Dolby Atmos in Xiaomi devices: surround sound technology that you didn’t use to the fullest

Have you ever felt that the sound in your Xiaomi TV or smartphone is flat, like all the instruments of the orchestra are playing from one point? Or noticed that in the theater, the sound is all over the place and the house is not? The reason is often because of the lack of support for Dolby Atmos or its improper setting, and this technology turns ordinary stereo sound into a three-dimensional sound space, where a helicopter flies overhead and steps behind the back make you turn.

Xiaomi devices, from flagship Mi TV Q2 to Redmi Note 12 Pro+ smartphones, have different implementations: software emulation, hardware support with decoders, and even if your device supports the technology, without the right settings and content, the effect will be barely noticeable. In this article, we will discuss how to recognize Atmos support, where to find content with surround sound, and how to avoid common configuration errors — for example, why your Xiaomi TV can “pretend” that plays Atmos, when in fact it is a regular Dolby.

What is Dolby Atmos and how does it work in Xiaomi devices?

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that differs from traditional formats (e.g. 5.1 or 7.1) in that sound objects are not tied to specific channels (left, right, center). Instead, each sound — whether it is the voice of an actor, the sound of rain or the explosion — has its coordinates in three-dimensional space, and the system dynamically distributes them across available speakers (including ceiling or reflective sound from the ceiling), creating an immersion effect.

In Xiaomi devices, Dolby Atmos is implemented in two ways:

• 📺 Hardware support (in TVs and soundbars): Specialized chips are used to decode Atmos, for example, in Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 75" or Xiaomi Soundbar Pro. Here the sound is processed at the level of iron, which gives maximum quality.
• 📱 Software emulation (in smartphones): the processor of the device (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Xiaomi 13 Ultra) emulates surround sound through stereo speakers or headphones. The effect is less pronounced, but noticeable when listening through high-quality headphones.

The key difference from Dolby Digital or DTS:X is that in Atmos, sound objects can move not only horizontally (left-right), but vertically (bottom-up), for example, in a helicopter scene, you will hear it take off from the ground, fly overhead and move away — not just “moving” between the left and right speakers.

What Xiaomi devices support Dolby Atmos: full list

Not all Xiaomi gadgets are equipped with Dolby Atmos – the technology is licensed from Dolby Laboratories, and its implementation increases the cost of the device. Below is an updated list of models with support (as of 2026):

Important: Even if your device is on the list, Dolby Atmos may not work without the right settings or compatible content. For example, Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 supports Atmos, but if you watch YouTube videos, the sound will be normal stereo – the platform does not transmit metadata Atmos.

⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi smartphones, Dolby Atmos is activated only when you connect headphones or external speakers. Built-in speakers do not support the technology due to power limitations and acoustic design.

How to turn on Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi TVs: step-by-step instructions

If your Xiaomi TV supports Dolby Atmos, but the sound remains flat, chances are the technology is simply disabled in the settings.

1. Open the settings (cog on the remote or in the upper right corner of the screen).
2. Go to the Sound section → Additional sound settings.
3. Find Dolby Atmos and set the switch to the On position.
4. Select a mode: 🎬 Movies for movies and TV series (recommended). 🎵 Music – for concert recordings and tracks. 🎮 Games to enhance spatial sound in games.

Save the settings and check the sound on the content with Atmos (e.g. Netflix).

If Dolby Atmos is not on the menu, it means:

• 🔄 Your TV doesn’t support technology (check the list above).
• 📦 You need to update the firmware: go to Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
• 🔌 You are using an inappropriate signal source (e.g., a signal source, AV-cable HDMI ARC/eARC).

Connected. HDMI-port-line ARC/eARC|

Updated TV firmware to the latest version|

Content with Dolby Atmos (Netflix, Disney)+, Blu-ray)|

Headphones/columns support Atmos (if external devices are connected)-->

⚠️ Note: If you connected the Xiaomi soundbar to the TV through HDMI ARC, But Atmos doesn’t work, check the soundbar settings: some models need to manually enable Passthrough mode to transmit uncompressed sound.

Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi smartphones: how to turn on and configure

In smartphones, Xiaomi Dolby Atmos works differently than in TVs — there are no hardware decoders, so the sound is processed by the processor.

1. Connect compatible headphones (such as Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro 2) or external speakers via Bluetooth (with support for aptX Adaptive or LDAC codecs).
2. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
3. Select Dolby Atmos and activate the slider.
4. Set up a profile for your content: 🎧 Auto - Automatic switching between modes. 🎥 Movie for video. 🎶 Music is for tracks. 🎤 Voice - for podcasts and calls.

There is a trick on Xiaomi smartphones: if you listen to music through Mi Music or Spotify, turn on the High Sound Quality option (if available) in the app settings. Otherwise, Atmos will work with a stripped bitrate, and the difference with the stereo will be barely noticeable.

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To check if Dolby Atmos works on your smartphone, run a test video from Atmos on YouTube (like "Dolby Atmos Demo") and switch modes in the audio settings. The difference should be heard even on medium-sized headphones.

Where to get content from Dolby Atmos for Xiaomi

Dolby Atmos technology is useless without content recorded in this format.

• 🎬 Streaming services: Netflix - movies and TV series marked Dolby Atmos (requires a premium tariff).+ — Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar (e.g., "The Mandalorian") TV+ — Some original series. Tidal - music in Dolby Atmos Music.
• 💿 Physical media: Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs with the Dolby Atmos logo. For playback on Xiaomi TV You need an external Blu-ray player with support HDMI 2.1.
• 🎮 Games: Some projects for Xbox or PC (For example, Forza Horizon 5, Cyberpunk 2077, support Atmos. HDMI eARC.

It's important to understand that not all content on the platforms is supported by Atmos, for example, on Netflix, only about 10 percent of movies have surround sound.

1. Open the Netflix app on Xiaomi TV or smartphone.
2. In the search, type Dolby Atmos – the service will show all available titles.
3. Or use sites like atmosmovies.com that have compiled lists of Atmos content.

Frequent Dolby Atmos Issues on Xiaomi and How to Solve Them

Even if it's set up correctly, Dolby Atmos may not work. Here are the typical problems and solutions.

If after all the manipulations Atmos still does not work, try resetting the sound settings to the factory:

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting sound settings →

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On Xiaomi TVs, Dolby Atmos only works when connected via HDMI ARC/eARC. If you use optical cables (TOSLINK) or AUX, the technology will be disabled automatically.

Dolby Atmos vs. DTS:X vs. Dolby Digital: What’s Best for Xiaomi

Dolby Atmos isn't the only surround sound technology, and Xiaomi devices also feature DTS:X or Dolby Digital Plus.

• 🔹 Dolby Atmos: ✅ Best positioning of sound objects (including verticals). ✅ Widely supported by streaming services. ❌ Requires licensing fees, so more expensive for manufacturers.
• 🔹 DTS:X: ✅ Higher bitrate (up to 6 Mbps vs 768 Kbps at Atmos in compressed form). ✅ Better conveys the nuances of music. ❌ Less content with support.
• 🔹 Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3): ✅ Compatible with most devices. ✅ Supports up to 7.1 channels. ❌ No vertical sound (only horizontal positioning).

Dolby Atmos is more common in Xiaomi devices, as the company collaborates with Dolby Laboratories. However, some soundbar models (such as Xiaomi Mi Soundbar) may support DTS Virtual:X, a simplified version of DTS:X for devices without physical ceiling speakers.

If you watch a lot of movies on Netflix or Disney+, Dolby Atmos is the priority. If you listen to music in high resolution (for example, through Tidal Masters), DTS:X is better.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi