How to Switch Headphones Xiaomi Mi True Wireless: official and unofficial ways

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones (including Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, Mi AirDots and their modifications) require periodic firmware updates to fix bugs, improve sound and increase battery life. However, official documentation from Xiaomi often does not mention the nuances of the process, which causes users to face errors: from the “invisibility” of the headphones in the application to complete failure after a failed update.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of firmware - from the standard update via Mi. Home/Xiaomi Wear before manually reflashing through ADB We'll focus on restoring your headphones after they're bricked (when they stop turning on or being defined by the device). TWS-Headphones – Start with the Preparation section to avoid typical mistakes.

1. Which firmware to choose: official or custom?

Official updates from Xiaomi guarantee stability, but often lack additional features (for example, support for aptX or LDAC codecs). Custom firmware (such as Earbuds Toolbox or modified versions from enthusiasts) add:

• 🎵 Advanced equalizers and sound profiles
• 🔋 Optimization of energy consumption (before) +2 hours of autonomy)
• 🔄 Ability to turn off automatic shutdown when removed from the ear
• 📱 Support for gestures that are not in stock firmware

However, custom firmware has risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if headphones are warranty, it is better to use official methods).
• ⚠️ Possible bugs with iOS or older versions of Android.
• ⚠️ The risk of turning headphones into a “brick” if installed incorrectly.

For most users, the best option is official updates, especially if the headphones are used with devices on MIUI. Custom firmware should be considered only if there are specific problems (for example, bad sound or quick discharge) that are not solved by standard methods.

2. Preparation of headphones for firmware

Unprepared headphones may freeze during the upgrade or stop working altogether.

Charge your case and headphones to 100% (use the original cable)

Disconnect your headphones from all devices (forget them in Bluetooth settings)

Make sure that the Mi Home/Xiaomi Wear app is up to date

Download the firmware beforehand if you are planning a manual update

Connect headphones to your smartphone on Android 8.0+ (Only an official update is available for iOS)-->

Pay special attention to battery power, if the case runs out during firmware, the headphones may fail.

• 📱 Smartphone compatibility: firmware via Mi Home works only on Android (only automatic “over-the-air” update is available for iPhone»).
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection: if the update is interrupted due to a network break, the headphones may freeze.
• 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable: cheap cables may not provide stable power during firmware.

⚠️ Note: If the headphones have already been stitched with custom software, you can only return the official firmware through Fastboot mode (see section 5.

3. Official firmware via Mi Home / Xiaomi Wear

The safest way is to upgrade through a proprietary app, and the instructions are relevant for Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, Mi AirDots Pro, Redmi AirDots and their clones.

Steps:

1. Install the latest version of Mi Home (for older models) or Xiaomi Wear (for newer ones).
2. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the app, find the headphones in the list of devices and go to Settings → Firmware Update.
4. If the update is available, click Download and Install. Don't turn off your headphones or close the app until the process is complete (takes 5-10 minutes).

After a successful update, the headphones will automatically restart. If the application does not have an update button, then:

• 🔹 The latest version of the software has already been installed on the headphones.
• 🔹 The model does not support updates through the application (relevant for some). OEM-Mi True Wireless for the Indian market).
• 🔹 The app does not recognize headphones due to regional restrictions (the solution is to change the region in Mi Home to China).

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If the update hung during the "Preparation for installation" stage, remove the headphones from the case, wait for them to turn off, then return it and try again.

Manual update via ADB (for power users)

If the official update is not available or you need to roll back on the previous version, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method is suitable for models on a Qualcomm QCC3020 or BES2300 chip (refine the chip model in the characteristics of your headphones).

Tools required:

• 📱 Android smartphone with root rights or PC with drivers installed ADB.
• 🔗 Firmware in.bin or.hex format (you can download it on the forums) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
• 🛠️ QFlash Tool (for Qualcomm chips) or BES2300 Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the headphones to the PC in Fastboot mode (this usually requires holding the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the red indicator flashes).
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices should display the headphone serial number.
3. Download the firmware through the utility (for example, for QFlash Tool): qflash --port=COMX --file=firmware.bin where COMX is the headphone port, firmware.bin is the firmware file.
4. Wait until it is completed (don't turn it off) USB-The headphones will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through ADB may result in loss IMEI headphones (relevant for models with Bluetooth 5.0)+). Before the procedure, make a backup of the current firmware command: adb backup firmware

5.Restore headphones after a failed firmware

If the headphones aren’t turned on, not detected by devices, or are constantly rebooted after the upgrade, try the following recovery methods:

If the headphones are fully bricked (no buttons, no charge), the only option is to sell the flash memory at the service center, and the cost of repair is usually 30-50% of the price of new headphones, so evaluate the feasibility.

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90% of the time, the headphones are bricked because of an interrupted update. Always monitor the case charge level and don't turn it off. USB-cable.

6. Alternative firmware methods

If the standard methods do not work, you can use third-party utilities or “bypass” methods:

• 🔧 Earbuds Toolbox - a universal utility for firmware TWS-Headphones (supported by Xiaomi, Redmi, Haylou, etc.) can be downloaded on GitHub.
• 📱 iOS Firmware (Backway): Some models can be upgraded via the Mi Fit app on iPhone if you first change region to China.
• 🔄 Firmware rollback: If the new version of the software is unstable, go back to the previous one through ADB flag-headed --downgrade.

To use the Earbuds Toolbox:

1. Download and install the utility on the PC.
2. Connect the headphones in Fastboot mode.
3. Select the headphone model in the list and download the firmware.
4. Click Flash Firmware and wait until it is completed.

This method has the advantage of supporting informal firmware with advanced features, but beware: some modified firmware may block access to official updates in the future.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, you're going to have some common problems.

• 🔴 Update Failed error in Mi Home: Reason: Incompatibility between the app and firmware versions. Solution: Update Mi Home to the latest version or roll back to the previous one (e.g. 6.0 to 5.9).
• 🔴 Headphones are not identified after firmware: Reason: reset Bluetooth stack. Solution: remove the headphones from the list of conjugated devices on all gadgets, then reset via holding the button on the case for 15 seconds.
• 🔴 Sound disappears after update: Reason: Reset audio settings Solution: switch codec in Bluetooth settings to SBC (instead AAC or).

If neither method worked, check the headphones on another device, and sometimes the problem lies in the smartphone (for example, in conflict with the shell of MIUI or ColorOS).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions