How to turn on two Xiaomi headphones: the complete guide

Modern technology allows Xiaomi users to share music and video with friends using wireless acoustics. Often, you need to stream audio to two devices at once, whether for a party, a movie together or just for convenience. However, the standard Bluetooth protocol is designed by default to transmit audio stream to only one receiver, which creates certain restrictions for smartphone owners.

The solution to this problem lies in the Dual Audio function or the use of third-party synchronization applications. Depending on your smartphone model and the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, the activation methods can vary significantly. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods that allow you to combine two sets of headphones into a single sound system.

It’s important to understand that not all devices support native work with two Bluetooth audio devices simultaneously at the hardware level. Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Audio or Samsung Scalable Codec are often key factors in determining whether two audio channels can work smoothly without delay. We’ll look at both the standard system features and workarounds for models where such an option is hidden by the manufacturer.

Checking the compatibility of the smartphone and headphones

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your hardware is technically capable of supporting simultaneous operation. Most of Xiaomi’s current flagships, starting with the Mi 9 series and later, as well as the current Redmi Note and Poco models, have built-in multi-connection support. However, budget segments may be limited in this functionality due to the features of the installed Bluetooth module.

Also worth paying attention to the Bluetooth version. For stable audio transmission to two devices, the presence of a module of version 5.0 and higher is desirable. Older versions, such as 4.2 or 4.0, may not cope with the load, which will lead to audio desynchronization or a complete failure of the system to connect a second gadget.

• 📱 Make sure that the smartphone has the current version of the firmware installed. MIUI.
• 🎧 Make sure that both sets of headphones are fully charged.
• 🔌 Make sure that the distance between the devices does not exceed 3-5 meters.

There is a perception that headphones should be strictly the same model to work correctly. This is not quite true: the system can work with different models, but in this case, the synchronization of volume and delay can be disrupted.

⚠️ Attention: With the simultaneous connection of two devices, the battery life of the smartphone can be reduced by 15-20% faster than usual due to increased load on the Bluetooth module.

To check your device’s capabilities accurately, you can use the engineering menu or specialized apps from the Google Play store that display supported codecs. If the list of supported profiles does not have A2DP Sink in the plural, native support may not be available.

Activation of Dual Audio in MIUI and HyperOS settings

Owners of smartphones with MIUI 12.5 shells and later, as well as HyperOS, often have access to a hidden or explicit dual audio feature. First of all, you need to check the standard Bluetooth menu, since in some regional versions of firmware this option is enabled by default or activated automatically when you try to connect a second device.

To start, go to your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings section. Find Settings (usually a gear in the corner of the screen or three dots on the menu) and it may have a Double Audio or Translate to Two Devices switch.** If you don’t have that option explicitly, try the next action algorithm.

Settings → Bluetooth → (Push on the gear next to the connected device) → Double audio

If the menu doesn't have direct instructions, try connecting the first device, starting music playback, and then searching for the second one, and the system can suggest you choose to work: "Replace the current one" or "Add more." Choose the second option.

It is worth noting that in global firmware versions (Global ROM), this feature is often cut from the interface, while in Chinese versions (China ROM) it is almost always present, due to licensing restrictions and marketing policies of the company in different regions.

⚠️ If after connecting the second headphone sound disappeared in the first, then your smartphone does not support streaming to two channels at the same time and just switched the output.

Use of synchronizing applications

If Xiaomi's regular funds don't allow it to happen, third-party developers come to the rescue. There are a number of apps in the Google Play store that use their own algorithms to duplicate the audio stream. One of the most popular solutions is the SoundSeeder app or its analogues, which work on the principle of creating a local network.

The principle of such programs is that one device (smartphone) becomes a “master”, and the second connects to it not through a standard Bluetooth Audio profile, but through Wi-Fi Direct or a special application protocol.

• 📲 Download the sync app on both smartphones (if using the two-phone method) or use the same device to control the device.
• 🔗 Connect the headphones to the smartphone in turn to check compatibility.
• 🎚️ Set up the volume balance for each channel separately in the application interface.

Some applications require you to install the client part on a second smartphone, which will act as a transmitter for the second headphones. In this scenario, you'll need two phones: one plays the role of a player, the other plays the sound repeater on the second headphones. This is less convenient, but guarantees the result on any device.

When watching video, the desynchronization of the picture and sound can become noticeable, so this method is less suitable for cinema than for listening to music.

Connection through party mode (Party Mode)

Many modern Xiaomi headphone models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Pro or Redmi Buds 3 Pro, support the branded “Party” or “Double Connection” mode, which allows one smartphone to broadcast sound to two sets of headphones at once if they are in pairing mode.

To activate this mode, you often need to put both sets of headphones in the mode (pairing), usually by holding the button on the case or touch panels for a long time until the indicators start flashing quickly in white or blue, only after that the smartphone will see them as available for simultaneous connection.

If your headphones support the TWS Stereo Link protocol, they can self-unite into a single network, in which case you will see one device in the Bluetooth list that, when connected, distributes channels (left/right) between two different cases, if they were previously paired with each other.

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Try first connecting the second headphones to another phone, turning on music, and then select the “Connect to another device” option in the main phone’s Bluetooth settings (if there is one in the media output menu).

Setting balance and volume in the engineering menu

For advanced users who want to make the most of their Xiaomi, there is an engineering menu available, where you can try to force activation of additional Bluetooth profiles or change the parameters of the codecs, and log into the menu through a set of special code in the Phone application.

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Once you enter the code, you'll open a test menu, find a section related to Bluetooth or Audio, check the status of the connected devices, and if the system sees two devices but doesn't output sound to them, you may need to reset your Bluetooth stack settings.

Be careful when changing the parameters in the engineering menu, improper setting of frequencies or codecs can cause the sound to become hoarse or disappear altogether, and it is recommended to write down the initial values before making any changes.

• 🔍 Find the Bluetooth Test item in the engineering menu.
• ⚙️ Check active profiles A2DP and AVRCP.
• 🔄 If necessary, reset the Bluetooth module.

⚠️ Note: Entering the engineering menu is at your own risk, changing unknown parameters may cause the communication module to work in an unstable manner.

Solutions (Frequent Problems and Their Resolve)

Even if you follow all the instructions, users can face difficulties, and the most common problem is desynchronizing the sound when one headphone has music ahead of the other, and this is solved by re-pairing: forget both devices in the Bluetooth settings, reboot the smartphone and reconnect them, starting with the one that is used less often.

Another problem is that the second set cannot be adjusted independently of the first set. In standard Android interface, volume is usually synchronized. Separate control requires special mixer applications that may require root rights to access the audio system settings.

If the sound is interrupted or cracked, check the load of the air. Wi-Fi routers running at 2.4 GHz can interfere with Bluetooth. Try to switch Wi-Fi to 5 GHz or move the router away from the listening area.

In some cases, network resetting helps. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.This action will remove all stored networks and devices, but often resolves deep software conflicts.

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The main reason for desynchronization is overloading the Bluetooth channel or using different codecs on two different models of headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)