Step-by-step: How to track Xiaomi headphones (including AirDots, Buds and Redmi)

Losing Xiaomi’s tiny wireless headphones is easy: they fall out of your ears while jogging, get lost in your bag, or stay on your desktop. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to find them, from standard features in branded apps to little-known life hacks. In this article, we will analyze all the current tracking methods for Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless and others, including cases when the headphones are turned off or discharged.

It’s important to understand that search performance depends on the model, the firmware version, and whether the headphones have previously been paired with a smartphone. For example, Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 supports the “Device Search” function via Bluetooth. LE, And the budget Redmi Buds 3 Lite might not have that option, and we've put together instructions for all scenarios, from simple beeps to advanced methods using the same. ADB-team.

If you're reading this article in a panic, don't worry: 80 percent of the time, your headphones are within 10 meters of your last use, start with the simplest way and gradually move on to the more complex.

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

The most reliable method is to use the Mi Home app (formerly called Mi Fit for some models), which works with most Xiaomi headphones if they have been paired with a smartphone at least once.

1. Open Mi Home and make sure you are logged in to the same Mi Account that was used when connecting the headphones.
2. Go to the Devices tab → All devices.
3. Find your headphones on the list (like Mi True Wireless Earphones 2) and tap them.
4. Select Find the Device (or Search in Older Versions).

The app will show the last known location on the map (if the headphones were connected to a phone with GPS on) and suggest playing the beep. If the headphones are within range of Bluetooth (usually up to 10 meters), they will start squeaking, which will help detect them even under the pillow or in the bag.

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If the headphones don’t appear in Mi Home, try reconnecting them manually: go to Settings → Bluetooth on your phone, find the device in the list and tap “Connect”.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔴 It only works if the headphones are on and within Bluetooth radius.
• 🔴 Not all models support mapping (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 will only show audibles).
• 🔴 If the headphones are dead, Mi Home won’t be able to detect them.

2.Use of the "Hearphone Search" function in Bluetooth settings

Many people don't know, but Android (starting with version 10) has a built-in Bluetooth device search feature that works even without the Mi Home app, but requires the headphones to be paired with a smartphone.

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
2. Find your Xiaomi headphones in the list of connected devices and tap on the gear (⚙️) near.
3. Choose Find or Find a Device (the name may vary depending on the Android version).

The system will try to connect and play a loud beep at maximum volume, which works even if the headphones are in the case (if the case is open and the headphones are not discharged).

There is no similar feature on the iPhone, but you can use the Mi Home app (see section 1) or third-party utilities like Find My Headset (available on the App Store).

3. Tracking through Mi Band or Xiaomi smartwatch

If you have a Mi Band fitness bracelet (like the Mi Band 7 or Mi Smart Band 6) or a Xiaomi Watch smartwatch, you can use it to find headphones. This method works thanks to the Phone Search feature, but with a little trickery:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. On a bracelet or watch, activate Find your phone (usually available via swipe down or in the device menu).
3. When the phone starts ringing, quickly turn off the headphones from it in the Bluetooth settings.
4. Now bring the bracelet as close as possible to the intended location of the headphones and activate the search again.

The thing is, the Mi Band is looking for the last Bluetooth device connected, and if the headphones are right next to it and they're on, the bracelet can detect their signal. 100% result, but it helps in 30-40% cases where other methods have not worked.

4. Advanced method: search through ADB-team

If standard methods didn’t work, and the headphones are exactly somewhere nearby (for example, lost at home), you can try to force the sound signal to activate through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), this method requires a little technical skills, but often saves in desperate situations.

You'll need:

• 📱 Android smartphone with enabled debugging USB.
• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Enter the command to search for all Bluetooth devices: adb shell dumpsys bluetooth_manager Find the conclusion MAC-The address of your headphones (usually starts with the XX:XX:XX contains the name of the model).
4. Activate the beep with the command: adb shell am start -a android.bluetooth.device.action.FIND -e android.bluetooth.device.extra.DEVICE [MAC-Address: Replace [MAC-address] to the real address of your headphones.

If the command is successful, the headphones will start to sound at maximum volume for 30 seconds, which works even if the headphones are in the case, but will not work if they are completely discharged.

Enable debugging over USB in the phone settings

Install ADB Tools on your computer

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable

Start the command line on behalf of the administrator

Copy MAC-headphone address from the team output-->

5.Look for switched off or discharged headphones

The hardest part is when the headphones are turned off or completely discharged, and unfortunately, in this case, no application can determine their location via Bluetooth.

Method 1: Checking the last location with Google Timeline

• 📍 Open Google Timeline (you need a Google account that was connected to your phone).
• 🔍 See where you last used headphones (usually seen by the absence of other audio devices in the connection log).
• 🚶 Walk this route with Bluetooth on – the headphones may still be there.

Method 2: Physical search with flashlight

Most Xiaomi headphones have a matte or glossy surface that reflects light. Take a flashlight (or flashlight in your phone) and highlight potential loss locations:

• 🛋️ Under the sofa/chair (especially if it's dark).
• 🚗 In the car - under the seats or in the glove compartment.
• 👖 In pockets of jackets, jeans or bags.
• 📦 In boxes with things (earphones easily fall there unnoticed).

Method 3: Checking the cover

If you only lost one headphone, check the case: sometimes one headphone stays inside and the other falls out, and also check the case for a flashing indicator - if it's on, then the headphones are somewhere nearby and on.

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If the headphones are off, the only reliable way is to search physically, start where you last used them, and expand the radius gradually.

6. What to do if the headphones are stolen?

Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to track Xiaomi headphones after the theft. Unlike smartphones, they don't have a built-in headphone. GPS-The module, and Bluetooth has a limited range, but you can try the next steps:

1. Check your connected devices in Mi Home: If a thief has connected headphones to his phone through your account, you’ll see a new device on the list.
2. Change your Mi Account password to block access to your other devices.
3. Contact Xiaomi support (via the official website) and provide the headphone serial number (usually listed on the box or check).

In rare cases, support can lock the headphones to the serial number, rendering them useless to the thief, but this depends on the model and the region of purchase.

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To avoid future theft, enable Loss Lock in Mi Home (available for some models) which will not protect against physical theft, but will make it harder for another person to use the headphones.

7.How to prevent headphone loss in the future

The best way to avoid losing your headphones is to take precautions in advance, as experienced Xiaomi users recommend:

• 🔗 Tie the case to the backpack or keys with a carbine or strap (sold complete with some models).
• 📲 Enable disconnect notifications in Bluetooth settings (available on Android 12)+).
• 🎨 Mark your headphones with a bright sticker or paint – they will be easier to notice.
• 🔋 Use a charger case (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2) so that the headphones are always on and searchable.
• 📍 Check your last location regularly on Mi Home, especially after visiting public places.

Also worth looking at are the models with the "Device Search" feature when buying new headphones, such as the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and Mi True Wireless Earphones 3 have an improved tracking system compared to the budget Redmi Buds.

Comparison of search methods for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi headphones support the same search features, and in the table below we have collected data on popular models:

If your model isn’t in the table, check out the specifications on Xiaomi’s official website or in the manual. Newer models (released after 2021) usually have better support for search features.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding Xiaomi headphones