How to Turn on Xiaomi Headphones: A Complete Guide to All Models (2026)

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular smartphone accessories, thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users sometimes have difficulties: the headphones do not turn on, do not connect to the phone or behave unstable. If you encounter this problem, do not rush to carry the gadget to the service center, 90% of the time the solution lies on the surface.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to turn on Xiaomi headphones, from classic AirDots to modern Buds 4 Pro, and also look at the typical errors that interfere with the correct operation of the device. You will learn how to properly synchronize the headphones with the phone, what to do if they do not respond to buttons, and how to reset the settings to factory.

Basic way of inclusion: button and indicator

Most Xiaomi headphones are turned on the same way, either with a physical button or a touchpad. Consider a universal algorithm:

1. Get the headphones out of the case. Most of the time, they automatically turn on when you remove them, but if you don't, move on to the next step.
2. Find the power button. AirDots and Redmi Buds have a mechanical button on the body. 3/4 Pro – Touch Zone (usually marked with a dot or logo).
3. Hold the button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes white/red (depending on the model) and this is a signal to go into device search mode.

If the indicator does not light up:

• 🔋 Check the charge of headphones (more in the section about the battery).
• 🔄 Try rebooting the headphones by holding the 10-15 second button until double blinking.
• 📱 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled (in settings or through the notification panel).

⚠️ Note: Headphones Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 and later may not turn on if the case is discharged below 10%. Connect the case to charging for 5-10 minutes before trying to turn on.

2. How to connect headphones to the phone (Android/iOS)

Turn on the headphones is half the battle, and now you need to sync them to your smartphone, and it's a little different for Android and iOS devices.

For Android (including Xiaomi smartphones)

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Activate Bluetooth if it is turned off.
3. In the list of available devices, find the name of your headphones (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones or Redmi Buds 3 Lite).
4. Click on the name and confirm the connection.

For iPhone (iOS)

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Make sure the headphones are in search mode (flashing indicator).
3. Wait for the device to appear in the list and tap it.
4. When you request, click Connect.

If the headphones are not listed:

• 🔄 Reboot the headphones (hold the button for 10 seconds before turning off).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🚫 Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices (if they were there before) and reconnect.
• 🔧 Update the firmware of the headphones through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app (relevant for models with support) OTA-update).

Make sure the headphones are charged|Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Remove an old pair from the device list|Reset the headphones if necessary-->

3. Features of inclusion for popular models

Despite the general principles, some Xiaomi models have unique inclusion nuances.

For touch-controlled models (such as the Buds 3 Pro), it is important to distinguish the inclusion from other commands:

• 🎵 1 touch - playback/pause.
• 🔊 2 touches – the next track (on the right earphone) or the previous one (on the left).
• 🔇 Holding 1 second – Calling the voice assistant.
• 🔄 Holding 3 seconds - on / off.

⚠️ Attention: Headphones Xiaomi AirDots SE If one earphone is not switched on, check sync with the main one through the case.

Problems with inclusion: causes and solutions

If Xiaomi headphones are not turned on despite all the manipulations, the reasons can be both software and hardware.

Headphones do not respond to the button

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Battery discharged - connect the case to charging for 15-20 minutes.
• 💧 Moisture intake – if your headphones get wet, dry them in rice or silica gel for 24 hours.
• 🔧 The button jammed - gently clean the button with alcohol and cotton swab.
• 📱 Firmware failure – a reset is required (instructions in the next section).

The indicator is on, but the connection is not happening.

Frequent problem for Bluetooth 5.0 models+. Decisions:

• 🔄 Reboot your headphones and phone.
• 📱 On Android: Clear the Bluetooth cache in Settings → Annexes → Show system-based → Bluetooth.
• 🍎 On iOS: Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and connect again.
• 🔧 Update the firmware headphones through the official application.

One earpiece is off.

A typical situation for TWS-The right handhelds (True Wireless:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds.
2. Take them out and check the synchronization (should flash synchronously).
3. If it doesn’t work, reset your settings (see section 5).

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If Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro headphones don’t connect to your computer, try using a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter.+. Older USB-dongle (e.g. 4.0) may not support the required codecs.

5. Resetting settings to factory

If no manipulation works, the last chance to bring the headphones back to life is hard reset, which removes all the saved settings, including the list of conjugated devices, and is universal for most models:

1. Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Hold the button on the case (or on the headphones themselves if the button is there) for 15-20 seconds.
3. The indicator should first go out, and then flash red and white alternately.
4. Release the button, reset complete.

For touch-controlled models (such as Buds 3 Pro):

1. Touch and hold the touchpad on both headphones at the same time.
2. Wait for the double blinking red (about 10 seconds).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Headphones will automatically go into search mode.
• 📱 Connect them to your phone as a new device.
• 🔊 You may need to re-set your gestures (in the Xiaomi Wear app).

⚠️ Warning: Resetting settings on Xiaomi AirDots Youth Edition headphones may result in loss of game mode support (low latency!

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Resetting is a last resort, and before that, be sure to check the charge of the case and headphones, and also try to connect to another device (for example, a tablet).

6. Checking the charge and correct charging

One of the main reasons why Xiaomi earphones don't turn on is the battery is dead, and the lights on the case and headphones can be deceptive, and we'll figure out how to diagnose and charge the device properly.

How to check the level of charge

The methods depend on the model:

• 📱 Through the Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home app (displays the percentage of charge of each headphone and case).
• 🔋 The indicator on the case: Green is above 50%, orange is 10-50%, red is below 10%, flashing red is discharged (urgent charging is required).
• 🎧 Through voice assistant (on some models, for example, Buds 4 Pro, when you connect, the charge level is voiced).

Proper charging

To extend the life of the battery, follow these recommendations:

• 🔌 Use the original cable and power adapter (or Quick Charge 3.0 support)+).
• 🕒 Do not leave your headphones on charge for more than 2-3 hours after full charge.
• 🌡️ Avoid charging at temperatures below 0°C or higher than 35°C.
• 🔄 Once a month, discharge your headphones to 0% and charge to 100% to calibrate your battery.

If the case is not charged:

• 🧹 Clean the contacts of the case and headphones with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
• 🔌 Try another cable or socket.
• 🔧 Check if the battery is swelling (if so, contact the service).

7. Firmware Update: Why It Matters

Many users do not realize that Xiaomi headphones have their own firmware that can be updated.

• 🎵 Sound quality (codec support) AAC, aptX, LDAC).
• 🔗 Connection stability (fixing bugs with communication breaks).
• ⚡ Energy saving functions (extension of operating time).
• 🎮 Low Delay Mode for Games.

How to update firmware:

1. Install the Xiaomi Wear app (for Android) or Mi Home (for iOS).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find your headphones in the list of devices.
4. Go to the About Device section → Firmware update.
5. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the headphones!).

Warnings:

• 🔋 Make sure the headphone charge is above 30%.
• 📶 Connect your phone to stable Wi-Fi (update weighs up to 10MB).
• ⏳ Don't interrupt the process! It could cause the headphones to break.

8. Alternative ways of inclusion (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can try non-obvious techniques that sometimes help to “resuscitate” headphones.

The “forced awakening” method

Suitable for models that don't respond to a button, but the indicator is faint.

1. Put the headphones in the case and connect the case to the charger.
2. Wait until the indicator on the case lights up red (start charging).
3. After 1-2 minutes, remove the headphones from the case, without disconnecting it from the power supply.
4. Hold the power button for 10 seconds.

Connection via Engineering Menu (Android only)

If the headphones are defined by the phone but not connected, you can try resetting them via the hidden Bluetooth menu:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##2886##
2. Choose the Manual Test → Bluetooth Test.
3. Find your headphones in the list and click Unpair.
4. Reboot the phone and reconnect.

⚠️ Attention: Using an engineering menu can cause your phone to malfunction!

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If Xiaomi headphones stopped turning on after falling or getting moisture, do not try to repair them yourself.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the inclusion of Xiaomi headphones