Losing one headphone from a pair is a familiar situation for many owners of Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones, Redmi AirDots or Xiaomi Buds. Especially often this happens with miniature models without ear attachments, which easily fall out while running, traveling in transport or even household chores. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several built-in search mechanisms, and users have found additional ways to track the loss.
In this article, weβll look at all the current methods, from official features in the Mi Home app to third-party utilities and physical search techniques. The important thing is to act quickly: the less time has passed since the loss, the better the chances of finding an earphone with a charge in the battery (which means that it can be detected by signal).
If you're reading this article on your phone, check if the leftover earphone is connected to your smartphone. Sometimes the problem is a Bluetooth connection break, not a physical loss. To do this, open the notification panel and look at the headphone icon: If it is active but the sound is coming from only one device, try reconnecting both earbuds through Settings. β Bluetooth.
If the earphone is really lost, don't panic. Even when it's off, you can find it, knowing a few tricks, and starting with the simplest and most obvious ways, and then moving on to the advanced techniques.
1. Search through the official Mi Home app
The most reliable way to find a second Xiaomi headphone is to use the Mi Home app (for models that support this feature), which allows you not only to track the last connection, but also to make the earphone emit an audible signal, even if it is located at the other end of the room.
How it works:
- Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
- Go to the Devices section β Headphones (or find your model in the list).
- Slip on the headphone icon and select Find My Earbuds (or Find My Earbuds in English).
- The screen will show a map with the last known location (if the headphone was connected to the phone through the phone). GPS).
- Click Play the sound - the lost earphone will start to squeak (if it has a charge).
β οΈ Note: The Mi Home search function only works for models with Qualcomm chips (e.g. Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro). For budget versions (e.g. Redmi AirDots S), this method may not be available.
If the app doesnβt have a search option, try updating it to the latest version or check the compatibility of your model on the official Xiaomi website. Also make sure that the headphone is not in the case β in this case it will not make sound.
Check the charge of the headphones (minimum 10%)
Update the Mi Home app to the latest version
Turn on Bluetooth and GPS smartphone
Make sure the earphone isn't in the case
-->
2.Use of Bluetooth scanners for search
If the official app doesn't work, you can use third-party Bluetooth scanners, which show all devices in range, including the lost Xiaomi earphone, even if it's not connected to the phone.
- π± nRF Connect (Android/iOS) β Professional scanner with protocol support BLE (It's used in Xiaomi headphones. MAC-device address and signal level.
- π Bluetooth Scanner (Android) is a simple tool for finding devices within a radius of 10-15 meters.
- π‘ LightBlue (iOS) is a signal strength scanner that is useful if the earphone is hidden under furniture or in another room.
How to search with a scanner:
- Install one of the applications (links above).
- Turn on scans and look for devices called Mi True Wireless, Redmi AirDots, or unknowns. MAC-addresses (e.g. addresses, XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX).
- Move around the room, monitoring the signal level (RSSI). The closer you are to the scoring, the higher the value (for example, the scoring, -30 dBm is better than -80 dBm).
- When the signal is maximum, inspect the place at a height of 1 meter (earphones often fall under the sofa or behind the closet).
π‘ Useful tip: If the earphone is discharged, but you know it was indoors, try bringing the charge case to the intended place of loss. Sometimes the earphone "wakes up" and connects to the case, which helps to detect it.
Searched through Mi Home
Used a Bluetooth scanner.
Called by the sound.
A normal visual search
Another way.-->
3. Search by sound signal (if the earphone is on)
If the lost Xiaomi earphone is still on and connected to the phone (even if you can't see it), you can make it sound. There are two ways to do this:
Method 1: Through Bluetooth settings
- Open the settings β Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Find your headphones (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones) and tap on the gear settings.
- Select Find the device or Play the sound (in some firmware) MIUI This function is hidden - see spoiler below).
- The headphone will start beeping for 1-2 minutes (volume depends on the model).
Method 2: Through the reproduction of music
- Connect the remaining headphone to the phone.
- Run any audio file (such as a song or voice recording).
- The sound will only play in one headphone, but sometimes the lost earphone βwakes upβ and starts making noise or connects automatically.
β οΈ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi AirDots S) do not support audible search signal, in which case only a visual inspection or Bluetooth scanner will help.
What to do if there is no βFind Deviceβ option in Bluetooth settings?
4. Physical search methods (if the headphone is off)
If the Xiaomi headphone is dead or out of order, electronic methods won't help, so you can still search manually, but you can optimize it:
- π¦ Use a flashlight -- headphones often fall into dark places: under the bed, behind the battery, into the crevices of the sofa. Light the floor at a low angle.
- π§² Magnetic search β some Xiaomi models have a small magnet (for example, for mounting in a case) and swipe the floor with a neodymium magnet (for example, from an old hard drive).
- π΅οΈ Vacuum with mesh - if the headphone fell into the carpet or between the sofa cushions, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush nozzle, having previously put a capron stocking on it (so as not to drag the earphone inside).
- π Animal help - dogs and cats often react to unusual objects on the floor.
Top.-5 The places where most lost headphones are found:
| Place. | Why there? | How do you check? |
|---|---|---|
| Under the bed. | The earpiece falls out at night or during sleep. | Light a flashlight, use a vacuum cleaner |
| In the pockets of clothes | Forgot to take it out after a walk or exercise | Check all jackets, pants, bags |
| Behind the sofa cushions | Falls out while watching movies | Shake the pillows, look into the crevices. |
| In the car (under the seat) | Falls out with sharp braking | Use a flashlight and long tweezers |
| In the washing machine. | Gets into his pockets with clothes | Check the filter after washing the machine. |
Critical information: If the earphone hits the washing machine, DO NOT turn it on again. The battery may swell or catch fire when heated. Take out the earphone with tweezers and put it in a sealed bag of silica gel (from the shoebox) for 2-3 days.
5. Checking connection history and geolocation
If you are using a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO firmware MIUI, You have a chance to track the last headphone connection through Bluetooth log:
Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:
- Open Settings β Connections and Sharing β Bluetooth.
- Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Connection History.
- Find your headphones in the list and see the time of the last connection.
- If there is a location icon near the time, tap on it β a map with an approximate zone will open.
For iPhone or other Android smartphones, you can use the Google Maps app:
- Open Google Maps and go to Chronology (authorization required).
- Choose the day when the headphone is lost.
- Check the routes of movement β perhaps the headphone fell in the transport or on the street.
β οΈ Note: Bluetooth geolocation works only if the location history function was enabled on the smartphone (in Google or Google). MIUI). If it's off, this method won't work.
π‘
If you lose things often, include in the MIUI Smart Search (Settings) β Special facilities β Smart search. It stores the connection coordinates of headphones, watches and other gadgets.
6.What to do if the earphone is found but does not work?
Sometimes, after a search, Xiaomi's headphone is found, but refuses to connect or makes strange sounds.
- π Check the charge - put the earpiece in the case for 10-15 minutes. If the indicator on the case does not blink, the problem may be in the contacts (clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol).
- π Reset β For most Xiaomi models, reset is done like this: press and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphone) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red/white.
- π± Reconnect manually β remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices and connect again (click on the touch panel of the headphone for 3 seconds to activate the pairing mode).
- π οΈ Check for physical injuries, check the speaker for dirt or moisture. If the earphone falls into the water, don't turn it on, put it in rice or silica gel for 24 hours.
If the headphone is not determined by the case, try the following:
- Clean the contacts on the headphone and in the case with a soft toothbrush.
- Try charging the case from another cable (sometimes the problem is in the port). USB-C).
- If the indicator on the case is burning, but the earphone is not charged, perhaps the battery is damaged - in this case, only a replacement will help.
π° Cost of repair:
- Replace the battery in one headphone: ~800β1 500 β½.
- Repair of contacts or microphone: ~500β1 000 β½.
- Full replacement of the headphone (if the model is still on sale): ~1 500β3 000 β½.
π‘
If the earphone does not turn on after falling into the water, DO NOT try to charge it. This can short-circuit and damage the case.
7.How to avoid losing headphones in the future
To avoid the problem again, use these tips:
- π§ Use straps or covers β for models without mounts (for example, Redmi AirDots S) buy silicone nozzles with ear hooks or a case case zipper case.
- π Enable discharge notifications β Mi Home can set alerts when the headphone charge is below 20%.
- π Mark βhomeβ in geolocation β if the headphones are connected to the Mi Band or Xiaomi smartphone, their last connection location will be saved on the map.
- π Link to your Mi Account β some models (such as Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) support cloud binding, making it easier to search.
- π§² Metal Stickers β Stick a small metal sticker on the case so it can be found by a magnet.
π‘ Lifehack for athletes: If you run with headphones, attach a contact tag to your case (like a key). If the earphone gets lost on the street, it can be returned.
Also worth considering is the purchase of headphones with the function of automatic disconnection when connection is lost (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro), which emit an audible signal if one of the headphones moves away from the phone more than 10 meters.