Volume setting on Xiaomi headphones: from basic parameters to hidden functions

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless gadgets on the market due to the combination of price, sound quality and functionality. However, even with such devices, users often face problems: too quiet sound, unbalanced volume between the left and right earphones, or the inability to increase the level above a certain limit. In this article, we will examine all the ways to adjust the volume on Xiaomi headphones, from standard methods to hidden functions that are not written in the official instructions.

It’s important to understand that volume control depends not only on the headphones themselves, but also on the connected device (smartphone, tablet, PC), the firmware version and even the audio playback application used. We’ll look at solutions for all popular models, from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, and also give recommendations for troubleshooting typical problems. If you want to get the loudest and cleanest sound without distortion, read on.

How to adjust the volume on the headphones themselves

Most Xiaomi headphones support volume control directly from the device body, and the way you adjust it depends on the generation and type of headphones:

• 🎧 Touch control (for touchpad models: Buds) 3/4 Pro, AirDots 3 Pro: swipe up/down on the touchpad on one of the headphones.
• 🔘 Mechanical buttons (for Redmi AirDots, AirDots 2): short-term pressing of the volume up/down button.
• 🔄 Touch combinations (for Buds 4): double touch for track switching, hold for volume change.

For example, in Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, you need to swipe up the right earphone to increase volume, and down to reduce it. Older models like Redmi AirDots use a physical button: one tap is pause, hold up/down is volume control. If the sensor doesn't respond, try cleaning the panel of dirt or updating the headphone firmware.

Note that some models (such as the AirDots Youth Edition) do not have volume control on the headphone case, in which case the adjustment is only possible from a smartphone or through an app. Also, it is worth remembering that the maximum volume on the headphones themselves can be limited by the manufacturer to protect hearing, we will talk about this in the next section.

Volume setting via smartphone (Android/iOS)

The main way to adjust volume is through a connected device. On Android smartphones (especially on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO devices), there are additional options available that are not available on the iPhone.

On Android:

1. Connect the headphones via Bluetooth.
2. While playing music or video, click the volume button on the side panel of the smartphone.
3. Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14) will have a separate slider for media volume (other than the volume of the call or alarm clock).
4. If the slider is locked at the maximum level, go to Settings → Sound → Media Volume and remove the restrictions.

On the iPhone:

• 📱 Use the volume buttons on the sidebar (adjustment will apply to all connected devices).
• 🔊 In the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner) you can separately adjust the volume for headphones.
• ⚙️ B Settings → Bluetooth next to the headphone name click on the icon "i" - here you can turn on the option "Equalizer" (EQ) sound-enhancing.

An important nuance: some Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI have a feature called “Adaptive Sound”, which automatically adjusts the volume depending on the ambient noise. To turn it off (if it interferes), go to Settings → Special Features → Adaptive Sound.

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If the volume of Xiaomi headphones is too quiet on your iPhone, try turning off the Volume Limit feature in Settings → Music → Volume Limit.

Mi Earphones app: hidden volume settings

The official Mi Earphones app (formerly Mi Headphones) gives you access to advanced settings that are not in the standard Bluetooth menu, and you can download it from Google Play or the App Store (for iOS functionality is limited).

• 🔊 Sound mode: choice between "Balance", "Bass reinforced", "Clear voice" (affects the perception of volume).
• 🎛️ equalizer (EQ): manually adjusting frequencies to increase volume at certain ranges.
• 🔋 Volume Limiting: Disabling hearing protection (at your own risk!).
• 🔄 Firmware Update: Sometimes a quiet sound is a bug that is fixed in new software versions.

How to use the application:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Mi Earphones – the app will automatically determine the model.
3. Go to the Sound → Equalizer section and select a preset or create your profile.
4. To increase volume, lift sliders in the ranges of 100–500 Hz (bottom) and 2–5 kHz (medium frequencies).

In Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and later in the app, the “Super Bass” option has been introduced, which artificially amplifies low frequencies, creating a louder sound effect without increasing the real amplitude.

Volume problems: causes and solutions

If the volume on Xiaomi headphones is too quiet or unregulated, the problem may lie in one of the following factors:

One of the most common problems is the different volume levels on the left and right earphones, which can be related to:

• 🧹 Pollution dynamics (dust, earwax).
• ⚖️ Failure of stereo balance in phone settings.
• 🔋 Battery discharge in one of the headphones (especially relevant for AirDots).

To check your stereo balance on Android, go to Settings → Special Features → Sound Settings → Stereo Balance and move the slider to the middle. On iPhone, this setting is in Settings → Universal Access → Audiovisual Content → Stereo Balance.

Check the charge level of the headphones | Clean the speakers from dirt | Update the firmware through Mi Earphones |Reset the headphones to the factory | Try to connect to another device-->

How to increase the volume above the maximum (at your own risk)

If standard methods don't produce enough volume, you can try to circumvent the restrictions, but remember, listening to sound above 85 dB for a long time can lead to irreversible hearing loss. Use these methods carefully!

Ways to turn up the volume:

1. Turn off restrictions in Mi Earphones: Open the app → Settings → Hearing Security. Turn off the Volume Limit option.
2. Use third-party equalizers: Install an app like Equalizer FX or Wavelet. Choose Loudness preset or manually lift all sliders by 3-5 dB.
3. Modification of system files (only for Android with root): Change the file /system/etc/audio_policy.conf, scale up max_volume. Use the Magisk Audio Modification Library module".

⚠️ Note: changing system files without root rights can lead to loss of warranty or damage to headphones. On Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro and later, such interference is blocked at the firmware level.

For iPhone owners, the only safe way to do this is to use apps like Boom 3D that amplify sound software, but this can lead to distortions at high frequencies.

Volume setting on PC (Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you connect Xiaomi headphones to your computer, volume control has its nuances.

1. Click on the speaker icon in tray → select headphones in the list of playback devices.
2. Click "Device Properties" → go to the "Levels" tab.
3. Check that the volume slider is at its maximum and no effects are disabled (e.g., “Sound Improvement”).

On macOS:

• 🍎 Open System settings → Sound. → Conclusion.
• Select Xiaomi headphones from the list of devices.
• Make sure the "Loudness of output" slider is not blocked.

For Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.):

pactl list sinks | grep -A 10 "Name:" # find the name of your headphones


pactl set-sink-volume +10% # Volume up 10%

If the sound is quiet on PC, try:

• 🔌 Reconnect headphones (sometimes helps to change the Bluetooth codec from the headphones). SBC on AAC).
• 🔊 Disable exclusive mode in Windows sound settings.
• 🎧 Update the Bluetooth driver (especially relevant for adapters on Realtek chips).

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On Windows 10/11, Xiaomi headphones can connect in Phone (HFP) mode instead of Music (A2DP), which limits volume. To fix this, go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Headphones → Properties → Services and only tick "Audio".

Tips for improving sound without increasing volume

Sometimes the problem is not the volume level, but the sound quality, and here are some ways to make the sound clearer and more intense without risking hearing.

• 🎵 Use high quality sources: listen to music in a format FLAC or ALAC flattened MP3.
• 🔄 Set up the equalizer: reduce low frequencies (60-250 Hz) and raise the averages (1-4 kHz) for better legibility.
• 🎧 Check the density of the fit: improperly selected insulation reduces insulation from external noise, which makes it seem that the sound is quiet.
• 🔇 Turn off the noise emitter: some models (such as Buds 3 Pro) have active noise cancellation (ANC) It can eat up the volume.

For models with LDAC support (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro), it is recommended that:

1. Enable the LDAC codec in Bluetooth settings (Settings → Connected devices → Headphones → Audio codec).
2. Set the bitrate to "Adaptive" or "990 kbit / s" (in Advanced Bluetooth settings).
3. Use Hi-Res audio players (e.g. Poweramp, Neutron)

If you’re listening to music through streaming services (Spotify, Yandex Music, Apple Music), check your stream quality settings. In Spotify, for example, go to Settings → Sound Quality and select “Very High” (320 kbps).

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume on Xiaomi headphones