How to set up buttons on Xiaomi headphones: management and functions

Xiaomi’s modern wireless headphones and Redmi sub-brands have become the standard in the affordable audio market, offering users not only high-quality sound but also sophisticated control ergonomics. However, many owners are faced with the fact that standard touchpad or physical button settings do not always match their personal habits or use scenarios. Intuitive control is a key factor in comfort when listening to music on the subway, playing sports or during phone conversations.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how to reassign click actions, adjust sensitivity and use the capabilities of the Xiaomi Earbuds app for maximum convenience. You will learn about hidden features that are not always obvious when you first get acquainted with the device, as well as how to fix situations when the right or left earphone stops responding to touch.

Before getting into the technical details, it is important to understand that the control methods depend on the particular device model. TWS-True Wireless Stereo headphones can come with both full touch zones and mechanical buttons that require physical pressing, understanding the type of controller you have will help you avoid errors in operation and extend battery life.

Control Types: Sensor vs Mechanics

The first step to getting the right setup is to determine the type of interface you have installed in your model. Most modern Redmi AirDots and Mi True Wireless devices use capacitive sensors that respond to light touch on the body surface. The touchpad allows you to swipe and double tap, but can sometimes suffer from false positives when the earbud is corrected.

On the other hand, some models, especially sporty ones or earlier versions, feature mechanical buttons that require physical pressing, which provides tactile recoil and eliminates occasional plug-ins in the pocket. Mechanical click is often preferred for people who value clarity of commands and don't want to risk missing the touch zone in the cold or during intense workouts.

⚠️ Attention: When using mechanical buttons, do not put excessive effort.Sharp indentation can damage the inner membrane of the speaker or displace the battery.

You can determine the type of control visually or experimentally. If there are no obvious indentations or protruding elements on the body, you probably have a sensor. Mechanics are characterized by clicking and little resistance when pressed. Type identification is critical before setting up, because the software can interpret your actions differently depending on the hardware platform.

📊 What type of control your headphones have?
Touch (touch)
Mechanical (press)
I don't know/ Hybrid
I have a wired model.

Using the Xiaomi Earbuds app to customize

The main tool for customizing functions is the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly known as Mi Earbuds). This is where all the options for reassigning actions are concentrated. Once you connect the headphones to your smartphone via Bluetooth, you need to launch the app and wait for synchronization. The application interface provides access to the equalizer, firmware updates and, most importantly, gesture management menus.

In the Control Settings section, you'll see a list of available actions for left and right headphones separately. The default commands are: double tap to answer a call or start an assistant, triple tap to switch tracks. Reassigning functions allows you to replace standard scenarios with more useful ones for you, such as activating noise cancellation or calling a voice assistant.

☑️ Checking before setting up

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Note that not all models support the full range of settings. Budget versions may have a fixed set of commands that cannot be changed software, in which cases hardware constraints dictate their rules, and the user is left to get used to factory settings or use third-party solutions to emulate commands.

What to do if the app does not see the headphones?
If the Xiaomi Earbuds app doesn't detect your headphones, try connecting them first through the standard Bluetooth menu of Android or iOS settings, and then running the app. Also make sure the headphones don't have a pairing mode active, and that the headphone firmware isn't critically outdated. Sometimes resetting the headphones to factory settings helps by holding the sensors for a long time (about 20 seconds) until the indicator blinks.

Action scheme and reassignment of teams

The process of reassigning buttons requires attention, as actions for left and right headphones often differ. Standard operating logic implies that the right headphone (Master) controls basic phone functions such as running tracks or voice dialing, while the left (Slave) can be responsible for adjusting volume or activating game mode. The logic of task allocation helps to avoid confusion when using the device with one hand.

To change the destination of an action, select the appropriate item in the application menu (for example, “Double Touch”) and select a new feature from the proposed list. The options available can include: “Play/Pause”, “Next Track”, “Previous Track”, “Voice Assistant”, “Low Delay Mode”. The flexibility of the configuration allows you to create a unique control profile tailored to your musical preferences or frequency of calls.

Below is a table showing the typical action combinations for the popular TWS models of Xiaomi headphones:

Action.Right earphone (default)Left earphone (default)Possible reassignment
Single touchAnswer/Complete the callActivation of the assistantLaunching the application / Pause
Double touch.Reproduction/PauseNext trackVoice set / Pre-track
Triple touch.Next trackPrevious trackGame mode/Noise suppression
Containment (2 seconds)Reject the challengeReject the challengeNot tuned (often)

Key combinations in headphones are limited by the capabilities of the microcontroller inside the device, so do not expect the functionality of a full remote control.

Customization of gestures and sensitivity of touch

One of the frequent problems users have is the lack of or, conversely, excessive sensitivity of the touch zone. If the headphones respond to every random touch of hair or clothing, it irritates and drains the battery. In the application Xiaomi Earbuds for some models (for example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Pro) available sensitivity setting.

You can choose High, Medium or Low. High is for people with cold fingers or those who prefer barely noticeable touches. Low is a way to prevent false positives by requiring more confident and tight contact with the surface. Calibration of the sensor is a process that is worth doing immediately after purchase to find a balance between convenience and reliability.

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If the sensor is unstable, wipe the headphone surface with an alcohol napkin. Fat film and sweat can significantly reduce the conductivity and accuracy of touch recognition.

In addition, there are specific gestures, such as swiping up or down the headphone leg (relevant to AirPods-style models), which are usually reserved for volume control and do not require in-app tuning, working out of the box. Swipe control is a more advanced method of interaction that many users find more convenient than multiple tapping touches.

⚠️ Warning: Do not adjust the sensitivity by holding the headphones in your hands away from the ears. proximity sensors may work incorrectly outside the ear, leading to incorrect calibration.

Button problems and their solution

Even high-quality Xiaomi devices can experience software or hardware failures. The most common problem is that one earphone stops responding to commands or only works when removed from the case. Often this is solved by simply cleaning the charging contacts in the case and on the headphones themselves, since a dead battery blocks the communication module. Contact prevention solves 80% of the problems with dead buttons.

If cleaning doesn’t work, you need to perform a full reset (Hard Reset), which usually requires placing the headphones in the case, opening the lid and pinching the touch zones (or physical buttons) on both headphones simultaneously for 10-20 seconds until the indicators flash a certain color (often white or orange).

In rare cases, the problem lies in the software of the smartphone. Bluetooth profile conflicts or outdated drivers can prevent the transmission of control commands. Make sure that your phone's operating system is updated, and the Bluetooth settings for the connected device include options for Media Audio and Phone Calls. AVRCP profile is responsible for controlling playback, and turning off the buttons makes it useless.

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Full reset headphones (Hard Reset) is a universal solution for most problems with incorrect buttons and desynchronization of the left and right channel.

Third-party applications and enhanced capabilities

For advanced users who are not satisfied with the functionality of official software, there are alternative solutions. Apps like MaterialPods (for Android) allow you not only to see the battery charge in the style of iOS, but sometimes offer additional options for reassigning buttons that are not available in the stockware. Third-party software can unlock the hidden potential of your headphones.

However, be careful: untested applications can lead to unstable Bluetooth connection or increased battery consumption of the smartphone. In addition, some functions may not be available due to the limitations of the data protocol of a particular chip installed in the headphones. Protocol compatibility is a key factor limiting the possibility of customization.

There are also specialized automation tools, such as Tasker or MacroDroid, that can be used to configure scenarios where a certain action on the headphones (like double-touching) will trigger not just music, but a whole range of actions: opening the navigator, turning on Bluetooth and launching a specific playlist. Scenario automation turns simple headphones into a powerful smartphone management tool.

Why did the buttons stop working after the update?
After updating your headphone or phone’s operating system, your Bluetooth profile settings may have reset. Try “forgetting” your device in the Bluetooth menu, resetting your headphones, and re-pairing. Also check if the permissions for the Xiaomi Earbuds app have been disabled in your Android privacy settings.
Can I turn off the buttons completely so that there are no accidental clicks?
You can’t completely disable the buttons software in Xiaomi’s standard functionality, but you can reassign all actions (single, double, triple) to the “Nothing” or “Voice Assistant” function (if not in use), which minimizes the impact of random touch on music playback.
Do the control buttons on the iPhone work?
Basic functions (start/stop, track switching, volume) work on the iPhone without installing applications, as they are transmitted through the standard AVRCP protocol. However, to reassign actions and adjust the sensitivity, you will necessarily need an Android device with the installed Xiaomi Earbuds application, since the iOS version of the application has limited functionality.
How to set up the assistant call button on Google Assistant?
In the Xiaomi Earbuds app, select the "Dinar Touch" action (or other free one) and set the "Google Assistant" value. Make sure that Google is also the primary voice assistant in the smartphone settings, otherwise Mi Voice or another system assistant may be called.