How to reset Xiaomi wireless headphones to factory settings: full instruction

Xiaomi wireless headphones are popular gadgets that can eventually fail to connect with a delay, lose communication with the phone or give out distorted sound. 80% of these problems are solved by resetting to factory settings, a procedure that returns the device to its original parameters, but many users are afraid to perform it on their own, fearing to finally break the headphones or lose important functions.

In fact, resetting is a standard operation, provided by the manufacturer. It does not require special skills, but has nuances depending on the model. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly reset Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless and other popular series, and also tell you what to do if the headphones do not respond to standard commands, you will learn what mistakes users often make and how to avoid them.

When you need to reset the headphones Xiaomi

Factory reset is not a universal solution to all problems, but it is effective in the following situations:

• 🔌 Headphones do not connect to a phone or computer, although they used to work stably.
• 🎧 The sound is interrupted, wheezing appears or one earphone is quieter than the other.
• 🔄 After connecting to a new device, the headphones automatically return to the old smartphone.
• 📱 In a mobile application (for example, Mi Earphones) a synchronization error is displayed.
• 🔋 Battery discharges too quickly, although it used to hold the charge longer.

It's important to understand that resetting won't help if the problem is physical damage, whether it's moisture, falling or wearing out the battery, and that requires repair or replacement of components, and it's also useless to reset if the headphones have never connected to the device -- most likely they're defective from the factory.

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi headphones are released before 2019 (for example, Mi AirDots Youth first revision), after reset, they may lose support for the branded application.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, follow a few simple steps to avoid the typical mistakes:

1. Check the battery. Make sure that the headphones and the case have at least 30% of the charge left. If the battery is discharged, plug the case into charging for 10-15 minutes.
2. Turn off your headphones from all devices. Forget them in your Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, tablet, and computer. On Android, this is done in the Settings menu → Connected devices → Headphone name → Forget.
3. Put the headphones in the case. Close the lid and wait until the lights go out (usually 5-10 seconds), which ensures that both earphones are synchronized.
4. Prepare the instructions for your model. Reset methods may vary - below we will look at options for different series.

If you use Mi Earphones or Xiaomi Wear, take screenshots of your current settings (e.g., equalizer or control gestures) before resetting them.

Resetting methods for different Xiaomi models

The manufacturer uses several reset methods depending on the series of headphones, below are the current instructions for popular models (data tested on firmware 2023-2026).

1. Xiaomi AirDots 3 / Redmi Buds 3 / 4

These models support reset through prolonged pressing on the touch panel:

1. Get both earphones out of the case.
2. Press and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds.
3. The indicators will flash red and white, which is a signal that the reset will begin.
4. Release the buttons when the indicators go out and light up again in white (pairing mode).

2. Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 / Basic 2

Here is a combination with the button on the case:

1. Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 20 seconds.
3. The indicator on the case will start flashing red and white, then go out.
4. Open the lid - the headphones are ready for a new connection.

3. Redmi Buds 5 / AirDots Pro 2

In these models, the reset is performed through a mobile application:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Xiaomi Wear app (or Mi Earphones for older versions).
3. Go to the headphone settings section → Reset settings.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the device to restart.

Checked the charge of the case and headphones|Headphones are disconnected from all devices|Instructions for a specific model found|The company application is updated to the latest version-->

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi AirDots Pro (first generation) headphones may require re-tethering to the case after reset. To do this, put them in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds - the indicators should light up synchronously.

What to do if the headphones are not reset

Sometimes the reset procedure doesn't work the first time, and here are the typical reasons and solutions.

• 🔋 Battery discharged. Connect the case to charge for 15 to 20 minutes and try again. Headphones must have at least 20% charge to perform the reset.
• 📵 The headphones are not synchronized. Put them in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then pull out and try resetting again.
• 📱 Bluetooth device conflict: Turn off Bluetooth on all gadgets within a 5-meter radius (including smartwatches and laptops).
• 🔄 Outdated firmware.Update your headphones through the Xiaomi Wear app before resetting.

If the headphones do not respond to pressing at all, try a hardware reset:

1. Connect the case to the charger.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 30 seconds (even if the indicator does not blink).
3. Release the button and wait 1 minute.
4. Try the standard reset method again.

How to avoid errors in resetting

Many users make the same mistakes that cause the headphones to fail after reset.

• ❌ If the indicators start flashing red and white, you can only release the buttons after a complete reset (usually takes 10-20 seconds).
• ❌ Reset one earpiece. You have to do it simultaneously for both devices, otherwise they'll become out of sync.
• ❌ Use a non-original case, cheap replacements may not transmit a reset signal to the headphones.
• ❌ Pressing touch panels with dirty or wet fingers can lead to false positives.

Once reset, Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro and Redmi Buds 5 headphones automatically update the firmware when you first connect to the internet via your smartphone.Do not turn off Bluetooth within 5 minutes of pairing to complete the update.

💡

If the sound is quieter after reset, check the equalizer settings in the Xiaomi Wear app. Often the reset also resets the user presets, returning the factory profile "Balance".

Recovery after resetting: what to do next

After a successful reset, the headphones return to factory settings.

1. Connect to your smartphone. Open Settings → Bluetooth on your phone. Pull out the headphones from the case, they should appear on the list as Mi True Wireless or Redmi Buds XXX. Press "Plug in" and confirm the pairing.
2. Update your firmware. Open the Xiaomi Wear app. Go to the headphone section and check for updates. If the update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and install it.

Customize your gestures and sound.

• In the Xiaomi Wear app, select a sound profile (e.g., “Bases” or “Voice”).
• Set up control: double touch, hold, etc.

If you’ve used headphones with an iPhone, you may need to reset the Settings menu → Bluetooth → (i) next to the headphone name → Forget this device, and then reconnect.

💡

After reset, Xiaomi headphones can temporarily perform worse in sound — that’s normal. The firmware needs 1-2 connection cycles to optimize the settings for your ear.

Alternative methods of problem-solving

If the reset didn’t help, try these methods:

• 🔄 PC flashing. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2) have unofficial utilities like MiFlash or Fastboot. Dangerous! Risk turning headphones into bricks".
• 📦 Case replacement: If the case indicators don't respond to the press, the control board may be broken.
• 🔧 If the headphones are warranty, the reset can cancel it, in which case it is better to take the device to an authorized Xiaomi center.

For models with LDAC support (such as Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) after reset, you may need to re-enable this codec in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone. On Android, this is done in the Settings menu → Connected devices → Cog settings → Sound quality.

⚠️ Warning: Some "repair" videos on YouTube suggest disassembling headphones and closing contacts for reset. This doesn't work for Xiaomi 2020 models and newer ones - the manufacturer has removed hardware reset points. Such manipulations will only lead to a loss of warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi headphones