How to increase the volume of headphones Xiaomi Earbuds: all the ways from basic to hidden

Xiaomi Earbuds are some of the most popular wireless gadgets due to the price-quality ratio, but many users face a problem: even at maximum volume, the sound seems quiet, especially in noisy places, when listening to music at low frequencies or while calling. The reasons can be different, from manufacturer restrictions to incorrect smartphone settings.

In this article, we'll look at 7 proven ways to turn up the volume on Earbuds Basic, Earbuds Pro, Earbuds 3/4 and other variations. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe. For example, changing the parameters through the engineering menu can cause sound distortion or even damage to the speakers. So we'll start with the simplest and most harmless options, and then move on to the advanced ones.

If you've tried to turn up the volume through your phone's standard settings and it doesn't work, don't rush to buy new headphones. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-based, without any interference with the hardware, and the key is to follow the instructions and not miss the important nuances.

1. Checking the basic settings: what to do before changing the parameters

Before you go into deep settings, make sure that the problem is not on the surface. Often users miss the obvious moments that make the volume seem lower than real.

• 🔊 Volume level on your smartphone: check that the volume slider in the notification panel (or through physical buttons) is set to maximum. On Android and iOS, the volume of media and calls is regulated separately.
• 🎧 Loudness on the headphones themselves: Some models (for example, Earbuds 3 Pro) have touch control – double touch can increase / decrease sound.
• 📱 Do Not Disturb Mode: If activated, the sound may automatically mute. Check the phone settings (Sound) → Don't disturb).
• 🔋 Headphone charge: When the battery level is low (below 15%), some models artificially turn the volume down to save energy.

It's also worth testing the headphones on another device, and if the second smartphone or tablet has a louder sound, it's a problem with the settings of your main gadget, and if the volume hasn't changed, it's the Earbuds themselves.

Check the volume slider on your phone|Make sure the "Do Not Disturb" mode is off.|Test your headphones on another device|Charge your headphones to 100%|Update the headphone firmware (if available)-->

Important: If you’re using Xiaomi Earbuds with an iPhone, some features (like adaptive volume) may not work properly, in which case try connecting your headphones to your Android device for a test.

Equalizer setting: how to amplify low and high frequencies

It often seems that the headphones are quiet, but the problem is that the frequency balance is wrong. For example, if the track is dominated by low frequencies (bass) and the equalizer mutes them, the overall volume is perceived as insufficient, the solution is to adjust the equalizer to your preferences.

This can be done through:

• 📱 Standard phone equalizer: on MIUI Go to Settings. → Sound. → Equalizer. Choose the "Bases" or "Rock" preset, which amplifies the low frequencies, which subjectively makes the sound louder.
• 🎵 Third-party players: applications like Poweramp, VLC Or Musicolet have built-in equalizers with the ability to manually adjust. For example, in Poweramp you can raise sliders by 60 Hz (bass) and 10 kHz (high frequencies) on the other side. +3–+6 dB.
• 🔧 Application Mi Fit/Life: For Earbuds Pro and later models, pre-installed sound profiles are available here ("Game", "Films").

If you use Spotify or YouTube Music, they also have built-in equalizers in their settings. For example, in Spotify: Settings → Play → Equalizer → select the Bass preset or manually set up.

Standard on the phone.|In the player (Poweramp, VLC etc.)|In annex Mi Fit/Life|I don't use it.|Another option-->

Critical nuance: do not lift the equalizer sliders higher +6 dB, which can cause sound distortion and overload of speakers. +2 +4 dB at the right frequencies.

3.Using the Mi Fit/Life app: Hidden features for Earbuds

The official Mi Fit app (or Mi Life for new models) offers advanced settings for Xiaomi headphones that aren't in the phone's standard menu.

1. Firmware Update: Sometimes low volume is associated with a bug in the software. Open Mi Fit, plug in the headphones and check for updates in the Device → Firmware Update section.
2. Game Sound Mode: Available for Earbuds 3 Pro and later. Activates low latency and slightly increases volume by turning off some audio processing. Path: Mi Fit → Device → Sound settings.
3. Adaptive Volume: The function automatically adjusts the sound depending on the noise level around it.

If your Mi Fit version doesn’t have these options, try:

• 📥 Update the application to the latest version.
• 🔄 Reconnect the headphones (Forget the device in Bluetooth settings, then pair again).
• 🌐 Change the region in the Mi Fit settings to China – sometimes it opens up additional features.

💡

If the sound is quieter after the headphone firmware update, try rolling back to the previous version. To do this, in Mi Fit, click on the three dots in the Update section and select "Roll back" (if the option is available).

This is not a good option for Earbuds Basic models (without Mi Fit support), so move on to the following methods.

4. Engineering menu: how to increase volume at the system level

If standard methods didn't work, you can try changing the sound parameters through the Engineering Mode, which is a hidden diagnostic menu where you can manually adjust the volume limits.

Instructions for Android:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (for some MIUI firmware, code ##4636## may work, then go to the Audio tab).
2. Select Hardware Testing → Audio → Headset Mode.
3. Press Set Max Vol and set the value of 150 (standard limit is 80-100).
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

For iPhone, the engineering menu is not available, but you can try to bypass the restrictions through availability settings:

1. Go to Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual content.
2. Activate the option "Loudness equalization" and turn off "Loud noise reduction".

⚠️ Warning: After changing the parameters in the engineering menu, test the headphones at medium volume for 10-15 minutes. If there are wheezing or the sound begins to break, return the settings to the standard values. 5. Third-party audio augmentation apps, if you don't want to dig through the engineering menu, you can use specialized applications, which work as intermediaries between the system and the headphones, amplify the signal at the software level. Best Android Options: App Features Minuses Link Volume Booster Volume Up to 200% of Standard, Supports Equalizer Ads, Can Distort Sound at High Levels of Google Play Equalizer FX 10-band equalizer, presets for different genres Plugins for some players do not work Google Play Precise Volume Thin volume setting with 1% increments, Bluetooth support Difficult interface for beginners Google Play For iOS, the choice is limited due to Apple's policy, but you can try: 🎛️ Boom: Bass Booster adds 3D-effects and enhances bass. 🔊 Equalizer+ — simple equalizer with presets. ⚠️ Attention: booster apps may conflict with system audio settings. If the headphones start to "slow down" after installation or the sound is interrupted, delete the program and restart the phone. 6. Hardware causes of low volume: When settings are not to blame If none of the software methods worked, the problem may lie in the hardware: 🧹 Contamination of speakers: Dust and earwax accumulate over time on the speaker grid, muffling the sound. Carefully clean the holes with a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in alcohol. 🔋 Battery wear: If the headphones are discharged faster than before and the sound is quieter, maybe the battery has lost capacity. Check the battery life: if it's halved, it's time to think about replacing it. 🔌 Bad contact in the connector: for models with wire (Earbuds Basic) 2) Check the integrity of the cable and the cleanliness of the connector Type-C/3.5 mm. 🛠️ Dynamic damage: If the sound wheezes or disappears in one of the headphones, the membrane may have been torn. To diagnose hardware problems: Connect your headphones to another device (PC, tablet). Try playing a test sound (e.g. here). Compare the volume of your left and right earphones, a difference of more than 20% indicates a malfunction. If you are sure that the problem is in the speakers, and the warranty is still valid, contact the Xiaomi service center. Self-repair (for example, replacing the membrane) often costs more than buying new headphones. 7. Alternative solutions: If all methods have been tried, but the volume still does not suit, consider the following options: 🎧 Buying headphones with support ANC: Active noise reduction models (e.g. Xiaomi Earbuds 4) ANC) automatically amplify useful sound, drowning out external noise. 🔊 Use of external amplifier: For wired models, you can buy a portable Bluetooth amplifier (for example, FiiO). BTR3K). 📱 Change source device: Some smartphones (especially budget) have a weak Bluetooth transmitter, which affects the volume. Try connecting the headphones to a flagship (for example, Xiaomi 13 or iPhone 14). If you’re considering buying new headphones, look for models with high sensitivity (100 dB/mW) and low impedance (16–32 Ohms).For example, Xiaomi Earbuds 4 has a sensitivity of 103 dB, which is 5–7 dB higher than the Earbuds Basic. 💡Before you buy a new headphone, check the specifications. Sensitivity and Impedance directly affect the maximum volume. The higher the first and lower the second, the louder the sound will be at the same signal level. FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing the volume of Xiaomi Earbuds ❓ Why after the firmware update headphones became quieter? Manufacturers sometimes limit the maximum volume in new versions of the software to comply with European safety standards (EN 50332) Try to roll back to the previous firmware via Mi Fit or reset the headphone settings (Forget the device in Bluetooth, then pair again). ❓ Can you turn up the volume of the microphone in Earbuds? Yes, but only software. On Android, use apps like Microphone Volume Booster, on iOS, Mic Boost. Also check if the microphone hole on the headphones is closed (clean it with a soft brush). ❓ Why is one earphone quieter than the other? This may be due to: Pollution speaker in the "quiet" earphone, battery drain (if one earphone discharges faster), hardware malfunction (damage to the membrane or contacts). To start, try resetting your headphones and testing them on another device. ❓ How do you reset Xiaomi Earbuds to factory settings? For most models: Put your headphones in your case. Open the case lid and hold the button on the back. 10–15 Just take a second until the light flashes red/white. Remove the device from the Bluetooth list on your phone and reconnect. 3 Pro and newer reset is performed via Mi Fit: Device → Settings → Drop it. ❓ Is it safe to listen to music at maximum volume all the time? No. The WHO recommends that the sound level is no higher than safe. 85 dB 8 At maximum volume, Xiaomi Earbuds is displayed ~95–100 dB, which can lead to: loss of hearing (with regular listening more than 1 Fatigue and headaches, distortion of sound due to overloading speakers. Use the rule "60/60": more 60% volume 60 minute.