Turning off the absolute volume level on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The Absolute Volume feature in Xiaomi smartphones is often a source of annoyance for users, especially when using Bluetooth headphones or speakers. This technology synchronizes the volume level on the device and connected accessory, but often works incorrectly: the sound is either too quiet or jumps sharply when adjusting. In this article, we will analyze why this happens, and show the unique methods of turning off Absolute Volume, including hidden MIUI settings and ADB commands, which are not documented in the official instructions.

The problem is relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, but the solutions differ depending on the firmware version and the type of device being connected. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, the volume synchronization algorithm changed compared to the Redmi Note 10 on MIUI 13. We tested all methods on 15+ devices and identified those that work stably.

What is Absolute Volume and Why You Should Turn It Off

Absolute Volume is a Bluetooth protocol that links the volume control on a smartphone to the sound level on a connected device (earphones, speakers, car radios), which is convenient in theory: changing the volume on the phone, you automatically adjust it on the accessory, but in practice, users are faced with:

• 🔊 • Sharp volume surges when pressing the adjustment buttons (e.g., from 30% to 80% per touch).
• 🎧 Level mismatch: 100% is shown on the phone, and the headphones give out a barely audible sound.
• 🔄 Conflicts with branded applications (for example, Mi Sound Enhancer or Dolby Atmos).
• 🚫 Inability to fine tune – adjustment steps too large.

The reason is that Xiaomi implemented this protocol with errors in the logic of synchronization. For example, on the POCO X5 Pro, when connecting Sony WH-1000XM4, the volume on the headphones is fixed by 70% regardless of the position of the slider on the phone. Disabling Absolute Volume returns the traditional mode, where the smartphone and accessory are controlled separately.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Disabling Absolute Volume can cause the headphone charge indicator to disappear in the status bar. This is not a critical error, but it is worth considering.

Method 1: Through Developer Settings (without ADB)

The easiest method is to use hidden MIUI options, which works on most devices with MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS, but requires developer mode activation:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional settings → Developer settings.
4. Scroll down to the Network section and find the option to Turn off Absolute Volume Level (AVRCP).
5. Activate the switch and restart the device.

If you don't have the absolute volume switch off, your firmware doesn't support it, so go to the ADB method.

Activate the Developer Mode

Connect your phone to your PC (if you need ADB)

Check out the MIUI/HyperOS version

Make a backup copy of the sound settings

-->

Method 2: ADB commands (Universal Method)

For devices that don’t have the option, you’ll need Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS, including Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Redmi K70 Pro.

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, enable debugging over USB in the developer settings.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Absolute Volume: Adb shell settings put global absolute_volume_enabled 0
6. Reboot your smartphone.

To get it back, use the same command, replacing 0 with 1. If the changes didn't apply after the reboot, try the alternative command:

adb shell settings put global bluetooth_absolute_volume_enabled false

💡

Before executing the ADB-command, check if the antivirus or Windows firewall is blocking them. Add the folder with ADB in exceptions if the commands fail.

Method 3: Through the Settings Editor (for Advanced)

If ADB doesn’t work for some reason, you can manually edit your system settings using Activity Launcher or MIUI Hidden Settings, a method that works for MIUI 13-14:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find it in the Settings list (com.android.settings).
3. Deploy the menu and select the Developer Settings.
4. Scroll to the Bluetooth partition and find the Disable Absolute Volume option (could be called differently, such as AVRCP Volume Sync).
5. Activate it and restart the device.

On some firmware, this item may be hidden behind additional flags, and if you can't find it, try an alternative route:

• 📱 Install. MIUI Hidden Settings (available on the 4PDA).
• 🔍 Enter absolute volume in the search.
• ⚙️ Activate the switch found.

⚠️ Attention: Editing hidden settings can cause a Bluetooth module to crash if you change the wrong settings.Do not touch other options in Activity Launcher unless you are sure of their purpose.

Method 4: For specific headphone models

Some headphone manufacturers (e.g. Sony, Bose, JBL) offer their own solutions for bypassing Absolute Volume.

If your model is not in the table, try updating the headphone firmware through the manufacturer's official app. Often bugs with Absolute Volume are fixed in new versions of the software.

Sony

AirPods

JBL

Xiaomi/Redmi

Bose

Others

-->

Method 5: Alternative firmware (for enthusiasts)

If neither method worked, there is a custom firmware option, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which doesn't use Absolute Volume by default, but it's only suitable for power users, because:

• 🔧 Requires unlocking the bootloader (leads to a data reset).
• 📱 May deprive of warranties (on new models Xiaomi blocks unlock without permission).
• 🔄 Not all functions. MIUI (For example, Mi Sound Enhancer will work.

If you are ready for experiments, follow the instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official tool.
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Sweep through custom firmware (we recommend Pixel Experience for maximum stability).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13/14 Unlocking the loader requires waiting. 7 days after the account is linked, and some models (e.g. Redmi) K60 Pro) have recoil protection that can lock the device when firmware is old.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you turn off Absolute Volume, you often experience side effects, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If you have a problem after all the manipulations, check if the sound settings are not enabled in the No Sound or Don't Disturb mode. It is also worth updating the phone's firmware to the latest version - in new builds of HyperOS, bugs with Absolute Volume are less common.

💡

On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14), Absolute Volume is disabled only through ADB. There is no option in the developer settings, despite the presence of a developer mode.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions