Which Bluetooth audio codec to choose for a Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide 2026

Wireless headphones and speakers have become an integral part of everyday life, but not all Xiaomi users know that the sound quality of Bluetooth directly depends on the chosen audio codec. In smartphones brand running MIUI available several protocols for audio transmission — from basic SBC to advanced LDAC and LHDC, but which one is really better? The answer is not as obvious as it seems: it depends on your equipment, preferences in sound and even the version of the firmware.

Many people mistakenly believe that buying expensive headphones will automatically make the sound perfect. However, in practice, even budget Redmi Buds can lose to cheap wired counterparts because of the wrong codec. In this article, we will not only compare all available options, but also show how to manually switch between them in the Xiaomi settings, and also reveal little-known nuances – for example, why on some models Xiaomi aptX Adaptive codec works worse than the standard AAC, despite the stated support.

If you've ever encountered interruptions, hissing, or just a "empty" bass, the problem is probably with the codec settings. Let's figure out how to fix that.

What is Bluetooth audio codec and why is it important for Xiaomi?

Audio codec is an algorithm for compressing and transmitting audio signals wirelessly, and without it, Bluetooth would not be able to transmit music: the volume of raw audio stream is too large for the limited bandwidth of the protocol.

• 🔹 Compression degree – the stronger the compression, the worse the quality, but the more stable the connection.
• 🔹 Latency – critical for games and videos (perfect) <100 miss).
• 🔹 Capacity – determines the maximum quality (e.g, 24-bit/96kHz).
• 🔹 Energy consumption – affects the battery life of headphones.

Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12) have up to 5 different codecs available, but their list depends on the processor model. For example, the flagship Xiaomi 14 Pro and POCO F6 Pro support LDAC and LHDC, while the budget Redmi Note 12 is limited to SBC and AAC. Even within the same line (say, Xiaomi 13T vs Xiaomi 13 Lite), the set of codecs can differ due to different chipsets (Snapdragon vs Dimensity).

It’s important to understand that the codec needs to be supported by both a smartphone and headphones. If your Sony WH-1000XM5 can work with LDAC, but your Redmi 10A can’t, then high audio quality will remain unavailable. You can check compatibility in the Bluetooth settings (for more details in the section on settings).

Audio codec comparison: which is best for Xiaomi in 2026

Let’s analyze each codec in detail, taking into account the specifics of working on Xiaomi smartphones. For convenience, we have brought the key parameters into a table:

Let’s take a closer look at each codec:

• 🔘 SBC — It's a basic codec that's required for all Bluetooth devices, and it's mediocre, but it's stable, even from a long distance, and it's good for talking on Zoom or listening to podcasts. It's the default on Xiaomi, unless the headphones support anything better.
• 🎵 AAC — It's standard for Apple, but it works well on Xiaomi. SBC It's perfect for music from Spotify or YouTube Music, but on some models (like the Redmi Note 11) it can cut high frequencies.
• 🎮 aptX is the best choice for gamers due to its low latency. Xiaomi with Snapdragon runs stable, but on Dimensity (for example, on Xiaomi with Snapdragon, POCO X6 Pro) may have problems syncing sound and video.
• 🎧 LDAC — Sony codec for audiophiles. It transmits sound in resolution to 24-bit/96kHz, But it requires a powerful processor. 13 The Pro works well, and on the Redmi. K60 It can "slow down" at high bitrate.
• 🔊 LHDC — alternative LDAC Less latency, but worse compatibility, supported only in new flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 14) and headphones Huawei FreeBuds or Nubia Pods.

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On Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 processors, LHDC codecs often run more stable than LDAC, despite being less popular.

How to check and change the audio codec on Xiaomi

Unlike the iPhone, where the codec is automatically selected, you can manually configure it on Xiaomi.

1. Connect your headphones or speaker over Bluetooth.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Press the badge. ⚙️ near the connected device.
4. Select Sound Quality or Audio Codec (name depends on MIUI version).
5. In the list of available codecs, mark the one you want, and if the option is inactive, your device doesn't support this protocol.

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13T) have the menu hidden to open it:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version.


2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers.




3. Activate the option to Enable the Bluetooth codec with high resolution.

If the codec is not on the list, check:

• ✅ Headphone compatibility (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM4 support LDAC, a Redmi Buds. 4 — only SBC/AAC).
• ✅ Version MIUI (The old silk may not be present. LHDC).
• ✅ Firmware region (global versions sometimes disable aptX due to licensing restrictions).

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Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) when choosing LDAC It can be lost in games, because of codec conflict and API OpenSL ES. The solution is to switch to aptX or AAC.

Which codec is best for different use cases

There is no universal answer, it depends on the task.

• 🎶 Music (Spotify, Apple Music, local files): For lossless tracks (FLAC, WAV) — LDAC or LHDC (If supported, for compressed tracks (MP3 320 kbps) — AAC (difference LDAC will not).
• 🎮 Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Minimum latency: aptX Low Latency or LHDC (On budget models (Redmi 12) — AAC (less stable, but better SBC).
• 🎥 Videos (YouTube, Netflix, local movies): To synchronize sound and pictures – aptX Adaptive or AAC. Quality matters (4K HDR) — LDAC, but there may be delays.
• 🏃 Sport and podcasts: Stability is more important than quality — SBC (less breaks in motion).

🔹 Special case: If you use Xiaomi with an external Bluetooth transmitter (e.g. Fiio) BTR5), The codec is selected on the transmitter side, not the smartphone. MIUI irrelevant.

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On Xiaomi 14 with MIUI 15, the LHDC V5 codec works better than LDAC for MQA music (like Tidal).

Top.-5 Xiaomi audio codec problems and how to fix them

Even after you set it up properly, users are hit by bugs, and here are the most common ones.

1. The sound is interrupted or "breaks": 🔹 Reason: Too high bitrate for LDAC (990 kbit/s) on a weak processor. 🔧 Solution: In the codec settings, select Quality 660 kbit/s or switch to aptX.
2. Sound delay in games/video: 🔹 Reason: Used LDAC or SBC latently. 🔧 Solution: Switch to aptX Low Latency or AAC.
3. The codec is not saved after restarting: 🔹 Reason: Bug MIUI (meet up 12/13 firmware 14.0.5). 🔧 Solution: Update your firmware or reset your Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the data).
4. No option to select a codec: 🔹 Reason: Outdated firmware or regional restrictions. 🔧 Solution: Install MIUI EU (Unofficial firmware) or use ADB-Adb shell settings put global bluetooth_aac_bitpool 32 (It's forced activation. AAC).
5. Noise/cracking at high volume: 🔹 Reason: Codec conflict with headphone amplifier. 🔧 Solution: Turn off Sound Improvement in Bluetooth Settings and Reduce Bitrate.

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Note: On Xiaomi with Dimensity 9000/9200 processors (such as the Redmi K60 Ultra), the aptX Adaptive codec may conflict with the Dolby Atmos function. If the sound is distorted, disable Dolby in the audio settings.

Hidden codec settings: how to unlock additional options

The standard MIUI menu doesn't always display all the codecs available. You can use ADB or the engineering menu to get full control.

🔹 Method 1: Through ADB (for advanced users)

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
2. Open the command prompt and type: adb shell settings list | grep bluetooth This will show all available Bluetooth settings.
3. To forcefully include LDAC, Adb shell settings put global settings bluetooth_audio_codec ldac

🔹 Method 2: Engineering menu (MTK Engineering Mode)

It only works on smartphones with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+):

1. Enter the dialer code ##36446337##.
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Bluetooth Audio.
3. In the Codec Selection section, select the protocol you want.

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Attention: Changing hidden settings can cause Bluetooth to work unstable. Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Best headphones for Xiaomi: compatibility with codecs

Not all headphones work equally well with Xiaomi, but here are some suggestions for models with codec support:

🔹 Advice for gamers: If you play Xiaomi Black Shark or POCO F5, Look at headphones with aptX Low Latency, like the Razer Opus X or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which minimize latency to 40 milliseconds.

🔹 For audiophiles: Xiaomi 14 Ultra best revealed Sony WH-1000XM5 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless with support LDAC and LHDC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about audio codecs on Xiaomi