How to increase the range of Bluetooth on the Xiaomi phone: from settings to hardware modifications

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) often face the problem of limited range Bluetooth - the signal is interrupted at a distance of 5-10 meters, and in some cases, communication is lost after 3-4 meters. The reasons lie in both the hardware limitations of the chip and in the software settings of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods to increase the range of Bluetooth without compromising the stability of the connection.

It’s important to understand that Bluetooth 5.0/5.2, used in most modern Xiaomi smartphones, theoretically supports ranges of up to 40 meters indoors and up to 240 meters in open areas. However, in practice, these figures are reduced by 5-10 times due to interference, weak antenna or suboptimal settings. We tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models – the results are shown in the comparative table below.

1. Optimizing Bluetooth settings in MIUI

The first thing to check is the hidden MIUI settings that affect the signal power, and many users don't know that there are parameters in the firmware that limit the range to save battery life, so you can change them:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the “Visibility for All” mode (even if you connect to a familiar device).
3. Enable the option of "Bidirectional transmission" (if available).
4. Go to Settings → Special Features → Settings for developers and find “Bluetoothooth audio codec.” Select SBC over AAC or aptX – this will reduce sound quality, but increase stability over long distances.

MIUI 14+ also has a Smart Connection feature that automatically reduces Bluetooth power when charged low. Turn it off in Settings → Battery → Battery Settings → Smart Connection.

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If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t see the device more than 5 meters away, try turning off Wi-Fi – these modules often interfere with each other.

2. Change regional settings (for advanced)

Manufacturers limit Bluetooth transmission power depending on regional regulations, for example, in Europe and Russia, the maximum power is 10 dBm, while in the United States or Japan it is allowed up to 20 dBm.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636###
2. Go to Phone Information and find Wi-Fi settings (yes, Bluetooth is set up here too).
3. Select "Region" and install United States or Japan.
4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: This method may violate local radio transmission laws, use it at your own risk, and after region changes, some features (such as Wi-Fi Calling) may not work properly.

3.Using an external Bluetooth adapter

If the built-in Bluetooth module is weak (relevant for budget models like the Redmi 10A or POCO M4 Pro), the most reliable solution will be an external adapter with Bluetooth 5.2 support and a reinforced antenna.

• 🔹 Avantek AVB-TW300 — range up to 30 meters, connected by USB-C.
• 🔹 TP-Link UB500 — compact, compatible with OTG-cable.
• 🔹 ASUS USB-BT500 — Supports aptX Low Latency.

To connect:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (if not included in the set).
2. Connect the adapter to your phone via USB-C or Micro-USB.
3. In Bluetooth settings, select the new adapter as the primary source.

⚠️ Attention: External adapters consume additional power. With prolonged use, the phone can discharge 10-15% faster. Also check compatibility with your Xiaomi model - some adapters do not work with the device. MIUI 13 and below.

4. firmware Bluetooth module (for experienced users)

On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3), you can flash a Bluetooth module with an alternative firmware with increased transmission power.

• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 💻 ADB and Fastboot on PC.
• 🔧 Modified firmware (e.g. from XDA Developers).

Instructions:

1 Download the firmware for your model (e.g., "BT_FW_Mod_v2.zip").


2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode:




adb reboot bootloader




3. Squeeze the module with the command:




fastboot flash bluetooth_a [name file].img




4. Reset the device.

Firmware of an unofficial Bluetooth module can lead to unstable operation of wireless headphones or break the module. Before the procedure, make a backup of the original firmware with the fastboot dump command bluetooth_a.

5. Removal of physical interference

Often the problem isn't with the phone, but with external factors that weaken the signal.

• 📶 Metal items between the phone and the connected device (keys, coins, laptop).
• 🔌 Sources of electromagnetic interference: microwaves, wireless routers, wireless charging.
• 🧱 Walls and partitions – concrete weakens signal by 50-70%.
• 🔋 Low battery (below 20%) – the phone automatically reduces the power of the modules.

Do the test: connect your headphones or speakers to your phone in an open space (e.g., in the yard), if the range increases to 15-20 meters, the problem is precisely the interference.

• 🔄 Move your router and phone to different corners of the room.
• 📴 Use a Bluetooth replicator (e.g. Taotronics) BA01).
• 🔋 Keep your phone charge above 30%.

Make sure there is no microwave nearby | Turn off Wi-Fi on your phone | Check battery charge | Remove metal objects between devices-->

6. Alternative protocols and codec

If you want not so much range as stability of the connection at the boundary of the coverage zone, try to change the transmission protocol:

• 🎧 For headphones: in Bluetooth device settings, select a codec SBC instead of aptX or AAC. This will reduce the sound quality, but increase the range by 20-30%.
• 🔊 For speakers: activate Low Latency mode in your device settings.
• 📱 For file transfer: use FTP Bluetooth instead of standard exchange – this reduces the load on the module.

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 12T) have a hidden option called “Bluetooth LE Audio” that improves long-distance stability.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
2. Go to Settings → Special features → Settings for developers.
3. Find the option "Enable LE Audio" and activate it.

Hardware modifications (extreme case)

If all the software methods have been tried and the Bluetooth range is still not good, then the hardware signal amplification remains.

• 🔧 Replacing the Bluetooth antenna with a more powerful one (for example, from the Samsung Galaxy) S22).
• 📡 Installation of an external antenna through U.FL-connector (requires rations).
• 🔋 Connecting an additional amplifier (e.g., Bluetooth Booster from Alps Alpine).

⚠️ Note: Any hardware changes deprive you of warranty and can lead to irreversible failure of the module. XDA Developers or 4PDA. The average cost of such a modification in the service center is 1,500–3,000 rubles.

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The most efficient and safe method is to use an external Bluetooth adapter, which does not require interference with the hardware of the phone and gives an increase in range of up to 30-40 meters.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Bluetooth on Xiaomi