How to switch songs on Xiaomi headphones: a guide

Owners of Xiaomi wireless headsets often face the need to quickly change the track while jogging, training or traveling on public transport. Getting a smartphone out of your pocket in such situations is not always convenient, and sometimes even impossible due to wet hands or tight clothes, which is why knowing all the ways to control playback becomes a critical skill for comfortable use of the device.

There are several effective methods to control audio stream without direct contact with your phone. Touch control, physical buttons and voice commands are the main tools that a modern manufacturer provides. Understanding the logic of these mechanisms will allow you to fully realize the potential of your headset and enjoy music without interruption.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible options for switching songs on various models of Mi True Wireless Earbuds and wired analogues. You will learn about the intricacies of gesture settings, the features of voice assistants and ways to solve common problems with the response of the touch panel.

Mechanical control through physical buttons

Many budget and some mid-range headphones, such as the Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset or the Mi In-Ear Headphones series, feature physical control buttons, a method considered the most reliable, as it eliminates accidental triggers from sweat or rain, which is often the case with touch panels. To switch the track forward, you need to double-press the main control button, usually located on the end of the case or on the wire.

To return to the previous track, you will need to triple press the same button. Single pressing usually pauses the track or resumes playback, and prolonged retention activates voice assistant or transparency mode, depending on the model.

• 🎵 Double tap – switch to the next track.
• 🔙 Triple tap – return to the beginning of the current or previous track.
• ⏸ Single press – pause or start playback.
• 🎤 Long pressing – call voice assistant.

It's worth noting that some wired models can be controlled through a separate microphone on the cable, and the logic is the same: double-click for the next song, triple-click for the previous one. If your headphones have a button marked with the phone, it's most often only responsible for taking calls, and the multimedia is controlled by adjacent volume buttons or center keys.

Touch control and gesture adjustment

Flagship models like the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Pro, Redmi Buds 3 Pro or Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic are devoid of physical buttons and controlled exclusively through touch zones. The headphone surface responds to touch, but sensitivity can vary. By default, double tapping the right earbuds switches the track forward and the left one reverses, but these settings can often be changed.

To customize the actions, you need to use the official Mi Wear app (for global versions) or Xiaomi Earbuds (for Chinese versions). In the device menu, you will find a gesture setting section where you can reassign functions. For example, you can set up a triple touch to call Google Assistant or activate noise reduction mode, freeing double touch exclusively for music. This is especially convenient if standard gestures seem uncomfortable to you.

⚠️ Note: When setting up the sensor, avoid setting too complex combinations, such as quadruple touch. In active traffic (running, gym) there is a high risk of not getting into the area the first time or, conversely, causing an accidental operation when adjusting the earphone in the ear.

The touchpad also supports volume control, which is an additional feature not directly related to switching songs, but important for overall control. Swips up and down the earpiece leg allow you to adjust the sound level without interrupting the rhythm of breathing during exercise. The accuracy of gestures depends on the purity of the surface, so it is recommended to periodically wipe the headphones with dry cloth.

Voice control and smart assistants

The current Android and iOS ecosystems allow voice control, which is the most modern way to interact with gadgets. By activating Google Assistant, Siri or Xiao AI (for the Chinese versions) with a long press or voice command, you can simply say "Next track" or "Put on the previous song," which is ideal when your hands are busy or completely contaminated.

Voice control requires a stable Internet connection and a properly tuned headphone microphone. In noisy environments such as the subway or a busy street, the microphone may not recognize the command the first time, so dictate commands clearly and close to the microphone hole. Some models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Pro 2, feature a three-mic system with noise reduction, which greatly improves the accuracy of speech recognition.

Using voice commands also allows you to bypass the limitations of some applications that block standard track switching buttons on third-party headsets. The assistant controls the system at the OS level, so the command "Next song" will work even in those rare cases where touch gestures are ignored by a particular player. This makes the voice interface a universal tool in the user's arsenal.

Management through third-party applications and widgets

If regular controls are not enough, the Android operating system offers ample opportunities for customization through third-party software. Apps like Button Mapper or Key Mapper allow you to reassign the actions of the volume buttons on your smartphone or create complex macros. You can configure that long pressing the volume button on the phone (which lies in your pocket) switches tracks on the connected Xiaomi headphones.

Also, music widgets like Spotify, Yandex Music or Apple Music provide quick access to control. By placing a widget on the home screen or lock screen, you minimize the amount of action you need to switch, especially if the headphone sensor is not working properly or you are using a non-touch model.

For advanced users, you can use scripting to automate, for example, you can create a script that says, "If you run a Strava app, the volume buttons switch tracks." This requires customization, but it greatly improves the usability of the gadget in specific scenarios, such as running or cycling.

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Use music player widgets on the lock screen – this is the fastest way to switch tracks without unlocking the phone completely and without opening the app.

Comparison of models and functionality

Different generations of Xiaomi headphones offer different set of management features. Understanding the differences between models helps you choose the device that will suit your use style. Below is a table comparing the ways you control popular lines.

As you can see from the table, more expensive models offer not only touch controls, but also support for proprietary applications where you can fine-tune the behavior of headphones. Budget models are often limited to the basic set of gestures laid down by the manufacturer, and do not allow you to change the purpose of actions without third-party software.

When choosing, you should pay attention to the presence of active noise cancellation, since it often requires a separate switching mode (usually prolonged retention), which can conflict with music control if you do not get used to the logic of the device. In models with ANC, the switching of songs is often made to triple touch to avoid accidental activation.

Solving Track Switching Problems

Sometimes, when the headphones stop responding to the switching commands, the problem is often a software failure or de-synchronization of the left and right channels. The first step should always be to reset the headphones: put them in the case, close the lid and wait 10 seconds, then remove them again.

If the problem persists, you need to reset to factory settings. For most TWS models, this is done by clamping the touch zones on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds (sometimes you need to do this while they are in the case).

⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full reset, make sure that the case is charged at least 30%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to improper operation of the headphone firmware.

It's also worth checking your smartphone's energy saving settings. Aggressive energy saving modes can limit the background performance of Bluetooth services, which prevents commands from reaching the player from using headphones. Add the music app and Bluetooth services to the battery's exclusion list.

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90% of problems with immunity to commands are solved by complete repiring (device removal + headphone reset + new pairing).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)