How to update Bluetooth on Xiaomi smartphone: all ways of 2026

Bluetooth on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a way to connect headphones or a fitness bracelet; the protocol version depends on data transfer speed, connection stability and even power consumption. LE Audio and LC3-codecs that provide better sound quality with less battery consumption than Bluetooth 4.2. But many users are faced with the fact that their device does not see new gadgets or is intermittent - and the reason for this is outdated firmware module.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current Bluetooth updates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from standard MIUI updates to manual firmware via Fastboot. You’ll learn how to check the current version of the protocol, why the update may not apply and what to do if the connection becomes worse after the upgrade. And also a list of Xiaomi models that only update Bluetooth with full MIUI firmware (this is important for owners of older devices!).

How to check the current version of Bluetooth on Xiaomi

Before you upgrade, you need to know which version of Bluetooth is installed now, which will help determine whether you should upgrade at all, for example, if you already have Bluetooth 5.3 and your smartphone is released in 2020, further updates may not give you any noticeable improvements.

Methods of verification:

• 📱 Through settings MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Full specification: The Wireless Networks section will show the Bluetooth version. Please note that some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may display the version incorrectly, showing a newer version than it actually is.
• 🔍 Using the engineering menu: enter the code ##4636## in the phone application, then select Phone Information. The Bluetooth block will specify the exact version of the protocol and the code supported (for example, SBC, AAC, aptX).
• 🖥️ Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC, turn on Debugging USB and execute the command: adb shell dumpsy bluetooth_manager Find the mAdapterProperties line in the conclusion - there will be a version of the protocol.

If the version is lower than Bluetooth 5.0, the update is definitely worth it – it will increase the data transfer speed (up to 2 Mbit / s vs 1 Mbit / s in 4.2) and reduce delays when listening to music. But the transition from 5.0 to 5.1/5.2 is noticeable only when using several devices at the same time (for example, headphones and smart watches).

Method 1: Update Bluetooth via MIUI Update

The easiest and safest way to do this is to update your MIUI firmware. In 90% of cases, the Bluetooth update is part of system-wide updates. For example, MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 12T added support for LE Audio, and MIUI 13 for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ fixed bugs with connection to car radios.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on “Check Updates.” If a new version of MIUI is available, download it (Wi-Fi is recommended, as files weigh 2-3 GB).
3. After download, click "Reboot and Install." Important: don't interrupt the process - this can cause the Bluetooth module to crash.
4. After the reboot, check the Bluetooth version through the engineering menu (see the previous section).

If the MIUI update didn’t work, then your Xiaomi model requires a separate module firmware (more on this below).It’s also worth considering that on some devices (for example, the POCO F3) Bluetooth updates only with the radio module update, which comes less often than the main MIUI updates.

Method 2: Manual update of the Bluetooth module via Fastboot

If the MIUI update fails and the Bluetooth version is outdated, you can manually flash the module, a method that is suitable for power users because it requires unlocking the bootloader and working with the Fastboot. Warning: improper actions can lead to loss of communication or even “bricking” the device.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: you need to link your Mi Account to the device and wait 7 days (Xiaomi 2026 rules). Instructions: Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to enable developer mode), then Settings → Additional → For developers → Unlock OEM.
2. Download the firmware for your model: find the bluetooth.img file or modem.img (which contains a Bluetooth module) on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. Attention: the firmware should be for your model and version of MIUI!
3. Fastboot: connect your phone to your PC, switch to Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol−), then execute the commands: fastboot flash modem modem.img fastboot flash bluetooth bluetooth.img fastboot reboot

After restarting, check Bluetooth. If the connection is lost or the device is not turned on, try flashing the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 3: Update through the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi K50 or Xiaomi 13) allow you to upgrade the Bluetooth module through a hidden engineering menu, a method less risky than firmware through Fastboot, but requires care.

Instructions:

• 📞 Enter the code ##2254## in the phone app (for some models, ##4636 works##).
• 🔧 Select the Bluetooth partition or RF Test (name depends on the model).
• 🔄 Find the Update Bluetooth Firmware option or BT FW If it's not, your model doesn't support this method.
• 📥 Click “Update” and wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

This method does not work on all devices. For example, on the POCO X3 Pro, the engineering menu allows you to only test the module, but not update it. If after the update, sound artifacts appear or the connection becomes unstable, reset Bluetooth settings:

⚠️ Attention: Resetting Bluetooth will remove all paired devices! go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset Settings».

Xiaomi models that only update Bluetooth with MIUI

Not all Xiaomi smartphones can update Bluetooth separately from the firmware. The table below shows models where the module is tightly tied to the MIUI version. If you have one of these devices, the only way to get a new version of Bluetooth is to wait for the official update.

If your model is on this list and the latest version of MIUI is already installed, then further Bluetooth upgrades are possible only through the replacement of the hardware module in the service center, the cost of such a service is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model.

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Before buying a new Xiaomi smartphone, check if it supports Bluetooth 5.2+ and LC3 codec. This ensures compatibility with modern headphones and minimal sound delays.

What to do if Bluetooth stops working after the update

Sometimes when you upgrade the module, you have problems: the device doesn't turn on Bluetooth, it doesn't find the gadgets, or it makes an error, "I couldn't connect." Here's what you can do:

• 🔄 Reset your network settings: go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network resets, which will delete all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, but often solves the problem.
• 📱 Clear the Bluetooth cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Bluetooth, then click “Clear Cache” and “Stop».
• 🔧 Reverse to the previous version: if the problem appeared after manual firmware, stitch the original bluetooth.img stock-stack.
• 🚨 Check for hardware malfunction: if Bluetooth doesn't turn on at all, it's possible that a chip or antenna has been damaged.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your settings completely (but do a data backup first!). To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select “Erase all data.”

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10) may require re-assigning your Mi Account to unlock the bootloader after resetting!

How to speed up the Bluetooth update for your model

If your Xiaomi smartphone has not received MIUI updates for a long time, and the Bluetooth version is outdated, you can try to speed up the release of the update.

• 🌍 Change the firmware region: sometimes updates arrive earlier in other regions. To do this, download the stock firmware for your model (e.g. Global instead of Russia) and run it through Recovery.
• 🤖 Become a beta tester MIUI: Sign up for a testing program on Xiaomi Community.Beta versions often contain fresh drivers, including Bluetooth.
• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi: specify the model of the device, the current version MIUI And sometimes after mass appeals, the company speeds up the release of updates.
• 🔧 Install custom firmware: LineageOS or Pixel Experience, for example, often contain more recent versions of the Bluetooth stack, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can be insecure.

If you decide to flash custom firmware, consider that this could lead to problems with Widevine L1 (loss of HD support on Netflix) and Google Pay.

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Updating Bluetooth to Xiaomi via MIUI is the safest way, but it doesn't work on all models.If your device is older than 2020, it's likely to require manual firmware or a module replacement.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the update of Bluetooth on Xiaomi