How to answer a call in Xiaomi wireless headphones: all ways and life hacks

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets for music lovers and smartphone enthusiasts. But even Mi True Wireless Earphones, Redmi Buds or Airdots owners don’t always know how to quickly take incoming calls directly through headphones without taking the phone out of their pocket, especially when training, driving or when their hands are busy.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi headsets can answer calls, from standard gestures to hidden features in the company’s app, and why headphones don’t respond to touch and how to fix it. The manual is suitable for 2020-2026 models, including Mi True Wireless Earphones 3, Redmi Buds 4 Pro and Xiaomi Buds 4.

1. Standard ways to answer a call in Xiaomi headphones

Most Xiaomi models support three main methods of receiving calls: touch control, buttons or voice assistant, which one works depends on the firmware version and headphone model.

The most versatile way is to double-task the touchpad on one of the headphones, which usually works out of the box, but some models (such as the Redmi Buds 3 Lite) may require pre-tuning in the Mi Earphones app.

• 👆 Double touch on any earpiece – take a call (works on 90% of models).
• 👇 Hold 2 seconds - reject the call (includes in the settings).
• 🗣️ Voice command "Accept" or "Respond" (only for models with support for Google Assistant or XiaoAI).
• 🔘 Physical button (on older models like Airdots Basic).

If double-touching doesn’t work, check if gesture control is disabled in the Bluetooth settings on your phone. On iPhone, the path will be: Settings → Bluetooth → (the “i” icon next to the headphones) → Call management.

2. Set up call management in the Mi Earphones app

The Mi Earphones app (or Xiaomi Earphones for new models) allows you to personalize gestures and enable additional features, download it from Google Play or AppGallery (for Huawei).

Instructions for setting:

1. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app and select your model.
3. Go to the section Management → Gesture settings.
4. Set the "Call Call" action to double touch or other movement.
5. Save the settings and restart the headphones (if required).

Some firmware has an Auto-Response option, where the headphones will automatically receive calls 3-5 seconds after vibration, useful for drivers, but can lead to random responses.

Are the headphones connected to the phone?|Has the Mi Earphones app been updated?|Is Bluetooth on the phone?|Are the headphones charged (minimum 20%)?-->

3.Why don't Xiaomi headphones respond to touch when you call?

If the gestures stop working, the problem may be software failure, mechanical damage, or conflict with other devices.

A critical feature of 2023-2026 models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro): touch panels can be blocked when moisture is injected. If the headphones are wet, dry them for 2-3 hours before use.

⚠️ Warning: If your gestures stopped working after the firmware update, try resetting your headphones to factory settings. To do this, hold the button on the charging case case case for 10 seconds (until the indicator flashes in red).

4. Features of answering calls in different models Xiaomi

Functionality may vary depending on the headphone series, and the following are the key differences for popular models:

• 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earphones 2/3: Double-touch on any earpiece, supports auto-response via the app.
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 3 Lite/4: Only the right earphone is responsible for managing calls (left earphone for music).
• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro: recognizes voice commands ("Accept", "Discard") and swipe up/down gestures".
• 🎧 Airdots Basic (1st generation): physical button on the body (one press - answer, hold - retract).

Active noise cancellation (ANC) models may need to turn off this mode before answering a call, otherwise the microphone will silence your voice, either via an app or triple tap on the earpiece (the setting is customized).

5 Voice Call Response: How to Set Up?

Xiaomi headphones with support for Google Assistant or XiaoAI allow you to receive calls by voice.

1. Activate the voice assistant on your phone (Settings → Google → Assistant settings for Android).
2. In the Mi Earphones app, enable the Voice Assistant option.
3. Say “OK Google” or “Hi XiaoAI” and then “Take the call.”

Important: Voice response only works when connected to Android 8.0+ or iOS 13+ phones. iPhones may require additional microphone permission settings in Settings → Privacy → Microphone.

⚠️ Warning: Voice commands do not work in noisy places (for example, outside in the wind.

6. Alternative ways: answer via smartphone or smartwatch

If headphone control is not available, you can take the call in other ways:

• 📱 Through the phone: the standard "Accept/Discard" buttons on the screen (even if the headphones are connected).
• ⌚ Using a smartwatch: on Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch swipe right on the call notification.
• 🔊 Voice over phone: activate Google Assistant on your phone and say “Receive incoming call".

The iPhone has an Auto-Call feature (in Settings → Universal Access → Touch → Call) that automatically receives calls in 3 seconds. This is handy if you often use Xiaomi headphones with an iPhone.

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If the headphones are connected to a laptop or PC, phone calls cannot be accepted through them - the Hands-Free Bluetooth profile (HFP) works only with mobile devices.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Users often experience typical problems when answering calls, and here's how to prevent them:

• 🔋 Headphones discharged: at a charge level below 10%, the sensor may not respond. Charge the case to at least 30%.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: If the headphones are connected to the phone and laptop at the same time, call management may not work.
• 🔄 Resetting: After updating the phone firmware (for example, before the MIUI 14) re-tuning of gestures may be required.

If the problem persists, try resetting your headphones:

1. Put the headphones in the case.


2 Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (the indicator flashes red).




3. Reconnect to the phone.

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Before resetting your headphones, make sure they are at least 50% charged, otherwise the process may end in error.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions