How to reassign buttons on Xiaomi headphones: 5 working ways

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular smartphone accessories due to a combination of price, quality and functionality. However, standard button management settings (such as single/double press or hold) do not always suit users. Some want to call a voice assistant for triple touch, another to switch tracks with a swipe, and the third completely disable random positives while running. Fortunately, most Xiaomi models (from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) allow you to flexibly reconfigure control - but the methods are very different from the application and the version of the sale of the region.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current button reassignment methods on Xiaomi headphones, from official tools in MIUI and the Mi Earphones app, to hidden functions through ADB and third-party utilities like MaterialPods or EarBuddy. We’ll focus on models with limited settings (such as Redmi Buds 4 Lite), where standard methods don’t work, and also tell you how to bypass regional feature locks. If you don’t find your model on the list, check the alternatives section or ask a question in the comments with the exact name on the headphones.

1. Official Mi Earphones app: basic settings

The easiest way to change button functions is to use Mi Earphones (formerly Mi Headset) which automatically defines the headphone model and offers available control options, but there are a few nuances:

• 📱 The app only works on smartphones. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO steerable MIUI 12+. On other Android devices, some features may not be available.
• 🔄 Not all models support reassignment, for example, in Redmi Buds 3 Lite you can change only the retention function, and in Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro – all gestures.
• 🌍 In some regions (e.g. European firmware), management options may be hidden. MIUI.

To reassign buttons via Mi Earphones:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Mi Earphones app (if not, download from Google Play or AppGallery).
3. Select your headphone model in the list of connected devices.
4. Go to the Control Settings section (or Touch Controls in English).
5. Click on the action you want to change (like Double Touch) and select a new feature from the list.

The list of available activities usually includes:

• 🎵 Reproduction/pause
• 🔀 Next/Previous Track
• 📞 Accept/reject challenge
• 🎤 Turn on/off the microphone
• 🤖 Calling for a Voice Assistant (Google Assistant, Xiao) AI)
• 🔇 Don't disturb mode"

Are the headphones connected to the smartphone?|Has Mi Earphones app been updated to the latest version?|Does the region coincide with MIUI headphone-buying region?|Is there enough charge in the headphones (minimum 20%)?-->

Important: After changing your settings, sync your headphones with the app (usually automatically). If the changes do not apply, reconnect your headphones or restart your smartphone.

2.Configure via MIUI: Hidden opportunities

If the Mi Earphones app doesn’t offer the right options, try changing the settings right in the app. MIUI. This method works for the majority of people. TWS-Xiaomi headphones connected to the brand's smartphones:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list of connected devices and click on the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Select Control Settings or Headphone Management (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
4. Reassign actions for each gesture (touch, double touch, hold).

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14 Global), this section may be hidden to open it:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Return to Bluetooth Settings, find the headphones and hold your finger on their name for 3-5 seconds – a hidden menu will appear.

Calling the voice assistant|Track switching|Volume control|Turning off the microphone|Other function-->

If your version of MIUI does not have such a partition, try updating the firmware or using alternative methods from the following sections.

3. ADB-Teams: Advanced settings for experienced users

For models with limited settings (such as Redmi Buds 4 Active or Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and knowing the basic commands, but allows you to unlock hidden features.

Warning: Incorrect use of ADB can cause Bluetooth or headphones to crash. Before executing commands, back up your MIUI settings via Settings → Additional → Backup.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Return to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global headsethook_double_press_action 3


adb shell settings put global headsethook_long_press_action 5

Meanings of action:

Once you have the commands, restart your smartphone and check for new settings. If the headphones don't respond, reset them to factory settings (usually by holding the button for 10 seconds).

4 Third-party applications: EarBuddy, MaterialPods and others

If the official methods don't work, third-party utilities come to the rescue, support more models and offer flexible customizations, but require root rights or ADB-Some of the features are available.-3 applications:

• 🎧 EarBuddy – supports Xiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, Redmi Buds 3/4 others TWS. Allows you to assign up to 5 gestures to each ear, adjust touch delays, and even create macros (e.g., double-touching). + Retention. ** Minus - paid version is needed for advanced features.
• 🔄 MaterialPods – Open Source Software with Support ADB. Works with most headphones on Qualcomm chips (including Xiaomi).You can reassign buttons, change the speed of the connection animation, and even block automatic firmware updates on the headphones.
• 🛠️ SoundAssistant is a universal audio management application, suitable if you need to reassign volume buttons on headphones with wire (for example, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro).

Instructions for EarBuddy:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect the headphones and select their model in the list.
3. Go to the Touch Controls section.
4. Click on a gesture (e.g. Left Ear – Double Tap) and select a new action.
5. Save the settings and reboot the headphones.

💡

If the app doesn't see your model, try manually selecting a compatible one. For example, the Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro profile sometimes works for Redmi Buds 4 Active.

Note: Some applications require you to disable battery optimization to work properly, and you can do this in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autostart.

5. Reassign buttons on Xiaomi wired headphones

Xiaomi wired headphones (such as Xiaomi Mi Basic, Xiaomi Hybrid Pro or Xiaomi Dual Driver) typically have physical buttons that are harder to reconfigure.

• 🎛️ Through Android Settings: Some Models Support Changes to Button Features → Sound. → Headphone settings: Options are limited (usually only "play/pause" or "assistant call").
• 🔧 Using the Button Mapper app: allows you to reassign volume and media buttons. ADB-Permits to work with wired headphones.
• 🔌 Hardware modification: for advanced users, you can cut buttons or replace the control chip, but this voids the warranty.

For Button Mapper:

1. Install the application and give it ADB permissions (instructions will appear when you first start).
2. Select Add Button and press the physical button on your headphones to identify it.
3. Set up a new action (like Next Track or Launch App).

💡

Xiaomi wired headphones often use the standard control protocol, so their buttons can be reconfigured through universal Android tools, unlike the ones used in the mobile phone. TWS-Proprietary protocol models.

If the headphones are not recognized, check their compatibility with the CTIA/OMTP protocol (this can be done with a multimeter or from the model documentation). Some older Xiaomi models use non-standard stitching, which prevents reassignment.

6. Problem Solving: Why Settings Are Not Saved

A common complaint of users is that headphones forget reassigned buttons after reconnecting or updating the firmware.

Critical error: If after reassigning the buttons, the headphones stopped responding at all, reset:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Hold the button on the case (or touchpad on headphones) for 15-20 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
3. Reconnect via Bluetooth.

💡

If the reset didn't work, try connecting the headphones to another smartphone (preferably on a pure Android) and reassign the buttons there.

7.Alternative methods: from firmware to physical modification

If none of these things work, there are radical solutions that are suitable for power users and can void warranty, but give full control of the headphones.

• 🔧 Headphone flashing: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Airdots Pro) have custom firmware with advanced settings, CH341A) and the original firmware dump.

Example of firmware through Xiaomi Flash Tool:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, from the XDA Developers forum).
2. Connect the headphones to the PC in EDL mode (usually the contacts on the board are closed).
3. Run the Mi Flash Tool and select the firmware file.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is finished (don’t turn off the headphones!).

For physical modification, you will need:

• A soldering iron with a thin sting (for example, TS100).
• Multimeter for contact checks.
• Spare buttons or controller (you can order on AliExpress by model number).

FAQ: Frequent questions about button reassignment

If your problem is not on the list, check out the headphone model and MIUI/Android version in the comments. We will try to help with specific instructions!