Can I connect two Xiaomi headphones to the same phone?
Owners of Xiaomi wireless headphones often face the question: is it possible to use two devices simultaneously to listen to music or watch movies from the same smartphone? The answer is yes, but with reservations. Not all models support this feature out of the box, and for some you will need to use workarounds.
The technology that allows you to stream audio to two devices at once is called Dual Audio or Multipoint. In Xiaomi smartphones (especially on MIUI 12+), this option is present, but does not work with all headphones. For example, Redmi AirDots 3 or Xiaomi Buds 4 support such a connection, but the budget Redmi Buds 3 Lite does not.
In this article, we will discuss official synchronization methods, alternative methods for incompatible models, and common errors and their solutions. If you want to share a sound with a friend or use two headphones for different purposes (for example, one for music, one for notifications), read on.
Dual Audio support in Xiaomi: which models are compatible
Dual Audio is available on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, but its work depends on two factors:
- ๐ฑ Smartphone model: flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K60) Supports the function more stable than budget devices (Redmi Note) 11).
- ๐ง Headphone model: only devices with a Qualcomm chip QCC3040 and newer (e.g. Xiaomi Buds) 3T, Redmi AirDots 3 Pro).
- ๐ Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.0 is required+ profile-support A2DP.
Below is the compatibility table of popular models:
| Model headphones | Dual Audio support | Required version of MIUI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Buds 4 | โ Yes. | MIUI 13+ | Stable operation, low delay |
| Redmi AirDots 3 Pro | โ Yes. | MIUI 12.5+ | May require manual reconnection |
| Xiaomi Buds 3T | โ Yes. | MIUI 12+ | Supports adaptive sound |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | โ No. | โ | Budget chip does not support multithreading |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | โ ๏ธ Partially. | MIUI 14 | It only works with certain smartphones. |
If your model is on the list, go to the next section with the instructions. If not, read about the alternative methods below.
Step-by-step: how to turn on Dual Audio on Xiaomi
If your smartphone and headphones support the function, follow the following steps:
- Connect the first headphone to the phone in the standard way (via Settings โ Bluetooth).
- Activate Dual Audio Mode: Open Settings โ Connections and Sharing โ Dual Audio. Turn on the switch Double Audio Out.
- Connect the second headphone: Press the button on the second headphone to put into pairing mode (usually 3-5 seconds). In the list of available Bluetooth devices, select the second headphone.
Set up the sound balance.
- In the Dual Audio menu, you can adjust the volume for each device separately.
Update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Home| app
Make sure both earphones are charged at least 50 times%|
Disable other Bluetooth devices to avoid conflict|
Reboot your smartphone before setting up-->
If the Dual Audio item is not on the menu, then your smartphone or headphone model does not support the function, in which case, move to the section on alternative methods.
โ ๏ธ Note: Dual Audio may cause increased sound delay (up to the end of the day). 200-300 It is not recommended to use this mode for games or watching videos where synchronization is important.
Alternative methods for incompatible models
If your headphones donโt support Dual Audio, there are a few workarounds:
1.Use of Bluetooth splitter
Devices like the Avantek BTA-200 or the 1Mii B06 Plus allow you to connect two pairs of headphones to a single source.
- ๐ Connect the splitter to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
- ๐ง Synchronize both headphones with a splitter.
- ๐ต The audio will be broadcast to both devices with minimal latency.
Cons: additional costs (~2000-3000 โฝ) and the need to carry a cleavage with you.
2.Applications for the division of the audio stream
Some Google Play apps emulate the Dual Audio feature:
- ๐ฑ SoundAssistant (requires root on some devices).
- ๐๏ธ Bluetooth Dual Audio (not working on all firmware).
- โ๏ธ Developer Options: Enable Disable Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload in developer settings (can help with compatibility).
How to enable settings for developers
3.Use of the second smartphone as a repeater
Method for emergency cases:
- Connect the first headphone to the main phone.
- Connect the second headphone to another smartphone (or tablet).
- On the second device, enable Bluetooth Sound Transfer (some firmware has Audio Relay option).
- Sync both devices over Wi-Fi Direct or through apps like SoundWire.
Cons: High delay and possible interference.
โ ๏ธ Note: When using third-party audio sharing apps, there may be a disruption in the synchronization of sound between headphones (up to 500 ms), which is critical for video, but not significant for music.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even if it's set up correctly, there can be failures.
1.One of the headphones is not connected
Causes and solutions:
- ๐ Battery discharged: charge both headphones to 100% and restart.
- ๐ Bluetooth profile conflict: in Bluetooth settings, click on the icon โ๏ธ next to the headphone and select Forget the device, then plug it back in.
- ๐ฑ Outdated firmware: Update MIUI And the headphones through Mi Home.
2.The sound is interrupted or delayed
What to do:
- ๐ถ Interference from other devices: Turn off Wi-Fi or move to a place with fewer Bluetooth devices.
- ๐ Low quality codec: In Bluetooth settings, select Prioritize audio quality).
- ๐ Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings โ System system โ Reset โ Resetting network settings.
3.Dual Audio goes missing after update
Decision:
- โ๏ธ Resetting Bluetooth cache: Settings โ Annexes โ Application management โ Three points (โฎ) โ Show system-based โ Bluetooth โ Warehouse โ Clear the cache
- ๐ฅ Firmware rollback: if the problem appeared after the update MIUI, Try to revert to the previous version (instructions for the 4PDA).
๐ก
If the sound in the headphones is different in volume, try calibrating them through the engineering menu. To do this, type in the dial ##3644633## and select Headset.
Comparison with competitors: how other brands are doing
Dual Audio technology is not unique to Xiaomi, but letโs look at how itโs implemented by other manufacturers:
| Brand | Name of technology | Supported devices | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Dual Audio | Galaxy S8 and newer, Buds+/Buds2 | Stable work, support for Scalable Codec |
| Apple | Audio Sharing | iPhone 8 and newer, AirPods 2/3/Pro | Apple Headphones Only, Low Delay |
| Huawei | Dual-Channel Audio | Mate 40/P50, FreeBuds 4/5 | Requires branded headphones, limited compatibility |
| Xiaomi | Dual Audio | MIUI 12+, select headphone models | It works unstable on budget devices |
Xiaomi lags behind Samsung and Apple in the stability of Dual Audio, but offers more flexibility by supporting third-party solutions (forks, applications). If reliability is critical for you, consider Samsung Buds2 headphones or Apple AirPods.
๐ก
Xiaomiโs main advantage is the ability to use Dual Audio with non-flagship smartphones (for example, the Redmi Note 12), while competitors often only have the feature available in top-end models.
Safety and Impact on the Battery
Using two headphones simultaneously increases the load on the Bluetooth module of the smartphone and the batteries of the headphones themselves.
1. Effect on the smartphone battery
According to XDA Developers, activating Dual Audio increases power consumption by 15-20% compared to a single connected device.
- ๐ถ Double data transfer over Bluetooth.
- ๐ Active work of the processor for synchronization of flows.
Recommend: Use the mode only when necessary and turn it off after use.
2. Effect on the headphone battery
Dual Audio headphones discharge 25-30% faster, for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 normally lasts 8 hours, and with dual connection โ 5-6 hours.
3. Safety risks
When using third-party applications to share audio:
- ๐ก๏ธ Superuser rights: Some utilities require root, which can compromise system security.
- ๐ Data interception: Unofficial Bluetooth spunters may be vulnerable to attacks (e.g. BlueBorne).
โ ๏ธ Note: If you use Dual Audio to listen to confidential conversations (like in Zoom), make sure both headphones are connected to the same trusted device.