Which Bluetooth AVRCP Version to Choose on Xiaomi for Perfect Sound

The problem of desynchronizing the sound or failure of the control buttons on the steering wheel is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones. Often the cause is not a break in the tape, but an incorrect data exchange protocol. The Android operating system, and in the shell of MIUI in particular, there is a special engineering parameter that regulates this process.

Users rarely think about a particular version of the protocol behind the transmission of media teams until they encounter glitches. The Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) standard is responsible for how the phone communicates with an external device: transmits track metadata, responds to song switching and controls volume. Incorrectly configuring this option can turn listening to music in the car into torture.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how versions 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 differ, and which one is more appropriate for your use case, how to get into the hidden developer menu without risking damage to the system, and understand why automatic version selection does not always work correctly on Redmi and Poco smartphones.

What is AVRCP and why do you need to change its version?

AVRCP is part of the Bluetooth stack and serves as a bridge between the source of the signal (your smartphone) and its receiver (car radio, Bluetooth headphones or speakers). Without this profile, you would hear the sound, but you wouldn't be able to switch tracks with buttons on the steering wheel or see the name of the composition on the car's display. Developers are constantly improving this standard by adding support for new features and improving the stability of the connection.

Each new version of the protocol introduces changes in the logic of the work. For example, older versions may be more stable for budget tapes, while new ones provide better transfer of album covers and metadata. Xiaomi devices often have an Auto mode, which tries to match the version itself with the connected gadget. However, in real life this mechanism does not work perfectly, especially with Chinese head devices or older audio systems.

Manually changing the version of AVRCP in the developer menu allows you to force the phone to use a specific communication standard, which often solves problems when music plays jerks, skips tracks or when the radio stops responding to the commands "Forward" and "Back", changing this setting does not require root rights and is safe to guarantee the device, since it is a regular Android feature.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the system settings in the developer menu can cause a temporary Bluetooth connection to fail. If the sound is gone after the version change, just return the default value or restart the smartphone.

Version analysis of the protocol: 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6

Understanding the differences between versions will help you make an informed decision: don't blindly put the newest version in the hope of better quality. In the world of technology, the rule often works: the newer the standard, the higher the requirements for compatible hardware. Let's look at the evolution of the protocol with the example of Xiaomi devices.

Version 1.3 is considered the most basic and compatible version, and it provides basic playback control commands. If you have a very old tape recorder (released before 2015), this mode can be a lifesaver, but modern users rarely choose it, since it does not support advanced folder navigation and fast search.

Versions 1.4 and 1.5 are the middle ground, and they add support for browserable media player navigation, which allows you to see track listings directly on the car screen if it supports this feature. Most of the cars released after 2016 work well with these versions, and this is where the best balance between functionality and connectivity is found.

Version 1.6 is the most up-to-date standard for improved metadata and album artwork. However, it requires support from the host device. If your stereo doesn't know how to work with AVRCP 1.6, forcing this version to be installed on a Xiaomi phone could cause the controls to stop working altogether, leaving only sound.

🔹 AVRCP 1.3: Maximum compatibility with old iron, basic control Play/Pause.
🔹 AVRCP 1.4: Track list navigation added, metadata stability improved.
🔹 AVRCP 1.5: Optimization for multi-touch control and fast commands, standard for most cars 2018-2022 year-end.
🔹 AVRCP 1.6: Improved cover and text synchronization, but possible instability on older head units.

📊 What version? AVRCP You're worth it now?

By default (Auto)

Version 1.4

Version 1.5

Version 1.6

I don't know/I haven't checked.

Before changing your Bluetooth settings, you need to activate the hidden partition in the MIUI system.This is standard procedure for all smartphones of the brand, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note.

You have to open the standard Settings app and scroll down to the very bottom of the "About Phone" section, and here we're interested in the version box. MIUI» (or "Version" OS» You need to click on this line quickly. 7-10 successively.

After a few clicks, the system will start showing pop-up notifications about how much is left before activation. When you see the message "You became a developer!", you can move to the next step. The menu will appear in the main list of settings, usually immediately under the item "Advanced settings" or at the bottom of the list.

☑️ Activation of the developer mode

Open the phone settingsGo to the section "About the phone"7 times press "Version" MIUI»Find a new menu in the settings

Done: 0 / 4

If the menu doesn't appear right away, try restarting the device. MIUI It is also necessary to include a paragraph «USB-debugging, although not necessary to set up Bluetooth, it is useful to have activated for the future.

Once the developer mode is activated, we move to the direct settings. Open Settings → Additional → Developer. The list of options will be impressive, so you’d better search by settings or scroll down to Network or Bluetooth.

Find the option "AVRCP Bluetooth Version." The default is "Default" (or "Default"). Click on it. The list of available protocol versions will open. Select the one you want (we recommend starting at 1.5) and confirm the action. The system can warn you that the change will take effect after you reboot or reconnect the device.

Path to setup:


Settings → The phone. → (7 Clicks According to Version MIUI) →




Settings → Additional → For Developers →




AVRCP Bluetooth version → Select 1.5

It's important to reconnect correctly. After you change the version, don't just turn on Bluetooth again, but do the whole procedure: delete (forget) the device in the paired list, turn off Bluetooth on the phone, turn it on again, and pair it with the tape recorder as a new device, which ensures that the protocol is initialized again with new parameters.

⚠️ Note: Do not change other options in the developer menu unless you are sure of their purpose.In particular, avoid changing the interface scale or screen refresh rate unnecessarily, this can make the system uncomfortable.

Problem Solving: There is sound, but no control

One of the most common complaints of Xiaomi owners is when music plays via Bluetooth, but the buttons on the steering wheel do not work, or the phone does not respond to commands from the tape recorder, often after updating the phone’s firmware or replacing the head unit in the car.

In 80% of cases, the problem lies in the conflict of versions of AVRCP. Magnetola expects commands in 1.4 format, and the phone sends them in 1.6 format, and vice versa. As a result, commands are “swallowed” or ignored. Switching to an older version (for example, from 1.6 to 1.4) often instantly returns the functionality of the buttons.

Also worth checking is the power saving settings. MIUI is known for its aggressive battery optimization, which can kill the background process of a Bluetooth service. Go to the Bluetooth app settings (via the app menu) and select No Limits mode to save battery.

🔸 Remove the pairing profile in the car's Bluetooth settings.
🔸 Change the version. AVRCP Developer menu on 1.4 or 1.5.
🔸 Reboot your smartphone and tape (sometimes you need to reset the settings of the tape recorder).
🔸 Perform the pairing again and check the buttons.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If changing the AVRCP version didn’t help, try clearing the Bluetooth cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Show all apps → In the menu (three dots) select Show Systems → Find Bluetooth → Storage → Clear the cache. After that, the phone will require all devices again.

Comparison of Stability and Functionality

To make it easier for you to choose, we have prepared a summary table that shows what features are available in different versions of the protocol and how stable they are on Xiaomi devices.

Parameter	AVRCP 1.3	AVRCP 1.4	AVRCP 1.5	AVRCP 1.6
Basic management	There is.	There is.	There is.	There is.
Track navigation	No.	There is.	There is.	There is.
Transfer of covers	No.	Partially.	Yes.	Yeah (improved)
Compatibility	Maximum	Tall.	Optimal.	It needs new software.
Stability on Xiaomi	Tall.	Tall.	Very high.	Medium

As you can see from the table, version 1.5 looks like the most balanced choice for most users. It retains the high stability characteristic of previous versions, but already includes the necessary modern features. Version 1.6 is worth trying only if you use a fresh tape recorder with Android Auto or CarPlay and want maximum detail.

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Expert advice: If you use third-party players (Poweramp, Musicolet), they may have their own Bluetooth settings, check if they override the system settings for audio output.

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Is it safe to change the AVRCP version, will the warranty fly?

Yes, it's absolutely safe. Changing the AVRCP version is a regular Android feature for app developers and testers. It's not a root or a flash, so Xiaomi's warranty is saved. You can return the default value at any time.

Why did the sound disappear after the version change?

Chances are that the protocol version you choose is not supported by your external device (earphones or tapes), in which case the device simply cannot decode the audio stream, return the setting to Default, or try the next version (for example, if it was 1.6, set 1.5).

Does the AVRCP version affect the sound quality?

The AVRCP protocol itself is responsible for control (Play, Pause, Next) rather than audio encoding. The sound quality is the responsibility of codecs (SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC), but if the AVRCP version is chosen incorrectly, the connection can be unstable, leading to interruptions and artifacts subjectively impairing quality.

Do I need to reconnect the device after each change?

Yes, it is. The changes only take effect when you set up a new session, and it is not enough to turn off and turn on Bluetooth, you need to remove the device from the list of conjugated devices ("Forget the device") and reconnect it.

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The best choice for 90% of Xiaomi users and modern cars is the AVRCP 1.5 version, which provides better control compatibility without losing connection stability.

To sum up, experimenting with AVRCP versions is the best way to solve Bluetooth problems on Xiaomi without going to the service.Start with version 1.5, and if you have problems, try 1.4.It will take a couple of minutes, but can save your nerves on the next trip.