Why you can’t switch music to AirDots 2 and what to do about it
You listen to a playlist in Xiaomi AirDots 2, and suddenly you stumble upon a bad track, and then you panic: how do you miss it? There are only two buttons, and the instructions (if they still have one) don't really say anything. Things get complicated if you switch from wired headphones, where the controls were intuitive, and in fact, the problem is not the device, but the lack of knowledge of hidden combinations and features of working with different firmware.
The fact is that AirDots 2 (unlike newer models like AirDots 3 Pro) doesn’t have touch controls — just physical buttons, which means that all actions are done through pressing a certain duration and sequence. In addition, the logic of the work can differ depending on whether the headphones are connected to Android or iPhone, and also on the version of the firmware of the headphones themselves. For example, in older revisions, double-pressing could include a voice assistant, rather than switching the track.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to switch tracks to Xiaomi AirDots 2 in 2026, including rare combinations that are not described even in the official documentation, and you will learn why sometimes the management fails and how to fix it without resetting.
Official way: control through buttons on headphones
The most obvious method is to use physical buttons on the headphone case, but there are some nuances.
- 🎵 Single press of any button -- Pause/Play. It works all the time, regardless of the firmware.
- ⏭️ Double tap on the right earphone – Next track (in most firmware).
- ⏮️ Double tap on the left earphone – Previous track or Repeat current (depending on the smartphone model).
- 🔇 Triple tap – Calling the voice assistant (Google) Assistant/Siri), But in some firmware, it can work like a rewind.
Important: If the double press does not work, check:
- Are the headphones connected to the smartphone in A2DP mode (for music transfer), and not just as a headset (HFP).
- Is the Game mode activated in Bluetooth settings – it can block media commands?
- Does the management conflict with apps like Spotify or YouTube Music, which sometimes intercept buttons?
Connect the headphones to the smartphone|Open the music player.|Make sure the sound is coming through AirDots 2.|Try double tapping on the right earpiece-->
Secret combinations: how to rewind a track or turn on a replay
Few people know, but Xiaomi AirDots 2 supports hidden control gestures that are not described in the standard instructions. These combinations do not work on all firmware, but it is worth trying:
| Action. | Combination | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fast forward 10 seconds | Hold the right button 1.5 seconds | He works at MIUI Music and Apple Music. |
| Fast-back 10 seconds. | Hold the left button 1.5 seconds | Can be in conflict with a voice assistant call |
| Repeat current track | Triple tap on the left earphone | Only in firmware after 2021 |
| Switch the noise-gathering mode | Hold both buttons 3 seconds | It only works on some modifications. |
⚠️ Warning: If the headphone is turned off after holding the button, you accidentally activate the reset mode. To get it back to work, put the headphones in the case for 10 seconds, then pull out and wait for the automatic reconnection.
Track switching|Volume control|Calling the voice assistant|Noisemaker|Other-->
Switching tracks through a smartphone: alternative methods
If the buttons on the headphones refuse to work (or you are uncomfortable using them), you can control the playback directly from your smartphone.
- 📱 Notification Panel: on Android, swipe down and use the media player in quick settings. On iPhone, swipe left at Control Point.
- 🎶 Player widget: Add the Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube Music widget to the home screen.
- 🤖 Voice commands: say "OK, Google, next track" or "Hey Siri, skip the song." Works even if the headphones don't support double tapping.
- 🔄 Automatic Switching: In some players (e.g. Poweramp) you can set a timer to automatically skip tracks shorter than 30 seconds.
💡 Useful tip: If you use Spotify, enable the option “Device Management” in the application settings (Settings) → Reproduction → This will allow you to switch tracks even when the screen is locked.
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On your iPhone, add the Music app to the Control Point (Settings → Control Point → Configure Items) so you can control playback in a single swipe without unlocking your phone.
Problems and Solutions: Why Track Switching Doesn't Work
If none of these methods work, the reason may be the following:
⚠️ Attention: Headphones Xiaomi AirDots 2 with firmware V12.1.4.0 And below, there's a bug that makes double-pressing feel like a single one, and the solution is to update the firmware through the Mi Home app (instruction below).
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Double-pressing doesn't work. | Conflict with the player application | Close the background applications or change the player to the standard |
| Headphones are curled and off. | Accidental button retention (>5 seconds) | Put it in the case for 15 seconds, then plug it back in. |
| The switch only works in one direction. | Unsymmetrical headphone firmware | Reset the settings (see section below) |
| The buttons work once in a while. | Low battery charge (<15%) | Charge your headphones up to 50% and try again |
A special case is connecting to a PC or Mac. On Windows 10/11, the default media control buttons may not work.
- Open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
- Find AirDots 2 in the list and click Device Settings.
- Enable the option "Music and Call Management".
Firmware Update: How to Unlock All Control Functions
If your AirDots 2 is released before 2021, chances are they have outdated firmware, where some of the management functions are simply missing, and you can update it through the official Mi Home app (Android only):
- Install Mi Home from Google Play.
- Connect the headphones to the phone and open the application.
- Click Profile → Settings → Update the firmware.
- If the headphones don’t show, click Add Device → Audio → Xiaomi AirDots 2.
⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the upgrade process! If the headphone battery runs out during firmware, they may stop turning on. Charge the case to 100% before starting.
What if Mi Home doesn’t see the headphones?
After the update, check the firmware version:
- Open Mi Home.
- Go to the Devices. → AirDots 2 → Settings (⚙️) → About the device.
- The current version for 2026 is V14.2.6.8 or higher.
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Updating the firmware not only adds new controls, but also improves sound quality and connection stability. After the update, be sure to reset settings (see next section).
Resetting settings: a last resort if nothing helps
If the track switching still doesn't work, the last chance is a full reset, which will bring the headphones back to factory settings and often solves control problems.
- Put both headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Pull them out and hold both buttons for 10 seconds until the indicators start flashing red and white.
- Close the case cover for 5 seconds, then open it.
- Connect the headphones to the phone again (they will appear in the list of available devices as new).
After discharge:
- 🔄 Reconnect the headphones to your smartphone.
- 🎵 Check the operation of the buttons in the player.
- 📲 If necessary, update the firmware again.
⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all pairing history. If you used AirDots 2 with multiple devices (laptop, tablet), they will have to be reconnected.
Comparison with other models: what is best for music management
If you’re disappointed with AirDots 2, you might want to consider newer models from Xiaomi, and the chart below shows you how to switch tracks:
| Model | Track switching | Additional functions | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirDots 2 | Double press (limited) | Basic noise maker, monomode | ~1 500 ₽ |
| AirDots 3 Pro | Sensor swipes | Active noise maker, LDAC, game mode | ~4 000 ₽ |
| Buds 4 Pro | Touch control + voice | Adaptive ANC, Hi-Res Audio, wireless charging | ~6 500 ₽ |
| Air 2 Pro | Customized gestures | Semi-open design, 25 hours of autonomy | ~3 200 ₽ |
If you want to manage music comfortably, look for models with touch panels (AirDots 3 Pro, Buds 4 Pro).
- 👆 Switch tracks swipe up/down.
- 🎧 Adjust the volume with a double touch.
- 🔇 Activate noise by holding your finger.
However, AirDots 2 is still the best budget option, especially if you’re willing to put up with limited management, and the key is to set them up properly, as described in this article.