrect permission settings in a smartphone. Android (especially the MIUI shell) has strict privacy policies. If the application you are calling (WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype) is not given permission to use the microphone, no sound will be transmitted even if the hardware is fine.
- 🧹 Grid pollution: microphone clogged with sulfur or dust, sound becomes quiet and deaf.
- 🔇 Locking in the system: the application does not have access to the microphone in the privacy settings.
- 📉 Low charge: At a critically low battery charge (less than 10%), some Xiaomi models force the signal transmission power down.
It's also worth checking the balance of sound and Bluetooth settings. Sometimes, in the developer settings or special Android features, Mono-audio or balance shift can be activated, which affects the operation of the headset. In rare cases, there is a factory defect, when the plume inside the case departs after a fall. If the earphone fell from a height of more than a meter, the probability of damage to the microphone membrane is very high.
⚠️ Warning: If the microphone does not work after cleaning and reconnecting, do not try to disassemble the earphone. TWS-Xiaomi models are usually glued with ultrasound, and it is impossible to open them without damaging the body.
Diagnostics should start with the simplest thing: connect your headphones to another smartphone. If everything works on another device, then the problem is the settings of your main phone. If silence is everywhere, it is likely that you need to clean or replace the device.
Instructions for cleaning and maintenance of the microphone
To restore sound quality, you need to carefully remove the contamination. You will need: a soft toothbrush (dry), cotton swabs, a toothpick (wooden, not metal), and, if possible, a special sticky mass for cleaning equipment (cleaning gel). In no case do not use alcohol or other liquid directly on the mesh, as it can leak in and damage electronics.
☑️ Checklist for microphone cleaning
The cleaning process begins with a visual inspection. Hold the earpiece to a bright light and look through the grid. If you see a black plaque, carefully, without much pressure, pull the dry toothbrush around the grid with circular motions, which will help to fluff the villi and knock out the dust. Then you can use the sticky mass, pressing it against the hole and sharply pushing it away.
If the contamination is serious, you can use the "scotch" method. Wrap a piece of transparent tape sticky side out onto the tip of the toothpick and gently apply it to the hole. Sticky base will pull out the fat and dust. After cleaning, be sure to blow the hole (use a pear to clean the optics or a spray of compressed air, holding it at a distance of 5-10 cm).
| Tool. | Efficiency | Risk of damage | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry toothbrush | Medium | Low. | Suitable for daily prevention |
| Cotton swab | Low. | Medium. | Could push the dirt deeper. |
| Sticky mass (Gel) | Tall. | Low. | Best option for netting |
| Needle/Pick | Tall. | critical | It is forbidden to use |
Regular maintenance extends the life of the device, and it is recommended to clean the microphone and speakers every two weeks if you carry headphones in your pocket with keys or change, and once a month if you store them in a case.
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Before cleaning, slightly tap the microphone down the palm of your hand with your earphone – this will help to pour out large particles of dust without using tools.
Configuring the microphone in the Android and MIUI system
Often the problem is not hardware, but software. Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS have advanced Bluetooth settings that can conflict with headsets. First thing you need to check for permissions for applications. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find a messenger (such as WhatsApp) and select Permissions → Microphone. Make sure to check the “Allow” box.
The second important step is to reset your Bluetooth settings. Sometimes the device profile sticks. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find your headphones in the list of paired devices, click on the gear or arrow icon and select Forget the device or Cancel pairing. After that, put the headphones in the case, close it, open it again and perform the pairing again.
There is also a hidden absolute volume setting that affects the microphone volume. To access it, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version. Then go back to Advanced Settings → For developers. Find Disable Absolute Volume. Try changing the state (on or off) and check the microphone.
For models that support Google Fast Pair or Xiaomi Earbuds’ own app (available on Google Play), it’s worth checking for firmware updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that improve noise reduction algorithms and microphone sensitivity. The update is via Bluetooth, so the headphones should be charged at least 50%.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the process of updating the firmware of the headphones. If the battery sits down during the upgrade, the device may turn into a “brick” and stop connecting to the phone.
Testing and Elimination of Silent Sound
How do you check if the microphone is working after all the manipulations? The easiest way is to turn on the recorder. In the standard Dictaphone app on Xiaomi, choose a Bluetooth device as the sound source (if you don't have one, just start recording and start talking, the system should switch automatically). Record your voice and listen.
If there's sound, but it's very quiet, maybe it's Bluetooth codec. Some codecs, like LDAC or aptX HD, are focused on music quality, but can be unstable with the microphone when the signal is bad. Try in the developer settings (Settings → For developers) to find the Bluetooth Codec and switch it to SBC or AAC. These are the basic codecs that ensure maximum compatibility.
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Switching a Bluetooth codec to SBC often solves the problem of a quiet microphone in ether-congested places where high-speed codecs can’t handle voice transmission.
It's also worth checking if Silence or Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on the phone itself, which can block incoming audio streams.Some versions of MIUI have a Sound Improvement feature that can aggressively suppress your voice, making it unintelligible. Try turning off all audio enhancements in your audio settings.
If nothing works, and on the other device the microphone is also quiet or cracking, it is likely a hardware problem. In high humidity or temperature changes inside the case, condensation could form, which oxidized the contacts, in which case only drying (in silica gel, but not on the battery!) or replacing the device under warranty will help.