The situation when the owner finds that he lost the case from wireless headphones, unfortunately, is not uncommon. Compact dimensions of the charger case contribute to the fact that it easily falls out of the pockets of jeans, stays on tables in a cafe or gets lost in the bowels of the bag. For users of the ecosystem Xiaomi, Redmi and Haylou, this becomes a serious problem, because without the original or compatible case, headphones cannot fully charge and synchronize with each other.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for those who are faced with the loss of a charging box. We will discuss the possibility of buying original spare parts, compatibility of different models, as well as the technical nuances of pairing the remaining headphones with a new case. Restoring the headset is possible, but requires careful approach to the selection of components.
Don’t despair and throw away the surviving headphones. Modern electronics allow you to reanimate the device in most cases, choosing the right replacement. Below is a detailed guide that will help you solve the problem with minimal financial and time costs.
Primary diagnosis and search for alternatives
Before you start looking for a replacement, you need to accurately identify the model of your headphones. Xiaomi ranges from AirDots and Redmi Buds to the more premium Mi True Wireless. Visually similar cases can have different locations of contact pins or different Bluetooth pairing protocol, which will make them incompatible.
Carefully inspect the remaining headphones. On the inside, closer to the leg or end, the model is often marked. If the marking is erased, try to remember the model name that was displayed when you last connected to your smartphone in the Settings → Bluetooth menu. Accurate knowledge of the model is critical to finding a compatible donor.
If you're not sure about the model, try plugging your headphones into your phone if there's still a charge left in them. The Mi Home app or Bluetooth system menu usually displays the full name of the device. Write it down so you don't make a mistake when ordering.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to charge headphones in cases from other manufacturers or models without checking the polarity of the contacts. This can lead to short circuit and failure of the headphone batteries.
Where to find original or compatible case
Finding a replacement is the most difficult step, as Xiaomi’s official service centers rarely sell charging cases separately from the kit, but there are several proven channels where you can get the necessary accessory.
- 🛒 Official service centers – original parts can be ordered here, but waiting times can range from 2 to 4 weeks, and the price often reaches 70% of the cost of new headphones.
- 🌐 AliExpress and eBay are the most likely places to buy]".
- 📱 Billboards (Avito, OLX) — Often people sell cases from lost or broken headphones, leaving only working ears".
- 🔧 Disassembly of donors - buying non-working headphones of the same model on the radio markets for the sake of a serviceable case.
When shopping on marketplaces, pay attention to reviews and photos of real products. Chinese accessories manufacturers often release replicas that look identical to the original, but have cheaper plastic and less reliable magnets. For budget models, this is an acceptable option, but for flagships it is better to look for the original.
How to distinguish the original case from the fake?
Compatibility and technical differences of models
Many users are wondering if you can use a case from one model to charge another. There are several generations of form factors within the Xiaomi ecosystem. For example, cases from Redmi AirDots 1 and Redmi AirDots 2 (Mijia Earbuds Basic 2) are often interchangeable physically, but may differ in the logic of LEDs.
However, newer models such as the Redmi Buds 3 or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2S may have altered seat geometry.If the headphone dangles inside, contact with charging pins will be unstable, leading to undercharging or, conversely, overcharging, which is dangerous for lithium polymer batteries.
Below is a compatibility table of popular series for an approximate understanding of the situation:
| Model headphones | Compatible case (Donor) | Type of connection | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots 1 | Mijia Earbuds Basic 1 | Physical + Logical | Tall. |
| Redmi AirDots 2 | Mijia Earbuds Basic 2 | Physical + Logical | Tall. |
| Mi True Wireless 2 | Mi True Wireless 2 Basic | Only physical. | Low. |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | Redmi Buds 3 (Regular) | Incompatible. | 0% |
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Physical matching does not guarantee electrical compatibility. Always check the location of the charging contacts before buying a used case.
The process of pairing a new case with headphones
Once you have purchased a new case, the question is, do you have to reconfigure the system? TWS-The True Wireless Stereo remembers the last device you connected to, but changing the case can be perceived by the headset as a reset or configuration change.
First, place both earbuds in a new case and close the lid. Leave them to charge for at least 30-60 minutes, even if the lights don't light up right away. This is necessary to wake up the power controllers.
If the headphones don't start flashing or don't show up in the Bluetooth list, you'll need to reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset).
- 🔘 Press and hold the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously. 10-15 seconds (sometimes up to) 30 seconds) until the indicators flash red and white (or red and blue).
- 🔘 In some models, such as AirDots 3, you need to quickly press the touch panel 5 times, and for the 6th time to clamp and hold.
- 🔘 After reset, remove the old device from the Bluetooth list on your phone (“Forget the device”) and search again.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your headphones may become out of sync with each other (the left will no longer hear the right one (TWS Pairing, which is described in the instructions for a particular model.
☑️ Checklist after case replacement
Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless
The most popular series, Redmi AirDots, has its own characteristics: the first version (AirDots 1) had no pairing button, and all control was through sensors on headphones, and if you lost the case from this model, it is easiest to find a replacement, because there were so many of them.
For Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and later, the button on the case itself is often used to force the switch to pairing mode. If the button is located elsewhere in the new (replacement) case or is not present, the initial connection process can be complicated.
It's important to remember the firmware version. If your new case is a more recent revision, it may try to update the headphone microcode. You can't interrupt this process. Make sure the phone is nearby and has a stable Internet connection if you're using the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
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If one earphone discharges faster than the other after replacing the case, try cleaning the contacts with an alcohol napkin. Oxidation on the contacts of the new case can give high resistance.
Economic aspects: repair or purchase of new ones?
Before you spend time searching, it is worth assessing the financial feasibility: the cost of a new original case in the secondary market can vary from 500 to 1500 rubles depending on the model. Budget replicas cost about 300-400 rubles.
Compare that to the cost of a new headset. Often, during sales on global sites, new Redmi Buds can be bought for 1000-1200 rubles. In this case, buying a new kit may be a more rational decision, as you get new batteries in headphones, which eventually degrade.
However, if you had a top model, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Pro with active noise cancellation, finding the original case is definitely justified, since replacing the entire kit will cost much more.
Prevention of future losses
To prevent the situation where you lost your case from wireless headphones from happening again, it is recommended to introduce simple habits: use carbine covers that can be fastened to a belt or bag. For models without a lid (open case), there are silicone ring linings.
It's also useful to use the "Device Search" feature in the Mi Home app if the model supports geolocation of the last connection. Although it's hard to find the case without headphones, you'll at least know where the last ears were inside it.