How to increase the volume of a speaker on Xiaomi: from settings to engineering menu

The problem with low volume speaker on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common complaints of users. Even on new models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, you sometimes have to listen to the interlocutor “at the limit”, especially in noisy places. What is the reason? Most often it is not a defect, but a software limitation, laid down by the manufacturer to protect the speaker from overload, but the good news is that you can increase the volume without going to the service center.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from basic MIUI settings to working with engineering menus and third-party applications. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe. For example, changing parameters through MTK Engineer Mode can damage the speaker during prolonged use at maximum volume, so we will separately note the risky steps and give recommendations for their use.

Before you start, check the obvious: is the speaker covered with a cover or protective film, is there any dust or moisture in it, if the problem occurred after a phone drop or fluid hit, you should contact the service immediately.

1. Check basic sound settings in MIUI

Start with the obvious: maybe the volume just got lost in the settings. There are several places in MIUI where the sound of a conversational speaker is regulated - and not all of them are intuitive.

The first thing to do is:

• 🔊 Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration → Volume and push the Call & Notification slider to maximum.
• 📞 Press the Volume button (usually on the right of the screen) and make sure the slider is at maximum.
• 🔇 Check if Do Not Disturb or Quiet mode is activated in the notification curtain.

If these manipulations didn't work, move on to the next step, and note that on some models (like the POCO F5 or Redmi K60), there's a separate multimedia slider and call slider in the volume menu, which needs to be adjusted independently.

2. Enable the Sound Amplifier function

MIUI 12 and later has a hidden audio amplification feature that increases the volume of the speaker through processing algorithms, and it's not always on by default, especially on budget models.

How to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Improve the sound.
2. Enable the "Sound Amplifier" option (or "Sound Amplifier" on firmware with English interface).
3. In additional settings, select the Conversation profile and move the slider to the maximum.

This function works by compressing dynamic range — quiet sounds become louder, and loud ones do not distort. Minus: you can get a slight background noise in silence. If the sound quality deteriorates, turn off the option.

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On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T), the Sound Amplification feature is hidden. To see it, first turn on Settings → Special Features → Hearing → Sound Improvement.

3.Use of the Engineering Menu (MTK Engineer Mode)

This is the most efficient, but also the riskiest way. The engineering menu allows you to manually increase the volume of the conversational speaker, bypassing the limitations of MIUI. The method works on smartphones with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 11, POCO M5). For Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Xiaomi 13) you need a different approach - about it below.

Instructions for MediaTek:

1. Install the MTK Engineer Mode app from Google Play.
2. Open the app and go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Normal Mode.
3. Select "Sph" and set the value of "Level" to 255 (maximum).
4. Then select "Sph2" and set Level = 255.
5. Press Set and restart the phone.

Record the current sound settings (take a screen picture)

Make sure that the battery is >50%

Have a backup copy of important data

Do not exceed the value of 255 for Level-->

⚠️ Attention: Setting values above 200 This can cause the speaker to overheat and fail. 180-200 And check the sound after every change, and if you have any wheezing or distortion, go back to the factory settings.

4. File editing mixer_paths.xml (advanced)

This method is suitable for smartphones on Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F4 GT). There is no engineering menu, but you can manually edit the system file responsible for volume levels.

Step-by-step:

1. Set up Root rights (for example, through Magisk), without which access to the file will be blocked.
2. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Cross the path: /vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml or (in some models) /system/vendor/etc/mixer_paths_tasha.xml
4. Find the lines with the parameters: <path name="handset-mic"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" /> and increase the value values to 92-95 (not higher!).
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing mixer_paths.xml You can lose all of your sound or freeze your system. Back up your file before you change it. If you've edited it, you can reflash it on Fastboot.

5.Apps for amplifying sound (without root)

If you don't want to dig into settings or risk your phone, you can use third-party apps that don't give you the volume boost that the engineering menu does, but they make you more legible.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🎧 Sound Amplifier (from Google) — amplifies quiet sounds, filters noise. Works through headphones, but there is a mode for the speaker.
• 📢 Volume Booster GOODEV — louden 20-30% It's an equalizer. It doesn't require root.
• 🔊 Precise Volume – allows you to fine-tune the volume levels for each type of sound (calls, multimedia, alarm clock).

The downside of these apps is that they consume extra battery and can distort the sound, like Volume Booster, which makes the voice of the person at maximum settings "metallic," and the best way to do that is to use them only when you're calling and then turn them off after.

6. Hardware solutions: cleaning speaker and replacement of the grid

If software methods didn't work, the problem could be the speaker's contamination, and dust, hair and skin particles accumulate under the grid over time, lowering the volume, especially for smartphones older than 1-2 years.

How to clean the speaker:

• 🧹 Use a soft toothbrush (dry!) or brush to clean the camera lens. Carefully run the speaker over the grid.
• 💨 Pressurized air (cleaning tank) blow through the speaker hole. Hold the balloon vertically so as not to freeze the components.
• 🔧 If the grid is deformed or torn, it can be replaced. To do this, take the phone apart (or contact the service) and install a new grid (it stands). ~100-300 ruble.).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use sharp objects (needles, toothpicks) to clean - they can damage the speaker membrane. Also avoid wet wipes: liquid trapped inside will lead to corrosion of contacts.

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Cleaning the speaker gives a volume increase of 15-30% - this is one of the safest and most effective ways if the problem is pollution.

7. Alternative ways: headphones, Bluetooth and voice communication

If you can not increase the volume of the speaker, consider the workarounds:

For example, if you call via WhatsApp, the sound will be transmitted over the Internet in Opus format (codecs 16-32 kbps), which gives a clearer voice than in standard cellular communication (codecs 8-12 kbps).

8. When is the time to bring the phone to the service?

If none of the methods worked, it may be a hardware problem, and here are the signs that the speaker needs repair or replacement:

• 🔇 The sound is there, but it is very quiet even at maximum.
• 🔊 There were wheezing or distortions that had not been before.
• 💥 The speaker does not work at all (check in Settings). → The phone. → Diagnostics → Sound test).
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was subjected to a strong vibration.

The cost of replacing the conversational speaker in the service:

• Xiaomi Redmi / POCO: 800-1 500 rubles.
• Xiaomi 12/13/14: 1,500–2,500 rubles.
• Xiaomi Mix / Black Shark: 2000-3500 rubles.

If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - contact the official service center Xiaomi. Otherwise, the warranty will be canceled.

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Before visiting the service, make a reset (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset). Sometimes the problem is solved software, and repairs will not be required.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume up on Xiaomi