Disabling AAC Codec on Xiaomi: When It’s Needed and How to Do It Right

The AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) codec is the standard audio format for Bluetooth audio on Xiaomi devices, but it is not always optimal. Many users face problems ranging from noticeable audio lag when watching video to distortions when listening to music through wireless headphones. In some cases, turning off AAC in favor of alternative codecs (for example, SBC or aptX) can significantly improve the situation.

However, not everyone knows that setting up codecs on Xiaomi is hidden in the menu developer or requires the use of third-party applications. Moreover, improper actions can lead to malfunctioning of the Bluetooth module or even complete loss of sound. In this article, we will understand when it is really worth disabling AAC, which Xiaomi models support alternative codecs, and provide step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI - from 12 to 14.

Why AAC Codec Could Be a Problem at Xiaomi

While AAC is considered a more modern format than SBC, it doesn't always work perfectly, and here are the main reasons users want to turn it off:

• 🔊 Sound delays (up to 200-300 ms) when watching videos or games are critical for gamers and film lovers.
• 🎧 Distortions at high frequencies, especially noticeable on budget headphones or speakers.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to more resource-intensive encoding/decoding.
• 📱 Incompatible with some devices (e.g. old car radios or headphones without support) AAC).

It's important to understand that AAC problems aren't always about the codec itself.

• 📲 Firmware MIUI with bugs in the Bluetooth stack (especially relevant for MIUI 13–14 on budget models).
• 🔄 Conflict with apps, such as YouTube or Spotify, that are being forced to use AAC.
• 📡 Interference in the 2.4 GHz band (Wi-Fi, microwaves), impairing the stability of Bluetooth connections.

Before disabling AAC, check if your device supports alternative codecs. For example, aptX or LDAC are only available on flagships (Xiaomi 12/13/14 Pro, Redmi K50/K60), and budget models (Redmi Note 11/12) are often limited to SBC and AAC.

What Xiaomi models support alternative codecs

Not all Xiaomi smartphones allow you to choose a codec manually, here is a table with support for codecs for popular models (relevant to MIUI 14):

If your model does not support aptX/LDAC, disabling AAC will automatically switch to SBC, a codec with lower bitrate and lower quality, in which case you should try other ways to improve the sound (we will discuss this below).

To find out what codecs are available on your device:

1. Connect the Bluetooth headphones.
2. Open Settings → Connected devices → Settings gear next to the headphones → Sound quality.
3. If there is no “Sound Quality” option, your model does not support codec selection through the standard menu.

Method 1: Disable AAC through the Developer Menu

On most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, you can turn off AAC via hidden settings.

Activate the Developer Mode

Connect Bluetooth device

Close all audio applications

Check the battery power (minimum 30%)

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1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and press 7 times in a row. You become a developer notification will appear.
2. Open the Developer Menu: Return to Settings → Additional Settings → Developer Options.
3. Find Bluetooth settings: Scroll down to the Network block and select Bluetooth Audio Settings (on some firmware, the item may be called Bluetooth Audio Codec).
4. Select Alternative Codec: In the list of available codecs, uncheck the AAC box and tick SBC, aptX, or LDAC (if supported).
5. Reconnect the device: Turn off and reconnect the headphones so that the changes take effect.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10 after shutdown AAC You may lose the sound in your Bluetooth calls, in which case you can return the codec settings to their original state or use wired headphones to make calls.

If you don't have Bluetooth audio settings in the developer menu, your model doesn't support manual codec selection through standard means, in which case you go to Method 2.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the developer menu does not allow you to change the codec, you can resort to ADB-This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a connection to a computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging Mode by USB on a smartphone (in the parameters of the developer).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to shut down. AAC: adb shell settings put global bluetooth_a2dp_offload_disabled 1 This command disables hardware acceleration AAC, What could make the system use SBC.
5. For compulsory inclusion SBC Adb shell settings put global settings bluetooth_a2dp_hw_offload_codec sbc
6. Reboot your smartphone and check for changes.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-If the audio is lost after the changes, return the settings with the command: adb shell settings delete global settings bluetooth_a2dp_hw_offload_codec

If ADB-The method did not work, try specialized applications, which we will talk about later.

Method 3: Applications for Codec Management

For devices that don't have built-in codec settings, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 Bluetooth Audio Codec Changer (requires root or ADB): It allows you to manually select the codec for each device you connect. AAC, SBC, aptX, LDAC.
• 🔧 Developer Options Shortcut: Makes it easier to access hidden Bluetooth settings, including codec selection (not working on all firmware).
• 🎵 PowerAmp or USB Audio Player PRO: These players have built-in codec settings for Bluetooth audio, but only work inside the application.

Example of settings in Bluetooth Audio Codec Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect the Bluetooth device.
3. Open the app and select your headphones in the list.
4. In the Audio Codec section, uncheck the AAC box and mark SBC or aptX.
5. Press Apply and reconnect the headphones.

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If the sound is quieter after changing the codec, try to increase the volume in the Bluetooth device settings (some headphones have a separate controller for SBC/aptX).

Note that most of these applications require root rights, or at least ADB permission, to work, and without them, functionality will be limited.

What to do if disabling the AAC doesn’t help

If you've had all the audio problems, it might not be the codec. Try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reset Bluetooth Settings: Go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth settings → Reset the settings.
• 📱 Update firmware: In MIUI 14 fixed many bugs with Bluetooth audio. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🎧 Check the headphones on another device: Connect them to another smartphone or PC - if the problem recurs, the audio device is to blame, not Xiaomi.
• 🛠️ Reverse to factory firmware: If problems started after the update, try reflashing the device via the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available at xiaomi.eu).

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (such as a faulty Bluetooth module).

Recommendations for optimizing sound without turning off AAC

Before you radically disable AAC, try improving the sound quality in other ways:

• 🎛️ Set up the equalizer: In MIUI There is a built-in equalizer: Settings → Sound. → Try the Bass or Rock preset for better low-frequency transmission.
• 📶 Use Bluetooth 5.0+: Headphones with Bluetooth 5.2 support (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) work better with the headphones. AAC Due to increased capacity.
• 🔋 Turn off power saving for Bluetooth: In Settings → Battery → Energy consumption of applications, find "Bluetooth" and install "Without restrictions".
• 🎵 Try different apps: Some players (like PowerAmp or PowerAmp) VLC) have their own codec settings and can bypass system limitations.

If you’re listening to music through Spotify or YouTube Music, check the quality settings in the app itself – sometimes the problem lies in the low bitrate of streaming, not the Bluetooth codec.

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Disabling AAC doesn’t always improve sound. On flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60), this codec can perform better than SBC due to hardware optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about AAC disabling on Xiaomi