How to Reset Xiaomi Headphones to Factory Settings: Full Guide 2026

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets on the market, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even the most reliable technology sometimes requires a reboot: headphones can start to β€œglut”, poorly connect to devices, give out distorted sound or refuse to turn on at all. 90% of these cases help reset to factory settings – a procedure that returns the device to its original state, as after purchase.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all models – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro. We will understand when you need a reset, how to do it through a smartphone or physical buttons, and what to do if the headphones do not respond to standard methods. We pay special attention to hidden functions. MIUI, which allow you to reset settings without losing the associated devices - this chip works only on firmware 2023-2026.

When you need to reset the headphones Xiaomi

Resetting your headphones is not the first time you have a problem, but only when other methods have failed, and here are the key symptoms that indicate the need for the procedure:

  • πŸ”Œ Headphones do not connect to the phone, although they used to work stably (even after the smartphone reboot).
  • πŸ”Š The sound is interrupted, distorted or lost in one of the headphones (the battery is charged).
  • πŸ”„ Headphones spontaneously turn off / connect or go into pairing mode.
  • πŸ“± Mi Fitness or Xiaomi Wear shows an error: β€œDevice is not respondingΒ».
  • πŸ”‹ Fast battery discharge (for example, headphones discharge in 1-2 hours instead of the declared 5-6).
  • 🎧 One of the headphones is not defined by the system (for example, the left one works, and the right one does not).

If the problem is hardware-based (e.g., headphones fall into the water or the batteries are dead), resetting is unlikely to help, and in such cases, it is better to contact the service center, and you should not reset the settings for the sake of experiment, this will lead to the loss of all saved pairings, and you will have to connect the headphones to each device again.

πŸ“Š What kind of headphones Xiaomi you have?
Redmi AirDots (1/2/3)/AirDots Pro
Xiaomi FlipBuds (Pro)
Xiaomi Buds 3/4
Another model
I don't know.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, follow a few simple steps to avoid 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 dead, plug the case into the charge for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Turn off the headphones from all devices. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, tablet or laptop and remove the headphones from the list of associated devices, which will prevent conflicts when you reconnect.
  3. Close the Mi Fitness/Xiaomi Wear app. If it's running in the background, it may interfere with the reset.
  4. Prepare the instructions for your model. The reset methods may vary β€” we will give you general methods below, but there are nuances for some headphones (for example, FlipBuds Pro).

If you use active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones, turn off this feature in the application settings before resetting. In rare cases, the ANC may block the process of returning to factory settings.

Charge headphones and case up to 30%+

Remove Bluetooth headphones from all devices

Close the Xiaomi Wear/Mi Fitness app

Prepare instructions for your model

Turn off noise reduction (if any)-->

A universal reset method for all Xiaomi models

Most Xiaomi headphones (including Redmi AirDots, Xiaomi Buds, and FlipBuds) support hardware reset via buttons, which works even if the headphones don't respond to the smartphone.

  1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
  2. Wait 5-10 seconds, then open the case cover.
  3. Press and hold the touchpad on both headphones at the same time (usually this is an area with the Xiaomi logo).
  4. Hold the buttons for 15-20 seconds until the headphones flash red and white (or red and blue – depending on the model).
  5. Release the buttons. The headphones will automatically turn off and reboot.
  6. Close the case cover, then open it again - the headphones are ready for a new pairing.

If the indicators don’t blink, try repeating the procedure by holding the buttons longer (up to 30 seconds). On some models (for example, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro), you don’t need to press the touchpad to reset, but the physical button on the case – it is usually located on the side or on the back.

What to do if the indicators do not flash?
If the indicators do not respond after 30 seconds of holding the buttons, try: 1. Connect the case to charging for 5 minutes, then reset. 2. Use another charger (sometimes the problem is insufficient current). 3. On models with a button on the case (for example, AirDots Pro 2), hold it for 10 seconds, then repeat the reset of the headphones. If nothing helps, perhaps the headphones require repair (most often the Bluetooth controller is to blame).

Reset via Xiaomi Wear or Mi Fitness app

For headphones that support proprietary applications (Xiaomi Wear for FlipBuds Pro or Mi Fitness for Redmi AirDots), a software reset is available. This method is softer than hardware and retains some of the settings (for example, the sound profile).

  1. Open the Xiaomi Wear or Mi Fitness app and plug in the headphones.
  2. Go to the Devices section β†’ [Your headphone model] β†’ Settings (βš™οΈ).
  3. Scroll down and select Reset Settings or Restore Factory Settings.
  4. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-fingerprint).
  5. Wait for the process to be completed (the headphones will reboot).

Once reset via the app, the headphones will automatically connect back to the smartphone, but some settings (such as control gestures) will have to be reconfigured, which does not work unless the headphones are determined by the application - in which case use a hardware reset.

πŸ’‘

If the app does not have a Settings Reset button, upgrade to the latest version. In older versions of Mi Fitness (until 2023), this feature was hidden in the Additional β†’ Diagnostics section.

Some Xiaomi headphones have unique reset methods, and the table below provides current instructions for the most common models (tested on firmware in 2026):

Model headphonesResetting methodNotes
Redmi AirDots (1/2/3)Hold the touch panels on both headphones for 15 seconds until flashing red/white.On AirDots 3 Pro, press the button on the case for 5 seconds first, then reset the headphones.
Xiaomi FlipBuds ProTriple press on the touch panel of the left earphone for 2 seconds.It works only when you connect to the Xiaomi Wear app.
Xiaomi Buds 3/4Hold both touch panels for 20 seconds until the sound signal.After reset, the ANC is reconfigured in the application.
Redmi Buds 4 ActivePress and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds, then reset the headphones in the standard way.The case should be connected to the charger.
Xiaomi Air 2/2S/2 ProFour-fold tap on the right earphone touch panel.After resetting, the headphones go into pairing mode automatically.

If your model is not in the table, use the generic method (described above) or check the instructions in the Xiaomi Wear app. For headphones older than 2020 (such as AirDots Youth), you may need to update the firmware before reset - we will discuss this in the next section.

πŸ’‘

Headphones Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro and Buds 4 after reset require resetting the ANC and transparent mode. Without this, the sound can be quieter than usual.

What to do if the reset does not help

If you have problems after resetting, try the following steps:

  1. Update the headphone firmware. Go to the Xiaomi Wear app, go to Device Settings β†’ Software Update. If a new version is available, install it. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro headphones with firmware below 1.4.0.6 may not reset β€” update them first.
  2. Check device compatibility. Some smartphones (especially on iOS or older versions of Android) may conflict with headphones. Try connecting them to another phone.
  3. Reset your Bluetooth settings on your smartphone. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Reset β†’ Network Reset (the MIUI path may be different) This will delete all stored Bluetooth devices.
  4. Check the physical condition of the headphones. Check the charging sockets in the case, clear the headphones from dirt (especially microphones and speakers), sometimes the sound problems are caused by clogging.

If none of the methods worked, it may be a hardware problem. Contact Xiaomi Service Center or check the warranty (most models have a 12-month warranty).

πŸ’‘

Before visiting the service center, take a screenshot of the device information in the Xiaomi Wear app (Device About section), which will speed up the diagnosis.

How to avoid problems after resetting

After successfully resetting your Xiaomi headphones, follow these guidelines to avoid repeated crashes:

  • πŸ“² Update your firmware to the latest version through the Xiaomi Wear app.
  • πŸ”„ Don’t connect your headphones to multiple devices at the same time – this can cause Bluetooth conflicts.
  • πŸ”‹ Regularly discharge and charge your headphones to 100% (every 1-2 months) to calibrate the battery.
  • 🎡 Set up an in-app audio profile to your preferences (for example, boost bass or turn off). ANC roomly).
  • 🚫 Avoid extreme temperatures – do not leave your headphones in the sun or in the cold (optimal range: from the sun to the sun). +5Β°C +35Β°C).

If you use iPhone headphones, note that some features (like double-touching to call voice assistant) may not work properly, in which case, set up control via the Xiaomi Wear app on an Android device, and then connect the headphones to the iPhone.

πŸ’‘

Once reset, Xiaomi headphones can automatically update when you first connect to the Internet. Don't interrupt this process - it takes 2-5 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi headphones

Can I reset only one headphone (for example, if the second one is lost)?
No, the reset is always done for both headphones at the same time. If you have only one headphone left, you can't reset it separately - you need to buy a new kit or contact the service to flash it back.
After the reset, the headphones don't connect to the phone.
Remove the headphones from the Bluetooth device list on your phone, then: Open the case cover. Press and hold the button on the case (if any) or the touchpad on the headphones for 5 seconds until the white light flashes. Find the headphones in the list of available Bluetooth devices and connect. If it doesn't help, try connecting from another device.
Does the reset remove your Spotify/YouTube Music listening history?
No, resetting headphones does not affect the history of listening in streaming services, this information is stored on the application servers (Spotify, YouTube Music, etc.), and not in the memory of the headphones.
How often should I reset the headphone settings?
Resets should only be done when problems arise. Regular resets (e.g. once a month) are unnecessary and can cause wear and tear on the device's memory. Exception is if you often connect headphones to new devices and want to clear the pairing list.
Can I reset Xiaomi headphones without a case?
Yes, but only for models with physical buttons (like Redmi AirDots 2) and put your headphones on a flat surface, then hold the touchpads for 20 to 30 seconds until the lights flash, but without a case, it is harder to control the charging process, so it is better to use it.