Connecting two pairs of headphones to one Xiaomi smartphone at once is a challenge many users face: Whether you want to share music with a friend, use one earphone for calls and another for music, or just test the capabilities of your device — MIUI offers several ways to implement this feature. However, not all models support connecting two audio devices via Bluetooth simultaneously out of the box.
In this article, we’ll look at the official and alternative ways to connect two headphones to Xiaomi, including settings MIUI 12-14, using third-party apps and compatibility features with different models of smartphones, and learn what limitations exist and how to get around them if your device does not support the “native” function.
Why Xiaomi doesn’t always support two Bluetooth headphones
The technology for connecting two audio devices simultaneously over Bluetooth is called Dual Audio or Multipoint, and it depends on several factors:
- 📱 Bluetooth Version: Devices with Bluetooth 5.0 and higher theoretically support this feature, but the manufacturer can disable it at the software level.
- 🔧 Version. MIUI: firmware MIUI 12 the function may be absent or may not work smoothly.
- 🎧 Headphone type: Not all models support Multipoint mode (for example, many budget models) TWS-Headphones can only connect to one device).
- 🔋 Hardware restrictions: cheap Xiaomi smartphones (for example, the Redmi Note series or the Xiaomi phone). POCO M) often lacks this function due to a weak chipset.
For example, flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Mi 11 Ultra usually support Dual Audio, while the Redmi 10A or POCO X3 NFC do not.
Dual Audio in MIUI (for supported models)
If your Xiaomi smartphone supports Dual Audio, you can activate it through standard settings.
- Open Settings → Bluetooth and connect the first headphone.
- Return to the main settings menu and go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Dual Audio.
- Activate the Dual Audio switch.
- Connect the second headphone via Bluetooth – it should automatically appear in the list of available devices.
- Click on the gear icon next to the headphones name to adjust the volume balance between them.
If you don't have Dual Audio on the menu, your device doesn't support this feature at the software level, and you'll have to use alternative methods.
☑️ Preparation for connecting two headphones
⚠️ Note: on some Xiaomi devices, the Dual Audio feature may not work smoothly with headphones of different brands, for example, if one headphone is Xiaomi AirDots and the second is Sony. WH-1000XM4, Possible delays in sound or communication.
Alternative method: use of the SoundAssistant application
If your smartphone doesn’t support Dual Audio natively, you can use Samsung’s third-party SoundAssistant app. Despite being designed for Samsung devices, many Xiaomi users have successfully used it to connect two headphones.
Instructions:
- Download SoundAssistant from Google Play (or APK from a trusted source if the app is not available in your area).
- Open the app and provide all the necessary permissions (access to Bluetooth, media files, etc.).
- Go to Dual Audio or Multipoint (the name may vary depending on the version of the app).
- Activate the function and connect both headphones through the standard Bluetooth menu.
The app allows you not only to connect two devices, but also to adjust a separate volume for each of them, as well as to choose which device will be used for the microphone during calls.
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If SoundAssistant doesn’t work, try turning off battery optimization for that app in the settings. MIUI. To do this, go to the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → SoundAssistant → Battery → No restrictions.
The method for advanced: use ADB-team
If none of the previous methods worked, you can try activating the hidden Dual Audio function via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and requires a computer.
Instructions:
- Install. ADB-Drivers on the computer and enable debugging USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- Connect your smartphone to your computer and open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
- Dual Audio: Adb shell settings put global bluetooth_dual_audio_enabled 1
- Reboot your smartphone and check for the feature in Bluetooth settings.
Important: this method does not work on all devices and can lead to unstable Bluetooth.If after completing commands, the headphones start to turn off or the sound disappears, return the settings with the command adb shell settings put global settings. bluetooth_dual_audio_enabled 0.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Headphone compatibility: which models work with Dual Audio
Not all wireless headphones support simultaneous connection to a single source, and here is a table of compatibility of popular models with the Dual Audio function on Xiaomi smartphones:
| Model headphones | Dual Audio support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi AirDots (all generations) | ✅ Yes. | Can work with a sound delay when connected to two devices at the same time. |
| Redmi Buds 3/4 Pro | ✅ Yes. | Stable performance, but possible reduction in sound quality when used with another brand. |
| Sony WH-1000XM4/XM5 | ✅ Yes. | Multipoint supports, but can automatically switch between devices. |
| Apple AirPods (all models) | ❌ No. | Do not support simultaneous connection to a single source on Android. |
| JBL Live 660NC/770NC | ✅ Yes. | Manual configuration is required in the JBL Headphones app. |
If your headphones aren't listed in the table, check their specifications on the manufacturer's website. Look for references to Multipoint or Dual Pairing support.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
When connecting two headphones at the same time, Xiaomi users often face the following problems:
- 🔊 The sound goes to only one device: check the volume balance in the Dual Audio settings or reconnect the headphones.
- 🎵 Lag: Try using one brand’s headphones or disable the aptX codec in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Bluetooth codec).
- 🔋 Fast battery drain: using two Bluetooth devices at the same time increases power consumption.Close background applications that use Bluetooth.
- 🔄 Headphones spontaneously turn off: update the firmware of the headphones and smartphone. If the problem persists, reset your Bluetooth settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → Three points. → Reset the settings).
⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the Dual Audio feature may not work properly or at all. MIUI or use alternative methods.