How to switch tracks on Xiaomi headphones: from AirDots to Buds 5 Pro

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones have become an integral part of the daily lives of millions of users, but not everyone knows how to effectively manage music playback directly from the device. Depending on the model — whether it’s the budget Redmi AirDots 3 or the flagship Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro — the ways of switching tracks can be radically different.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of switching music on Xiaomi headphones, including hidden features that are not written in the official instructions. You will learn how to adjust the control to your needs, avoid accidental taps and even automate the process with your smartphone.

Basic ways to switch tracks (for all models)

Most Xiaomi headphones support at least two universal ways to control playback: through touch panels (TWS- models) and physical buttons (wired and some wireless versions).

For models with touch control (Xiaomi Buds 4, Redmi Buds 5 and later), the standard scheme looks like this:

• 👆 Double touch on right earpiece - next track
• 👇 Double touch on left earpiece - previous track
• 🛑 Single touch on any earpiece - pause/replay

Headphones with buttons (for example, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro or Redmi AirDots 2) have a different logic:

• ⏩ Single right-hand press - next track
• ⏪ Single press on left button - previous track
• ⏸️ Prolonged pressing (1-2 sec) – pause/replay

It is important to understand that sensor sensitivity may vary. For example, Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro has a fairly light touch, while Redmi Buds 4 Active requires a more confident touch. If the headphones do not respond, try increasing the force of the press or check the settings in the Mi Fitness/Xiaomi Wear application.

💡

If touch panels are triggered by random touches (such as walking), reduce sensitivity in the app settings or turn off gestures to switch tracks, leaving only a pause.

2.Configure control through the Xiaomi Wear app

The official Xiaomi Wear app (formerly Mi Fitness) allows you to personalize gestures for most headphone models, which is especially useful if standard combinations are uncomfortable or conflict with other features (such as calling a voice assistant).

To change the settings:

1. Open the Xiaomi Wear app and connect the headphones.
2. Go to Device → Control Settings (or Touch Controls in English).
3. Select an action for each gesture (single/double/triple touch, hold).
4. Save the changes and test new combinations.

Some models (such as Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro) offer advanced options:

• 🎵 Assigning different actions for single and double touch
• 🔊 Volume adjustment by swipes up/down on the touchpad
• 🤖 Calling a voice assistant (Google Assistant, Siri or XiaoAI)

Note that after the headphone firmware update, the control settings may reset to factory ones. Always check the relevance of the settings after the updates.

3.Voice control: XiaoAI and third-party assistants

If you're uncomfortable with using gestures or buttons, you can switch music with your voice. Xiaomi headphones support several ways:

1. Built-in XiaoAI assistant (only working with Chinese firmware and in China) activated by double tapping on the earpiece and command "(next track) or "(previous track).
2. Google Assistant (on Android) or Siri (on iPhone). This is done by: 📱 Set up the voice assistant in your smartphone 🔗 Connect headphones as a sound input/output device 🎤 Activate the assistant with voice or through gesture settings in the Xiaomi Wear app

Examples of voice commands for Google Assistant:

• 🎵 "Next Track" or "Next Song"
• 🔙 "Previous track" or "Previous track"
• ⏸️ "Play"/"Play"

💡

Voice control works only when the headphones are actively connected to the smartphone. If the connection is interrupted (for example, due to the exit of Bluetooth range), commands will not be executed.

For models with LDAC support (e.g., Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), voice commands can be executed with a delay due to the high bitrate of the audio codec, in which case it is recommended to temporarily switch to AAC or SBC in the Bluetooth settings.

4. Automatically switching tracks by timer or event

Few people know, but Xiaomi headphones can be programmed to automatically switch music without manual intervention.

1. Smartphone on Android 8.0+ with installed application Xiaomi Wear.
2. Headphones with firmware support (most models after 2020).
3. A third-party automation application (such as MacroDroid or Tasker).

Example of settings in MacroDroid:

1. Create a new macro with a trigger Connect Bluetooth device (select your headphones).
2. Add the action to Launch a music player (such as Spotify or YouTube Music).
3. Set up the action of the Next Track at a predetermined interval (e.g., every 3 minutes).
4. Save the macro and activate it.

You can also use the built-in functions of the smartphone:

• 📱 Google Clock (Android): Set a timer with Play Music and specify a playlist.
• 🍎 Shortcuts (iPhone): Create time- or location-based automation to control the player.

Install the latest version of Xiaomi Wear|Check the compatibility of headphones with automation|Set up access rights for third-party applications|Test macros manually before saving-->

Auto-switching is convenient for exercise or sleep, but can drain the headphone battery faster due to the constant activity of the Bluetooth connection.

5. Switching music using a smartphone (without touching headphones)

If gestures or voice commands don't work for you, you can always control playback directly from your smartphone, depending on the music player you use:

For quick access to music management on Android:

1. Open the notification curtain.
2. Find the player card (usually appears automatically when playing).
3. Use the buttons ⏪, ⏸️, ⏩ directly in the notification.

On the iPhone, similar controls are available in Control Center (swipe down from the top right corner of the screen).

💡

If the player card doesn't appear in the notification curtain, check the notification settings for the music app. On Android: Settings → Apps → [player name] → Notifications.

6. Problem Solving: Headphones don't switch tracks

If Xiaomi headphones stopped responding to music switching commands, the problem may lie in one of the following factors:

• 🔋 Low battery power (less than 10%) – some features are turned off to save power.
• 📱 Outdated firmware headphones or smartphones.
• 🎧 Resets after update or crash.
• 🔗 Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (e.g., smartwatches or speakers).

Diagnostic algorithm:

1. Reboot the headphones: put them in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out and wait for the automatic connection.
2. Check Connection: Disconnect the headphones from all devices in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
3. Update the firmware through the Xiaomi Wear app (Device → Software Update).
4. Reset: For most models, you need to hold the touchpad on both headphones for 15 seconds before the indicator flashes.

If the problem persists, check the compatibility of the headphones with your smartphone. For example, Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro may not work properly with the iPhone due to Apple's restrictions on Bluetooth codecs. In this case, try manually selecting the AAC codec in the Bluetooth settings.

7 Hidden features: Track switching without a smartphone

Some Xiaomi headphones support offline track switching – that is, without connecting to a smartphone – which is only available for devices with built-in memory (for example, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro or Mi True Wireless 3).

To take advantage of it:

1. Download music to the memory of headphones through the Xiaomi Wear app (local music section).
2. Turn off the headphones from your smartphone.
3. Use standard gestures to switch tracks (as when connecting to a phone).

Limitations of the autonomous regime:

• 🎵 Only the MP3 and AAC formats are supported.
• 📁 Maximum memory is up to 4 GB (depending on model).
• 🔋 In offline mode, the battery discharges faster.

Unique feature: headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 and later can automatically switch between tracks offline on a timer (for example, every 5 minutes), if you activate this feature in the settings of the application.

💡

The offline mode is useful for sports when you don't want to bring your smartphone with you, but the sound quality can be different from streaming.

FAQ: Frequent questions about switching music to Xiaomi