How to turn off noise cancellation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its owners often face the problem of artificially suppressing sound during calls or recording voice. Noise cancellation algorithms built into the MIUI firmware sometimes work too aggressively: voices sound muffled, high frequencies disappear, and in the worst cases, the interlocutor simply does not hear some of the phrases. In this article, we will analyze why this happens and how to completely or partially disable noise cancellation on the Redmi Note 8 without risking damage to the device.

It is important to understand that noise reduction on Xiaomi is implemented on several levels: hardware (Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipsets have built-in audio processors), software (MIUI algorithms) and at the level of individual applications (for example, WhatsApp or Zoom).We will consider all available methods from standard settings to hidden parameters of the engineering menu. If you are not sure about your actions, start with the safest ways (sections 2–3) and only then move on to advanced (sections 4–5).

Why noise cancellation is ruining the sound on the Redmi Note 8

Noise suppression algorithms are designed to improve communication in noisy environments, but in practice they often backfire. Here are the main reasons why noise cancellation interferes with normal communication:

• 🔊 Excessive aggressiveness of filters: MIUI The default is high-pressure settings that eat not only the background noise, but also part of the voice signal, especially in a quiet voice or in rooms with echoes.
• 📱 Application conflict: Messengers like Telegram or Viber can have their own noise reduction algorithms that are superimposed on the system, increasing distortions.
• 🔧 Firmware errors: In some versions MIUI (particularly 12.0.x and 12.5.x) There were bugs that caused noise cancellation to be activated even when the settings were turned off.
• 🎤 Hardware limitations of microphones: Redmi Note 8 has two microphones (main and for noise reduction), and if the second fails, the system begins to compensate for this programmatically, which leads to artifacts.

Before you turn off noise cancellation, check if the problem is hardware, and then record your voice through the built-in voice recorder and listen to the result. If there is distortion there, there is a problem in the microphone or firmware, and if the recording is clean, and the distortion is only during calls, it is the noise suppression algorithms that are to blame.

Method 1: Disabling noise reduction in standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI settings. Unfortunately, in the latest firmware versions, the noise cancellation option is hidden deep, but it can be found through search or manually.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on the icon. 🔍 (search) and enter the phone.
3. Select the Phone app (not to be confused with Contacts!).
4. Go to Permits. → Microphone.
5. Activate the Allow access to the microphone (if it is turned off) and below find the Noise Reduction item when calling.
6. Turn off the slider next to this option.

If there is no noise reduction item when calling, try an alternative route:

• 📞 Go to the phone app. → press ⋮ (three-point) → Settings.
• 🔊 Go to Sound and Vibration. → Sound quality (or sound improvement).
• 🚫 Turn off the options of Noise Suppression and Voice Improvement.

After shutting down, restart your smartphone. If the problem persists, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Use of the MTK Engineer Mode

If the standard settings didn’t work, you can try turning off noise cancellation via the engineering menu. Redmi Note 8 is built on a Snapdragon 665 chipset, so you’ll need ##4636## or a dedicated app to access hidden settings.

Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can affect the stability of the device. Do not change the settings if you are not sure about their purpose - this can lead to complete loss of sound.

Steps:

1. Install the MTK Engineer Mode app from Google Play (it won’t work for MediaTek, but it has the options we need).
2. Open the app and go to Hardware Testing → Audio.
3. Select Mode → Normal Mode (if you have a different mode).
4. Go to Speech Enhancement and turn off all options related to Noise Suppression and Echo Cancellation.
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is gone after the changes to the engineering menu, reset the audio settings to the factory.

Method 3: Disable noise reduction via ADB (for advanced)

If previous methods have failed, you can try turning off noise cancellation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press to unlock the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to disable noise reduction: adb shell settings put global voice_recognition_noise_suppression 0
5. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put system voice_recognition_noise_suppression_disabled 1

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI setting ADB They can drop off. To get them back, repeat the procedure.

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Before working with ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore your phone if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Using third-party applications to control sound

If system methods didn't help, you can use third-party utilities that allow you to fine-tune the microphone settings.

• 🎛️ Hearing Aid – allows you to adjust microphone gain and turn off noise cancellation for individual applications.
• 🔊 SoundAbout – redirects audio streams and gives access to hidden microphone settings.
• 📱 Microphone Volume Booster – Increases the volume of the microphone, but can also increase noise (use carefully!).

Example of settings in SoundAbout:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the Media Audio section → Microphone.
3. Turn off the Noise Suppression option (if available).
4. Install Mic Gain at 100% (but not higher, otherwise there will be noise).

The downside is that the applications only work while they're running, and when they close, the settings can reset.

Method 5: Reflashing or rolling back MIUI (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed, the problem may lie in the firmware itself. Some versions of MIUI (e.g. 12.0.3.0 for Redmi Note 8) had critical audio bugs that were patched only in subsequent updates.

Options for action:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update the system. If a new version is available, install it.
• 📉 Reverse to old firmware: If the problem appears after the update, you can return the previous version MIUI It's a Fastboot or a Recovery, and you'll need an unlocked bootloader.
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware: For example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience do not have aggressive noise cancellation, but require unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of warranties.

Warning: Firmware is a risky procedure. On the Redmi Note 8 with a locked bootloader, trying to install an unofficial firmware will lead to a brick. If you are not sure, contact the service center.

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Before flashing, be sure to check the firmware compatibility with the Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) model. Installing firmware from another model will cause the device to fail.

What to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all of these methods, but noise cancellation still spoils the sound, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Hardware malfunction of microphone: Check if moisture or dust has entered the microphone module. To do this, carefully blow the microphone hole (near the main camera) with compressed air.
• 📶 Bad network signal: In low-coat areas, mobile operators can further compress voice traffic, which increases distortions.
• 🔋 Energy savings: Battery mode → Ultra mode can limit the microphone. Turn it off in settings.

If you suspect a hardware breakdown, contact the Xiaomi service center. Replacing the microphone with the Redmi Note 8 costs about 1,000-1,500 rubles (2026).

1. Make a backup copy of the data.
2. Record the sound on another device for comparison.
3. Check if the warranty is still valid (it has expired on most Redmi Note 8s).

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Before going to the service, reset your phone to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset) This will eliminate the software causes of the problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about noise cancellation on the Redmi Note 8