How to disable the sensor on headphones Xiaomi: a complete guide with photos and videos

Touch control on Xiaomi wireless headphones is a convenient feature for quick play control, but sometimes it works too sensitive. False positives when walking, playing sports or even from wind gusts can be annoying, interrupting listening to music or podcasts. Especially a problem for open-design models, where sensors respond to the slightest touch to the ear.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn off the sensor on Xiaomi, Redmi and Haylou headphones, from standard in-app settings to hidden engineering commands. You’ll learn which models support complete shutdown and where you can only reduce sensitivity, and how to return factory settings if something goes wrong.

1. Disable the sensor through the official Mi Fit / Xiaomi Wear app

The safest and most recommended way is to use a proprietary app, which is suitable for most modern models, including the Xiaomi Buds 4/3 Pro, Redmi Buds 5 and Haylou GT7. The main condition is that the headphones must be connected to the smartphone, and the application is updated to the latest version.

Step instructions:

• 📱 Open the Mi Fit app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models) on your smartphone.
• 🔍 Find your headphones in the list of devices and tap them.
• ⚙️ Go to the headphone settings section → Gesture management.
• 🚫 Select the option to Disable Touch Control or Turn off all gestures (formulation depends on the model).
• 🔄 Confirm the changes and restart the headphones by removing them from the case for 10 seconds.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ On older models (e.g. Mi AirDots or Redmi AirDots S), the option to turn off may not be available.
• ❌ In some regions (for example, for European firmware), the section with gesture settings is hidden.
• ❌ After updating the headphone settings can reset.

⚠️ Note: If there is no point in the application to turn off the sensor, do not try to change the settings through third-party utilities - this can lead to a loss of warranty or software failure of the headphones.

2. Resetting headphone settings to factory

If the touch control is not working properly (for example, the headphones do not respond to touch or, conversely, they spontaneously fire), a complete reset will help. This method is universal and works on all Xiaomi models, but erases all user settings, including device binding.

How to perform the reset:

1. Place both headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind or inside) for 15-20 seconds.
3. The indicator on the case will start flashing red and white - this is a signal to start resetting.
4. Release the button and wait until the indicator lights up in permanent white.
5. Remove the headphones from the case - they will automatically go into pairing mode.

Once reset, the headphones will return the factory gesture settings, if there was a software failure, the sensor will start working correctly, and if not, move on to the following methods.

3.Use of the engineering menu (for advanced users)

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi True Wireless 2 or Redmi Buds 3 Pro) have a hidden engineering menu where you can turn off the sensor or change its sensitivity.

Instructions for entering the engineering menu:

1. Connect the headphones to your Android smartphone.
2. Install the nRF Connect app from Google Play.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices and connect to them.
4. Go to the Unknown Service tab and find UUID 0000fff0-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb.
5. Send the command AT+BTTEST=1 (without quotes) to enter the test mode.
6. To turn off the sensor, send AT+TOUCH=0.

⚠️ Note: Engineering menu commands may vary depending on the firmware version. Wrong command (e.g., wrong command, AT+ERASE) It can erase the memory of headphones, making them unusable.

If the sensor does not turn off after sending the command:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (remove them in the case for 30 seconds).
• 📱 Check if your model supports the engineering menu (see list of compatible devices below).
• 🔧 Try another command (for example, AT+SENS=0 instead AT+TOUCH=0).

4. Disable the sensor via ADB (Android only)

For Android users, there is an alternative way to use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. It's suitable if the headphones are connected to the smartphone, but the settings in the application are not available. ADB-driver.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB-tools and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global bluetooth_headset_touch_control 0

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.bluetooth.headset.action.TOUCH_DISABLE

Proven models: The method runs on Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro, Redmi Buds 4 Active and some versions of Haylou GT5. New firmware (MIUI 14+) may require root access.

💡

If ADB-commands are not working, try first to disable the headphones from all devices in the Bluetooth settings, then reset the case (see section 2) and repeat the procedure.

5. Physical Sensor Disconnection (for Power Users)

If software methods fail, the last option is to physically disable the touch sensor, which is an irreversible process that requires deconstructing the headphones and can lead to loss of warranty, only suitable for models with a removable back cover (for example, Redmi AirDots 2 or Mi True Wireless SE).

What you need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or thin screwdriver.
• 🔥 Fryer (for softening glue).
• ✂️ Insulation or heat-glue.
• 🧤 Gloves (to avoid leaving fingerprints on the board).

How to turn off the sensor:

1. Carefully put the back cover of the headphone with a mediator, heating it with a hairdryer (temperature not higher than 60 ° C).
2. Find a touch sensor on the board — usually a small black square labeled TCH or TOUCH.
3. Disconnect the sensor plume or seal its contacts with tape (do not use metal objects!).
4. Collect the headphone back, check the microphone and speaker.

⚠️ Warning: After you physically disable the sensor, you lose the ability to control gesture playback, and there is a risk of damaging the microphone or speaker when disassembling.

💡

Physically turning off the sensor is a last resort, and check before you start to work to see if the warranty period (usually 12 months for Xiaomi) has expired.

6. Alternative solutions: reducing sensitivity or replacing firmware

If you can’t turn off the sensor completely, you can try:

Reduced sensitivity

Some models (such as Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) have the option of adjusting the sensitivity:

1. Open Mi Fit → headphone settings.
2. Select Sensitivity Sensor.
3. Move the slider to Low or Medium.

Reflashing headphones

Forums (like 4PDA) have custom firmware with the sensor turned off, and the danger is that unofficial software can contain bugs or viruses. Use only proven sources!

Firmware instructions:

• 📥 Download the firmware for your model (for example, Mi_Buds_3_Pro_NoTouch.bin).
• 🖥️ Install FlashEar or TWS Toolbox.
• 🔌 Connect your headphones to your PC via Bluetooth adapter.
• 📤 Upload the firmware to the program and follow the instructions.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When disabling the sensor, users often face typical problems:

If neither of these methods worked, maybe your headphone model doesn't support software-level sensor shutdown, and then there are two options:

• 🛒 Buy a false-touch cover (for example, silicone pads for Xiaomi Buds).
• 🔄 Update firmware through Mi Fit – sometimes newer versions add the option to disable.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions