If you notice that the sound in your wireless headphones or speaker on your Xiaomi (whether it’s Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 or Xiaomi 14) wheezes, interrupts, or just sounds worse than over the wire, the problem can lie in the Bluetooth codec. By default, Xiaomi smartphones often use universal SBC, which does not always provide the best quality. In this article, we will discuss how to manually switch the codec to a more advanced one (AAC, aptX, LDAC), what restrictions are on different models, and what to do if the desired protocol is not displayed in the settings.
It’s important to understand that not all codecs are supported by all devices. For example, aptX Adaptive requires both a compatible smartphone and headphones with a Qualcomm chip, and LDAC (from Sony) can work unstable on Xiaomi budget models due to hardware limitations. We tested the instructions on MIUI 14 firmware and HyperOS — relevant for devices in 2022-2026.
What is a Bluetooth codec and why is it important for sound?
Coder-decoder is an algorithm that compresses the audio stream before transferring over Bluetooth and restores it on the headphone side.
- 🎵 Sound quality: bitrate, sampling frequency, support for high resolutions (for example, 24-bit/96kHz).
- 🔋 Latency: critical for games and video (aptX Low Latency latency) ~40 ms. SBC — 200ms).
- 📶 Connection stability: some codecs (e.g, LDAC) invasive.
- 🔄 Compatibility: Not all headphones support advanced codecs (for example, AirPods only work with the same codecs). AAC).
Xiaomi automatically chooses the codec by default, giving priority to stability over quality, which means that even if your headphones support aptX HD, your smartphone can persistently use SBC. In the next section, we will discuss how to fix this.
What Bluetooth codecs support Xiaomi smartphones
The list of available codecs depends on your device’s processor and the version of MIUI/HyperOS. Below is a compatibility table for popular models:
| Xiaomi model | Chipset | Supported codecs | Best choice for music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14, POCO F5 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC | aptX Adaptive or LDAC |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro | Dimensity 1080/920 | SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC | LDAC (if the headphones support) |
| Redmi Note 11, POCO M5 | Snapdragon 680/695 | SBC, AAC, aptX | aptX (no LDAC) |
| Xiaomi 12 Lite, Redmi 10 | Snapdragon 778G/480 | SBC, AAC | AAC (no aptX/LDAC) |
Important: On devices with MediaTek processors (e.g., Redmi Note 12 on Helio G88), the LDAC codec may not work stable - the sound will be interrupted when the signal is weak. If your model is not in the table, check the supported codecs through the Bluetooth Codec Changer app (available on Google Play).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI China (CN-ROM) The codec list can be artificially limited if the settings only show SBC, Try to switch to the European or European version of the software.
How to change the Bluetooth codec on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
The way you change the codec depends on the firmware version. On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the algorithm is the same, but on older versions (for example, MIUI 12) you may need third-party software.
Connect the headphones/column over Bluetooth
Make sure the battery is more than 30% charged.
Close all audio applications (music, video, games)
Check the current codec in the settings (see step 1)
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Method 1: Developer settings (for MIUI 14/HyperOS)
1. Open Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and go to Additional Settings → Developer Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Network section and find the Bluetooth Codec (or Bluetooth Audio Codec).
4. Select the codec you want (e.g., aptX Adaptive or LDAC) from the list. If there is no codec, see Method 2.
Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the LDAC codec may not be listed even if the chipset supports it.
Method 2: Through the Bluetooth Codec Changer app (for all versions)
If the developer’s settings do not have the option of changing the codec, use third-party software:
- Download the Bluetooth Codec Changer app from Google Play.
- Connect the headphones via Bluetooth and open the application.
- In the list of devices, select your headphones and tap the current codec (such as SBC).
- Select an alternative codec from the list. The app will show you whether it is supported by your smartphone and headphones.
- Confirm the change and reconnect the headphones.
⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek Helio G (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The app may not show LDAC It's even supported by headphones, and it's because of the limitations of MediaTek drivers.
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If the sound starts to break after changing the codec, go back to SBC or AAC, which are more resistant to interference.
Which Bluetooth codec to choose for Xiaomi: comparison and recommendations
The choice of codec depends on your tasks:
- 🎧 For music (quality): LDAC (bitrate up to 990 kbit/s) or aptX HD (576 kbps. But keep in mind that LDAC It can “sink” up to 330 kbit / s with a weak signal.
- 🎮 For games (low latency): aptX Low Latency (~40 ms) or aptX Adaptive (automatically adjustable).
- 📱 For universal use: AAC (better SBC, But not all headphones correctly decode it).
- 🔊 For stability (if there are interferences): SBC — The most reliable, but with the worst quality.
We tested the codecs on Xiaomi 13 Pro with Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones:
| Codec | Bitreit | Delay. | Stability | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDAC | ~900 kbps | ~100 ms. | Medium (sensitive to interference) | Listen to music in a quiet environment |
| aptX Adaptive | 279–420 kbit/s | ~50 ms. | Tall. | The Best Balance for Games and Music |
| AAC | 250-300 kbit/s | ~80 ms. | Tall. | For AirPods and Apple devices |
| SBC | 192–328 kbps | ~150-200 ms | Maximum | If other codecs are not stable |
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On devices with Snapdragon 8xx (such as Xiaomi 14), the aptX Adaptive codec provides a better balance of quality and latency than LDAC.
Problems when changing the Bluetooth codec to Xiaomi and their solutions
Even after a successful codec change, you may encounter problems, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:
1.The codec does not change or resets after reconnecting
This is a common problem on Xiaomi with MIUI 12-13 firmware.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and headphones.
- 📱 Remove the device from the list of conjugates and connect again.
- 🛠️ Use the Bluetooth Auto Connect app to force you to connect with the right codec.
2.The sound is interrupted or wheezing on LDAC/aptX
The problem is typical for devices with MediaTek or with a weak Bluetooth signal.
- 📶 Reduce the distance between your smartphone and headphones.
- 🔋 Switch to codec. AAC or SBC.
- 🔄 In the developer settings, turn off Bluetooth Absolute Volume (can help with distortions).
3.Only SBC is displayed in the settings
If the codec list is limited, the reasons may be as follows:
- 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI last-minute.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: on Chinese firmware (CN-ROM) often disabled aptX and LDAC.
- 🔧 Hardware limitations: budget models (e.g. Redmi) A2) support SBC and AAC.
What if the codec is not on the list?
Additional settings to improve Bluetooth sound
In addition to changing the codec, Xiaomi has other parameters that affect the sound quality:
- 🎛️ Equator: Include it in Settings → Sound. → Equalizer and select a preset (like Bass or Jazz).
- 🔊 Bass Enhancement: In the same audio settings, activate Mi Sound Enhancer (not available on all models).
- 📡 Flow quality Spotify/YouTube Music: In the application settings, select Very High (320 quid).
- 🔋 Battery Optimization: Turn off optimization for audio applications in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
Prof tip: If you use LDAC, in your headphone settings (e.g. Sony Headphones Connect), prioritize Sound Quality over Connectivity Stability, which will increase the bitrate to a maximum of 990 kbps.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14) after updating the firmware, the codec settings may be reset.