How to add and customize sound on Xiaomi headphones: the complete guide

Modern wireless headsets from the Chinese manufacturer often require initial configuration to unlock their full potential. Many users are faced with a situation where, after pairing with Mi True Wireless Earbuds or Redmi Buds, the audio signal is either missing or played at low volume. This is not a malfunction, but rather a feature of the software logic of MIUI and HyperOS, which by default can limit the output of audio to protect hearing or due to dissynchronization of volume channels.

To solve this problem, you need to consistently check several levels of customization, from basic physical actions to advanced parameters in the developer menu. Synchronizing absolute volume between a smartphone and a headset is a key point that solves 90% of problems with quiet sound. In this guide, we will analyze all possible causes of lack or low audio levels and provide a step-by-step algorithm for models with active noise cancellation and without it.

It's important to understand that the Bluetooth protocol architecture has its own peculiarities, and if you've just unpacked your device, make sure that the insulation film is removed from the charging contacts inside the case, as this affects the activation of the microphone and signal transmission. We'll go into the detailed software settings.

Primary conjugation and basic diagnosis

The first step is always to have the right connection procedure. Errors at this stage often lead to the phone seeing the device as a headset for calls, but not transmitting media audio. You need to completely remove the device from the list of previously connected gadgets in the Bluetooth menu and perform pairing again, keeping the case open next to the smartphone.

Once a successful connection is made, Android must automatically switch the output. If that doesn't happen, manual intervention is required. Open the control panel (curtain) and make sure that the output device is your Xiaomi Earbuds name, not your phone speaker. Sometimes the system clings to the previous output device.

There is a common problem of desynchronizing volume levels. A smartphone can show 100%, while the headset itself is 10%.

• 🔊 Turn the volume on your smartphone to the maximum, then lower it to zero and raise it again.
• 🔌 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, remove the headphones from the case and paste back in, then turn on Bluetooth and connect.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone without removing the headphones from your case to reset the cache of Bluetooth services.

⚠️ Note: If the indicator on the case flashes white or orange when trying to connect, this may indicate a pairing mode or low charge. Make sure the case is charged at least 20%, as at low energy levels, some models artificially limit the transmitter power.

Checking the health of another device will help localize the problem, and if there is sound on another phone, then it is the settings of your main smartphone, and if there is no sound anywhere, there is a possible hardware malfunction or a deep software failure of the firmware of the headphones themselves.

Set up equalizer and sound effects in MIUI

Xiaomi’s shells provide powerful tools for processing audio streams. Standard settings are often too flat or muffled. To add juiciness and volume, you need to turn to the system equalizer. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound effects.

You'll find preset modes like Pop, Rock or Jazz, but to maximize potential, you'll want to use manual tuning. Lift low-frequency sliders for bass and high-frequency sliders for clarity. Remember, over-amplification can lead to wheezing if the headphone drivers can't handle the load.

The Mi Sound Enhancer features are particularly worth paying attention to, and this algorithm analyzes the connected model (if supported) and applies the optimal profile. If your model is not automatically defined, you can select Headphones or Intra-Hearphones for universal improvement.

For advanced users, there's a hidden menu of engineering tests available, but we'll look at safe methods. The audio effects menu also has a left-right-channel balance setting, and make sure that the slider is centered, or the sound will go one way, giving the illusion of quiet playback.

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Use Hi-Fi in your audio settings if your headphones support LDAC or aptX Adaptive codecs, which will greatly enhance the detail of your tracks, although it can increase power consumption.

Don't ignore Dolby Atmos settings if they're available in your firmware version.This surround sound can dramatically change the way you experience music by adding depth to the scene. However, for some genres, such as classical music or podcasts, it's best to turn it off to avoid unnatural echoes.

Using Xiaomi Earbuds App for Advanced Management

To fully control the device, you need to install the official Xiaomi Earbuds app (or Mi Buds for older models), which hides the settings that are not available in the standard Android menu. Once you connect the headset, the app will offer to update the firmware - this is a critical step.

The firmware update often contains bug fixes related to connection stability and output level. The update process takes a few minutes, and at this time you can not open the case or move away from the phone.

Within the application, the following key functions are available:

• 🎛️ Noise reduction modes: Switching between active noise emitter, transparency mode and off state affects frequency response.
• 👆 Customizing gestures: check if the sound is turned off by double tap or touch panel retention.
• 🔋 Charge monitoring: Monitoring the level of each earphone separately to detect imbalances.

In the "My Devices" section, you can often find the "Reset" or "Reconnect" button, which is a software analogue of a physical reset that helps if the headphones are "glutty." After the reset, you will need to pair it again, like with a new device.

Secret Bluetooth settings and developer menu

If standard methods didn't help add sound, you'll have to go to the hidden Android settings. The developer menu allows you to control the low-level settings of the Bluetooth stack. To activate it, you need to quickly click on the build number 7 times in the About Phone section.

Once activated, go to Advanced Settings → For developers. Find the Bluetooth section. Here we are interested in a few critical settings that can block normal audio performance.

The absolute volume option is the most important one: if it's turned off, the phone and the headphones adjust the volume independently of each other, and enabling this option forces the system to control both devices simultaneously, which often solves the problem of quiet sound.

⚠️ Warning: Change the codec parameters to unsupported values (e.g., enablement) LDAC On cheap models, it can cause no sound or permanent disconnection. Return to the settings if you notice instability.

Resolving problems with one headphone (mono mode)

A common situation is that the sound comes from only one earpiece, or one is quieter than the other, and this can be caused by the stereo pair being out of sync. The TWS (True Wireless Stereo) headphones are running in the Master-Servant bundle, and if the communication between them is disrupted, the second channel is lost.

To restore the stereo mode, you need to perform a full reset, usually by clamping the touch panels on both headphones simultaneously for 10-15 seconds while they are in the case, or using a special button on the case case case, the indicator must flash a certain color, signaling a reset.

After resetting, the algorithm of work is as follows:

1. Remove the device from Bluetooth on your phone (“Forget the device”).
2. Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone.
3. Remove both headphones from the case at the same time.
4. Wait for the headphones to go out or flash in search mode (they should find each other).
5. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and pair again.

If the problem persists, check the mesh filters of the speakers. The sulfur plug or dust can mechanically block the speakers.