How to check charging on Xiaomi headphones: step-by-step instructions for all models

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless gadgets on the market, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and battery life. But even with the most advanced models like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or AirDots 3 Pro, users face one problem: it is not clear how quickly and accurately to know the level of charge. The manufacturer does not always pay attention to the intuitive interface, and in instructions this information is often hidden in the last pages in fine print.

In this article, we'll look at all the different ways you can test your charging, from the standard ones (via a mobile app) to the little ones (hidden voice commands and button combinations), how different the indicators are from one model to another, what to do if the headphones don't show charge, and how to extend battery life, and at the end, you'll find an FAQ with answers to frequent questions and a device-specific compatibility table.

1. Standard method: LED indication

The most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models - from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship FlipBuds Pro. The manufacturer uses LED indicators on the case case or the headphones themselves, but their behavior differs depending on the series.

  • πŸ”΄ Red: charge below 20%, requires a network connection.
  • 🟑 Yellow/orange: charge level from 20% to 50%.
  • 🟒 Green – charge above 50% (some models – above 80%).
  • πŸ”„ Blinking white - headphones in pairing mode (does not show charge!).

To check the charge of the case, hold it to the light source or press the pairing button (if any). For example, on Xiaomi AirDots 3, the indicator is in front and lights up when the cover is opened. But Buds 4 has an LED hidden inside - it is only visible when connected to charging.

⚠️ Note: On wireless charging models (such as the FlipBuds Pro), the indicator may not burn when placed on a Qi station.

If the LED does not respond to taps or network connection, this may indicate a malfunction of the power controller.Try to reset the headphones to factory settings (instructions will be lower) or check the cable/power supply.

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi headphone model you use?
Redmi AirDots/Xiaomi AirDots
Xiaomi Buds (any series)
Xiaomi FlipBuds
Another model
I don't know.

2. Check the charge through the mobile application Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear

The official applications from Xiaomi provide the most accurate information about the charge, but there are nuances: first, not all models are supported in the Mi Home – some require the installation of Xiaomi Wear (for example, Buds 3T Pro). Second, applications often conflict with the firmware of headphones, especially if you have updated them through third-party sources.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install the Mi Home app (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for newer ones) from Google Play or the App Store.
  2. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetooth (if not already connected).
  3. Open the app and find the device in the list. Click on the card.
  4. The main screen will display the percentage of charge of the case and each headphone separately (if the model supports this function).

The screenshot below shows the Xiaomi Wear interface for the Buds 4 Pro model. Note that some versions of the app only display charge after fully connecting the headphones to the phone (it is not enough to just open the case).

Update the headphone firmware|Reconnect the headphones to the phone|Clear the Mi app's cache Home/Xiaomi Wear|Check the compatibility of the model with the application version-->

Important point: If after updating the firmware headphones application stopped showing charge, try to roll back to the previous version of the software.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ About the program in the application.
  2. Find the Firmware Update section.
  3. If a rollback is available, select the previous version and follow the instructions.

3. Voice assistant and hidden commands

Few people know, but some Xiaomi models support voice commands to check the charge, which works through the built-in Xiao AI assistant (available only on Chinese firmware) or through integration with Google Assistant/Siri.

For models with Xiao AI support (e.g. FlipBuds Pro):

  1. Activate the voice assistant with a double touch on the earpiece (setting is included in the Xiaomi Wear app).
  2. Say: "(in Chinese)" or "Xiao AI, battery level" (in English).
  3. The assistant will announce the percentage of charge of the case and each headphone.

For other models, you can use Google Assistant:

  1. Put the headphones on the phone.
  2. Activate Google Assistant with voice or button holding.
  3. Ask, β€œWhat is the charge of my Xiaomi headphones?”

If the voice method doesn’t work, try a hidden button combination. For example, on AirDots 3 Pro, you can press the case button three times to hear a voice message about the charge level (the feature is only available on newer firmware than V1.4.6).

Why isn't the voice assistant answering?
If Xiao AI or Google Assistant does not recognize the command, check: 1. Are the headphones connected to the phone as the main audio device (in Bluetooth settings). 2. Is Voice input enabled in the assistant settings. 3. Is the headphone firmware updated (older versions may not support voice requests). 4. Does third-party software (such as PowerAmp or ViPER4Android) conflict with the assistant's work.

4.Verify through Bluetooth settings on the phone

On Android 10+ and iOS 14+ devices, the headphone charge level can be displayed directly in the Bluetooth menu β€” but only if the model supports the Battery Level Reporting standard.

For Android:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Connected devices β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Find your Xiaomi headphones in the list and click on the gear next to the name.
  3. If the model supports the function, you will see the charge level line with percentage.

For the iPhone:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Bluetooth.
  2. Find the headphones in the list. Next to the name, you can see a percentage battery icon.
  3. On some models (for example, Buds 3 Pro) the charge is displayed only in the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner).

Limitations of the method:

  • ❌ It does not work on older models (Redmi AirDots first series).
  • ❌ On iOS can display the charge of only the case, without detailing on headphones.
  • ❌ Sometimes the percentage is β€œhang” and not updated in real time.

πŸ’‘

If the charge in Bluetooth is not displayed, try to turn off and reconnect the headphones. On Android, it will also help to clear the cache of the Bluetooth module: go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Show System β†’ Bluetooth and click Clear Cache.

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications and testers

If the standard methods don't work, we can use third-party tools, and we tested a few applications and identified the most reliable ones.

AnnexSupported modelsprecisionReference
Battery Bot ProAll models with Battery Level ReportingTall.Google Play
AccuBatteryCase only (does not show headphones)MediumGoogle Play
Bluetooth Battery MonitorXiaomi Buds 3/4 Pro, FlipBudsTall.Google Play
3UTools (for iOS)Any headphones connected to the iPhoneLow (jailbreaking required)Official website

For advanced users, there is another way – using ADB-It's good if you want to get accurate data on battery voltage and the number of charging cycles (useful for diagnosing wear and tear:

adb shell dumpsys battery


adb shell dumpsys bluetooth_manager

These commands will output technical information about the connected devices, including the headphones, but the method requires debugging over USB and does not work on all firmware.

6.Diagnostics of charging problems

If Xiaomi headphones don't charge or show an incorrect charge level, the reasons can be different - from contaminated contacts to a failure of the controller.

  1. Look at the contacts on your headphones and in your case. Oxidation or dirt can interfere with charging. Clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
  2. Try another cable and power supply. Xiaomi recommends using original accessories with Quick Charge 3.0 support.
  3. Reset your headphones to factory settings: Place your headphones in your case. Press and hold the button on your case for 10 to 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white. Connect your headphones to your phone again.

Check the temperature.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones stopped turning on or are not detected by the phone after reset, this may mean damage to the firmware. In this case, contact the service center - self-flashing can lead to final failure.

On wireless charging models (like the FlipBuds Pro), also check compatibility with a Qi station. Some cheap chargers don't provide enough power, making the case only charge up to 80%.

πŸ’‘

If the headphones are discharged too quickly (less than 2 hours of operation), this is a sign of battery wear. The average life of the Li-Pol battery in headphones is 300-500 charging cycles (about 2-3 years with heavy use).

7.How to extend the life of the Xiaomi headphone battery

Even the best batteries degrade over time, but there are ways to slow down the process. Here are 5 rules to help keep the battery in capacity:

  • πŸ”‹ Avoid full discharge. Connect the case to the charger when the indicator shows red (10-20%).
  • β˜€οΈ Don't leave it in the sun. Overheating above 40.Β°C reduces battery life by 2 times.
  • πŸ”Œ Use the original cable. Cheap analogues can deliver unstable voltage.
  • ⚑ Don't keep charging constantly. Once you reach 100%, disconnect the case from the network.
  • πŸ“± Update your firmware. Newer versions often optimize power consumption.

For models with fast charging (for example, Buds 4 Pro) is also not recommended to use powerful power supplies (>18W). The best option β€” 10W (smartphone charger).

If you don’t use headphones for a long time (for example, going on vacation), store them in a case with a charge of 40-60% in a cool place. Full discharge or 100% charge during long-term storage leads to irreversible loss of capacity.

FAQ: Frequent questions about charging Xiaomi headphones

❓ Why headphones show different levels of charge (for example, left – 100%, right – 80%)?
This is normal if the difference is less than 10-15%. Headphones are charged not simultaneously, but sequentially: first one, then the other. If the difference is greater, try: Fully discharge both earphones. Place them in the case and charge to 100%. Reset settings (instruction above). If the problem persists, this may indicate a malfunction of the charging controller in one of the headphones.
❓ Can you use Xiaomi headphones while charging the case?
Yes, but with reservations: Most models (AirDots, Buds 3) are safe, but the case will charge more slowly. FlipBuds Pro and Buds 4 Pro may have audio outages due to interference from the charger. It is not recommended to use wireless charging while listening - this can cause overheating.
❓ How long does Xiaomi headphones charge?
Charging time depends on the model and type of connection: Wireless charging model (0–100%) Wireless charging (0–100%) Fast charging (10 min = hours of operation) Redmi AirDots 1.5 hours – – Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro 1 hour 2 hours 3 hours Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro 1.5 hours 2.5 hours 4 hours Xiaomi Buds 4 50 minutes 1.5 hours 5 hours The specified time is relevant for original chargers. When using uncertified accessories, the time can increase by 30–50%.
❓ What to do if the case is not charged from a wireless station?
The problem is typical of models with Qi-enabled charging. Causes and solutions: πŸ”Œ Incompatible station: Xiaomi recommends using power chargers 5W–10W. Some stations on the 15W+ unrecognized. πŸ“ Incorrect positioning: the case should lie strictly in the center of the station. πŸ”‹ Coil wear: If the case has previously fallen or been hit, the wireless module could have damaged. πŸ“± Firmware failure: update the case software through the Xiaomi Wear app.
❓ How to find out how many charging cycles the battery has sustained?
Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide this information in standard applications.There are two ways: ADB (Requires technical skills: adb shell dumpsy battery adb shell cat /sys/class/power_supply/battery/cycle_count The team will output the number of cycles, but it doesn't work on all models. Go to the service center. They have diagnostic equipment to check battery wear. Average battery life in Xiaomi headphones β€” 300–500 And then the capacity starts to drop markedly.