How to increase the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi smartphone: from standard settings to hidden features

You bought AirPods and plugged them into a Xiaomi smartphone, but the sound is too quiet? This problem is familiar to many users - even at maximum volume in the settings, music or podcasts sound muted. The reason lies in the restrictions on both Apple (Bluetooth A2DP protocol compresses sound) and MIUI (firmware artificially lowers the volume to protect hearing).

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to increase the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO – from basic settings to hidden engineering menu features. You’ll learn how to bypass the limitations of MIUI, configure an equalizer to amplify low frequencies, and even modify system files (for advanced users). All methods have been tested on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models, but will also work for other devices on MIUI 14/15.

⚠️ Important: Back up your data before changing system settings. Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which may void the warranty.

1. Checking basic settings: what you might have missed

Before digging into the engineering menu, make sure the problem isn't trivial settings. Often users miss the obvious settings that affect the volume of AirPods:

• 🔊 Media Volume: Press the physical volume button on your smartphone and check that the Media slider (not Call!) is set to maximum.
• 🎧 Volume limitation in EU: firmware MIUI Restriction to EU standards activated. Open Settings → Sound. → Additionally. → Turn off volume limit EU.
• 🔄 Do Not Disturb Mode: Even if it's on, some notifications can turn down the volume. → Don't disturb.
• 📱 Sound Profile: in Settings → Sound. → Select Dynamic or Customized Profile instead of Quiet.

If the volume has not changed after these manipulations, move to the next section. On devices with MIUI 14+ and AirPods Pro 2, an automatic volume reduction can occur due to the Adaptive Transparency feature - it must be turned off separately in the settings of the headphones on the iPhone (if it is available).

Equalizer adjustment: Low and high frequency enhancement

The equalizer in MIUI allows you to artificially amplify certain frequencies, which subjectively increases the volume, and this method does not increase the real power of the sound, but makes it "saturated" by correcting it:

1. Open the settings → Sound → Equator.
2. Choose Basa or Rock presets, which amplify low frequencies that are better perceived by the ear.
3. To fine-tune the slider, tap on the User and manually lift the sliders to 60 Hz, 230 Hz and 910 Hz (not higher than +6 dB, otherwise there will be a distortion).

💡 Tip: If you use streaming services (Spotify, YouTube Music), check their internal equalizer settings - they can overlap the system. → Reproduction → equalizer.

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If after setting the equalizer sound began to wheez, reduce the gain at high frequencies (above 5 KHz) – this will eliminate distortion.

3. Engineering menu: hidden Bluetooth volume settings

MIUI hides a number of parameters that affect the volume of Bluetooth devices in the engineering menu.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##36446337## (or #4636## on older versions).
3. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Volume.

Here you are interested in two parameters:

• Media Volume – Total media volume (set 150 instead of the standard 100).
• Bluetooth Volume is a separate setting for Bluetooth (maximum 127).

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause sound to fail.If AirPods start distorting sound after manipulation, reset to standard settings or restart your smartphone.

Record the current parameters | Check the battery (minimum 50%) | Connect AirPods in advance | Close all background applications-->

4. Apps to amplify sound: top-3 utility

If system methods don't work, use third-party apps, which work on two principles: either modify the sound stream at the OS level, or use your own Bluetooth driver.

Instructions for ViPER4Android (the most powerful option):

1. Install Magisk and get root rights.
2. Download ViPER4Android from XDA Developers (official version removed from Google Play).
3. In the application settings, activate the Bluetooth Compatibility Mode.
4. Turn on Master Limiter (to avoid distortion) and set Pre-Amp to +3.0 dB.

⚠️ Attention: ViPER4Android may conflict with MIUI. If the sound is gone after installation, clear the cache of the com.miui.player application in the settings.

5 Modification of system files (for advanced)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, but it gives you maximum volume amplification. mixer_paths.xml, which is responsible for the limitations of sound in MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Cross the path. /vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml (or /system/vendor/etc/ firmware).
3. Find the lines with the parameters: <path name="speaker"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" /> Replace 84 by 92 (maximum 96, but risk of distortion!).
4. Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Xiaomi. 12T And the newer file can be called mixer_paths_tasha.xml — Search it through the system, and when the changes are made, the AirPods will be louder. 15–20%, but there is a risk of overloading the earphone speakers with prolonged listening at maximum.

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Editing system files is the most effective method, but it voids the warranty and can lead to a device blinking when an error occurs.

6. Alternative firmware: when nothing helps

If you’ve tried all the methods, but the volume of the AirPods still doesn’t suit you, consider switching to custom firmware. Some builds (like the Pixel Experience or LineageOS) don’t have strict Bluetooth volume limits.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• 🔊 There is no artificial volume limit from Xiaomi.
• 🛠️ Support ViPER4Android crutless.
• 🔄 More flexible Bluetooth codec settings (you can force aptX or LDAC).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of guarantee.
• 🔋 Possible problems with autonomy.
• 📱 Not all functions. MIUI The system will work (for example, Super Wallpapers or Second Space).

💡 Tip: before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your model on the forum XDA Developers or 4PDA. For Xiaomi, it is better to choose firmware based on Android 13/14 — They work more consistently with AirPods.

7. Hardware causes of quiet sound: when the fault is not the settings

If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be in the hardware.

• 🧲 AirPods speaker pollution: Headphone mesh gets clogged with dust and earwax over time. Clean them with a soft brush or compressed air.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: At AirPods charge level below 20%, the sound is automatically muted. Charge the headphones to 100%.
• 📡 Bluetooth interference: If other wireless devices (such as Mi Band or wireless speaker) are working nearby, they can cause interference.

⚠️ Warning: if after connecting AirPods to another device (for example, iPhone) the volume is normal – the problem is exactly in the firmware MIUI. In this case, only reflashing or using third-party utilities will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi