Xiaomi’s current fully wireless headphones and sub-brands like Redmi and QCY have become incredibly popular due to their excellent price-performance ratio. However, when they are first introduced, many users have difficulty with basic controls, particularly switching music tracks. Standard gestures are often different from traditional button headsets, and the lack of physical mechanics requires precision and understanding of the logic of sensors.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can control playback, from classic double-tapping to complex settings through the Mi Earbuds app. You will learn why sometimes the team fails, how to customize the individual control circuit for yourself, and what to do if the right or left earphone stops responding to your actions. Understanding these nuances will make listening to music really comfortable.
The basic principle of operation is to use capacitive sensors located on the outer or inner edge of the case. Touch control requires not strong pressure, as in older models, but light and quick touch. Retention time and number of touches play a critical role: the system must distinguish between the accidental touch when adjusting the headphone from the conscious command of the user to switch the track.
Standard gestures of reproduction control
By default, most models, including the popular Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 and Redmi Buds 3 Pro, have a pre-installed control scheme. It is usually universal for both headphones, but in some advanced models, the left and right channels can perform different functions.
If you need to go back to the beginning of the current track or go back to the previous track in the playlist, triple tap is used. It's important to do this rhythmically, but not too quickly for the controller to recognize the command. The interval between touches should not exceed a fraction of a second, otherwise the device will perceive this as two separate single taps.
In some budget models, functionality may be cut down. For example, double tap can only pause a track or take a call, and track switching is only available through a voice assistant or smartphone app. Always check the specification of your particular model, as the algorithms may vary depending on the year of release.
It's worth noting that with active noise cancellation (ANC), sensor sensitivity can be software-driven to prevent false positives from wind or vibration, and in such cases, touches should be more confident, and if the standard circuit seems uncomfortable to you, it can almost always be changed through the official app.
Configure management through the Mi Earbuds app
To fully unlock the potential of your headphones, you need to install the Mi Earbuds app (formerly known as Xiaomi Earbuds), which allows you not only to track battery power, but also deeply customize touch control. Once paired with your phone, the app will automatically determine the model and offer the latest settings.
In the Control Settings section, you can reassign actions for single, double and triple touch. For example, you can assign a track to the right earpiece and volume control to the left earpiece. Some models even support playback control by swiping your finger up or down the touch pad, as implemented in the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Pro line.
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If the app doesn’t see the headphones, try pinching the sensors on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds before the reset indication appears, then connect again.
Updating the firmware through the app is an important step that is often ignored. Manufacturers regularly release patches that improve sensor responsiveness and fix bugs with gesture recognition. The current version of the software ensures that all features work as intended by engineers, and compatibility with new versions of Android or iOS is not compromised.
☑️ Checking the application settings
Specificity of management for different models
Xiaomi’s audio lineup is extensive, and each series has its own features. The table below provides standard gesture settings for the most popular models so you can quickly navigate without looking for a manual.
| Model headphones | Double touch. | Triple touch. | Containment (2 seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 | Pause/Start | Previous track | Voice assistant |
| Redmi Buds 3 Pro | Next track | Previous track | Change of noise mode |
| Mi AirDots Pro 2 | Pause/Start | Next track | Voice assistant |
| QCY T13 | Pause/Start | Previous track | Voice assistant |
And you can see the Redmi Buds 4 and later, which often include multipoint touch, which allows you to swipe, and it's especially convenient for volume control without the need for buttons on your smartphone screen, and these models have better sensor accuracy, which reduces the number of random switches.
⚠️ In some regions (Global, China, EU) The same headphone model may have different factory firmware with different gesture patterns. If the steps described don't work, check the region of the device version.
Problems with touch recognition and their solution
When the earphone stops responding to touch, it's one of the most common situations, and often it's not because of a breakdown, it's because of a contamination of the touch zone, and sweat, skin fat, or dust can create a shielding layer that prevents the capacitive sensor from registering the touch of the finger.
Regularly wipe the outer surface of the headphones with a soft dry cloth. Pay special attention to the area of the logo or indicator where the sensor is usually located. If this does not help, try resetting the headphones completely, usually requiring you to remove them from the case and pinch the sensors for 10-20 seconds before changing the color of the indicator.