Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer users a wide range of multimedia capabilities, turning the device into a full-fledged entertainment center. However, when trying to play music or video for two people at once, many owners face the limitations of the standard interface. Bluetooth technology was originally designed to connect one-to-one, but the company’s engineers have found a way to get around this barrier with the Dual Audio feature.
Implementing simultaneous audio transfers to two devices requires not only operating system support, but also hardware support. In the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS, this process is implemented in a flexible way, allowing you to stream audio to different headsets models. You need to consider the version of Android and the type of codec used to achieve stable synchronization without delay.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for activating dual-sound mode, including hidden settings and third-party utilities. The right configuration will allow you to share music with a friend, watch movies in pairs or use your phone as a source of sound for a party. We will also touch on the technical details of data protocols.
Technical requirements and compatibility of devices
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your hardware is physically capable of supporting multithreaded audio. Not all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, even released in recent years, have the necessary chipset to handle two independent data streams. The key factor is the version of the Bluetooth module, which should be at least 5.0, although Bluetooth 5.2 or higher is preferable for quality work.
It’s important to understand the difference between software emulation and hardware support. If a phone’s processor doesn’t have a built-in Dual Audio feature, software crutches can result in sound dissynchronization or a significant reduction in sound quality. Android OS since version 8.0 Oreo has native support for this feature, but manufacturers often hide it depending on regional firmware.
⚠️ Note: Use of old headphones with protocol SBC can cause noticeable out-of-synchronization between two devices, as this codec has low throughput at double load.
It’s also worth checking the power consumption, because the simultaneous operation of two communication channels drains the battery much faster, the stability of the connection depends on the distance between the phone and the headphones, as well as the presence of physical obstacles, and for best results, both receiving devices must be in close proximity to the smartphone.
Native Dual Audio function in MIUI and HyperOS
In recent Xiaomi shells, the dual audio feature is often built directly into the Bluetooth control panel or menu. To activate it, first connect the first pair of headphones in the standard way through settings or quick commands. After that, go to the Settings menu → Bluetooth → My devices and find “Double audio” or “Dual audio”.
If the standard path doesn't get you the desired result, try using the notification bar. Once you plug in the first device, click on the gear next to its name to open the advanced settings. In some MIUI builds, there's a "Connect Second Device" button that starts searching for available headsets within range.
- 🎧 Connect the first pair of headphones and wait for the connection confirmation.
- ⚙️ Open advanced Bluetooth settings through the control panel.
- 🔍 Activate Search Mode for the Second Device.
- ✅ Choose the second pair from the list of available gadgets.
Once paired successfully, the system will automatically distribute audio streams, you can control the volume for each device separately, as long as this option is supported by connected gadgets, and the aptX Adaptive or LDAC codec is preferred to minimize delays when watching videos.
☑️ Check before turning on Dual Audio
Using the Developer Menu for Advanced Settings
If the standard interface does not have the ability to connect the second pair, you can use the hidden developer menu. This method allows you to force multithreading support if it is blocked software. To enter the menu, you need to click on the build number in the About Phone section several times until you notice that you have become a developer.
In the open menu Additional → For developers, we need to find a Bluetooth-related section, and we're interested in the option "Enable Multi-Profile Support" or "Bluetooth Audio Codec," which can unlock the chipset's hidden capabilities, but we need to be careful.
Settings → About phone → 7 times on "Version MIUI" → Additional → For developersRemember that system settings may be affected by the unstable operation of the communication module. Resetting Bluetooth or fully restarting the device may be required in case of errors.
Risks of changing the developer’s settings
Application of third-party applications and utilities
When Xiaomi’s built-in tools fail, Google Play apps come to the rescue. Software like SoundSeeder or AudioRelay use Wi-Fi Direct or a local network to synchronize sound, bypassing Bluetooth limitations, especially for older smartphone models where Dual Audio hardware is not available.
The way these applications work is to build a server on a phone and install client applications on other devices or use them as repeaters. However, connecting two pairs of Bluetooth headphones to the same phone often requires utilities that work at the driver level.
- 📲 Download the proven audio management app from the official store.
- 🔐 Provide the necessary permissions to access the microphone and Bluetooth.
- 🔗 Perform device pairing through the program interface.
- 🎚️ Set up the balance and latency for each channel separately.
Using third-party software can increase the load on the processor and lead to faster battery discharge. The effectiveness of such programs depends on the model of the processor and the version of Android. Not all codecs can be transmitted correctly through third-party add-ons.
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To minimize delays in third-party apps, turn off power saving for a specific application in Xiaomi’s battery settings.
Comparison of codecs and quality of sound transmission
The sound quality of two pairs of headphones depends on the audio compression codec used. The standard SBC codec provides basic quality, but when the load is doubled, it can lead to artifacts and loss of high frequencies. More advanced codecs such as aptX, aptX HD or LDAC require support from both receiving devices.
The table below compares the main characteristics of popular codecs when working in Dual Audio mode:
| Codec | Bitrate (kbit/s) | Delay (MS) | Dual Audio support |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBC | 328 | 220+ | Basic |
| aptX | 352 | 150+ | Good. |
| aptX HD | 576 | 150+ | It requires a powerful chip. |
| LDAC | 990 | 150+ | Rarely in Dual mode |
When choosing a codec, the system often automatically switches to lower quality if one of the devices does not support a high standard. Connection stability is more important than maximum bitrate, so in noisy ether conditions, it is better to forcefully choose aptX or AAC.
Solving problems with desynchronization
One of the most common problems with two pairs of headphones is to desynchronize the sound when one listener hears music before the other, because of different signal processing speeds in different chips or different versions of Bluetooth. To eliminate this phenomenon, in the settings of some applications or in the developer menu, there is an audio latency slider.
If the sound is interrupted or cracked, try turning off unnecessary features such as the “Absolute Volume Level” in the developer menu. Also helps to clean the Bluetooth cache through the App menu → Show system processes → Bluetooth → Storage → Clean. After that, you need to re-connect all devices.
⚠️ Note: If the desynchronization is maintained after all settings, it is possible that one of the devices has hardware limitations and is not designed to work in real-time with high load.
In some cases, it helps to update the firmware of the headphones themselves through proprietary applications of manufacturers (for example, Galaxy Wearable or Mi Buds). The current software often contains corrections for communication protocol errors, which improves the stability of work in pairs.
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Racing is most often solved by resetting network settings or switching the codec to a simpler one (SBC/AAC).