How to Switch Music to Xiaomi AirDots: All Ways + Hidden Features

Why is the management of music on AirDots a question?

Xiaomi AirDots headphones (including the Pro, 2/2S, 3/3 Pro and Lite) have become some of the most popular wireless gadgets due to a combination of price and functionality. However, many users face confusion when trying to switch tracks or pause music - standard gestures do not always work, and the description in the instructions is often superficial.

Complicating the problem, different versions of AirDots have different controls: double-touch, and sometimes retention. In addition, the functionality is affected by both the headphone firmware and the smartphone model. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to switch music, including hidden chips that are not written in the official manuals.

Important: If your AirDots don’t respond to touch, first check for compatibility with your device. for example, AirDots 3 Pro requires Bluetooth 5.2, and older smartphones can only support Bluetooth 4.0 – this limits some of the features.

Method 1: Standard touch gestures (for all models)

The basic way to control music is to touch the touchpad on the headphones, but the algorithm depends on the model.

• 🎵 AirDots 1/1S, Lite: double tap on any earpiece - pause/playback; triple tap on next track. Previous track can't be returned by gesture.
• 🎵 AirDots 2/2S, 3/3 Pro: one touch – pause/playback; double – next track; triple – previous track.
• 🎵 AirDots Pro (2019): 1 second hold – voice assistant call; double tap – next track.

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Warning: If the headphones don't respond to touch, check if the Gaming (low latency) mode is on in the Bluetooth settings, which can turn off touch gestures to save charge.

Also, AirDots 3 Pro supports gesture settings through the Mi Home app (Devices → Headphones → Control settings). There you can reassign actions, such as making a double touch to return to the previous track.

1.Make sure the headphones are connected to the device

2. Check battery power (below 10% sensor may not work)

3. Clean the touch panel of dirt/sweat

4.Reset the headphones (hold the button on the case 10 seconds)

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Method 2: Voice Assistant (Siri, Google Assistant, Xiao AI)

If you feel uncomfortable with sensory gestures, you can control the music with your voice.

1. Activate the voice assistant on your smartphone (e.g., OK, Google or Hello, Siri).
2. Tell me a team: 🎶 «Next track» 🎶 «Previous song» 🎶 «Put it on hold»

Xiaomi AirDots Pro

Xiao AI

Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO

MIUI

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Attention: Voice control consumes an extra charge of the headphone battery (up to 15% per hour of active use). If you want a long autonomous mode, you should use touch gestures.

By the way, AirDots 3 Pro has automatic speech recognition — you just have to say, "Hi, Xiao AI" without holding a button beforehand. But it only works on Chinese firmware. For the global version, this option can be activated through Mi Home (Experimental Functions section).

Touch gestures|Voice assistant|Smartphone buttons|I don't know how to switch.-->

Method 3: Control via smartphone (player or notification panel)

The most reliable, but not always convenient, method is to use the controls on the screen of a smartphone.

• 📱 Notification Panel: When playing music, swipe down and use the buttons “Pause”, “Next”, “Previous».
• 🎧 Player widget: On Android, add your music app widget (like Spotify or YouTube Music) to the home screen.
• 🔄 Gestures on the lock screen: on MIUI You can enable music control directly on the locked screen (Settings) → Lock screen → Music management elements).

For iPhone owners, there’s a nuance: if AirDots are connected as standard headphones (without an AAC profile), the control buttons in the notification panel may not work. Solution – reconnect the headphones in Bluetooth settings by selecting a high-quality audio profile.

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If the control buttons in the notification panel are inactive, try restarting the player app or clearing its cache in the smartphone settings.

Method 4: Special applications for management (Mi Home, AirDots Pop)

For advanced management of Xiaomi AirDots, you can use branded and third-party applications:

1. Mi Home (official): 🔧 Allows you to reassign gestures (for example, make a triple touch to return a track). 🔋 Shows the level of charge of headphones and case. 🎛️ Includes Low Delay mode for games.

AirDots Pop

• 🎵 Added widgets for quick music management.
• 🔊 Set up an equalizer for different genres.
• 📊 Headphone usage statistics.

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Note: The Mi Home app may not show some AirDots models (like Lite or SE) in which case try connecting via Mi AI or updating the headphone firmware manually (instruction below).

To update the firmware through Mi Home:

1. Open Mi Home → Devices → Your AirDots.


2. Go to Settings → Update firmware.




3. Connect the headphones to the charging case and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not suit, you can go further:

• 🎛️ ADB-commands (Android only): Adb can reassign the headphone buttons at the system level. Example: adb shell settings put secure headset_double_press_action 3 (where 3 — action code "next track").

AirDots 3 Pro has an undocumented head gesture control feature to activate it:

1. Connect the headphones to the Mi Home.
2. Go to Settings → Lab → Gestures with the head.
3. Turn on the option and adjust the sensitivity.

Now the nod head right/left will switch tracks, and the nod down will pause.

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ADB-commands and hidden features can cause headphones to crash.Before experimenting, back up their firmware via Mi Home (if available).

Problem Solving: Why doesn't the music switch?

If none of these methods work, check the following points:

If the problem persists, try resetting your headphones to factory settings:

1. Put both earbuds in the case.
2. Hold the button on the case for 20 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Remove the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices on your smartphone and connect again.

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Warning: Once reset, all reassigned gestures and settings in Mi Home will reset, and if you had custom firmware, you'll have to re-install it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about managing music on AirDots