The problem of discharged headphones: why it is important to know in advance
You take Xiaomi AirDots out of your case, you put them on, and suddenly the music stops in 10 minutes. Familiar situation? Most users experience an unexpected headphone discharge precisely because they don't monitor their charge levels. Unlike smartphones, where battery percentage is always in plain sight, wireless headphones often hide this information in the depths of the menu or don't show it at all without additional manipulation.
Compounding the problem, different Xiaomi models behave differently: Redmi Buds 3 Lite signal low voice charge, and FlipBuds Pro require the use of a proprietary application. In addition, many users do not even suspect that the charge level of the case and the headphones themselves are two different values, and they need to be checked separately. In this article, we will discuss all the ways β from standard to hidden β so that you will never again be left without sound at the most inopportune moment.
We'll focus on models with custom charge display, like the Xiaomi Buds 4, where the battery percentage in iOS is displayed only after a special setup, or the Redmi Buds 5 Pro, where voice prompts can be enabled through the developer, and we'll also understand why sometimes headphones show 100% charge, but suddenly turn off after an hour - and how to avoid this.
Method 1: Standard display on a smartphone (Android/iOS)
The most obvious way is to look at the charge level right on your smartphone screen, but there's a nuance here: not all Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box, and on the iPhone, you might need to adjust it further, and we'll go through both cases.
On Android (especially on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphones), the charge level usually appears automatically when the case cover is opened.
- π± Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone via Bluetooth.
- π Reboot the Bluetooth module: disable and turn it back on in the settings.
- π§ Update the firmware of the headphones (instructions in the section about the Mi Fit application).
- π² Check if notifications for Bluetooth devices are disabled in the system settings.
On the iPhone, the situation is more complicated: Apple restricts access to third-party battery data. For most Xiaomi models (except the FlipBuds Pro and the new Buds 4), you will have to use a workaround:
- Connect the headphones to your iPhone.
- Open Settings β Bluetooth.
- Find your headphones in the list and click on the i icon next to the title.
- If the "Charge Level" field is missing, try to forget the device and connect again.
Method 2: Voice prompts and audible signals
Many Xiaomi models can voice their charge levels when connected or tapped on the touchpad. For example, Redmi Buds 3 Pro and Xiaomi Buds 3T say "80 percent battery" when turned on. However, this feature is often disabled by default or not working correctly. Here's how to activate it:
For models with voice prompts (FlipBuds Pro, Buds 4 Pro, Redmi Buds 4 Active):
- Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
- Open the Mi Fit app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models).
- Go to the headphones section and look for Voice prompts or Battery Notifications.
- Enable the option "Report the charge level".
If voice prompts donβt work even after turning on, try:
- π Reset your headphone settings (clip both touch panels for 10 seconds).
- π± Update the firmware through Mi Fit.
- π§ Check if the music is drowning out the prompts (reduce the volume before checking).
Why do headphones say βBattery is lowβ by 30%?
For models without voice prompts (for example, Redmi AirDots 1 or Mi Basic), only the sound signal remains: one short squeak when turned on means high charge, two or three squeaks means medium, and frequent repeating signals β critical level (less than 10%).
Method 3: Mi Fit/Xiaomi Wear App β Full Control
The Mi Fit app, or Xiaomi Wear for new devices, is the most reliable way to test the charge, showing separate battery levels for the left/right earphone and case, and allowing you to set up discharge notifications. Here's how to use it:
Instructions for Mi Fit:
Download Mi Fit from the App Store/Google Play|Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth|Open the app and select your headphones in the list of devices|On the main screen will display the charge level of the case and each headphone separately-->
In Xiaomi Wear (for models of 2022 and newer), the interface is slightly different:
- Open the application and go to the Devices tab.
- Choose your headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro).
- Click on the Battery icon at the top of the screen.
- Here you will see detailed information, including battery life at the current charge level.
If the application does not show charge:
- π₯ Update Mi Fit to the latest version.
- π Reconnect the headphones to the app (Delete the device) β Add again).
- π΅ Check if the antivirus is blocking or VPN Access to Xiaomi servers.
π‘
In Mi Fit, you can enable low charge notifications (less than 20%) in the headphone settings, which will help to avoid sudden discharge.
Method 4: Hidden button combinations (for advanced ones)
Some Xiaomi models have service combinations that allow you to check the charge without a smartphone. These features are not officially documented, but work on most devices. For example, for Redmi AirDots 2/3 and Mi True Wireless 2 there is a trick:
How to check the charge of the case without a phone:
- Close the case lid.
- Press and hold the button on the case for 5 seconds.
- The indicator will light up in green (charge > 50%), orange (10-50%) or red (less than 10%).
To check the charge of the headphones themselves (works on Buds 3/4):
- Get the headphones out of the case.
- Three times quickly press the touch panel of the right earphone.
- The voice assistant will report the charge level (e.g., β60 percent batteryβ).
Note: on some models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite), these combinations may only work after updating the firmware through Mi Fit. If the indicator does not respond, try updating the headphones first.
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Service combinations donβt work on all models, but if your headphones support them, this is the quickest way to check without a phone.
Method 5: Verification via laptop or PC (Windows/macOS)
Few people know, but the charge level of Xiaomi-earphones can be checked through the computer. This is useful if you don't have a smartphone at hand or the Mi Fit application does not work. 10/11 MacOS (with some limitations).
Instructions for Windows:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your PC and connect the headphones.
- Open Settings β Devices β Bluetooth and other devices.
- Find your headphones in the list and click Information.
- If the model is supported, you will see the battery level bar.
For macOS:
- Connect the headphones via Bluetooth.
- Hold the Option key (β₯) Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
- In the drop-down list, find your headphones - next to it will be the percentage of charge.
Important: this method does not work with all models. For example, Redmi AirDots 1 does not display charge on the PC, and Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro only show it after installing an additional driver from Xiaomi. If nothing shows, try using a side utility like BatteryMonitor (for Windows).
Compatibility table: What methods work for your model
To avoid wasting time on useless manipulation, we have collected data on popular Xiaomi models and supported methods of charging verification. Please note: the information is relevant for the latest firmware versions (2023-2026).
| Model headphones | Voice prompts | Display on Android | Display on iOS | Service combinations | Application Mi Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots 1/2 | β No. | β Yes, after the connection) | β No. | β Yeah (button on the case) | β Yes. |
| Xiaomi Mi True Wireless 2 | β Yes (set up in Mi Fit) | β Yes. | β οΈ Partially (only percentage) | β Yes (triple touch) | β Yes. |
| FlipBuds Pro | β Yes (on by default) | β Yes. | β Yes (after setting up) | β No. | β Yes, Xiaomi Wear) |
| Redmi Buds 4 Active | β Yes. | β Yes. | β No. | β Yeah (sensor clamping) | β Yes. |
| Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro | β Yeah (tuning in) | β Yes. | β Yes. | β No. | β Yes, Xiaomi Wear) |
If your model is not in the table, try the universal methods: the Mi Fit application or checking through the Bluetooth settings of your smartphone. For older models (released before 2020), you may need to update the firmware - instructions are in the next section.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even if you're watching the charge, sometimes Xiaomi headphones are weird: they're 100 percent and they suddenly turn off, they don't charge in the case, or they're quickly discharged, and we're going to look at some of the most common problems and how to fix them.
Problem 1: Headphones show 100% charge, but quickly discharge.
β οΈ Attention: This is a typical problem for Redmi AirDots 2 and Mi True Wireless with outdated firmware.The battery is lying because of a power controller failure.Solution: Update the firmware via Mi Fit or reset (press both touch panels for 15 seconds).
Problem 2: Case does not charge the headphones (the indicator burns red).
- π Check if the contacts in the case are not contaminated (wipe with alcohol).
- π Try another cable/charger.
- π Reset the case: press the button for 20 seconds until the indicator goes out and lights up again.
Problem 3: The iPhone does not display charge levels.
β οΈ Warning: Apple blocks battery data access for most Bluetooth devices.Solution: Use the Battery Bot (App Store) app or connect headphones to an Android smartphone to check.
Problem 4: Headphones discharge overnight in a case.
This is due to background energy consumption (e.g. if the headphones stay connected to the phone).
- π΅ Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone before going to bed.
- π Turn off the headphones manually (clip the touchpad for 3 seconds).
- π Check whether the case itself is discharged (it must be charged at least 20%, otherwise it will not power the headphones).