Connecting two Bluetooth headphones to one Xiaomi

Owning a Xiaomi smartphone often opens up many hidden possibilities that are not mentioned in standard manuals. One of these features is the ability to connect two pairs of wireless headphones to the same device at the same time, allowing you to share music with a friend on a trip or watch a movie together without creating discomfort for others. However, the implementation of this task on the shell of MIUI or HyperOS can vary significantly depending on the version of the system and model of the smartphone.

Many users mistakenly believe that standard Bluetooth protocol makes it easy to stream audio to any two devices at once. In fact, Android and its add-ons have strict limits on audio transmission. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, including native system functions, special applications and hardware limitations that may arise during the configuration process.

It is important to understand that the result depends largely on the hardware platform of your device. Flagship models often have advanced codecs and communication modules, whereas budget segments may require third-party solutions.

Technical Limitations and Dual Audio Support

Before you start setting up, you need to understand the theoretical possibility of your smartphone transmitting sound to two devices. The standard Bluetooth protocol was originally designed for one-to-one communication. The technology that allows you to broadcast sound to multiple receivers at once is known as Dual Audio. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the implementation of this feature is not always obvious and depends on the version of the shell.

In the latest versions of MIUI and the new HyperOS, the company's engineers are implementing improved peripheral algorithms. However, even if there is no explicit "Two Devices" switch on the menu, this does not mean that the feature is not available. Often it is hidden in the engineering menu or activated automatically when compatible accessories are connected.

⚠️ Attention: When two Bluetooth devices are connected, the power consumption of the communication module increases significantly, which can lead to a rapid discharge of the battery and heating of the smartphone body in the camera area.

There is also the concept of Bluetooth Multipoint, but it should not be confused with Dual Audio. Multipoint allows headphones to connect to two sources (like a phone and a laptop), but the sound comes from only one of them. We need the opposite: one source and two receivers. The table below shows examples of support for this feature in different Xiaomi lines.

If your model is on the limited-support list, don't despair. There are workarounds that we'll look at next. The main thing is to make sure that both plug-in earphones are functional and charged, as the pairing process can take time.

Native Connection Methods through MIUI Settings

Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones are more fortunate, as new versions of the shell have a built-in feature to manage multiple audio devices. To start, try the standard method, which does not require installing additional software. Go to the Settings menu and select the Bluetooth partition.

Make sure the switch is activated, and start looking for devices. Connect the first pair of headphones in the usual way: click on the device name in the list and wait for the status "Connected." After that, without turning off the first device, put the second headphones in pairing mode.

When the second headphones appear on the list of available devices, click on them. The system may issue a warning that the audio will be switched. In some cases, if the Dual Audio function is active at the kernel level, the sound will go to both devices simultaneously. If the sound is lost from the first device, then native support in your firmware is limited.

You should also check the Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “Additional Settings”) section, and it might have Audio Output or Multi-Audio, and if you see multiple device selection, you’re in luck, otherwise you’ll have to use more sophisticated methods.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to connect devices at a fast pace in a row. 10-15 seconds to stabilize the connection after connecting the first pair, otherwise the Bluetooth module may freeze.

Some users have noted that switching between the global and Chinese versions of the firmware can open up hidden menu options, but flashing the device is a risky step that can lead to a loss of warranty.

Using the Monitor mode to transmit sound

One of the most effective ways that is often ignored is to use the Monitor feature in the feature settings, which was originally designed for people with hearing impairments to stream audio from the microphone to the headphones in real time, but it can be adapted for our purpose.

The idea is that you plug in the first headphones like a normal output device (for media), and the second headphones plug in and you activate the monitor mode, so that the sound from the system gets into the microphone input (virtually) and broadcasts to the second headset, which creates a small delay, but allows you to hear the same content.

To implement this method, perform the following actions:

• 🎧 Connect the main pair of headphones for media playback.
• 🔍 Connect the second pair of headphones to Bluetooth.
• ⚙️ Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities.
• 👂 Find the “Hearing” or “Audio output” section and activate the “Monitor».

It is important to note that in monitor mode, a noise suppressor can be activated to try to remove the "background noise" that is music, so in the monitor settings, you need to find the "Noise Reduction" option and turn it off if your version of MIUI allows it.

This is not ideal, because you can have audio synchronization between two pairs of headphones, and one listener will hear music a little earlier than the other, but it's a very acceptable solution for watching videos or listening to podcasts in the company, and it doesn't require root rights.

Third-party audio distribution applications

If the system constraints are too tight, enthusiastic apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, using the Android API to force the audio stream to be routed, and one of the most popular solutions is the AudioRelay app or specialized utilities like Bluetooth Connect.

The way these programs work is often by building a virtual audio device, and you run an application, it captures the system sound and redirects it to all active Bluetooth connections, which may require advanced permissions through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but the result is worth it.

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Some advanced features in third-party applications may require USB debugging to work. Remember to turn off this mode after setting up for security reasons.

Consider the algorithm of actions when using universal sound mixers:

1. Download a sound mixer app (e.g. Lesser AudioSwitch).
2. Connect both pairs of headphones to your smartphone.
3. Launch the app and select the “Bluetooth” or “All Devices” option from the audio output list.
4. Check if the sound is on both devices.

It’s worth remembering that these apps run in the background and can consume CPU resources. If you notice that the phone is slowing or the sound is intermittent, try closing other heavy applications. Also, the performance depends on the codec used by the headphones (SBC, AAC, aptX).

Some users prefer to use party apps that don't transmit audio via Bluetooth, but via Wi-Fi Direct to other smartphones that already have friends' headphones connected to them.

Hardware solution: Bluetooth transmitters

If software methods do not give the desired result or cause unstable operation of the smartphone, there is always a time-tested hardware option. We are talking about external Bluetooth transmitters with support for Dual Link mode. These are small devices connected via a USB-C connector or 3.5 mm (if available).

This gadget takes over the entire coding and transmission load on two pairs of headphones, and your Xiaomi sees the transmitter as a normal wired headset or external sound card, which guarantees maximum stability and no delays typical of software crutches.

When choosing a transmitter, pay attention to the following characteristics:

• 📡 Supporting the profile A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile).
• 🔗 Declared support for Double Link or Dual Pairing».
• 🔋 Having your own battery or power from a smartphone.
• 🎚️ The ability to adjust the volume on the device itself.

Using an external module is especially relevant for older Xiaomi models, whose Bluetooth module is physically unable to support simultaneous transmission of two streams of high quality, and it frees up the basic Bluetooth model of the phone for connecting a smart watch or a fitness bracelet.

The price of these devices ranges from 500 to 2000 rubles, which is a reasonable price for comfort. They are compact and can always lie in a case with a phone in case of need.

Troubleshooting and troubleshooting

You can run into a number of problems during the setup process, and the most common is that the phone sees the second device but doesn't connect, giving you a "failed to hide" error, often involving a Bluetooth cache or profile conflict.

Try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will remove stored Wi-Fi passwords, but often solves problems with the hanging of the Bluetooth stack.

⚠️ Note: Before resetting your network settings, make sure you remember passwords from important Wi-Fi networks, as it will be impossible to recover them from the system.

Another problem is the quiet or no sound in the second pair of headphones, in which case check the channel balance in the special features settings, and also make sure that the second headphones do not have a minimum volume set, since some models remember the volume level regardless of the phone.

If there is a sound but it is interrupted, try turning off the phone's power-saving functions for background processes. MIUI aggressively "kills" processes it considers inactive, which can disrupt the audio stream. Add the Bluetooth application or system process you're using to exclude the battery.

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The stability of the two pairs of headphones is directly dependent on the distance between the devices and the absence of physical obstacles.

In rare cases, the problem lies with the headphones themselves. TWS-Headphones do not support Slave-to-Slave mode within their pair and at the same time can not work in Dual Audio mode with an external source.