How to completely disable Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi devices: TVs, smartphones, soundbars

Dolby Atmos promises theatrical surround sound, but not all Xiaomi users like it: some face distortions at low volume, some notice delays in games, and some just prefer classic stereo without processing. If you fall into this category, this article will help completely deactivate Dolby Atmos on any Xiaomi device, whether it is a Mi TV, Redmi smartphone or Mi Soundbar soundbar.

It's important to understand that the process of disabling varies depending on the type of device and the firmware version, and you'll need to dig through the engineering settings somewhere, and we'll take a look at all the current ways, including hidden options for power users, and tell you how to return the standard settings if something goes wrong.

Why Dolby Atmos is on Xiaomi

Despite the marketing promises, Dolby Atmos technology is not suitable for all use cases, and here are the most common reasons why Xiaomi owners are looking for a way to turn it off:

• 🔊 Distortions at low volume: when the sound is quiet, the voice of the actor or music can “break” or disappear – this is a feature of Dolby processing algorithms.
• 🎮 Sound delays in games: Atmos processing adds lag to 50-100 MS, which is critical for shooters or racing.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: on smartphones Xiaomi and POCO Dolby Atmos can eat up to 5-7% Charge per hour with active use.
• 🎧 Incompatibility with headphones: some models of Bluetooth headphones give wheezing or hissing when Atmos is turned on.
• 📺 Problems with synchronization of sound and video: on TVs Mi TV Q1/Q2 Sometimes there is a divergence of paths.

In addition, many users simply do not notice the difference between Atmos and conventional stereo sound on budget devices that do not have multi-channel speakers, in which case the technology works as a marketing “wrap” without real benefit.

How to turn off Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV)

On Xiaomi TVs, the process of disconnecting depends on the version of MIUI TV. In new models (2022 and later), the path to settings is simplified, and on old ones, it may require a workaround maneuver.

For most Mi TVs Q1E, Q2E, Redmi Smart TV X and others, the following instructions are relevant:

1. Open the settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration → Sound settings.
3. Find the Dolby Atmos (or Dolby Volume Sound).
4. Switch the slider to the off position. or select the option to Disable.
5. Save the changes and restart the TV (optional but recommended).

If there is no direct switch on your menu, try an alternative path:

Settings → All settings → Sound → Sound modes → Dolby Atmos → Disable

Record the current sound settings (balance, equalizer)

Check out the MIUI TV version in the About TV section.

Turn off external sound devices (soundbars, receivers)

Prepare the remote – some models require a long press of “OK” to save

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Xiaomi’s 2019-2020 TVs (such as the Mi TV 4S 55) may not have an explicit shutdown option.

1. Go to Settings → Sound → Sound modes.
2. Select Standard or Custom mode (this automatically deactivates Atmos).
3. If the Equalizer is available, reset it to factory settings.

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On some models, the Xiaomi Dolby Atmos is activated automatically when connected. HDMI-Devices (configures, Blu-ray player) to avoid the menu HDMI-Turn off the option "auto-sensing of sound".

Disable Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones

On Xiaomi mobile devices, the process is a little more complicated due to the fragmentation of firmware.The common algorithm for the Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X4/X5, Mi 11/12 and other models on MIUI 13/14:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Slip on Sound Quality or Sound Effects (name depends on MIUI version).
3. Find the Dolby Atmos section and select Disable.
4. If you have the option Automatic Enable for Multimedia, turn it off.

On smartphones with HyperOS (new models of 2026), the path has changed:

Settings → Connected devices → Sound settings → Dolby Atmos → Off.

For custom firmware devices (such as Xiaomi.eu) you may need to:

1. Install Dolby Access from Google Play (if not available).
2. Manually disable auto-start Dolby service in the application settings.

Hidden Settings: How to Disable Dolby through the Engineering Menu

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can use the engineering menu (power users only!) which is suitable for Xiaomi Android TVs and some smartphones.

For TVs:

1. Open the standard Terminal app (if not, install it from Google Play).
2. Enter the command su setprop persist.vendor.dolby.enable false
3. Reboot the TV with the reboot command.

For smartphones (root rights required!):

1. Install a file manager with access to system files (e.g., Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/vendor/build.prop.
3. Find ro.vendor.dolby.ds2.enabled=true and replace true with false.
4. Save the file and restart the device.

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Changes to the engineering menu or system files can cause the device to function unstable.

What to do if Dolby Atmos does not turn off: common problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where Dolby Atmos continues to work despite all the manipulations.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the sound settings:

1. On TV: Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting sound settings.
2. On your smartphone: Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings → Resetting sound settings.

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On Xiaomi TVs with MediaTek processor (models 2020-2021), sometimes it helps to disable the "AI Sound" option - it can conflict with Dolby Atmos.

Alternatives to Dolby Atmos: what sound settings to choose on Xiaomi

After disabling Dolby Atmos, many users are wondering what to turn on instead of it.

• 🎵 For music: Use the built-in Equalizer with Rock or Jazz preset (configured in Settings) → Sound. → equalizer).
• 🎬 For movies: Activate Mode Movie or Theatre in the sound settings – it amplifies the bass without distortion.
• 🎮 For games: Select Game mode or turn off all effects for minimal delay.
• 📞 For calls: Leave the standard mode without processing - this will improve voice legibility.

On Xiaomi's DTS:X-enabled TVs, you can try this technology as an alternative, it's less aggressive in processing sound and less distorting.

Settings → Sound → Sound Formats → DTS:X

For smartphones, Wavelet (available on Google Play) will be a good replacement, offering flexible equalizer settings and supporting most Xiaomi models.

How to get Dolby Atmos back if you change your mind

If you decide to return Dolby Atmos after the shutdown, it is simple to do so:

1. On TV: Repeat the path from the "Sound Settings" section and turn on the Dolby Atmos slider.
2. On your smartphone: go to Settings → Sound → Dolby Atmos and select Auto or Movie mode.

If the sound is worse than it was before the switch-off, follow the following steps:

• Reset the sound settings to the factory.
• Update the device’s firmware (possibly Dolby bugs are fixed in the new version).
• Check the connected devices (earphones, soundbar) for compatibility.

Some Xiaomi models require a sound calibration after Dolby Atmos is turned on, and the system will prompt it to perform it automatically - follow the instructions on the screen.

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If the sound is completely gone after Dolby Atmos is turned on, check if the HDMI mode is activated in the audio output settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi