How to completely disable the microphone on Xiaomi wireless headphones through your phone: all ways

Xiaomi wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets for communication and listening to music, but sometimes their built-in microphone becomes a source of problems. You may encounter a situation where background noise spoils the conversation, the microphone accidentally activates while listening to music or you just want to ensure privacy. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to turn off the microphone on Xiaomi headphones directly through your smartphone – from standard settings to hidden MIUI functions.

It’s important to understand that the method of disabling depends on the headphone model (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi AirDots 3 or Buds 5), the firmware version of the phone, and even the application you use for calls. We’ll look at universal solutions, as well as specific instructions for different scenarios – from completely turning off the microphone to temporarily blocking it during calls.

If you are looking for a way to physically disable the microphone at the hardware level (for example, disassembling the headphones), we immediately warn you that this can lead to loss of warranty and damage to the device.

1. Disable the microphone via Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi

The easiest way to limit the microphone is to change the headphone connection profile in the Bluetooth settings.This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13.

By default, the headphones are connected in Headset (HSP) or A2DP + HFP mode, which allows you to use the microphone. We can force them to switch to A2DP Sink mode, where the microphone will not be available:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list of connected devices and tap on the gear (⚙️ Settings) next to them.
3. Select Sound Mode (or Connection Profile in older versions of MIUI).
4. Uncheck Phone Calls (HFP) or select Audio Only (A2DP).
5. Confirm the changes and reconnect the headphones.

⚠️ Warning: After that, you can't use your headphones to make calls -- they'll only work as an audio device. To get the microphone back, repeat the steps and turn on the mode. HFP backwards.

Charge your headphones to at least 30%|Disconnect them from other devices|Close all apps that use the microphone (Zoom, WhatsApp)|Check the version. MIUI at the Settings → The phone.-->

2.Using the "Audio Only" mode in MIUI

MIUI 13/14 has a hidden feature that allows you to force the microphone to be turned off for a specific Bluetooth device without changing the connection profile, which is convenient if you want to keep the ability to call, but lock the microphone in certain applications.

Instructions:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Settings → Special features → Services for input devices.
3. Find the Bluetooth audio section and select your headphones.
4. Activate the switch Only sound playback.
5. Reset the headphones (press the power button for 10 seconds).

This method doesn’t work on all headphone models, and if you don’t have an option, try updating your phone’s firmware or using alternative methods in the following sections.

Redmi Buds 3/4|Xiaomi AirDots|Buds 5 Pro|Another model |I don't know-->

3. Disable the microphone through the application "Mi Earphones"

For Xiaomi and Redmi headphones, there is the official Mi Earphones app (formerly Mi Headset) that allows you to flexibly customize your microphone.The app is available on Google Play and AppGallery, but some features may vary by region.

How to turn off the microphone via Mi Earphones:

• 📱 Install the app and connect the headphones to the phone.
• 🔧 Open the Microphone Settings tab (or Calls).
• 🔇 Find the option to Disable the microphone during music or Privacy Mode.
• 🔄 Apply the settings and reconnect the headphones.

If your version of the app doesn’t have a direct disable option, try:

1. Reset your headphone settings via Mi Earphones → Reset.
2. Turn off the noise reduction function (sometimes this blocks the microphone).
3. Install the profile Game mode - in it the microphone can be turned off by default.

💡

If the Mi Earphones app doesn’t find your headphones, try first to disconnect them from all devices, then reset (click the button for 15 seconds) and reconnect.

4. Android-level microphone lock (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can software-based lockdown of microphone access for a specific Bluetooth device, which requires developer rights or root access, but gives you 100% results.

Method 1: Through ADB (without root):

adb shell settings put global bluetooth_hfp_client_available 0

This command disables support for the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) that handles voice transmission. Once done, restart the phone.

Method 2: Tasker or MacroDroid:

• 🤖 Create a macro with a trigger Connect Bluetooth device.
• 🔧 Add the action to execute the command:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-commands can disrupt Bluetooth. Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

5. Disabling the microphone in specific applications

If you only need to turn off your microphone in certain apps (like WhatsApp or Discord), use the Android settings built in:

For WhatsApp:

1. Open the contact chat.
2. Click on the call icon → Call settings.
3. Choose the phone speaker instead of headphones.

For Zoom/Google Meet:

• 🎤 Before entering the conference, click on the microphone icon.
• 🔇 Select Turn off the microphone or Use the phone microphone.

For the Games (PUBG, Call of Duty):

Game settings → Sound → Input device → Phone speaker

⚠️ Note: Some applications (for example, Viber) ignore system settings and force the microphone of the headphones. HFP, as described in the first section.

Hardware shutdown of microphone (extreme case)

If software methods don't work, and disabling the microphone is critical (for example, for security reasons), you can resort to physical shutdown, which is only suitable for users with experience in electronics repair.

What will be required:

• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers for small electronics (usually) T4/T5).
• 🧲 Tweezers and multimeter (for checking contacts).
• 🔥 A soldering iron with a thin sting (power not more than 30 W).

Step-by-step:

1. Carefully open the headphone case with a microphone (usually this is the right headphone from Xiaomi).
2. Find a microphone – it looks like a small black or metal square with a hole.
3. Seal off or cut the wires that go to the microphone (usually red and black).
4. Close the case using B-7000 glue (not superglue!).

⚠️ Warning: After that, you lose your warranty, and your headphones stop working for calls, and you risk damage to your fees if you don't ration properly. If you're not sure about your skills, contact your service center.

💡

Physically turning off the microphone is an irreversible process. Before you do that, try all the software methods and make sure that the problem is not solved by settings.

7. Alternative solutions: if nothing helps

If none of these methods worked, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Update your headphone firmware through Mi Earphones. Sometimes microphone bugs get fixed in newer versions.
• 📦 Use the Bluetooth adapter → 3.5mm (e.g. Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver) In this case, the headphone microphone will not be used.
• 🎧 Buy headphones without a microphone – for example, Xiaomi Mi Basic or Redmi Buds Lite (some versions do not have a microphone).
• 📱 Reset network settings on your phone: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings. Sometimes it solves problems with Bluetooth profiles.

If the problem occurred after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version.

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the process to be completed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off the microphone on Xiaomi headphones