Modern fully wireless headsets, such as the Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, are complex microcomputers that require up-to-date software to run smoothly. Users often face the need to upgrade their firmware not for new features, but to eliminate critical pairing errors or unstable connections, a process that, contrary to popular myths, does not require a computer connection through complex engineering cables.
Most of the time, the word "flashing" is used to refer to a regular microcode update via an official app, but there are situations where a device requires a complete reset or forced initialization, which is technically closer to restoring firmware. It's important to understand the difference between simply updating and restoring, because the methods here are radically different.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for both cases, paying special attention to the nuances of working with an intermediary application. You will learn how to diagnose the need for intervention in the software part of the headphones and which tools are really safe to use.
Diagnostics of the need to update the firmware
Before any software manipulation can be done, the current state of the device must be clearly defined. Often users try to “cure” software problems, which does not work. Symptoms of outdated or damaged firmware may be implicit, but they significantly affect the comfort of operation.
The main indicator of problems is the behavior of the indicators on the headphones themselves and in the case. If the LEDs flash chaotically, do not light up when extracted or burn dimly, this may indicate a software failure of the power controller.
⚠️ Warning: If the headphones make extraneous noises, crackles, or static hums even after full discharge and charging, the problem may be hardware.
Another important sign is that you can't pair with new devices when you're successful with old ones, which often indicates a conflict of protocol versions that is resolved by installing the current microcode, and checking the software version is the first step that every owner must take before starting any action.
- 🔍 Headphones are not visible in the list of available Bluetooth devices, although the charge in the case is.
- 🔊 The sound is interrupted or becomes monophonic when the head moves.
- 🔋 Charge indicator on the smartphone displays incorrect data or jumps.
- 📱 Touch control reacts with a delay or executes the wrong commands.
If you see at least two of these symptoms, the probability of needing a firmware update is more than 80%, but it is worth considering that similar problems can cause tips from Wi-Fi routers or other signal sources in the 2.4 GHz range.
Tools and software development
The right software is a key element in the upgrade process. Xiaomi and Redmi (formerly Mi-branded headphones) use different app ecosystems, and they should not be confused. Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (often labeled LFW) uses the Mi Buds M8 app as the main tool.
Download installation files should be exclusively from the official stores Google Play or Apple App Store. APK-Files from third-party resources carry the risk of malicious code or malfunctioning of the update function. Make sure that your smartphone has the current version of the operating system installed.
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Use a stable Wi-Fi internet connection when downloading updates, as firmware files can weigh several tens of megabytes and interrupting the download will lead to an installation error.
Also critical is the battery charge of both the smartphone and the headphones themselves: the process of writing data into the flash memory of the device is energy intensive, and a sudden power outage can lead to a “bricking” of the controller. Charge the case with the headphones to 100% before the procedure.
| Component | Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone (Android) | Android 6.0+ | Android 10+ |
| Smartphone (iOS) | iOS 12+ | iOS 14+ |
| Case charge | At least 50% | 100% |
| Internet | Stable. | Wi-Fi 5 GHz |
Remember to clear the Mi Buds M8 app cache before you start, if it's already installed, and avoid conflicts between old temporary files and new configuration data. Bluetooth also recommends removing previously saved headphone profiles.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Buds M8 application
The process begins with the installation of specialized software. Mi Buds M8 application is designed specifically for the line of headphones previously worn by the Mi brand, unlike Redmi Buds, which often require Xiaomi Earbuds. Once installed, you must provide the application with all the requested permissions, especially access to geolocation and Bluetooth.
On Android devices without geolocation permission, the app won't be able to scan the airwaves to search for devices even if Bluetooth is enabled, a system limitation of Google's operating system that can't be circumvented. Once it's first launched, the app will prompt you to log into your Mi Account, which is a requirement for synchronizing settings.
The interface is quite minimal. The main screen displays the connection status and charge level of the left, right earbud and case. This is where the settings menu (usually the gear icon or three dots in the corner) hides the update section. Don't ignore the pop-up notifications of the new version if they appear immediately after you connect.
If the headphones don’t automatically detect, try putting them in a case, closing the lid for 10 seconds, and then reopening and bringing them to the phone.In some cases, you may need to manually press the pairing button on the case (if you have one), or touch the touch area of the headphones twice, while in the immediate vicinity of the smartphone.
Updating firmware through the application
When the connection is installed and the app sees the headphones, we move to the main step: find the menu item "Check Updates" or "Firmware Update." If the new version is available, the system will prompt you to download and install it, at which point it is strictly forbidden to interrupt the process or take the phone to sleep.
When you write a new firmware, the headphones can turn off several times and reconnect, which is normal behavior, indicating that modules are rebooted. The app screen will display the percentage of execution. Usually the entire process takes from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the amount of change and the speed of the connection.
⚠️ Warning: Do not open the case cover or remove the headphones during the upgrade.This will break the connection and may damage the device bootloader.
After successful installation, you will see the message “Update complete” Headphones automatically restart, it is recommended to perform a full reset after that (more on this below) so that the old configuration files do not conflict with the new version of the software.
In rare cases, the process can freeze by 99%. If it does, don't panic. Wait about 10 minutes. If progress hasn't moved, try closing the application completely (unload it from memory) and running it again. Often the status is updated and the process ends correctly.
Resetting settings and hard-reset headphones
If the update didn’t work or the headphones weren’t behaving properly, a full Hard Reset is required, which returns the device to factory settings, removing all pairs and user configurations. For Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, the procedure is performed mechanically through touch zones.
Put both earbuds in the charge case and leave the lid open. Find the touch areas on both earbuds. You need to press and hold them simultaneously for 20-30 seconds. The headphones should start flashing red, signaling the start of the reset process.
☑️ Checklist of discharge
Once the lights flash red, release the sensors and close the case cover. Wait 10-15 seconds, then open again. The headphones should go into pairing mode (fast flashing with a white indicator), and then they need to reconnect to the smartphone through Bluetooth settings, removing the old device from the list.
There is also software reset via the app, which is less radical but often effective at minor glitches.In the device menu, find the option "Reset" or "Reset."This action does not affect the firmware itself, but clears the cache and resets the equalizer.
Removing common connection errors
Even after a successful flashing, it can be difficult, and one of the common problems is desynchronizing the left and right earphones, where the sound comes from only one channel, and there is a special TWS pairing procedure to solve this problem.
Remove the device from the Bluetooth list on your phone. Reset as described in the previous section (hold 30 seconds until red flashing). After that, without opening the lid, wait a minute. Then open the case - the headphones must first connect to each other (one of the indicators will go out or flash slowly), and only then look for the phone.
What to do if one earphone is not charged?
Mi Buds M8 and Android/iOS issues are often solved by checking the permissions in the Mi Buds M8 app itself and in the Android/iOS system. Make sure that microphone access is allowed for all applications you use for calls. Sometimes antiviruses can block the headset after a software update.
If nothing helps, maybe the problem is that the Bluetooth version of your smartphone module and your headphones are compatible. Try connecting the headset to another device. If it works perfectly, then the problem is with your main phone's Bluetooth drivers, not the headphones.