How to switch music on headphones Xiaomi Mi True: the complete guide

Users of Xiaomi’s wireless headphones often face the need to quickly control playback without removing the smartphone from their pocket. The question of how to switch music on Xiaomi Mi True headphones becomes especially relevant during jogging, training in the hall or traveling on public transport, when the phone can be far away. Proper use of touch control allows not only to change tracks, but also to answer calls or activate voice assistant, making interaction with the gadget as comfortable and intuitive as possible.

However, there is no universal scheme for all models, since the logic of the sensors depends on the specific series of devices. Owners of Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, AirDots or more advanced versions of Earbuds Basic 2 must take into account the individual features of the hardware. Misconduct actions, such as holding too long or frequent double touches, can lead to the activation of the voice assistant instead of switching the track or even resetting the pairing settings.

In this article, we will take a look at all possible audio control scenarios, look at the differences between models, and offer solutions to common sensor problems. You will learn which gestures are responsible for pause, switching back and forth, and how to configure control through a proprietary application, if the functionality of the headset allows it.

Principles of operation of sensory control

The basis of interaction with Xiaomi headphones is a capacitive sensor built into the outside of the body of each earphone. Unlike mechanical buttons, which require physical pressure and often have a clear stroke, the sensor responds to a change in electric field when you touch your finger. This makes the control more aesthetically and moisture-proof, but requires the user to develop certain motor skills and precision of movement.

The system recognizes three main types of touches: single, double and long. Single touch is most often reserved for managing calls or launching a voice assistant, while double and triple touch are used to navigate tracks. Long pressing (usually about 2 seconds) can change volume or activate pairing mode depending on the model.

It's important to understand that the touch area is limited, and if the finger slips off or touches the edge of the earpiece, the command may not work, and that sweaty hands or thick gloves can significantly reduce sensor sensitivity, requiring more confident and clear movements.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to push hard on the earphone body by trying to "crush" the sensor.Mechanical pressure does not increase sensitivity, but can damage the internal structure of the device or cause discomfort in the ear.

For the sensor to work properly, the headphone surface must be clean and dry, and fat spots or moisture can create false signals or block the response.

Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic and AirDots

The most popular budget headphone series, known as Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic, AirDots and Redmi AirDots, has a fixed control logic that cannot be changed software. In these models, the right earphone is a master device that receives a signal from a smartphone and transmits it to the left, so the main commands of multimedia control are tied to the right side.

To switch the track forward to the next, you need to double-task the right earphone's touch zone, and the interval between the taps must be fast enough, but not instantaneous enough, that the system recognizes them as double-clicks, not as singles, and if you hear a characteristic beep or a voice notification called "Next track," then the command is accepted.

The return function to the previous track in the basic models is often missing or inconvenient. In some versions of the firmware, triple tapping the right earphone can return to the beginning of the current track, but not switch to the previous one in the list.

It is worth noting that in cheap models, the delay in response to a command can be up to 1-2 seconds. This is normal for Bluetooth protocol in the budget segment and does not require repair of the device.

Earbuds Basic 2 and Youth Edition

Newer versions, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and the Youth Edition, retain the overall management philosophy, but make some adjustments to the sensitivity and functionality, and in these devices, manufacturers have tried to reduce the number of false positives by making the sensor slightly less responsive to casual touch, which requires clearer gestures.

In the Basic 2, double tapping the right earphone still moves the track forward, and double tapping the left one pauses the music or resumes playback. However, in the Youth Edition, an alternative scheme is sometimes found where triple tapping the left earphone can switch tracks back if this is provided for by a specific hardware revision.

The voice assistant in these models is caused by triple tapping the right earbud (in some regions) or prolonged retention, which is important to consider, as frequent confusion between switching tracks and calling the assistant is a common problem for users.

Differences in firmware can make adjustments, so it’s always worth checking the relevance of the software through the app.

Using the Xiaomi Earbuds app to customize

For advanced headphone management, Xiaomi recommends using the specialized Xiaomi Earbuds app (available on Google Play and the App Store).Although the base models have a limited number of settings, the app allows you to update the firmware, which sometimes adds new features or improves the responsiveness of the sensor.

In the app, you can check the charge level of each earphone separately, which indirectly affects the operation of the Bluetooth module and the stability of the command transfer. If the charge drops below 10%, the headphones can go into energy-saving mode, ignoring some of the touch commands to save energy.

Some advanced models that are compatible with the application allow you to reassign long-press functions. For example, instead of calling a voice assistant, you can configure switching noise reduction modes (if any) or changing the equalizer. However, the ability to reassign double-touch to switch tracks to the left earphone in the budget segment is rare.

⚠️ Attention: Updating your firmware through the app requires a stable connection.Do not open the case cover or remove the headphones from your smartphone during the upgrade process, otherwise the device may stop working correctly.

Regularly checking for updates in the app is the best way to get fixes for bugs related to the sensor.

Problems with switching tracks and their solution

Despite the reliability of the technology, users may experience situations where music doesn't switch or switches randomly.One common reason is a Bluetooth profile conflict. If the smartphone is connected to a watch, car and headphones at the same time, media management may be prioritized by another device.

Another common problem is sensor contamination: Skin fat, cream, or sweat create an insulating film through which the sensor cannot read the touch. Regularly rubbing headphones with dry soft cloth solves this problem 90 percent of the time. It's also worth checking if the earphone is tight in the ear: if it dangles, the finger can touch the body, causing false positives.

In rare cases, the left and right earbuds are out of sync, and if the right earbud doesn't hear the command or transmit it to the left, the music may become silent or play in just one ear, and then a full reset of the headphones to the factory settings helps.

The discharge procedure usually looks like this:

• 📱 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list on your smartphone.
• 🔋 Put the headphones in the case and make sure they charge.
• ⏱️ Press and hold the sensors of both headphones during the 10-15 seconds (headphones should be out of or in the case, depending on the model) until the indicators flash red.
• 🔄 Perform the pairing again.

If the software reset did not help, there may be a hardware fault of the sensor, requiring contact with the service center.

Alternative methods of reproduction control

If you find touch control uncomfortable or unstable, you can always use alternative methods, the most reliable of which is control through the lock screen of your smartphone or desktop widgets. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS allow you to display large music control buttons that can be accessed even with a single touch.

You can also use voice commands, and if you activate Google Assistant or Siri (triple touch or long hold, depending on the settings), you can just say "Next track" or "pause," which is especially useful when your hands are busy or dirty.

For automation enthusiasts, there are macro applications that allow you to set up track switching by shaking your phone or doing other things, but these methods require third-party software to be installed and can consume the battery of your smartphone faster.

Understanding how your headphone model works will make it as efficient as possible. Don't be afraid to experiment with gestures, but always keep handy instructions for difficult situations.