Xiaomi wireless headphones are convenient until they get lost. Especially frustrating when the entire case with headphones disappears: it is easy to shove it between the sofa pillows, forget it in your jacket pocket or drop it behind the closet. 90% of users find the device within a radius of 5 meters from the last place of use, but you need to know the right search methods.
In this article, 7 proven ways to detect a case with Mi True Wireless, Redmi Buds, Haylou, or other brand models, even if they are turned off. We will analyze the standard functions of the mi-ecosystem, hidden Bluetooth capabilities, physical life hacks and programs for scanning the signal. Spoiler: in half of cases, a regular smartphone flashlight helps.
If you've already scoured all the obvious places (pockets, bags, bedside table), but the case has fallen through the ground, don't panic. Xiaomi has tools for finding gadgets, and physics suggests non-obvious tricks. The main thing is to act systematically, not randomly turn the apartment over.
1. Use the "Find Device" feature in Mi Home
The quickest way is to use the official Mi Home app (formerly Mi Fit for some models), which works if the headphones have at least once connected to your Xiaomi account and have not been reset to the factory settings.
How to find the case through Mi Home:
- Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
- Go to the Profile section → My devices.
- Find your headphones (such as Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) in the list.
- Slip on the device and select Find headphones (or Find Device).
If the case is in Bluetooth range (usually up to 10 meters indoors), the app will show the last known location on the map and suggest playing the beep. Importantly, the signal will only go if the case is open or the headphones are removed - in closed state, most Xiaomi models go into deep sleep mode.
⚠️ Note: Find Device is not available for Redmi Buds and Haylou budget models older than 2021.
If the headphones don’t show up in Mi Home, try an alternative app – Mi. AI (For Chinese firmware, or Xiaomi Wear (for European versions), the interface may be different, but the logic is the same: search via Bluetooth and audio signal.
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Before searching through Mi Home, make sure your smartphone has Bluetooth, Geodata, and Mobile Data (or Wi-Fi) enabled.Without internet, the last location map won't load.
2. Sound signal via Bluetooth settings
Even if the headphones aren’t connected to the Mi Home, they can be “waked up” through the standard smartphone settings, a method that works for most Xiaomi models, except the oldest (until 2019).
Instructions for Android:
- Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
- Find your headphones on the list (they can show up as Mi True Wireless or Mi True Wireless). LE-...).
- Put the gear icon next to the device.
- Choose Find or Play sound (on some firmware, the option is hidden under Additional).
For the iPhone, the way is different:
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
- Click on the i icon next to the headphones.
- Choose Forget this device, then try to reconnect – sometimes this causes the case to sound.
If the headphones don't respond, try manually initiating pairing: open the case and press the button on it for 5-10 seconds (the time varies for different models), usually after that the device becomes visible for search.
Open the case with headphones|
Make sure the headphones are charged (the indicator should flash)|
Disable other Bluetooth devices within a 5-meter radius |
Try again in 1-2 minutes if it didn’t work the first time.-->
3. Scanning Bluetooth signal with specialized applications
If standard methods don't work, use third-party tools to scan your Bluetooth signals (RSSI), which can be used to determine the distance to the device.
Top.-3 search-in:
- 📱 Bluetooth Scanner (Android) - shows all devices in range with signal strength. The closer the case, the higher the value RSSI (for example, -30 dBm - next to, -80 dBm - far away).
- 🔍 nRF Connect (Android/iOS) — Professional tool for working with Bluetooth LE. Can “wake up” Xiaomi sleeper devices with a forced request.
- 📡 LightBlue (iOS) — analogue nRF Connect for iPhone. Supports advanced scanning and logging signals.
How to search with a scanner:
- Install one of the apps and turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Run the scan and look for devices called Mi, Redmi or LE-....
- Move around the room to watch the signal level change (RSSI). The maximum value will indicate the location of the case.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Haylou) GT1) randomize MAC-And then you can see these addresses in the scanner under different names. C8:0F:10 or 5C:F8:A1 — These are typical addresses for Xiaomi gadgets.
If the signal is too weak, try to amplify it:
- 🔋 Bring the charger to the intended location of the case – sometimes this will activate the Bluetooth module.
- 📵 Temporarily turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone (interfering with scanning on some chips).
- 🔄 Restart your phone before scanning.
4. Physical Search Methods: Where to Look First
As technology does its job, remember to look for physical search, and statistically, 70 percent of the lost cases are in one of 10 places:
Top locations to check:
- 🛋️ Between the sofa/armchair cushions – especially if you’ve been listening to music lying down.
- 🧥 In the pockets of clothes (even in the one that hangs in the closet - the case could fall out when moving things over).
- 🚪 Under the door or on the doorstep - if dropped at the entrance / exit.
- 📚 Behind books/documents on the table – the case easily rolls into the corner.
- 🚿 In the bathroom (on the shelf, behind the mirror) - if you listened to music while showering.
- 🐶 In a pet bowl, cats and dogs like to play with small objects.
- 🚗 In the car (under the seat, in the glove compartment) - if you took headphones on the trip.
- 🛏️ Under the bed is a classic place for small things.
- 🧺 In a basket with dirty laundry - the case could fall there from the pocket of jeans.
- 🍳 In the kitchen (near the kettle, microwave) – if you listened to podcasts while cooking.
How to search effectively:
- 🔦 Use a smartphone flashlight – Xiaomi case often has a glossy surface and shines in the dark.
- 🧲 Swipe the floor with a magnet (for example, from a speaker) - the metal elements of the case can be attracted.
- 👂 Listen to the quiet squeak – some models emit a barely audible sound when the battery is discharged.
Why is the case often lost in unexpected places?
| Model headphones | Case weight (g) | Typical loss sites | Features of search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless 2 | 35 | Couch, pockets of jackets | The indicator lights up when opened |
| Redmi Buds 4 | 42 | Under the bed, in the car. | The sound signal only works when the headphones are removed. |
| Haylou GT6 | 28 | Behind the books, in the bag. | Supports search through Haylou Fun |
| Mi AirDots Pro | 40 | In the kitchen, in the bathroom. | You can “wake up” by double pressing the case button |
5. Checking connection history and geolocation
If the case is not lost at home, but, for example, in the office or at friends, the history of connections will help. Modern smartphones record when and where Bluetooth devices were connected.
How to watch the story on Android:
- Open the Settings. → Google → Devices and sharing → Settings of the device.
- Select Other Devices or Connection History.
- Find your headphones and see the latest time/place of connection.
For the iPhone:
- Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Geolocation services → System services.
- Enable Important Places (if disabled).
- Check the map in the Location History section – there may be tags with headphones connected.
Alternative methods:
- 📍 Use Google Timeline (timeline.google.com) – if you have location history enabled, there may be tags with a headphone connection.
- 🔄 Check the notification log on your smartphone: sometimes there are messages about the battery discharge of the case with the time indication.
⚠️ Attention: Connection history is reset after your phone reboots or Bluetooth resets. If you haven't used a headphone in a long time, the data may have been erased.
Non-obvious life hacks: magnet, vacuum cleaner and ultrasound
If all the standard methods have been exhausted, it's time to move on to creative solutions, which seem strange, but often help you find the case in the most unexpected places.
Top.-5 non-standard:
- 🧲 Magnet search: Tie a strong magnet (like a speaker or hard drive) to a rope and swipe it across the floor/couch. The metal elements of the case will pull in. This method will work even if the battery is dead.
- 🧹 Vacuum with bag: Vacuum sofa, bed and corners with clean bag - case can get stuck in brush or stay in dust collector.
- 🎵 Ultrasonic signal: Some applications (such as Dog Whistle) generate high-frequency sounds (18-22 kHz) that only animals and some electronic devices can hear. Turn on the generator and listen - the case can respond with a quiet squeak.
- 🕯️ Thermal imager (or smartphone camera): The case with headphones gets a little warm after use. In total darkness, turn on the smartphone camera and inspect the room - warm objects may light up slightly.
- 📦 Selection of things by principle «5S»: Put all items from bags, drawers and cabinets on the table into categories.The case is often in the last verifiable pile.
What to do if the case is found but does not work:
- 🔌 Connect it to charging for 10-15 minutes – sometimes discharged headphones do not give signs of life.
- 🔄 Reset the settings: press the button on the case for 15-20 seconds (until the indicator flashes).
- 📱 Reinstall the Mi Home app – sometimes helps with sync errors.
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Magnets and vacuum cleaners are the only methods that work even when the case is completely discharged, and all other methods require at least a minimum battery charge.
7.If nothing has worked: extreme measures
If the case is not found in 2-3 days, it may be lost outside the home or stolen.
Actions in a hopeless search:
- 📋 If you bought headphones less than a year ago, contact the Xiaomi service center - sometimes replaced under warranty (you need a check).
- 🛒 Buy a new case: For many models (for example, Redmi Buds 3) cases are sold separately for 1,000-1 500 rubles.
- 🔄 Reconfigure the headphones: If you find only one headphone, it can be connected to the new case through a reset (click the button for 10 seconds).
- 📢 Post an ad in local groups (e.g., “Overheard [your city]”) – sometimes cases are found by conscientious people.
How to avoid future losses:
- 🎯 Attach a Bluetooth tracker to the case (for example, Mi Smart Tag for 500 rubles).
- 🔖 Use a bright cover (red, neon) - it is easier to notice.
- 📍 Enable Disable Notifications in Mi Home (if supported by the model).
- 🏠 Determine a permanent location for the case (for example, a stand at the door).
If you find the case after a month or more, check the integrity of the charging contacts before use - prolonged exposure to dust or moisture can lead to oxidation.