Modern wireless headphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Buds have become an integral part of the digital lifestyle, allowing you to enjoy music and podcasts in any environment. However, it often comes down to sharing an audio stream with a friend to watch a movie together on an airplane or listen to a lecture without switching between devices. Fortunately, the Android operating system and the branded MIUI shell provide built-in tools to accomplish this task.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical aspects of connecting two pairs of headsets to one smartphone. You will learn about the Dual Audio feature, which allows you to broadcast sound to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, as well as consider alternative software solutions. This guide will help you avoid confusion when pairing and ensure stable synchronization of sound.
It is worth noting that the success of the operation depends on the version of the operating system and model of your smartphone Xiaomi. Newer devices based on Android 10 and above support native multi-support, while older models may require additional actions.
Technical requirements and compatibility of devices
Before you start setting up, make sure your hardware supports multiple audio devices at the same time. Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones released in the last few years are usually equipped with Bluetooth modules version 5.0 and higher, which is a basic requirement for stable sound transmission to two channels. If your phone is too old, the system may simply not see the second pair of headphones after connecting the first one.
It is important to understand the difference between TWS-In the first case, two headphones (left and right) work as one device, connecting to each other and the phone, in the second case, the phone sees two independent pairs of headsets and sends the same audio stream to them. For the second scenario, the profile support is critical A2DP multi-connection mode from the smartphone.
You should also check the version of the shell. MIUI. Xiaomi engineers are constantly optimizing the Bluetooth stack, so the probability of a successful connection is much higher on recent updates. If you have an older firmware version installed, it is recommended to first check for updates in the appropriate settings section to exclude software compatibility errors.
⚠️ Warning: Connecting more than two Bluetooth audio output devices at the same time can lead to a significant decrease in smartphone autonomy and latency in audio playback.
Use of the native Dual Audio function on Android
Since Android 10, Google has introduced native support for dual-device audio transmission. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is often active by default, but requires the right sequence of actions to activate. You don't have to search for hidden menus or install third-party software if your system is sufficiently modern.
The connection process is as follows: first, you need to attach the first pair of Redmi Buds headphones or any other model in the standard way through the Bluetooth menu. Make sure the sound is played clearly and without interference. Only then go to connect the second pair.
When the first device is active, pair the second pair of headphones. The smartphone should detect them in the list of available devices. Once the connection is successful, the system will automatically redirect the audio stream to both devices. If this does not happen, you need to manually change the audio output settings.
- 🎧 Open Settings and go to the Bluetooth section.
- 🔗 Make sure both devices are displayed as “Connected».
- 🔊 Play any audio file and click on the audio output icon (usually in the notification curtain or player).
- ✅ Select the option “Two devices” or mark both headphones in the list.
If you can’t choose two devices at once in the audio output menu, your current MIUI or Android version limits this feature, and you can try to activate the hidden developer settings, as we’ll discuss in the next sections.
☑️ Checking before connection
Setup through the Developer Menu
In some cases, the standard interface hides the enhanced Bluetooth capabilities, which require activating the developer menu to access, a secure procedure that allows you to manage low-level connection parameters, including codecs and the maximum number of connected devices.
To enter the hidden menu on Xiaomi, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times. After the “You’ve become a developer” notification appears, a new option will appear in the main settings menu → For developers. Here we are interested in Bluetooth-related options.
Find the maximum number of Bluetooth devices (or “Bluetooth Audio Codec”). Change the value from “1” to “2” or “3.” This action forcibly allows the system to establish a connection with multiple audio outputs. It is also useful to disable the option “Absolute volume level” if you notice the volume dissynchronization on different headphones.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Description of the impact |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Devices. | 2 or 3 | Allows the connection of several headsets |
| AAC codec | On/Auto | Provides the best quality on iOS and Android |
| Absolute volume. | Off | Helps if the volume on the devices differs |
| Bluetooth version | By default. | Don't change it unless you need to. |
Once you make the changes, be sure to restart your Xiaomi smartphone.This is a critical step, as Bluetooth drivers are initialized only when the system starts. Without a reboot, the new settings may not take effect, and the second device will not transmit sound.
What to do if the developer menu is gone?
Connecting through the Xiaomi Earbuds app
Owners of the original Xiaomi and Redmi headphones can use the Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly Mi True Wireless) which is primarily designed to adjust the equalizer and update the firmware, but some versions of the software have features to manage the double listening mode.
The app lets you see the charge status of both headphones and control noise cancellation, which is important when you share. If you connect two pairs of the same headphones, for example, two Redmi Buds 3 Pro, the app can suggest synchronizing their settings so that the sound on both devices is identical in timbre.
To use this method, pair the first pair and open the application. After setting the settings, go to connect the second pair. In some cases, the application automatically recognizes the attempt to connect a second audio device of the same series and prompts you to optimize the connection for party or share mode.
- 📱 Download the Xiaomi Earbuds app from Google Play or GetApps.
- 🔌 Connect the first pair of headphones and let the app update their software.
- ⚙️ Check for the “Double Audio” option in the app settings.
- 🎵 Run test playback to check synchronization.
It is worth remembering that the functionality of the application can vary depending on the specific model of headphones. If the menu does not explicitly indicate support for two devices, use the standard Android tools described above, as they are more versatile.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party Bluetooth management apps may conflict with system settings MIUI. If the sound is gone, try clearing the app cache or removing it.
Alternative solutions and third-party software
If Xiaomi’s regular funds don’t work, apps from the Google Play store come to the rescue. There are a number of utilities, such as Audio Share or Sound Assistant (from Samsung, but running on many Androids), that take over the audio stream, and they create a virtual mixer that distributes sound between connected devices.
However, it should be borne in mind that such applications can consume additional battery power and create noticeable audio delay.This is not critical for watching video with the possibility of buffering, but will make it impossible to play online shooters or rhythm games due to the dissynchronization of the picture and sound.
When installing third-party software, be sure to provide all the permissions requested, especially access to the microphone and system audio settings. Without these permissions, the application will not be able to intercept the audio stream and redirect it to two outputs.
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To minimize audio delay when using third-party apps, disable the aptX HD codec in your Bluetooth settings if it is active and switch to standard SBC or AAC.
Possible problems and ways to address them
Even if you follow all the instructions, users can face technical difficulties. The most common problem is desynchronizing the sound when some headphones behind the audio, which is often treated by re-pairing: you need to forget both devices in the Bluetooth menu and connect them again, starting with the one that is used more often.
Another common issue is the quiet sound on one of the devices, which could be due to different levels of gain in different headphone models or Bluetooth drivers crashing, and try to level the volume through the system equalizer or in the development settings, as mentioned earlier.
If the smartphone stops seeing the second device at all after connecting the first, the channel bandwidth or battery charge may have been exhausted, and check if the background is running a heavy process consuming processor resources, which can interfere with the processing of the Bluetooth signal in real time.
- 🔄 Perform a complete reset of network settings: Settings → Connection and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, Cellular Networks and Bluetooth.
- 🔋 Charge both devices to 100% to eliminate energy saving factor.
- 📵 Disable all other Bluetooth devices (watches, bracelets) while you set up.
- 🔊 Make sure that the same codec is active on both headphones (check the developer menu).
In rare cases, the problem lies in the physical damage of the antenna of the smartphone or Bluetooth module, especially if the device is more than three years old.If nothing helps, try connecting the headphones to another Xiaomi smartphone to localize the malfunction.
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The stability of the connection of two pairs of headphones depends on the distance between the devices: keep your smartphone and headphones within a radius of 2-3 meters for better synchronization.