How to turn on and configure touch control on Xiaomi headphones: the full guide

Xiaomi touch headphones are not just an accessory for listening to music, but a smart device with advanced controls. However, many users face the problem: how to properly activate touch buttons if they do not respond to touch or work incorrectly? In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable touch control, from basic settings in the Mi Fit app to manually reset settings.

It’s important to understand that the activation algorithm may vary depending on the headphone model (AirDots Pro 2, Buds 4 Pro, FlipBuds Pro, etc.) and the firmware version. We’ve compiled universal solutions that will work for most devices, and also looked at specific cases when sensors fail to work after an upgrade or reset.

If you just purchased Xiaomi headphones or faced problems after prolonged use - this guide will help you return full functionality.

1. Check the compatibility of the headphone model

Before you start setting up, make sure your Xiaomi headphone model does support touch control.Some budget options (like the first-generation Redmi AirDots) are equipped with only mechanical buttons.

Here is a list of popular models with touch panels:

• 🎧 Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2/Pro 2S – full touch control with gesture support
• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro – adaptive sensors with sensitivity setting
• 🎧 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro – touch panels on the legs of headphones
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Active - Simplified control (tap/double tap)
• 🎧 Xiaomi Air 2 SE — Hybrid Control (Sensor + Mechanical Button)

If your model is not listed, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the instructions.Please note: even in supported models, touch functions can be disabled by default after purchase.

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 headphones (without the prefix "Pro") have touch panels, but do not support gesture settings through Mi Fit - their functionality is limited to factory settings.

2. Basic activation of touch buttons via Mi Fit

The main way to enable touch control is through the official Mi Fit app (or Xiaomi Wear for new models).

1. Install the Mi Fit app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth (if they are not already paired).
3. Open Mi Fit, go to Profile → Devices → [Your headphones].
4. Select Control Settings or Touch buttons (the name may vary).
5. Activate the slider Enable touch control (if any).
6. Set up actions for each gesture (tap, double tap, hold).

In newer versions of the app, the interface may be different. For example, for Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, the path will be: Mi Fit → Devices → Headphones → Control → Touch buttons.

If the app does not have a section with sensor settings, this could mean:

• 🔄 Headphones are not updated to the latest firmware (for more on this in the next section).
• 📱 The Mi Fit app is outdated (update it through the app store).
• 🔧 Touch functions disabled at the firmware level (reset required).

3. Update to the headphone firmware

A common cause of sensors that fail is outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix bugs and add new features.

1. Open Mi Fit and go to the headphone settings.
2. Find the Firmware Update or System Software section.
3. If an update is available, connect the headphones to the charging case and make sure that the charge level is not below 50%.
4. Click Update and wait until the process is complete (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

For some models (such as the FlipBuds Pro), the upgrade can take up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensors stop working after the firmware update, reset the headphones (press the button on the case for 15 seconds) and this will return the factory settings.

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Before updating the firmware, turn off the power saving mode on the smartphone - it can interrupt the data transfer process.

4. Resetting headphones to factory settings

If touch buttons don’t respond even after a firmware update, try a full reset.This method works for most Xiaomi models, but the algorithm may differ:

Method 1: Through a button on the case

1. Place the headphones in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15-20 seconds.
3. The indicator on the case will start flashing red and white - this is a signal for a reset.
4. After reset, pair the headphones with the phone again.

Method 2: Through Touch Bars (for some models)

For Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and FlipBuds Pro, the reset is done as follows:

1. Get the headphones out of the case.
2. Touch and hold the touchpads on both headphones simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. Wait for the beep and the lights to flash.

After resetting, all settings (including device binding) will be removed. Touch buttons should work in factory mode.

5. Gesture settings and hidden functions

Once the touch buttons are activated, you can customize them to your needs. The Mi Fit app offers the following options (depending on the model):

• 🎵 Single tap: Play/pause, answer the call, call the voice assistant.
• 🔀 Double tap: Track switching (forward/backward), transparency mode enabled.
• 🔇 Retention: Call deflection, switching between noise reduction modes.
• 🎧 Triple tap (hidden feature): Some models include low latency mode for games (e.g., Buds 4 Pro).

To tune the gestures:

1. Open Mi Fit and select your headphones.
2. Go to the Control Settings → Touch buttons.
3. Select an action for each gesture (left/right earphone is set up separately).
4. Save the changes and check the sensors.

On the headphones Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro available mode "Adaptive sensitivity" — it automatically adjusts the response of sensors under the force of pressing. Activated in the settings of the application.

6. Troubleshooting sensors

If touch buttons are unstable (e.g., they work over and over or react to false touches), try the following solutions:

Problem 1: Sensors do not respond to touch

• 🔋 Check the headphone charge (at levels below 10%, the sensors may be turned off).
• 🧹 Clean the touch panels of dirt and sweat (use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol).
• 🔄 Reset your headphones (described in Section 4).
• 📲 Update the firmware through Mi Fit.

Problem 2: False positives

• 🎛️ Reduce sensor sensitivity in the Mi Fit settings (if there is such a setting).
• 👂 Check the density of the headphones landing — if they are dangling in the ear, it can cause occasional tapping.
• 🔇 Turn off unnecessary gestures (e.g., triple tap if you are not using it).

Problem 3: Different settings on the left and right earphone

On some models (Buds 4 Pro), the left and right sides are set separately, if one earphone does not respond:

1. Open the Mi Fit and check the settings for each headphone.
2. Make sure that there are no restrictions in the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone to connect stereo devices.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi Air 2 SE headphones, the touchpad is located only on the right earphone. The left is controlled by a mechanical button - this is not a malfunction, but a feature of the model.

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If the sensors fail after all the manipulations, the problem may be hardware damage, in which case contact the authorized Xiaomi service center with a check for the purchase.

7. Alternative control methods (if sensors do not work)

If the touch panels completely failed, but the headphones correctly reproduce the sound, you can use alternative control methods:

• 📱 Voice Assistant: Activate Google Assistant or Siri via your smartphone to control playback.
• 🎛️ Screen Widgets: Add the player widget to the smartphone’s home screen for quick access to pause and track switching.
• 🔧 Third-party apps: Programs like SoundAssistant (for Android) allow you to assign headphone control to the hardware buttons of a smartphone.
• 🔄 Mechanical buttons: Some models (e.g. Air 2 SE) have a mechanical button on one of the headphones.

For iPhone owners, it’s helpful to know that in Bluetooth settings, you can double-press the headphone button to call Siri or control playback. Way: Settings → Bluetooth → [your headphones] → “i” → Double-press.

8. Frequent questions and answers