How to Update Xiaomi Wireless Headphones: The Complete Guide

Modern wireless headphones from the Chinese giant are complex gadgets, the work of which depends not only on hardware, but also on software. Often users face situations when the device is unstable, quickly discharges or loses connection to the smartphone, without even knowing that the problem is solved by simply installing a new version of the software.

The manufacturer regularly releases patches that improve noise reduction, optimize power consumption and fix bugs of previous versions. Ignoring these updates can cause your Mi True Wireless Earbuds or Redmi Buds to stop interacting correctly with new versions of Android and iOS operating systems. In this article, we will discuss all known ways to update the software, analyze typical errors and give recommendations for safe conduct of the procedure.

The upgrade process has become much easier in recent years, but still requires care. You don't have to be an engineer or code verse to do these things. The key is to have a charged smartphone and a stable internet connection on hand. It's important to know that in most cases the update is only available through the official Mi Wear app (formerly Mi Buds), not through the standard Bluetooth menu of the phone's settings. Let's get into preparation to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Preparation of the device and smartphone for the procedure

Before you start any software manipulation, you need to make sure that all the components of the system are ready to work. First of all, check the battery charge in the headphones themselves. The process of writing new data to the controller memory requires stable power, and if the battery sits down at a critical moment, the device can turn into a "brick." Put the headphones in the charging case and make sure that the indicators are on, signaling the charging process.

The second important aspect is the state of your smartphone. Make sure that the phone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocation (GPS). Many users ignore the requirement for GPS enabled, but in Android systems this is a prerequisite for many Bluetooth Low Energy features through which firmware files are transferred. Also check that the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, since the update file can weigh from 10 to 50 MB, and mobile traffic is not always appropriate here.

Remember to clear the cache of the Mi Wear app if you've been using it for a long time. Accumulated temporary files can sometimes conflict with the uploader of new data.

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Before starting the procedure, close all background apps on your smartphone to free up RAM and avoid interrupting the update process.

This is especially true for owners of devices with a small amount of RAM. If you have an older version of the app installed, be sure to upgrade it through Google Play or the App Store to the latest available version.

• 🔋 Charge the case and headphones to at least 60% before the procedure.
• 📡 Turn it on. GPS (geolocation) in the smartphone settings for the correct operation of Bluetooth.
• 📱 Install the latest version of the Mi Wear app from the official store.
• 📶 Connect your smartphone to a stable Wi-Fi network for fast file downloads.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Wear application

The centerpiece of Xiaomi’s wearables ecosystem is the Mi Wear app. It’s through this software gateway that the interaction between your phone and your headphones takes place. If you’ve previously used the Mi Buds app, know that it’s been cancelled and all features moved to Mi Wear. You can download the current version from Google Play for Android or the App Store for iOS. Type the name in the store’s search box and make sure that the developer is listed as Xiaomi Inc.

Once installed, launch the app and log in to your Mi Account. This is a requirement to synchronize settings and access update servers. If you don't have an account, it will take a couple of minutes to create it. When you first start, the app will request permissions to access notifications, contacts and location — agree to all the points, otherwise the functionality will be stripped and the update may not be determined.

Adding the device automatically happens if the headphones are in pairing mode and next to the phone. Open the case cover (the headphones must be inside) and press the pairing button if the connection is not established by itself. In the application interface, you will see a card of your headphones with an image and percentage of charge.

It is on this card that a notification about the availability of a new version of the software, if any, usually appears.

In the device settings inside the app, you can find detailed information about the current version of firmware. It looks like a set of numbers, like 2.0.5 or 3.1.12. Remember or write down these numbers to see if something has changed after the procedure. Sometimes an automatic notification doesn't pop up immediately, and you need to manually check through the settings menu of a particular headphone model in the app.

Automatic update via the application

The easiest and recommended way for the manufacturer is to automatically update. When you open the Mi Wear app and it detects the connected headphones, Xiaomi's server checks the firmware version of your device against the latest one in the database. If a new version is found, a pop-up window will appear on the screen suggesting that you upgrade, usually showing the new version of the software and a brief description of the changes, such as "Improved connection stability" or "Optimized ANC performance."

Press Update and wait until the file is downloaded. The speed depends on your Internet connection. Once downloaded, the installation process will begin, at which point the progress bar will appear on the smartphone screen.

It is important not to switch to other apps and not to block the phone screen, as in some versions of the OS this can interrupt data transfer.

During installation, the indicators on the case may flash in a certain way, other than charging or pairing. Don't be afraid if the headphones disconnect from the phone for a few seconds - this is normal, the modules are rebooted. The whole process takes from 2 to 5 minutes. Upon completion, you will hear an audible confirmation in the headphones (voice message "Updated" or melody), and in the application the status will change to "Actual version".

⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to open the charge case cover during the upgrade process. Removing the headphones will interrupt the data supply and may damage the software part of the device.

Manual search for updates and alternative methods

There are times when the automatic notification doesn’t come, even though you know that the new version already exists (for example, you’ve seen information on forums or from friends). In this case, you need to perform a manual search. Go to the Mi Wear app, select your headphones from the list of devices and go to the settings menu (usually this is the gear icon or three dots in the corner).

The system will force a request to the server. If there is an update, it will start downloading. If the system says "Version is current," but you are sure that it is, try untie the device (Unpair) in the application and then re-attach it. Sometimes this resets the sync cache and causes the server to "see" the device as new, offering the latest software.

For advanced users, there is a method of updating through an engineering menu or special ones. APK-files found on profile resources such as 4PDA or XDA.

However, we strongly recommend that you do not use this method for ordinary users, since the risk of disabling the device is extremely high, and the benefits are often questionable.

If you have an iPhone, the process is similar, but it’s worth considering that iOS has more strict control over background processes.Make sure the Mi Wear app has permission to work in the background and access to the local network, otherwise the process can be interrupted when you lock the screen.In some cases, a temporary shutdown of the VPN, which can block the connection to Xiaomi servers, helps.

Common mistakes and ways to solve them

The update process rarely goes perfectly smoothly for all users. One of the most common problems is getting stuck at a certain percentage (for example, 45% or 99%), most often due to an unstable Bluetooth signal. Get closer to the headphones, remove the phone from the case if it shields the signal, and move away from working microwave ovens or routers that create interference in the 2.4 GHz range.

Another common error is “Can’t check updates,” which is often when you have a problem with your Xiaomi server or when you use a regional version of the app that doesn’t match your account region. Try changing the region in the settings of the Mi Wear app itself (Profile –> Settings –> Region), and cleaning the app data in your Android/iOS settings also helps.

The table below shows the main errors and methods of their elimination:

If neither of these methods works, try resetting your headphones to factory settings, usually by pressing the touch zones on both earphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds (or using a button on your case if you have one) until the indicators flash red. After reset, pair them again and try to run the update.

What is useful update: new functions and corrections

Many users ignore the updates, considering them useless. TWS-Firmware is key to the headphones, and it is often with the update that new modes come in, such as improved transparent mode or more aggressive noise cancellation, which didn't physically work on the older version of the software due to software constraints.

In addition, developers are constantly working on energy saving algorithms, the update can increase battery life by 10-15%, optimizing the sleep and wake cycles of modules, and often fix bugs associated with latency when watching videos or games, which is critical for gamers.

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Regular firmware updates are the only way to access new features and audio enhancements that weren’t available at the time of purchase.

Security is also important. Although there is little personal data stored in headphones, vulnerabilities in Bluetooth protocols could theoretically allow attackers to connect to your device, and updates close those holes, ensuring the stability and security of the connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)