Watching movies together or listening to music with a friend on a smartphone often turns into a fight for space at the screen or an attempt to share a single headphone. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often wonder whether it is technically possible to output sound to two wireless devices at once. Standard Android functionality does not always provide this out of the box, which forces users to look for workarounds.
The peripheral connection to the Chinese brand’s smartphones has its own peculiarities: the MIUI system installed on top of the operating system imposes certain restrictions on the operation of Bluetooth protocols. However, modern models of the flagship line have already learned to work with multiple audio devices simultaneously, while budget segments require more complex manipulations or additional equipment.
In this article, we will look at all the existing methods of synchronizing sound on two headsets. We will look at the native features of the system, the hidden settings of the developer, as well as hardware solutions that work on any model. Understanding the principles of operation of Bluetooth protocol will help you choose the most effective way for your particular situation without losing sound quality.
Native support for Dual Audio in new Xiaomi models
Starting with certain versions of the MIUI 12 shell and later, and based on Android 10 and above, Xiaomi smartphones have built-in Dual Audio feature. This technology allows you to stream audio streaming to two paired Bluetooth devices. If you have a relatively fresh flagship or mid-range model released after 2020, chances are that you do not need third-party applications.
To check for availability, you need to go to Bluetooth settings. Once you pair the first pair of headphones, try connecting the second. In some versions of the firmware, the system will automatically suggest either Stereopa or Two Devices mode. If that doesn't happen, you should check the advanced settings in the Settings menu → Bluetooth → Additional settings. There may be a switch that activates multithreading.
⚠️ Note: Even with Dual Audio support, simultaneous operation of two headsets can lead to dissynchronization of sound and image when watching video.
It is important to consider that the quality of the connection depends on the version of the Bluetooth module in your phone. Two channels require support for Bluetooth 5.0 and higher to work smoothly. Older modules may not physically cope with the bandwidth required to transmit two independent streams of high quality without delay.
Using the Developer Mode to Enhance Opportunities
If the standard menu does not have the option of connecting two devices, you can try to activate hidden functions through the developer menu. This method does not guarantee 100% success on all models, since it depends on the drivers of the particular processor, but often allows you to unlock the desired settings. To enter the menu, you need to repeatedly click on the build number in the About Phone section.
Once you activate the developer menu, go to Advanced Settings → For Developers. We are interested in the Bluetooth settings block. Here you should find the setting that limits the number of connected devices or the version of Bluetooth AVRCP. Changing the protocol version to a newer one can force multi-connection support.
☑️ Activation of the developer mode
There is also a Bluetooth Audio Codec option that allows you to select a sound codec. Switching to codecs with a lower bitrate, such as SBC, can free up the channel for the second device, although the sound quality is high. Experiment with these settings should be careful, as incorrect values can lead to unstable operation of the communication module.
Risks of changing the developer’s settings
Third-party applications for sound synchronization
When the system is running out of resources, specialized applications from the Google Play store come to the rescue, and they use their own algorithms to duplicate the audio stream. One of the most popular solutions is the AudioShare application, which creates a local Wi-Fi network or uses Bluetooth to transmit sound to other devices that also have the application.
The principle of these programs is that the phone acts as a server, and the second headphones (or the second phone to which they are connected) - as a client, which means that to connect the second headphones, you may need a second smartphone or tablet as an intermediate link.
- 🎧 AudioShare: allows you to transmit sound to an unlimited number of devices on a single Wi-Fi network, providing minimal latency.
- 🔊 SoundSeeder: Turns your phone into a music server by syncing playback on other Android devices over a local network.
- 📡 Bluetooth Audio Widget: Provides quick access to codecs and bitrate settings, which sometimes helps stabilize the connection.
Using third-party software inevitably leads to increased battery consumption, the process of constantly transcoding and transmitting the audio stream loads the processor and radio module, so if you watch a movie with friends, it is advisable to have a Power Bank or charger at hand.
Hardware solution: Bluetooth transmitters
The most reliable and versatile way that works on any Xiaomi model, including the oldest, is to use an external Bluetooth transmitter, a small device that plugs into a smartphone connector and takes over the function of transmitting sound to multiple headsets at once, often referred to as Bluetooth splitters.
To connect the transmitter to the Xiaomi phone, the Type-C connector is most often used. If your model has a 3.5 mm connector (minijack), you can use wired transmitters that are powered by a separate one. USB-Type-C digital transmitters are powered directly from the smartphone.
| Type of transmitter | Connection | Headphone counts | Sound delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog (3.5 mm) | Minijack | 2 pairs | Minimum |
| Digital (Type-C) | USB-C | 2-3 pairs | Low. |
| Autonomous (with battery) | 3.5 mm / USB | Up to 4 pairs. | Depends on the codec. |
When choosing a transmitter, consider supporting aptX Low Latency or aptX Adaptive codecs, which minimizes audio and video desynchronization. Without these codecs, when watching movies on two wireless headphones, you may notice that the sound is lagging behind the actors' lip movements.
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When buying a Bluetooth transmitter, make sure that there is a data-enabled cable, not just charging, especially for models without a 3.5mm connector.
Problems of desynchronization and delay of sound
The main cliché when connecting two pairs of headphones is laga. The Bluetooth protocol was not originally designed to perfectly synchronize multiple receivers. When you connect two headsets, the phone has to share the time intervals of data packets, which inevitably causes a delay. This may be imperceptible when listening to music, but critical for video.
To reduce the likelihood of desynchronization, it is recommended to disable the option “Absolute Volume Level” in Bluetooth settings. This is done in the developer menu. Sometimes separate volume control allows the system to more flexibly allocate channel resources, and also helps to close background applications that consume Internet traffic.
⚠️ Attention: Using cheap Chinese headphones of unknown brands in conjunction with Xiaomi's budget models often leads to permanent connection breaks when trying to connect the second pair.
If you use the two-phone method (one as a source, the other as a repeater on the second headphones), make sure both devices are in close proximity to each other.The distance of more than 1-2 meters between phones can lead to loss of data packets and wheezing in sound.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The choice of connection depends on your goals and the equipment you have, and if you're going to watch a movie on the road, the best option is to buy a quality Bluetooth transmitter, the only solution that guarantees stability regardless of the MIUI version or processor model.
For casual music listening in the park, you can experiment with native settings or apps like AudioShare.It's free and doesn't require buying extra hardware, but it takes time to set up and may not work the first time.
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For guaranteed results and no delays when watching videos, use an external Bluetooth transmitter with support for aptX Low Latency.
Remember that when you use Bluetooth actively in dual-device transmission mode, your smartphone can get warmer, which is a normal physical reaction of the module to the increased load. Try not to cover your phone during a session and remove a thick protective case if possible to improve heat sink.