How to turn on Xiaomi wireless headphones: instructions for all models

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones have become an integral part of everyday life thanks to a combination of affordable price, high-quality sound and usability. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty turning on or re-activating after a long period of downtime. This article will help you figure out how to properly turn on headphones of different series – from the budget Redmi Buds to the flagship Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro.

We'll look at the basics in detail, but also the nuances that the manufacturer often misses in official instructions, such as why headphones may not respond to the click of the on button, how to distinguish pairing from normal on, and what to do if one of the headphones does not connect.

This article will be useful for both beginners who have just unpacked a new pair of headphones and experienced users who are faced with unusual situations. All instructions are illustrated with real examples and accompanied by practical tips for eliminating typical problems.

Basic ways to enable Xiaomi wireless headphones

Most Xiaomi models use a unified activation scheme, but there are important differences depending on the type of control (button or touch) and the generation of the device.

For headphones with a physical button (e.g. Redmi AirDots or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic):

1. Get both earphones out of the charger case.
2. Press and hold the power button on each earphone for 3-5 seconds until the indicator flashes (usually white or blue).
3. After blinking, release the button - the headphones will automatically go into the search mode for devices to pair.

For touch-controlled models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro or FlipBuds Pro):

• 🔄 Touch and hold the touch panel on 2-3 seconds (before the audible signal or indicator flashing).
• 🎧 Automatic activation when extracted from the case (Auto On function is available in the latest firmware).
• 🔋 Charge level check: a brief touch of the sensor on some models voices battery percentage.

It's important to understand that on and on are different states, and in the first case, the headphones are just activated to work with a device that's already paired, in the second case, they're preparing to connect to a new gadget, and we'll talk about how to distinguish these modes in the next section.

How to distinguish inclusion from conjugation mode

Many users confuse these two states, which leads to connectivity issues, so let's get a sense of the visual and audio features of each mode.

On touch-controlled models, switching to pairing mode often requires triple touching or holding the sensor for 8-10 seconds. For example, in Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, you need to:

1. Make sure the headphones are turned off (put in the case for 5 seconds).
2. Get both earphones out and hold the sensors on both at the same time.
3. Wait for the voice message "Pairing mode" or flashing red / blue.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones have been paired with another device before, they can automatically connect to it instead of entering pairing mode.In this case, first remove them from the list of Bluetooth devices on the old gadget.

Step-by-step instructions for popular models

Each Xiaomi headphone series has its own activation features, and we have compiled proven circuits for the most common models, which cover 95% of the brand’s range.

Redmi AirDots (1st and 2nd generation)

Classic model with physical button:

Get both earphones out of the case.

Press and hold the button on each headphone for 5 seconds

Wait for double flashing with white indicator

Connect via Bluetooth on your phone

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Feature: If the headphones have not been used for more than 30 days, a reset (10-second button holding until flashing red) may be required.

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 / 2 Basic

Models with improved sound and button control:

• 🔄 Automatic activation when extracted from the case (if the function is activated in the settings).
• 🎵 Manual switching: hold the button for 3 seconds to a single beep.
• 🔋 Charge indicator: a brief press of a button announces the battery level.

Xiaomi Buds 3/3 Pro and FlipBuds Pro

Flagship models with sensor control and active noise cancellation:

Incorporation algorithm:


1. Get the headphones out of the case (automatically switched on)




2.For forced activation: touch and hold the sensor 2 seconds




Coupling mode: triple touch of the sensor on both headphones

⚠️ Note: FlipBuds Pro requires you to confirm the pairing by pressing the sensor on both headphones at the same time (voice "Connected" sounds").

💡

If the headphones don't respond to touch, check the cleanliness of the touch panels - fat or moisture can block the operation. Wipe the surface with a dry microfiber wipe.

What to do if the headphones are not turned on

Situations where the headphones don't respond to buttons or touches are common, and the reasons can be software (firmware failure) or hardware (battery discharge or contact damage), and let's take a look at the diagnostic and problem-solving algorithm.

1.Battery charge check

The most common reason is a discharged headphone or case.

• 🔋 Place the headphones in the case and connect it to the charging on 10-15 minute.
• 🔄 On models with an indicator on the case: if the light bulb does not burn when connecting the cable - the problem is in the case or cable.
• 📱 Use the Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear app to check your charge level (suitable for most models).

2. Forced resetting of settings

If the headphones are charged but not responsive, do a hard reset:

3. Checking contacts and physical damage

Hardware problems are often associated with:

• 💧 Moisture intake (earphones may not be turned on until completely drying - required) 24-48 dry-place).
• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts in the case (clean with an alcohol napkin).
• 🔊 Damage to the membrane (if there was a crunch or crack in the dynamics before the failure).

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones flash red after reset and don't connect, it may indicate damage to the Bluetooth module.

Setting up automatic switching on

Auto On/Off allows the headphones to turn on when removed from the case and off when placed back, an option not available on all models, but makes it much easier to use. Let's look at how to activate and configure it.

Models with Auto On support

The function works on the following devices:

• 🎧 Xiaomi Buds 3 / 3 Pro (starting with firmware) V1.4.0.6).
• 🎧 FlipBuds Pro (only enabled by default).
• 🎧 Redmi Buds 4 Pro (requires an update via Xiaomi Wear).

How to turn on/off the function

There are two ways of managing:

1. Through the mobile app: Open Xiaomi Wear or Mi Home. Select your headphones from the device list. Go to Settings → Auto Turn on. Activate the Auto On switch.
2. Through gestures (for some models): Triple touch sensor → voice menu → “Auto On”

Frequent problems with Auto On

If the function is not stable:

• 🔄 Restart the headphones (reset) + reconjugation).
• 📱 Update the firmware through the official application.
• 🔋 Check that the case is charged at least 30% - at low charge, auto-onset can be blocked.

On FlipBuds Pro models, Auto Off sometimes conflicts with fast charging. If the headphones turn off immediately after being removed, turn off the Quick Charging option in the case settings.

Updating the firmware for correct operation

The manufacturer regularly releases firmware updates that fix on-board errors, improve connection stability and add new features. Let’s consider how to check and update the software on Xiaomi headphones.

How to find out the current version of the firmware

The methods depend on the model:

• 📱 Through the Xiaomi Wear app: Connect your headphones to your phone. Open the app and select your device. Go to Settings → About the programme.
• 🎧 Through voice menu (for models with support): Triple touch sensor → "Version info"