Xiaomi’s modern wireless headphones, whether popular Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds or full-size Mi Headphones Comfort, have become an integral part of the digital lifestyle. They provide quality sound and comfort when listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks at any time. However, as with any new technology, users often have questions about basic control, in particular how to navigate a music playlist without having to pull a smartphone out of their pocket every time.
In this detailed article, we will explore all the possible ways to switch songs, which depend on the specific model of your device and type of control. We will look at mechanical buttons, touch panels, and the capabilities of voice control through built-in assistants. Understanding these nuances will allow you to fully unlock the potential of your headset and enjoy music with maximum comfort without being distracted by complex manipulations.
Determining the type of management of your headset
Before you start learning the combinations, you need to clearly identify what type of control is implemented in your Xiaomi model, which directly affects the set of available gestures and the clicking force required to activate functions. Most budget and medium-sized models, such as the AirDots series or Basic, are equipped with physical, albeit hidden, mechanical buttons.
More advanced versions, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Pro or Air 2 SE, often use capacitive touch panels that respond to light touch. The type of control is critical, since the mechanics need to be pressed with force to a characteristic click or vibration, whereas the sensor requires only a fleeting touch.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to press hard on the Touch Bar can cause other functions to be accidentally activated or the sensor to be damaged, so always check your model specification first in the manual or on the official website.
To accurately determine the type of control, you can use the following table, comparing your model with the data presented:
| Model headphones | Type of management | Location. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots / Basic | Mechanical button | End of the hull | Requires forceful pressing |
| Mi True Wireless 2 / Air 2 | Touch panel. | Outer facet | Reacts to touch. |
| Mi Neckband Bluetooth | Physical buttons | Neck arch | Tactile keys |
| Mi Headphones Comfort | Mechanics + Sensor | Bowl/Head | Combined management |
Knowing the exact model will help you avoid confusion and adjust the interaction with the device correctly. If you are not sure about the model, look at the bottom of the charging case or the inside of the earphone arc, where the marking is usually applied.
Managing mechanical buttons
Mechanical buttons are the most common and reliable solution in the budget segment of Xiaomi devices, they do not require calibration and work even with gloves, which is their undoubted advantage.
The main action to switch a track forward is to double-press it. You have to press the button quickly twice in a row. It's important to keep a certain pace: if you press it too slowly, the device will perceive this as two separate single taps, which can start the voice assistant or pause the track.
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Train the double-press rhythm on the headphones off to remember the required speed and pressure before using them while jogging or in transport.
To return to the previous composition, most models with mechanics use triple pressing, which requires even more speed and clarity of execution, sometimes users are faced with the fact that the tracks do not switch, and the reason lies in the wrong rhythm of the pressing.
- 🎵 Double press on the right earphone – the next track (in some models on the left or both).
- ⏮ Triple pressing – return to the beginning of the current track or previous track.
- ⏸ Single long pressing – pause/playback or activation of the assistant.
- 🔊 Single tap – answering a call or replaying the last track.
It is worth noting that in some older Redmi AirDots firmware, triple-press functionality may be limited or unstable, in which case software updates through the application may correct the situation.
Sensory control and gestures
Mid-range and high-end models like the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S or Air 2 Pro are equipped with touch panels. This eliminates the need to press the body, making the controls more intuitive but addictive. Sensors respond to a change in capacity when you touch a certain area with your finger.
The logic of switching songs here is often similar to mechanical: double tapping for the next track and triple tapping for the previous one. However, unlike buttons, there is no physical effort required here. It is enough to lightly but confidently touch a finger pad on a designated area, which is often marked with a barely noticeable icon or simply a flat outer face.
One of the common problems with sensory control is falsely triggered when the earpiece is corrected in the ear. To minimize this effect, manufacturers recommend touching only the central part of the sensor, avoiding the edges. It is also important that the finger is dry, since moisture can change the sensitivity of the sensor.
In advanced models, Mi Buds or MIUI's built-in settings can reconfigure gestures, so you can double-task the left earphone to switch tracks if the default is an assistant call, which gives you flexibility to use, allowing you to adapt the device to your habits.
⚠️ Attention: Do not touch the sensor with your nails, as it does not conduct the electrical current required to activate the capacitive sensor.
Using the application to set up
To fully unlock the functionality of the headphone Xiaomi strongly recommended to use specialized applications. For most models, it is Mi Buds, Xiaomi Earbuds or universal Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit), which hides the possibility of fine-tuning the control.
Once you pair your headphones with your smartphone, open the appropriate app. In the device menu, look for the "Gestural Management" or "Button Customization" section, and here you will see a list of available actions for single, double, and triple tapping (or touching) left and right headphones separately.
☑️ Control setup in the annex
In some cases, the standard app may not see your headphones, especially if they are released for the Chinese market, then third-party applications such as AndroPods or Mi Buds Mmi come to the rescue, which allow you to change the region-lokas and access full functionality.
The firmware update often brings bug fixes related to track delays or sensors that are incorrect, and takes a few minutes to update and requires the headphones to be in the case and charged at least 20%.
Voice control and assistants
Modern headphones Xiaomi supports voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Siri or proprietary solution Xiao AI. This is the most convenient way to switch songs without using your hands at all, especially when playing sports or driving.
To activate the assistant, it usually takes a long press (about 2 seconds) on a button or sensor. After the beep, you can say the command. In English, it will be "Next song" or "Skip", in Russian - "Next song" or "Put on the next track".
List of useful voice commands
It is important to note that for voice control, the microphone of the headphones must be active and not closed. In noisy environments, the assistant may not correctly recognize the command, so you should pronounce the words clearly and loudly enough.
The advantage of voice control is the ability not only to switch tracks, but also to request information about the artist, add songs to your favorites or change the source of playback (for example, switch from YouTube Music to Spotify).
Addressing common problems
Even the best-quality devices can experience software failures. If your Xiaomi headphones stop responding to track switching commands, don't rush to bring them to the service center. Most of the time, the problem is solved by simply retraining or resetting the settings.
The first thing to do is to forget the device in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone and pair again, and often after updating the phone's operating system, there are conflicts of control profiles (AVRCP), which are resolved by a repeated pair procedure.
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Full reset of Xiaomi headphones often solves 90% of problems with the incorrect operation of buttons and sensors, returning factory control settings.
If reconnecting doesn't work, do a full reset of headphones. For models with buttons, this is usually done by removing them from the case and pressing the buttons for 10-15 seconds before the indicator flashes. For touch models, the procedure may be different: sometimes you need to put them in the case and pinch the sensors.
- 🔋 Check battery power – at low charge levels, some functions may shut down to save energy.
- 🧹 Clean sensors or buttons of dirt, sweat and sulfur using dry lilaless fabric.
- 📱 Make sure that the smartphone does not have third-party equalizers that conflict with media management.
- 🔄 Try switching tracks from another device to rule out malfunction of the smartphone itself.
In rare cases, the problem may be in the music app itself. Try changing the player (for example, from a standard one to a PowerAmp or VLC) and checking the buttons. If everything works with another application, then it is the software of the sound source.