Previous articleLost one Xiaomi headphone on the street: 7 steps to find or replace

The loss of one Xiaomi wireless earphone is a situation many users face. Compact size, no wires and active use on the street make AirDots, Redmi Buds or Mi True Wireless vulnerable to accidental loss. If you find that one earphone is not in the case, don't panic: there are several ways to find it or minimize damage.

In this article, we’ll take you through the practical steps, from using the built-in search features in the Mi Home app to contacting Xiaomi’s support team, how to lock a lost earbud so that it can’t be connected by other devices, and which models support the audio signal function for search, and if the search fails, we’ll show you how to buy a replacement at the lowest price.

It's important to act quickly: the less time has passed since the loss, the better the chances of getting your earpiece back. Start by checking your last place of use and follow our recommendations.

1. Check the last place the headphone is used

The first thing to do is to re-establish the route you’ve been traveling since you last used your headphones. Xiaomi’s wireless models (like the AirDots Pro 2 or Redmi Buds 4) automatically connect to your phone when you remove it from your case, so the loss usually occurs at the moment:

• 🚶‍♂️ Crossing the road (earphone could fall out of the ear with a sharp movement).
• 🏋️ Sports (sweat or uncomfortable landing leads to loss of life).
• 🛍️ Shop visits (you can hook the headphone with a bag or clothes).
• 🚇 Travel by transport (especially on the subway or bus with a turnstile).

Return to the site of the alleged loss and inspect carefully:

• 🌿 Grass or bushes (the earpiece could cling to branches).
• 🪑 Benches, benches, steps.
• 🚗 Space under cars or bicycles.
• 🗑️ Garbage bins (sometimes headphones fall there accidentally).

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If you used headphones while jogging, check the route against the direction of the wind - a light earphone could fly several meters away.

If you are not sure about the exact location, use the geolocation history on your smartphone (for example, in Google Maps). → This will help narrow the search area. Remember that Xiaomi headphones have a limited range of Bluetooth (usually up to 10-15 meters), so it makes sense to look for them near the last connection point.

2.Use the Mi Home app to search

The official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Wear for some models) allows you to find a lost earphone if it is still in Bluetooth range.

• 🎧 Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 / AirDots 3 Pro
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 3 / Buds 4 / Buds 5
• 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 / Basic 2

Search instructions:

1. Open the Mi Home app and go to Devices section → Headphones.
2. Choose your headphone model (if there are several, check all of them).
3. Click on the Search icon (usually depicted as a radar or map).
4. The app will show the last known location of the headphone on the map (if the function is GPS model-supported).
5. If the earphone is in range, activate the sound signal - it will start beeping at maximum volume.

The Mi Home app is open.|Headphones connected to the phone|Bluetooth and geolocation enabled|Headphone charge >10% (for an audible signal)-->

Please note:

• 🔋 If the headphone charge is below 5%, the sound signal may not work.
• 📱 Some models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite) do not have a search function.
• 🌐 For accurate location determination, the headphone must be turned on and be within a radius of 10-20 meters.

Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2|Redmi Buds 4|Mi True Wireless Earphones 2|Another model|I don't know.-->

If the app doesn't show the headphone, try rebooting Bluetooth on your phone or connecting the headphones to another device (like a tablet), sometimes helping to restore the connection.

3. Check compatibility with third-party search services

Some Xiaomi headphone models support integration with third-party search services, such as:

• 🔍 Google Find My Device (for Android devices).
• 🔍 Apple Find My (if the headphones connected to the iPhone).
• 🔍 Tile or Chipolo (if a separate tracker is attached to the headphones).

To check the compatibility:

1. Open Google Find My Device and log in under the same account as you did on your phone.
2. In the list of devices, find your headphones (they can be displayed as Mi Bluetooth Audio or model).
3. If the device is found, the service will show its last location and offer to play the sound.

For Apple Find My:

• Open the Locator app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Go to the Devices tab and find the headphones in the list.
• If they are displayed, select Play the sound.

If the headphones don't show up in search services, it doesn't mean they're impossible to find. Try alternative methods in the following sections.

4. Contact Xiaomi Support

If your self-search doesn’t work, contact Xiaomi’s official support.

• 🔒 Lock the lost earphone so it can’t be connected to another device (relevant for models with anti-theft protection).
• 🛒 Offer a discount on the purchase of a replacement (sometimes there are promotions for owners who have lost one headphone).
• 📄 Provide information about warranty service (if the loss occurred due to the fault of marriage).

Methods of communication with support:

When applying, prepare:

• 📄 Check or confirmation of purchase (if headphones are guaranteed).
• 🆔 IMEI or serial number (indicated on the box or in the Mi Home app).
• 📱 A phone model to which the headphones were connected.

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Even if the warranty is over, Xiaomi support can offer a discount on the purchase of a new headphone (usually 30-50% of the retail price).

If the headphones were purchased on credit or under the trade-in program, check with the support the possibility of a partial refund for the lost device.

5.Buy a replacement: where to find the original headphone cheaper

If you don't find a good one, you have to buy a replacement. Don't rush to buy a new set, you can find a single headphone cheaper.

Official sources

• 🛒 Xiaomi Service Centers – sometimes sell the original headphones separately (price: 1000-2 500) ₽).
• 🛒 Official store Mi Store - in the section Accessories sometimes appear spare parts.

Used-tech sites

• 🔄 Avito – search for queries like “I’ll sell one Xiaomi AirDots headphone” (price: 500-1 500) ₽).
• 🔄 Yula – often sold headphones after losing one of the pair.
• 🔄 Facebook Marketplace or Local Groups in the VK (For example, "I will buy / sell Xiaomi in your city]").

Chinese shops

• 🇨🇳 AliExpress – sellers offer single headphones (look for the model) + "single earbud").
• 🇨🇳 Gearbest or Banggood – sometimes there are shares on parts.

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Before buying a used headphone, check its serial number through the Mi Home app - this will help to avoid counterfeiting.

Please note the compatibility of the models:

• ✅ Headphones from the same series (for example, Redmi Buds 4 left and right) are usually interchangeable.
• ❌ Different generations (e.g. AirDots 2 and AirDots 3) may not sync.

If you decide to buy a new set, pay attention to the promotions:

• 🎁 Xiaomi often sells on AliExpress or in the official store.
• 💳 Some banks (for example, Tinkoff or Sberbank) give cashback up to 10% for the purchase of equipment.

6.How to prevent headphone loss in the future

To avoid losing your headphones, follow the simple rules:

Headphone setup

• 🔗 Enable Disconnect Notice in Mi Home – the phone will vibrate if the headphones break the connection.
• 🔔 Adjust the audible signal when removed from the case (available for AirDots Pro 2 and later).

Physical protection

• 🧶 Use headphone lockers (sold on AliExpress for 100-300) ₽).
• 🎧 Buy models with ear liners of the right size (for example, Redmi Buds 4 come with 3 pairs of earpieces).

Additional accessories

• 📍 Attach a Bluetooth tracker to your case (such as the Mi Smart Band or Tile Mate).
• 🔋 Use carbine covers to attach them to your backpack or keys.

💡

Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro headphones support the function ANC (Active noise cancellation, which can mask the sound of a falling earphone. Turn it off in the settings if you're exercising.

If you lose things often, consider buying headphones with built-in GPS (For example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2. They are more expensive, but easier to find through the app.

7.What to do if you find someone else's Xiaomi headphone

If you find a lost Xiaomi earphone, don’t rush to connect it to your phone.Some models (like the AirDots Pro 2) have protection against theft, and the earphone can lock after connecting to a new device.

What can be done:

• 📢 Post in local groups (VK, Facebook, Telegram) with photo and location.
• 🏢 Take to the department of lost things (if found in a shopping center, park or transport).
• 🔍 Check if the owner’s contacts are on the cover (sometimes people leave their phone or nickname).

If the headphone has been lying outside for more than a day, chances are you won't find the owner, in which case you can try using it yourself or sell it as a used one (indicating that it is a single headphone).

FAQ: Frequent questions about lost Xiaomi headphones