Modern technology allows you not only to listen to music, but also to share it with your loved ones without passing the gadget from hand to hand. Owners of Xiaomi ecosystem devices often wonder whether it is possible to synchronize two pairs of wireless headsets with one smartphone for joint listening. The answer is yes, but the process of setting up has its own nuances, depending on the version of the MIUI operating system and the device model.
The technical feasibility of this feature is based on Bluetooth protocols and the manufacturer’s software add-ons, which used to require third-party applications or special transmitters, but now Android and HyperOS are built-in, allowing you to do this natively. It is important to understand that not all phone models support simultaneous audio streaming to two receivers without delay.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the synchronization options available, from built-in functions to third-party software, how to avoid sound desynchronization, and which Redmi Buds or AirDots headphones are best suited for this task.
Technical requirements and compatibility of devices
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your hardware supports the necessary communication standards. Dual Audio requires a Bluetooth module version 5.0 and higher in your smartphone. Older versions of the protocol may not be able to encode and transmit two independent data streams without significant quality losses.
The headphones themselves also have to meet certain criteria. While basic connectivity is possible for any device, stable synchronization is guaranteed for Xiaomi and Redmi products. Using different models or brands can lead to desynchronization, when the sound in one headset lags behind the other by a fraction of a second, which is critical when watching video.
List of compatible Xiaomi smartphones
To minimize delays and maintain sound quality, both devices should support AAC or aptX codecs. If one of the headphones only works in SBC format, the system will automatically switch to it, which can reduce the overall sound quality.
Use of Dual Audio in MIUI
Since the MIUI 12 shell version, the company has introduced native support for connecting multiple audio devices, the easiest and most reliable way to do this without needing to install additional software. The algorithm is intuitive, but requires sequential steps in the Bluetooth menu.
First, you need to put the first pair of headphones in pairing mode and connect them to the smartphone in a standard way. Make sure the sound is played correctly. After that, without turning off the first device, activate the search mode on the second pair of headphones. The system should detect the new device in the list of available for connection.
☑️ Algorithm of connecting the second pair
In some firmware versions, after connecting the second device, you may need to manually activate the mode in the media menu. To do this, call the sound control panel when playing the track and select the output option for multiple devices. If this option is not available, the system can automatically broadcast the sound to all active Bluetooth audio devices.
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When two pairs of headphones are first connected, the system can request permission to access the microphone for both devices, which is necessary for the synchronization function to work, even if you don't plan to talk.
Setup through the Xiaomi Earbuds app
For deeper customization and management of the Redmi Buds, AirDots and Mi True Wireless headsets, it is recommended to use the official Xiaomi Earbuds app. This tool allows you not only to update the headphone firmware, but also to manage connection priority and sound balance.
Once you install the app and pair the headphones with it, you get access to advanced settings, and in the device management section, you can see the connection status of each ear and each pair, which is especially useful if one of the devices loses signal or is unstable.
The app also allows you to check the level of charge of both sets of headphones in real time, which is critical, because when working in dual audio mode, the battery consumption can be uneven.
| Function of the annex | Description | Impact on Dual Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware update | Installed on headphones | Eliminates synchronization bugs |
| Touch settings | Changes in actions when tapping | Allows you to control volume independently |
| Headphone search | Loud signal when lost | It does not affect the sound, but is useful in the home |
| Game mode | Reducing sound delay | Critical for synchronized video viewing |
Use of third-party applications for synchronization
If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t support native dual audio for some reason or the feature doesn’t work properly, third-party solutions from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. These apps create a virtual audio bridge, redirecting the data stream to multiple outputs.
One popular solution is AudioShare or its analogues, which is to create a local Wi-Fi network or use a Bluetooth host to transmit audio to other devices acting as clients, in which case the second phone or tablet becomes a repeater for the second headphones.
It’s worth noting that using third-party software often adds an extra latency, which makes watching videos with unsynchronized sound uncomfortable, although it’s acceptable for listening to music or podcasts, and can also put more stress on the processor and drain the battery.
When choosing an app, pay attention to reviews and the date of the last update. Developers often stop supporting older versions of Android, so the relevance of the software plays an important role. Free versions may contain ads that will interrupt the audio stream.
Eliminating dissynchronization and sound delays
The most common problem when connecting two pairs of headphones is out-of-synchronization. The sound in one headset can outpace the other, creating an echo effect. This is especially noticeable when watching movies or playing rhythm games. The first step to solve the problem is to reset the Bluetooth settings.
To do this, remove all the stored devices from the list of conjugated, restart your smartphone and re-connect, keeping the order. First connect the main headphones, wait for stable operation, and then initiate a search for the second. Sometimes it helps to clean the cache of the Bluetooth service in the application settings.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound delay persists after reconnecting, try turning off the high-resolution codec (LDAC or HD) In the developer settings, forced codec switching. SBC or AAC Often eliminates out-of-synchronization by sacrificing minimal detail in sound for stability.
It's also worth checking if background processes are running that consume Bluetooth resources. Synchronizing data with the cloud, transferring files, or running a smartwatch can cause interference. Temporarily disable unused wireless functions to test the hypothesis.
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Connection stability is more important than maximum codec quality. If you have problems with synchronization, always switch to simpler codecs (AAC/SBC).
Developer settings for advanced users
Deep inside Android, there are additional Bluetooth management tools available through the developer menu, which you can activate by quickly clicking seven times on the build number in the About Phone section, and when the Developer menu appears, new features will open up in the system settings.
You can find the Bluetooth Audio Codec option here, which allows you to force the choice of compression method, and you can find a balance between quality and stability by experimenting with this option, and you can also find the Bluetooth MAP Version option, which sometimes solves compatibility problems with older headphone models.
Another important setup is Disable Absolute Volume, which allows you to adjust the sound level independently on the phone and on the headphones themselves, and can help to level the volume if one pair sounds quieter than the other due to software constraints.
adb shell settings put global bluetooth_audio_hal_offload 0This command, executed via USB debugging (ADB), disables hardware acceleration of Bluetooth audio processing. This is an extreme measure that can help if software driver failures cause permanent connection breaks. After completing the command, a complete reboot of the device is necessary.
⚠️ Note: Changing the settings in the developer menu can cause the Bluetooth connection to work in an unstable way.Write down the initial values before making changes so you can return the settings back.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have specific errors, like the phone can see the second headphones, but refuse to connect, giving you an error "I failed to hide." In this case, a complete reset of the network settings on the smartphone will help, but remember that this will delete all the saved Wi-Fi passwords.
Another common problem is that one device will spontaneously shut down after a certain time, which may be energy saving, MIUI aggressively closes the background, and you need to find the application in the battery settings that is responsible for Bluetooth (often a system service) and allow it to work in the background without restrictions.
If only one channel (left or right) loses sound in one of the pairs, check the sound balance in special features. Sometimes a calibration failure causes one channel to be silenced programmatically. Resetting all settings to factory (without deleting data) often resolves program conflicts.