How to increase the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

You bought AirPods and plugged them into a Xiaomi smartphone, but the sound was quieter than the iPhone? It’s a common problem: due to the peculiarities of the Bluetooth protocol and the limitations of MIUI, the volume of wireless headphones on Android devices is often underestimated. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to increase the volume of AirPods (including the Pro 2, 3rd generation and AirPods Max models) on any Xiaomi smartphone, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

It’s important to understand that the problem isn’t with the headphones themselves, but with the software constraints. Apple is optimizing AirPods for its ecosystem, and Xiaomi follows A2DP standards (Bluetooth profile for audio transfer), which by default limit maximum volume. But there are workarounds, from simple settings to hidden MIUI features to even firmware modifications (for advanced users).

Before you start, check the basics:

• 🔊 Make sure the AirPods do not activate Adaptive Noise Canceling (it automatically reduces volume in noisy conditions).
• 📱 Update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version – in new builds often fix problems with Bluetooth audio.
• 🔋 Headphone charge should be above 20% - at a low level of the battery AirPods artificially reduce the volume.

1. Volume Limiting in MIUI

Xiaomi defaults to setting a volume limit for Bluetooth devices to protect users' hearing, which can be removed or increased.

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Slip on Volume (or Volume Control in newer versions of MIUI).
3. In the upper right corner, press three points (⋮) and select Volume Settings.
4. Activate the switch Turn off the safe volume level (or move the Bluetooth Volume Limit slider to maximum).

⚠️ Warning: After the limit is turned off, the volume may become uncomfortable high – especially on AirPods Pro models 2 With better speakers. Start with 70-80% Volume and gradually increase to avoid hearing damage.

If you don't have a Safe Layer Disable, your version of MIUI doesn't support this option, so move on to the next one.

Turn off the "quiet hour" mode in MIUI

Make sure AirPods are connected as a "Media Player"

Check if the "Monosound" mode is activated in the special features settings-->

2.Use of equalizer to amplify sound

MIUI has a built-in equalizer that allows you to amplify certain frequencies, thereby making the sound louder, a technique that is especially effective for AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, where bass often fails on Android.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Equator.
2. Choose a Bass or Rock preset – they amplify the low and medium frequencies, which subjectively makes the sound louder.
3. For fine tuning, tap on Custom and manually lift the sliders at 60 Hz, 230 Hz and 910 Hz at +3... +5 dB.

💡 Useful tip: If the built-in equalizer does not save settings for AirPods, install a third-party application, such as Wavelet or Poweramp Equalizer.

3. Activation of the developer mode and changing the Bluetooth settings

For advanced users, there is a way to increase volume through hidden Bluetooth settings, a method that requires developer mode activation and works on most Xiaomi smartphones (except HyperOS models).

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Bluetooth Absolute Volume and turn it off.
4. Reconnect the AirPods.

⚠️ Attention: Turning off Bluetooth's absolute volume may result in unsynchronized volume control - when the slider on the phone and the real volume in the headphones do not match.

If this option is missing, try an alternative method:

• 🔧 Install Bluetooth Auto Connect and activate Force Max Volume in your device settings.
• 📲 Use it. ADB-commands to change system parameters (requires PC and debugging on the USB).

💡

Turning off Bluetooth's "Absolute Volume" is the most effective way to turn up the volume, but can cause headphones to work unstable. Test carefully!

4. Reset AirPods settings and re-pair

Sometimes the problem with low volume is associated with improper pairing of headphones and phone, especially if AirPods were previously connected to an iPhone or other device.

1. Place the AirPods in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes yellow, then white.
3. On a Xiaomi smartphone, go to Settings → Bluetooth, find AirPods in the list and tap Forget the device.
4. Reconnect the headphones following the standard procedure.

After reset, check the volume, which often solves the problem of sticking the constraints, and if the sound is still quiet, move on to the next method.

🔍 Diagnostics: If the volume hasn't changed after the reset, the problem could be in the Bluetooth codec. Xiaomi uses default SBC — The most versatile, but not the best, codec. Try to force it on. AAC (supported by AirPods):

• 🎧 Install Bluetooth Codec Changer (root rights required).
• 📊 Select AirPods from the list of devices and install the codec AAC or aptX (if supported).

5. Installation of custom firmware (for experienced users)

If none of the methods worked, and the volume of the AirPods is critically low, the radical solution is to install custom firmware with a modified Bluetooth stack, which is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and ready for potential risks.

Recommended firmware:

• 📱 LineageOS – has improved support for Bluetooth codecs.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience portes Google Pixel functionality, including optimizations for AirPods.
• ⚡ crDroid – allows you to manually adjust the volume of Bluetooth via build.prop.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and may cause some features to fail (e.g. Dolby Atmos or Hi-Res Audio in the case of a custom firmware). MIUI). Before the firmware, make a backup copy of the data through TWRP.

If you’re not ready for such experiments, go back to previous methods or consider buying a Bluetooth transmitter (like the Creative BT-W5) that lets you get around the limitations of MIUI.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check compatibility with your Xiaomi model on the XDA Developers forum.Some firmware may not support wireless charging or NFC.

6. Alternative solutions: amplifiers and applications

If software methods do not give a result, pay attention to hardware and software amplifiers:

• 🎛️ Bluetooth amplifiers (e.g. FiiO) BTR5) — connect to AirPods over wire and increase volume without loss of quality.
• 📱 Amplifiers: Volume Booster – Increases volume by 20-30% Precise Volume, which allows you to adjust the volume more accurately (step) 1% opportunistic 15%).
• 🔊 Supported headphones LDAC — If AirPods are not really good, consider alternatives like Sony. WF-1000XM5, Which Xiaomi is Louder Thanks to Codec LDAC.

💰 Budget solution: Buy a Bluetooth adapter (e.g. Avantek) APA-BT500) And plug it into the auxiliary input in the car or in the speaker, and that'll get around the restrictions. MIUI It will allow you to use AirPods at full volume.

7. Checking for hardware malfunctions

If you’ve tried all of these methods but the volume remains low, it may be a problem with the hardware:

• 🔍 Contamination of speakers - earwax or dust can block sound. Clean your headphones with a soft brush or compressed air.
• 🔋 Battery wear - if AirPods discharge faster than normal, it can affect volume. check battery status via AirBattery app.
• 🛠️ Membrane damage - when you fall or get moisture, the speakers can lose volume.

⚠️ Warning: If AirPods are wheezing or distorting at maximum volume, do not increase it further – this can lead to irreversible damage to the speakers.

To diagnose, connect your headphones to another device (like an iPad or MacBook). If the problem persists, a malfunction in the AirPods, if not, Xiaomi's settings are to blame.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi