How to reset your settings on Xiaomi headphones: a complete guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless gadgets on the market due to the price-quality ratio, but even they sometimes require a factory reset. You may have experienced connection problems to your smartphone, constant communication interruptions or just want to sell the device and delete all personal data. In this article, we will detail how to perform a hard reset on different models of Xiaomi headphones – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro.

The reset procedure may vary depending on the generation and firmware of the device, but the general principle remains similar. We will look at both software methods through the Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear app and hardware (using buttons on the case), paying special attention to the typical errors that users make when resetting, and give recommendations on how to avoid them.

When do I need to reset settings on Xiaomi headphones?

Factory resets are a last resort, but sometimes you can't do without them. Here are the most common situations where the procedure is necessary:

  • πŸ”Œ Headphones do not connect to the phone or computer, previously worked properly.
  • πŸ”Š Sound problems: distortion, intermittent playback or lack of sound in one of the headphones.
  • πŸ”„ After updating the firmware, the device became unstable to work (spontaneous shutdowns, failures).
  • πŸ“± Headphones are not defined in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app.
  • πŸ’° Preparing for sale or transfer to another user – to delete all stored data.

If the headphones simply run out or don’t turn on after a long period of downtime, try charging them for 30 to 60 minutes first. Resetting won’t help if the problem is due to a hardware malfunction (e.g., damaged battery or charging case contacts).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all settings, including sound profile, control gestures and connection history, will be deleted. If the headphones synced with multiple devices, they will have to be reconnected.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, follow a few simple steps to avoid additional problems:

  1. Check the battery power. Make sure the headphones and case are at least 30 to 50 percent charged. If the charge is critically low, the device may shut down during the procedure, causing a malfunction.
  2. Turn off your headphones from all devices via Bluetooth settings. On Android: Settings β†’ Connected devices β†’ Headphones β†’ Forget the device.
  3. Remove the headphones from the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (if they were tied there).
  4. Prepare instructions for your model – some headphones require unique button combinations.

If you drop your headphones before selling, we recommend you also clean the case of dust and dirt. For this, use soft dry cloth or cotton swabs soaked in alcohol (do not overdo it with moisture!).

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi headphone model you use?
Redmi AirDots (1-3 generation)
Xiaomi Buds (any model)
Xiaomi Earbuds
Another Xiaomi model
Not Xiaomi.

Resetting through buttons on the body (hardware method)

Most Xiaomi models support reset via physical buttons. This method works even if the headphones don't connect to the phone or the app can't see them. Below is a general guide, but note that some models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro) may require other combinations.

Put the headphones in the case and close the lid.|

Make sure the indicator on the case is on (charge is available)|

Get both earphones out of the case |

Prepare the timer (you need to hold the button) 10-15 seconds)-->

Step-by-step:

  1. Get both earphones out of the charger case.
  2. Press and hold the touchpad (or physical button) on both headphones at the same time.
  3. After 5-7 seconds, the headphones will flash red and white (or only red, depending on the model).
  4. Keep holding the buttons for another 5-8 seconds until you hear a beep (usually two short beeps) or see a permanent white glow.
  5. Release the buttons, the reset is complete. Now you can put the headphones back in the case.

If the lights don’t flash or there’s no sound, try:

  • πŸ”‹ Recharge your headphones (maybe there is not enough energy to reset).
  • πŸ”„ Repeat the procedure by holding the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).
  • πŸ“± Check if the antivirus or energy-saving mode on your phone is blocking the connection.
What to do if the buttons do not respond?
If the touch panels or buttons on the headphones do not respond to pressing, this may indicate: - Contamination of contacts (wipe the headphones with an alcohol wipe). - Hardware failure (repair required). - Full battery discharge (connect the case to charging for 1-2 hours, then try again). If the headphones still do not reset, try an alternative method through the application (described below).

Reset via Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app

If the headphones connect to the phone but are not stable, you can perform a software reset. This will require the official Mi Home app (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for new ones). Note: after the firmware update in 2023, some features in the Mi Home were moved to Xiaomi Wear, so check both programs.

Instructions for Mi Home:

  1. Open the Mi Home app and go to Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Devices.
  2. Find your headphones in the list and tap them.
  3. Select Device Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Resetting.
  4. Confirm the action – the headphones will reboot and return to factory parameters.

Instructions for Xiaomi Wear:

  1. Launch Xiaomi Wear and plug in the headphones (if they aren’t already connected).
  2. Go to the Device Tab β†’ Settings (cog) β†’ Reset settings.
  3. Confirm the reset - the process will take 10-30 seconds.

If the app doesn’t have a reset option, upgrade to the latest version via Google Play or the App Store. Also check if your headphone model supports Xiaomi Wear – some budget options (like the Redmi AirDots S) can only be managed through the Mi Home.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset via the app, the headphones will automatically disconnect from all devices. To connect them again, activate the pairing mode (usually you need to hold the button on the case or headphones until the indicator flashes).

Despite the general principles, some Xiaomi models have unique reset nuances, and in the table below we have collected the latest data for the most common headphones:

ModelResetting methodFeaturesButton retention time
Redmi AirDots (1-2 gen)Button on the case + sensor on headphonesHold the button on the case for 10 seconds, then press both headphones.15-20 sec.
Xiaomi Buds 3/3 ProOnly touch panels on headphones3 brief touches are required for each earpiece, then hold12-15 sec.
Xiaomi Earbuds SThe button on the caseHold the button on the case with the lid open until the red indicator flashes8-10 sec.
Xiaomi Buds 4 ProThrough Xiaomi Wear or SensorsSupports reset via voice assistant (say "Reset settings")5-7 seconds

For Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro models and a newer app reset may require confirmation via Bluetoth LE Audio. If your smartphone does not support this protocol (for example, older models on Android 10 and below), use the hardware method.

1. Reboot the Bluetooth module on the smartphone (disable/enable Bluetooth).

2. Remove all saved devices from the list of connected devices.

3. Connect headphones in guest mode (if there is such an option in the settings).-->

What if the reset didn't help?

If you've had problems after reset, it might not be the settings, but the hardware malfunctions or the software conflicts.

  • πŸ“² Update the firmware of the headphones through Xiaomi Wear. Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions of the software.
  • πŸ”‹ If the contacts are oxidized or the case is not charging the headphones, resetting won't solve the problem.
  • πŸ“‘ Change the device to connect. Try connecting your headphones to another smartphone or PC, and that'll help you figure out what's going on.
  • πŸ› οΈ Contact the service center if the warranty is still valid, and some problems (e.g., microphone dump or Bluetooth module malfunction) require repair.

If the headphones don’t turn on at all, try the following:

  1. Put them in the case and connect the case to the charge for 1-2 hours.
  2. Press and hold the button on the case (if any) for 30 seconds – sometimes this helps to wake up the device.
  3. Check if the reset button is accidentally pressed (on some models it is recessed and can jam).

⚠️ Note: if the headphones Xiaomi after the reset is not determined by any device, this may indicate damage to the Bluetooth module. In such cases, self-repair is not recommended - it is better to consult specialists.

πŸ’‘

If the reset didn’t work, check the compatibility of the headphones with your device.For example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro require Android 8.0+ or iOS 12+ to work properly.

How to avoid problems after resetting?

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

  • πŸ“± Connect your headphones to only one device in the first hours after reset. Multiple reconnects can cause profile conflicts.
  • πŸ”„ Update your firmware through Xiaomi Wear if a new version is available.
  • 🎧 Customize control gestures for yourself (for example, double-touch for playback/pause).
  • πŸ”‹ Watch the level of charge - do not allow a full discharge of headphones or case.

If you use Windows or Mac headphones, install the latest Bluetooth drivers. Windows 10/11 sometimes requires manually installing the Qualcomm Atheros or Broadcom driver for stable operation.

You should also turn off the Bluetooth power-saving mode in your phone settings. On Android, it's done like this:

Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Energy saving β†’ Adaptive battery β†’ Disconnect for Bluetooth

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi headphones

Can I just drop one headphone if the other one is working properly?
No, the reset is always done for both headphones at the same time. If the problem is only in one device (for example, the microphone is not working), try to update the firmware first or clear the contacts. If this does not help, you will have to do the reset for the pair.
When you reset, the headphones plug in, but the sound stops. What do you do?
This may be due to: Interference from other Bluetooth devices (such as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi router), outdated firmware on headphones or phones, incompatible audio codec (try Bluetooth settings to select the best audio codec). SBC instead AAC Also check if the phone is on mode. HD-Low latency audio or audio – sometimes this causes problems.
I dropped my headphones, but they still don't connect to the iPhone.
Xiaomi headphones sometimes conflict with iOS because of the Bluetooth protocol. Try: On iPhone go to Settings β†’ Bluetooth, find the headphones in the list and click "Forget this device." Turn off / turn on Bluetooth on iPhone. Connect the headphones in pairing mode (hold the button on the case until the indicator starts flashing quickly). If it doesn't help, try connecting the headphones to the Android device, update the firmware, and then try again with the iPhone.
Can I reset Xiaomi headphones without a case?
Yes, but it depends on the model. For example, Redmi AirDots 3 and later support reset via touchpads on headphones (hold 15 seconds). For older models (for example, AirDots 1), the case is mandatory, since the reset is initiated through its button.
When you reset, the headphones give you a "Device not supported" error.
This error occurs if: The headphone firmware is outdated and incompatible with your device. You are trying to connect to a device with Android 7 or older (many new Xiaomi models require Android 8+). Headphones activate LE Audio mode, which is not supported by your phone. Solution: Update the headphone firmware through another device or contact Xiaomi support.