How to accurately determine the model of headphones Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi device owners often face a situation where you need to accurately identify your headphones, whether for driver search, authentication or accessory selection. In the world of smart gadgets from this brand, the lines are so extensive that it is difficult to visually distinguish the Redmi Buds 3 Pro from the regular version, especially if the packaging is long lost. Accurate knowledge of the model is the key to the correct operation of all functions, including noise reduction and spatial audio.

There are several proven ways to figure out which device you're holding, and we're going to look at both the software methods of a smartphone and the physical inspection of the case, and it's important to understand that the serial number and the tagging on the case are the most reliable sources of information that you can't fake software.

In this article, we will break down all the nuances of identification so you can be sure of the specification of your hardware.A misdetermined model can lead to the installation of inappropriate software or the inability to activate certain functions in the application.

Visual inspection and marking on the body

The first and most obvious step is to look at the device itself, and most of the current models, like the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Lite, have the information on the inside of the charging case, open the lid and look at the wall where the headphones fit in the closed state, and often have the model, input voltage and serial number in small print.

If you don't have any information on the case, check the headphones themselves. Take off the silicone pad and look into the recess underneath. Some models, like the Mi Air 2 series, may have microscopic text with the model code. Also note the charging connector: the presence or absence of wireless charging can significantly narrow the search for similar models.

⚠️ Note: Do not use sharp objects to scrape dirt off the label, as you may damage the touch areas or impair the tightness of the device if it has moisture protection.

Sometimes manufacturers use code notations that are immediately clear to the user, such as the acronym TWS indicates a fully wireless design, and the numbers after the name often indicate the generation of the device, and if you find a code that starts with BHR or BHX, this is an internal batch ID that you can also use to search the Internet.

Search for information through the Mi Home app and Xiaomi Wear

The most accurate software way to learn a model is to connect to headphones through the official app. Xiaomi ecosystem uses two main applications: Mi Home (for smart home) and Xiaomi Wear (formerly Mi Fit, for wearable electronics).

Once paired and authorized, go to the device profile. In the About Device or Settings section (cog icon), the full model name is always displayed, and this is especially true for Active Noise Canceling (ANC) models, as the app will show the exact firmware version corresponding to the specific hardware.

If the app shows the device as “Generic Bluetooth Device” or simply “Headset”, it may mean that you are using a third-party app or the headphones do not support telemetry transfer protocol. In this case, try downloading the plugin for your model manually through the plugin store inside the Mi Home app if the account region matches the device’s sales region.

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If the app doesn’t see the headphones, try resetting the pairing in the phone’s Bluetooth settings and reconnect by holding the button on the case for 10 seconds.

Identification through Bluetooth smartphone settings

Standard settings for Android or iOS can also provide information, so when the headphones are paired or already connected, their name appears on the list of available devices, often not only the marketing name, but also the technical index of the model.

On Android smartphones, especially Xiaomi with a MIUI or HyperOS shell, an animated window pops up when you connect the original accessories with a case image and the exact name. If you see just "TWS" or "BT-Headset," click on the gear next to the device name in the Bluetooth menu. In the menu that opens, find the line "Device Model" or "Hardware Version."

In some cases, the name of the device may have been changed by the user earlier, which is confusing.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth on a smartphone.
• 🔍 Find your device in the list of “Conjugated devices».
• ℹ️ Click on the information icon (the letter "i" in the circle or gear).
• 👀 View the "Device Name" or "Model" field».

It is worth noting that MAC-The address of the device is also unique. The first three pairs of characters MAC-address (OUI) They can point to the chip manufacturer, which indirectly confirms the brand, but not the specific model. MAC-address, you can sometimes find the device in the databases FCC or other regulators.

Use of serial number (SN) for verification

The serial number is a unique identifier that is assigned to each instance of the device in the factory, which allows you to not only determine the model, but also check the date of production, the region of delivery and the status of the warranty. For headphones, the Xiaomi SN usually consists of 16-20 characters (digits and Latin letters).

You can find the serial number on the box (on the barcode sticker), on the case (in small print), or in the application. Knowing this code, you can use the official authentication service on Xiaomi's website. Enter SN in the verification field, and the system will give the exact name of the model for which the number was registered.

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Serial number is the only 100% reliable way to distinguish the original device from a high-quality copy, as replicas often have the same or invalid SN.

Differences in the appearance of the case and headphones

Visual specs can be a crucial factor if there is no access to software techniques. Different generations of Xiaomi headphones have a distinct design language. For example, the Mi Air 2 series has an elongated vertical case with a matte surface, while Redmi Buds 3 often feature a case of a more rounded, "puffy" shape with glossy or textured coating.

Note the charge indicator. In older models, the LED lights up inside the case, in new models, it can be hidden under translucent plastic or completely absent, giving way to a digital display (as in Mi Power Bank Pods), the presence of wired charging via USB-C or micro-USB is also an important marker: modern models (2022-2026) almost completely switched to Type-C.

The shape of the headphone leg (if any) also varies: the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S has a shorter, wider leg, and the Air 2 Pro has a longer, thinner leg, and the absence of a leg (intrachannel plugs like the Redmi Buds 3 Pro) immediately cuts off entire series of devices.

Frequent errors in model definition

People often confuse marketing names with technical ones. For example, a device may be sold as Redmi Buds 3 Lite, but the system defines it as Redmi Buds 3 Global Version. It's the same model, but for different markets. It's a mistake to think that these are different devices and look for different software for them.

Another common mistake is trusting the name that appears at the time of first pairing without checking. Some Chinese versions (CN) may be called differently than global ones (Global). For example, Mi Air 2 Pro in China may have the TWSEJ06LS index, and the global version is TWSEJ06LS (often codes match, but firmware differs).

⚠️ Note: If you bought headphones from your hands and the application requires a firmware update for a model that does not match the expected one, there is a risk that there is a fee from another device inside or that it is a restored instance.

Also, be careful about the “universal” apps from Google Play that promise to expand the functionality, they can misread data and display the wrong model. Use only official tools from Xiaomi to get reliable information.

Comparative table of popular models

For quick orientation, we will compare key characteristics that will help distinguish popular models from each other without complex manipulations.