How to put a password on headphones Xiaomi Redmi: protection of Bluetooth connection

Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones are a popular accessory, but their vulnerability to unauthorized Bluetooth connections is often overlooked. Many users face a situation where headphones suddenly connect to other people's devices in the subway, cafe or office, which is not only annoying, but also creates risks of data leakage (for example, if you listen to voice messages or use headphones for calls).

Unfortunately, most Redmi Buds/AirDots models do not support direct password setting at the firmware level — unlike premium devices like Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort. However, there are workarounds to restrict access, from resetting settings to using hidden MIUI features. In this article, we will discuss all working methods for different models, including Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro and older versions.

Why Xiaomi Redmi headphones connect to other devices?

The problem lies in the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol, which uses open pairing by default for user convenience. When the headphones are in search mode (for example, after being removed from a case), they send a broadcast signal that any device within a radius of 10-15 meters can respond to.

• 🔹 Absence PIN-Redmi budget models do not ask for a password when you first connect, unlike headphones with Bluetooth 5.2 support+ LE Audio.
• 🔹 Automatic pairing: Fast Pair (fast connection) keeps headphones in the smartphone memory, but does not block access to other gadgets.
• 🔹 Resetting: After updating the firmware or discharging the battery, the headphones can “forget” previous devices and become available for new ones.
• 🔹 Firmware vulnerabilities: Older versions of the software (for example, for Redmi AirDots S 2019) had bugs that allowed you to connect without confirmation.

It is important to understand that the classic "password" (like Wi-Fi) for Redmi Buds is not provided. MAC-There are ways to make it harder to access -- more on that.

Method 1: Resetting headphones to factory settings

The most reliable way to reset all previous connections is to perform a hard reset, which will remove all the paired devices from the headphone memory, and they will only be available after reconnecting to your smartphone.

Disconnect Headphones from All Devices in Bluetooth Settings

Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.

Make sure the charge of the case is >30%

Prepare your smartphone for re-pairing-->

1. Place both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds, then open.
2. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones simultaneously for 15-20 seconds. On Redmi Buds 4 Pro, you need to hold the button on the case.
3. The headphones will flash red and white (on some models, only red) to signal a successful reset.
4. Close the case cover, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect to your smartphone via Settings → Bluetooth.

After reset, the headphones will be seen by other devices as new, but you can connect to them only after confirmation on your smartphone (if the confirmation request function is enabled in Bluetooth settings).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi AirDots (2019) and Redmi Buds 3 Youth, the reset may not work the first time. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times or use an alternative method: hold the button on the case for 30 seconds until the indicator flashes twice.

Method 2: Use of hidden pairing mode (for MIUI 12+ firmware)

If your smartphone is running MIUI 12 or later, there is a hidden option in the Bluetooth settings that limits the visibility of the headphones. This method does not block the connection completely, but reduces the likelihood of accidental pairing:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth on the Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco smartphone.
2. Find your headphones in the list of conjugate devices and tap on the gear (⚙️) near-name.
3. Activate the option "Hide the device" (on some firmware - "Limit visibility").
4. Reboot the headphones: Remove from the case, wait for the connection, then put back and close the lid for 10 seconds.

After that, the headphones will not appear in Bluetooth search on other devices until you activate the pairing mode manually (holding the touchpad).

• 🔸 It only works for devices on MIUI. On smartphones of other brands (Samsung, iPhone) this option is not available.
• 🔸 After updating the firmware headphones settings can reset.
• 🔸 Some models (Redmi Buds 4 Active) ignore this setting due to the features of the chipset.

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If the “Hide Device” option is missing, try updating your headphone firmware through the Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play for Android).

Method 3: Linking to a single device via Mi Earphones

The official Mi Earphones app (formerly Xiaomi Earphones) allows you to set connection priority and disable automatic pairing with new devices, a method that works for most Redmi Buds/AirDots models released after 2020.

Download the app from Google Play (only basic control is available for iOS) and follow the steps:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open Mi Earphones and select your model at the top of the screen.
3. Go to the Device Settings section → Priority of connection.
4. Activate the “Trusted Devices Only” option and add your smartphone to the list.
5. Turn off the option "Automatic connection to new devices" (if any).

If your model doesn't support binding, try updating your headphone firmware through the same app.

1. Go to Settings → Update firmware.
2. Connect the headphones to charging (case should be charged by 50%+).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. Don't interrupt the process!

⚠️ Warning: Updating the firmware on Redmi AirDots S and Redmi Buds 2 models may cause all settings to reset, including device binding. After the update, reset the settings via Mi Earphones.

Method 4: Physical connection lock (for advanced users)

If the software methods don't work, you can use hardware locking, which is turning off the automatic pairing function through the engineering menu, which is a very careful approach, and is only suitable for users who are ready to experiment.

For models on the Qualcomm QCC3040 chipset (such as Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), the following trick is available:

1. Install the nRF Connect app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth and open nRF Connect.
3. Select your headphones in the list of devices and connect.
4. Go to the Unknown Service tab and find the service from UUID 0000fff0-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb.
5. Send the command 01 00 to the Write field, and that will turn off the broadcast mode.

After that, the headphones will no longer be visible to new devices, but will retain the connection with the already mated ones. To regain visibility, send a command 00 00.

Method 5: Alternative protections

If none of the above methods are suitable, consider additional measures:

• 🔐 Turning off Bluetooth on your smartphone: When not using headphones, turn off Bluetooth in the settings.This will prevent other people's devices from automatically connecting.
• 🔐 Use of a Lock Case: Some Redmi Buds cases have a physical lock button that breaks the connection (e.g., Baseus or Ugreen cases).
• 🔐 Blocking apps: Utilities like Bluetooth Auto Connect are available for Android, which allow you to create “white lists” of devices.
• 🔐 Firmware replacement: On forums 4PDA and XDA Developers have custom firmware for some Redmi models with support PIN-For example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro is available firmware CustomBLE.

To replace the firmware will require:

1. Unlocked bootloader on a smartphone (for some methods).
2. J-Link or ST-Link (for low-level firmware)
3. Password-enabled firmware file (see thematic forums).

⚠️ Warning: Replacing the firmware voids the warranty and may cause the headphones to fail.This method is recommended only for advanced users.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to protect the headphones Xiaomi Redmi users often make mistakes that lead to the opposite result – the headphones stop connecting even to your smartphone.

If the headphones after manipulations stopped turning on, check:

• 🔋 Case charge (the indicator should burn when connected to charging).
• 🔌 Contacts on headphones and in the case (clean them with an alcohol napkin).
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility (on iPhone some Mi Earphones features are not available).

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If Redmi headphones continue to connect to other devices after all the manipulations, the most likely reason is a hardware vulnerability of the chipset, in which case the only solution is to replace the headphones with a model that supports Bluetooth 5.2+ LE Audio (for example, Redmi Buds 5 Pro).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions