Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets due to the combination of price, sound quality and battery life. But even for experienced users, sometimes there is confusion: how to accurately determine whether the headphones themselves are charged or their case? This is especially true for models without a display, where there is no digital display — for example, Redmi AirDots 3 or Xiaomi Buds 4.
In this article, we'll look at all the different ways you can test your charge, from standard lights to hidden features in the Mi Home app, how to tell the difference between the charge level of the case and the charge of the headphones themselves, what flashing lights of different colors mean, and why the indication sometimes doesn't work properly, and how to avoid errors that shorten battery life.
If your headphones suddenly stopped holding a charge or the case does not show the level of charge - at the end of the article there is a FAQ-section with solutions to the most common problems.
1. Standard charge indicators: decoding colors and blinks
Most Xiaomi models use LED indicators to display charge status. However, their logic may differ depending on the series. Below is the universal table for popular models (relevant to AirDots 2/3/Pro, Buds 3/4, FlipBuds Pro).
| Color of indicator | Blinking mode | Case value | Importance for headphones |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | It's burning all the time. | Case charge 80-100% | Headphone Charge 60-100% |
| Orange | It's burning all the time. | Case charge 30-79% | Headphone charge 20-59% |
| Red. | It's burning all the time. | Case charge <30% (recharge required) | Headphone Charge <20% (will soon be discharged) |
| Red. | Blinks 1 time in 3 seconds | Case discharged (0-5%) | Headphones are almost discharged (<5%) |
| White + red | Alternate flashing | Charging error (check cable/port) | Headphones don't make contact with the case |
⚠️ Note: In models Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and newer white indicator can mean full charge case (100%), and orange — 50-99.
To check the charge of headphones through the case:
- Open the case cover - the indicator will light up for 3-5 seconds.
- If the headphones are inside, their charge will be displayed first (color), then the charge of the case (blinking).
- For models with a button (such as AirDots 2), press it once to force the display to be turned on.
2.Audible cues: What voice cues mean
Many users are unaware that Xiaomi headphones can voice the charge level when connected to a device, a feature that works by default in models that support Mi AI Assistant (e.g. Buds 4, FlipBuds Pro).
- 🔊 "The headphone battery is charged - level >80%.
- 🔊 "Charge medium" - 30-79%.
- 🔊 "Low charge, connect the charger" — <30%.
- 🔊 "Battery's almost dead" — <10% (The headphones will shut down through 5–10 minute).
If the voice prompts don't work:
- Make sure the headphones are connected to a Xiaomi smartphone (on other brands, the feature may be disabled).
- Check the settings in the Mi Home app: go to Devices → Headphones → Voice prompt settings.
- Update the headphone firmware (instructions in section 5).
💡 Useful Lifehack: If the headphones are connected to the iPhone, the charge level will appear in the Battery widget (scroll right on the home screen).For Android, use the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app.
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To quickly check the charge of headphones without a safe, just touch the touch panel on one of the headphones twice - you will hear a voice message (works on Buds 3/4 and later).
3. Charge check via the Mi Home app (step-by-step instruction)
The Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home for newer versions) allows you to see the exact percentage of charge and case and headphone separately, which is the most reliable way if the indicators on the case break or flash incorrectly.
Instructions for Android and iOS:
- Download Mi Home (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!).
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and open the case cover.
- In the app, click Add Device (+) → Headphones → Select a model.
- After connecting, go to the device card and see the Battery Status section.
📊 What is displayed in Mi Home:
- 📱 Left/right headphone – the percentage of charge each.
- 🔋 Case - current battery charge.
- ⚡ Charging status: “Charging” or “Not Charging".
⚠️ Note: If the app shows No data or percentages are not updated:
- Reconnect the headphones (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again).
- Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.
- Check if the power saving mode on the phone is turned on (it can block background synchronization).
☑️ Checklist for connecting to Mi Home
4. Hidden functions: how to see the charge on the screen of the smartphone
If you have a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone based on MIUI, the charge level of the headphones can be displayed directly in the notification panel or in the Bluetooth widget.
Method 1. Bluetooth Widget (MIUI 12 and later):
- Long press on the empty space of the main screen → Widgets.
- Find a Bluetooth widget (Icon) 🔵).
- Drag it to the screen and choose a size of 4×1 or 4×2.
- Connect the headphones - in the widget will appear a percentage of charge.
Method 2: Notification Panel (MIUI 13+):
- Put the headphones on the phone.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the notification Connected: [name of headphones].
- Click on it - a window will open with the charge level of the case and headphones.
🔹 For other Android smartphones: Install the Battery Monitor or Bluetooth Battery app. These show the headphone charge in real time.
How to turn on the display charge on the iPhone?
5. Computer-assisted verification (Windows/macOS)
If you don't have a smartphone, you can check the charge level through a PC, and you'll need a Bluetooth adapter and standard system tools.
For Windows 10/11:
- Connect your headphones to your computer (turn on device search in Settings → Devices → Bluetooth).
- Open the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
- Go to the Productivity tab. → Bluetooth.
- Find your headphones in the list – next to it will be the percentage of charge (if the driver supports this feature).
For macOS:
- Connect the headphones through System settings → Bluetooth.
- Click on the headphones with the right button → Show information.
- The window will display the charge level.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as AirDots 2) may display PC charges incorrectly due to outdated Bluetooth drivers.
Typical problems and their solutions
If the lights don't burn, the charge doesn't show up in the app, or the headphones discharge quickly, there may be different reasons. Here are the most common malfunctions and how to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The indicator does not burn when opening the case | Case battery discharged | Connect the case to the charge for 10-15 minutes, then check |
| Headphones don't charge in the case | Oxidation of contacts or pollution | Clean the contacts with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol |
| The Mi Home displays 0% at full charge | Synchronization failure | Remove the device from the application and connect again |
| Fast discharge of headphones | Battery wear or background processes | Reset the headphones to factory settings (see instructions below) |
How to reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings:
- Put the headphones in the case.
- Press and hold the button on the case (or touchpad on the headphones) for 10-15 seconds.
- The indicator will flash red and white – release the button.
- The headphones will reset and they can be reconnected.
🔧 If nothing works: Check the headphones on another device. If the problem persists, the battery or charging controller may be faulty. In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center (addresses can be found on the website). mi.com/ru/service).
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If the headphones are discharged in 1-2 hours instead of the declared 5-6, most likely the battery is worn out. TWS-Headphones – 2-3 years with intensive use.