Modern Xiaomi smartphones support several Bluetooth codecs that are responsible for the quality of audio transmission over a wireless connection. However, by default, devices often use standard SBC, the most versatile, but not the highest quality option. If you notice that the sound in the headphones or speakers wheezes, interrupts or sounds too compressed, the problem may lie in the choice of codec.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to manually change the Bluetooth codec on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS), which codecs your device supports, how to turn on AAC, aptX or LDAC, and what to do if the desired option is not displayed in the settings, and we’ll also look at common errors and ways to fix them – from resetting Bluetooth settings to installing custom firmware for advanced users.
What are Bluetooth codecs and why should they be changed?
Coder-decoder is an algorithm that compresses and recovers audio signals when transmitted over Bluetooth.
- 🎵 Sound quality – bitrate, sampling frequency, support for high frequencies.
- 🔋 Latency (latency) – critical for games and video.
- 📶 Connection stability – some codecs are sensitive to interference.
- 🔄 Compatibility – not all headphones support advanced codecs.
By default, Xiaomi uses SBC, a basic codec that works with all devices, but with noticeable quality losses.
| Codec | Max. bitrate. | Delay. | Xiaomi support | Headphone requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBC | 328 kbps | ~100-250 ms | All models. | Anybody. |
| AAC | 250–320 kbit/s | ~80-150 ms | All models. | Apple, most Android devices |
| aptX | 352 kbps | ~40-80 ms. | With Snapdragon 8xx (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) | Headphones with a Qualcomm chip (for example, Sony WH-1000XM5) |
| LDAC | 990 kbps | ~100-200 ms | Flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra) | Sony, Bose, some Xiaomi headphones |
| LC3 | up to 1 Mbps | ~20-40 ms | Bluetooth 5.2+ models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+) | Devices with LE Audio (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) |
Important: the codec should be supported by both a smartphone and headphones. If the headphones do not have an aptX chip, then even if you turn on this codec on Xiaomi, the sound will be transmitted via SBC or AAC.
How to check the current Bluetooth codec on Xiaomi
Before you change the settings, make sure that the codec is the problem.
- Connect the headphones or column to the smartphone.
- Open the Settings → About the program → version of MIUI.
- Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
- Return to the main Settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
- Scroll down to the Network section and find the Bluetooth Codec item.
If there is no Bluetooth codec, then your model does not support manual switching (for example, budget Redmi on MediaTek), in which case you can try alternative methods, which we will discuss below.
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If the developer settings do not have a Bluetooth Codec option, try connecting headphones with support for aptX or LDAC – sometimes the option only appears when a compatible device.
Step-by-step: how to change the Bluetooth codec to Xiaomi
If your smartphone supports manual switching, follow this instruction:
☑️ Preparation for codec change
- Activate the developer mode as described in the previous section.
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the Network section and tap the Bluetooth Codec.
- Select the desired codec from the list: 🎧 For music: LDAC (max. quality; or AAC (balance). 🎮 For games: aptX Low Latency (minimum latency). 📞 For calls: SBC (best-compatibility).
Turn off and reconnect the headphones so that the changes take effect.
If the sound is interrupted or lost after changing the codec, go back to SBC – your headphones may not support the chosen algorithm.
What to do if the codec does not change?
How to turn on LDAC or aptX if they are not in the settings
On some Xiaomi models (especially those with MediaTek processors), the option to change the codec is hidden even if there is hardware support.
Method 1: Use of ADB (for advanced users)
If you have a PC and are ready to work with the command line, you can force codec support through ADB:
adb shell settings put global bluetooth_a2dp_offload_capability 255
adb shell settings put global bluetooth_a2dp_offload_enabled 1After completing the commands, restart your smartphone and check for new codecs in your settings.Warning: This method can cause Bluetooth to work in an unstable way!
Method 2: Installation of a custom core or firmware
XDA Developers and 4PDA forums have modified firmware with unlocked codecs. For example, Xiaomi 11T Pro has patches that add LDAC support to MediaTek Dimensity 1200.
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
- 🛠️ Installations TWRP or another custom Recovery.
- 📥 Backup of data (risk of loss of information).
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Changing system settings through ADB or custom firmware can disrupt Bluetooth. Before experimenting, back up your data!
Method 3: Applications for Forced Codec Change
Google Play has utilities like Bluetooth Codec Changer or Developer Options Shortcut that make it easier to access hidden settings, but they require root rights or developer mode activation.
⚠️ Note: Codec change applications without root may contain malicious code. Install them only from trusted sources and check reviews.
Solving problems after changing the codec
If you have problems after changing the codec, use these tips:
Problem 1: The sound is interrupted or lost
Possible causes and solutions:
- 🔌 Weak Bluetooth signal – move closer to your smartphone or remove interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
- 🔋 Low headphone charge – some codecs (for example, LDAC) consume more energy.
- 🔄 Incompatibility - Go back to SBC or AAC.
Problem 2: The codec is reset after rebooting
Some MIUI firmwares don't save codec settings.
- 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version (in new builds, bugs are often fixed).
- 🔧 Use it. ADB, to force the codec (see section above).
- 🔄 Reset Bluetooth Settings: Settings → Bluetooth → ⋮ → Reset the settings.
Problem 3: Low quality sound with high bitrate
If you have chosen LDAC but the sound is worse than AAC, check out:
- 🎛️ Headphone settings – some models (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM4) You can choose the priority: Quality or Stability.
- 📀 Source — LDAC It will only reveal the potential on files with a bitrate above 320 kbit / s (for example, FLAC or ALAC).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) codec LDAC It is unstable due to the limitations of the Snapdragon processor. 732G. In this case, it is better to use aptX.
Comparison of codecs on the example of Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12
To understand which codec to choose, consider two popular Xiaomi smartphones with different processors:
| Model | Processor | Supported codecs | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, LC3 | For music: LDAC (990 kbps) for games: aptX Low Latency. |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 | SBC, AAC, LDAC (partially), LC3 | LDAC can work in an unstable way, better than AAC. |
| POCO X5 Pro | Snapdragon 778G | SBC, AAC, aptX | Optimal choice: aptX for balance of quality and delay. |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | All modern codecs, including LC3plus | For Hi-Res audio, LDAC or LC3plus. |
If your model isn’t in the table, check the CPU specifications on Qualcomm or MediaTek. For example, Snapdragon 8xx chips typically support aptX, while MediaTek Helio chips often only support SBC/AAC.