Previous article7 Ways to Find Your Xiaomi Headphones with Bluetooth (Even if They’re Turned Off)

Losing Xiaomi’s tiny wireless headphones is a five-minute task: they fall out of your ears easily while jogging, get lost in your bag, or stay on your desktop. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to track your gadgets via Bluetooth, even if they’re turned off. In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods, from standard MIUI features to little-known life hacks that will help bring back Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless, or other models.

The rule is to act fast. The longer the headphones are unconnected, the harder it is to detect them — a dead battery reduces the chances of success to zero. But even then, there are ways to narrow down the search area. We have tested all methods on Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 and Mi Air 2 SE models, so the instructions are relevant for most of the brand’s devices.

1. Search through the Mi Home app (official way)

The most reliable method is to use the Mi Home app (now Xiaomi Home), which automatically stores the last place the headphones connect to the smartphone and can play back the audio signal for search.

• 🔹 Headphones at least connect to your phone through Mi Home.
• 🔹 They have a charge left (at least) 5-10%).
• 🔹 They are within range of Bluetooth (up to 10 meters without obstacles).

Instructions:

1. Open Mi Home and go to the Devices tab.
2. Find your headphones in the list (like Redmi AirDots 3 Pro).
3. Slip on the device icon → select Find headphones.
4. Press Play Sound – both earbuds will start beeping at maximum volume.

Check the charge level in the Mi Home|Reboot Bluetooth on your phone|Make sure the headphones aren't in the case|Try to bring the phone closer (within the range) 1-2 meters)-->

If the headphones are turned off, the Mi Home will show the last known location on the map (accuracy up to 50 meters), which requires that the phone be enabled geolocation and location history.

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Add the headphones to the Mi Home in advance, even if you haven't lost them, so you save time in a critical situation.

2.Using the Find Device function in MIUI

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12+ have a built-in tool for finding connected gadgets. It works similarly to the Mi Home, but does not require the installation of additional applications.

Open the Settings. → Connection and sharing → Find your headphones in the list of connected devices and tap the gear (⚙️) Select Find the device from the menu. The system will show you:

• 📍 Last connection location (if geodata are included).
• 🔊 Button for sound reproduction (works only with the headphones on).
• 📶 Bluetooth signal level (the more divisions, the closer the device is).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It doesn’t work for devices that are never connected to a phone.
• ❌ Does not show the exact location, only the approximate zone.
• ❌ The sound signal is quieter than in Mi Home.

Once a week | Once a month |Rarely but accurately | Never lost | I have wired-->

3. Search through third-party apps (if Mi Home doesn't help)

If the official methods didn't work, try specialized Bluetooth device search apps that scan the airwaves and show all the available gadgets in range, even other people's.

It's important: MAC-Xiaomi headphone address usually starts with 78:59:3E, A4:17:31 or F4:12:FA. If you see a device with such a prefix in the scanner, it is likely that these are your headphones.

Instructions for Bluetooth Scanner:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Press Scan and wait for the scan to be completed.
3. Sort the devices by RSSI (the lower the value, the closer the gadget is).
4. Check it out. MAC-Addresses for compliance with the Xiaomi brand.

The method of hot/cold signal-level search

If the headphones are on but you don’t know where they are (like in your apartment), use manual Bluetooth search, which requires no apps and works on any smartphone.

Algorithm:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your phone (if not already on): go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable Show Bluetooth signal strength.
3. Open Settings → Bluetooth and find your headphones in the list. Next to the name, a signal indicator (for example, -60 dBm) will appear.
4. Walk around the room with your phone in your hand. The closer you are to the headphones, the smaller the dBm value (e.g. -40 dBm is better than -80 dBm).

Tips for accuracy:

• 📵 Turn off all other Bluetooth devices in the room (columns, smart watches).
• 🔋 Headphones should be placed separately from the case (in the case they are switched off).
• 🚪 Close doors – walls and furniture weaken the signal.

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The sensitivity is up to 1 meter. If the dBm ranges from -30 to -50, you almost found the headphones!

5.What to do if the headphones are turned off or discharged

If the headphone battery is dead or it's manually turned off, standard Bluetooth search methods won't work.

Method 1: Checking the last connection location

• 📱 Open Mi Home or Settings → Bluetooth on your phone.
• 📍 Check the time of the last connection – this will help you remember where you used the headphones.
• 🔍 Inspect this place: sofa, table, pockets of clothes, bag.

Method 2: Search by characteristic features

• 🎧 Xiaomi AirDots and Redmi Buds often fall out of your ears when you move abruptly.Check the route of your last walk or run.
• 🧥 Look into the washing machine – headphones are easy to forget in your jacket pocket.
• 🚗 Inspect the interior of the car (especially under the seats and in the glove compartment).

Method 3: Use of a metal detector

Each Xiaomi headphone has a small board with metal elements. If you lose them on the street or in the grass, rent or borrow a metal detector (such as the Garrett Ace 200), set it up to look for small metal objects and scan the area in a spiral from the last location.

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The case from headphones can also be found with a metal detector - it has metal contacts for charging.

6.How to prevent headphone loss in the future

The best way to keep your headphones in check is to take action in advance.

Settings of the device:

• 🔗 Tie the headphones to your Xiaomi Mi Home account, so they will show up even after you reset your phone.
• 🔔 Enable connection break notifications: Mi Home → Headphones → Settings → Notifications upon disconnection.
• 📲 Set up automatic audio shutdown when removing one earphone (if the model supports it).

Physical protection:

• 🧶 Use headphone lockers (sold on AliExpress for a price tag) 100-200₽).
• 🎀 Attach a bright keychain or pompon to the case - it is more difficult to lose it.
• 🔄 Train yourself to put your headphones in the same place (for example, in the pocket of a bag or on the stand at the door).

Policy solutions:

• 📍 Install a Tile or Chipolo app and attach a Bluetooth tracker to your case, so you can track your location even without a phone connection.
• 🔄 Regularly check the charge of headphones in Mi Home – discharged gadgets are lost more often.

Redmi AirDots (any version of the software)|Mi True Wireless|Xiaomi Buds|Another model|I don't use Xiaomi.-->

7 If nothing has worked: what to do next

If your search is unsuccessful, don't rush to buy new headphones.

Check the warranty.

• 📄 Xiaomi headphones have a 12-month warranty. If you lost them recently, check the check - maybe the store will go along and offer a discount on replacement.
• 🔄 Some models (for example, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) participate in the exchange program for new ones with a surcharge.

Buy one headphone.

Many Xiaomi models are sold piecemeal on AliExpress or in service centers, such as the left or right Redmi AirDots. 3 can be found 800-1500₽. The main thing is to specify the exact model and color.

Check out the ad services

• 🔍 On Avito, Yula or local groups, sometimes they sell found headphones on social networks. Search by keywords: "found Xiaomi headphones", "wireless headphones without a case".
• 💬 Write a post in the local public with a description and a photo - perhaps someone found and is ready to return.

Call the police.

If you lose headphones in a public place (park, transport, cafe), write a statement to the police or to the portal of public services.

• 📍 Exact location and time of loss.
• 🆔 Serial number (on the box or in the Mi Home).
• 📷 Photo of headphones.

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The serial number of the headphones can be found in Mi Home: open the device card → Settings → About the device.

⚠️ Warning: Never buy "found" headphones from random people without checking. Fraudsters often sell fake or stolen devices:

• 📸 Photo with serial number.
• 🎥 Video work of headphones (connection, sound).
• 📄 Check or box (if the seller claims to be new).

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding Xiaomi headphones