Xiaomi headphone setup: a complete guide for all models

The microphone on Xiaomi headphones is a frequent headache for users, especially when the interlocutor complains of a quiet voice, noise or complete absence of sound. The problem can be either hardware malfunctions or incorrect settings of the smartphone. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to set up the microphone, from basic MIUI parameters to hidden Android functions that the manufacturer does not advertise.

It's important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the type of headphones (wireless/wireless), the phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and the firmware version. For example, in MIUI 14, the audio menu has changed dramatically compared to MIUI 12, and we have taken these nuances into account and prepared universal solutions that work on 90% of the brand's devices.

If after all the manipulations the microphone did not work, at the end of the article you will find a checklist for diagnosing hardware problems and a list of Xiaomi service centers with official warranty conditions.

1. Check the basic microphone settings in MIUI

Before you dig deep, make sure that the problem is not the trivial settings. MIUI has a separate section for controlling the microphone, but it's hidden in an unobvious way.

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Scroll down to the Additional Settings block and select Sound Quality.
3. Slip on the microphone settings (in some firmware this item is called Voice Improvement).

Here you will see the sliders for adjustment:

• 🎤 Microphone amplification – increases the volume of your voice (but may add noise).
• 🔇 Noise suppression – removes background sounds (does not work on all models).
• 🎧 Mode "For headphones" - optimizes sound for wired / wireless devices.

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If your firmware doesn’t have a “Mic Settings” option, try upgrading MIUI to the latest version or install the SoundAssistant app from the Mi App Store — it adds advanced audio settings.

Note the "Use headphone microphone" switch (if any). Some models (Redmi A2, POCO M5) have the default priority of the phone's built-in microphone, which causes the external microphone on the headset to fail. Switch the slider to the On position.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 12/13 series MIUI 14+ Microphone settings can be hidden in the Settings menu → Special facilities → Sound enhancement. This is about optimizing the interface for the new Snapdragon processors. 8 Gen.

2. setting up the microphone for calls and instant messengers

Often the microphone is on the record, but it's silent when you call, and that's because of the separate permissions for the apps.

Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Microphone (enable for all messengers)

Settings → Applications → [Select messenger] → Permissions → Microphone (Allow)

Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Microphone (check all apps)

Call back via another app (e.g. Telegram instead of WhatsApp) to localize the problem-->

Pay special attention to WhatsApp and Viber — these apps often reset the microphone settings after updates. ⚙ Settings → Warehouse and data → Permits and make sure the microphone is allowed.

For phone calls (not via messengers), check:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Settings → Call settings.
3. Find the Audio or Sound item and select the Headphone Microphone as the primary.

WhatsApp

Viber

Telegram

Discord

Other-->

3. problems with wireless headphones (Redmi Buds, Xiaomi Buds)

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones (Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 5, etc.) have a separate microphone in each ear, and sometimes the system misidentifies the main one.

1. Connect your headphones to your phone via Bluetoth.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
3. Put the badge on. ⚙ near the name of your headphones.
4. Select the sound settings → microphone mode.
5. Install a Monomicrophone (left/right) or Stereomicrophone depending on the model.

If there is no such item in the menu, try resetting the headphones to the factory settings:

• 🔄 Put the headphones in the case.
• 🔴 Press the button on the case for 10-15 seconds (on Redmi Buds 3 Lite – until the red indicator flashes).
• 📱 Remove headphones from the list of conjugated devices in Settings → Bluetooth and reconnect.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and later after reset, you may need to update the headphone firmware through the official Mi Earphones app (available on Google Play). Without the update, the microphone will work 30-50% quieter.

4. Checking hardware problems

If the software settings didn't work, maybe the problem is with the microphone itself or the connector.

For wired headphones with a 3.5 mm connector or Type-C:

• 🔌 Try connecting your headphones to another phone or PC – if the microphone doesn’t work there, the problem is the headset.
• 🧹 Clean the phone’s connector from dust with a wooden toothpick (do not use metal objects!).
• 🔄 Switch to another connector (if any) or use the Type-C adapter → 3.5 mm (for models without audio connector).

On the Xiaomi 11T Pro and 12 Pro with Type-C port, the microphone may not work due to lack of support for the OMTP standard (used in some headphones).

5. The developer's hidden settings for the microphone

There are hidden parameters in MIUI that allow you to fine-tune the microphone to activate them.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until you get a message You became a developer!
3. Return to the main Settings menu and open Additional → for developers.

Now find and change the following parameters:

• 🔊 Turn off the absolute volume level – set On (solves the problem of a quiet microphone in some applications).
• 🎛 Increase the use of mono-audio – set Off (can improve sound quality in stereo headphones).
• 📡 Bluetooth debugging AVRCP — Turn on if you have problems with wireless headphones.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the developer menu unless you understand their purpose! GPU-acceleration DNS It could cause system failures.

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Developer settings are reset after the MIUI update. If the microphone stops working after the update, check these settings again.

6. Alternative ways of using the microphone

If the standard methods don’t work, try the workarounds:

Method 1: Using an external microphone via OTG

If you have Xiaomi with support OTG (most of the models after 2019 You can connect for a year, you can connect USB-microphone Lightning/Type-C → 3.5 mm with an external microphone:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (costs 100-300) ₽).
2. Connect the microphone or headset through the adapter.
3. In the call settings, select the external microphone as the main one.

Method 2: Programming of the microphone

Apps like Wo Mic or Microphone (from Google Play) let you use your phone as a microphone for a PC or other device via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, a temporary solution if your main microphone breaks.

Method 3: Recording voice through voice recorder

If the microphone is running in a voice recorder, but not in calls, record your voice during a conversation and send an audio file to the interlocutor.

• 📱 Open the standard Dictaphone application.
• 🎤 Start recording before the call.
• 📤 After the conversation, export the file through Share.

7. Resetting and flashing

If all previous methods failed, the radical way is to reset the phone to factory settings, which will delete all user data, but will return the original drivers and microphone configurations.

Before discharge:

Backup your data (Settings → Additional → Backup)

Take a picture or take a picture of important passwords

Make sure your phone has enough charge (at least 50%)

Out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)-->

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Network Resettings!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If the reset didn't help, there may be a problem with the firmware. MIUI last-minute:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the available version.
3. If there are no updates, download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website and install it through Restore Mode.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install custom firmware (such as LineageOS) to solve a microphone problem! this will take away your warranty and may cause additional camera or module malfunctions NFC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the microphone on Xiaomi headphones