Xiaomi’s current smartphones have powerful multimedia capabilities that often go beyond standard single-person use, one of which is the ability to stream audio to two different Bluetooth devices simultaneously. This opens up new horizons for sharing movies, listening to music on a trip, or even providing simultaneous interpretation, but the implementation of this feature depends on the version of the operating system. MIUI and your gadget's models.
Owners of devices of different generations may face different limitations of hardware and software. While older versions of the shell had to resort to complex manipulation of engineering menus, new versions of Android and MIUI offer more friendly interfaces. It is important to understand that standard Bluetooth protocol is not originally sharpened for mass mailing of audio stream, so the system has to use special switching algorithms.
In this article, we will look at all the ways to do this, from standard tools to installing specialized software. You will learn how to get around the limitations of the system and why some methods work better than others. The key to success is to support an A2DP Sink profile or use the Dual Audio feature built into the Qualcomm or MediaTek chipset. Let's take a detailed look at each method so you can choose the best one for your situation.
Staff capabilities MIUI and Android
Starting with certain versions of Android 10 and the MIUI 11/12 shell, smartphones have native support for connecting multiple audio devices. However, this feature is not guaranteed on all models, even if the software is updated.
To check the availability of the feature, you need to go to the Bluetooth settings. If your smartphone supports Dual Audio mode, you will see the corresponding option in the menu or the ability to select a second device after connecting the first one. In some cases, the system will automatically prompt you to connect the second gadget if the first one is already active and plays media.
Consider that latency can vary when using standard tools, especially when watching video, when the audio track may not match the video sequence on one of the devices. Xiaomi is constantly improving synchronization algorithms, but on budget models with entry-level processors, desynchronization problems are more common.
⚠️ Attention: When two Bluetooth devices are running simultaneously, the battery consumption of the smartphone increases significantly. It is recommended to keep the device on charge or have Power Bank on hand for prolonged use.
Use of the Xiaomi Dual Audio function
Dual Audio is the most stable way to solve a problem if it is supported by your device, it allows you to stream audio stream to two pairs of headphones at once without the need for third-party software. Activation occurs through the standard settings menu, but the path to it may differ depending on the version. MIUI MIUI 12/13Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth → Menu (three dots) → Dual Audio MIUI 14 / HyperOS Settings → Bluetooth → Double audio (switch) Android 13+Notification panel → Media control → Selection of output devices
Once activated, you need to put both sets of headphones in pairing mode. The smartphone will start searching for available devices. It is important to connect them sequentially: first the first pair, wait for the connection confirmation, and then activate the search for the second. Parallel connection can cause address conflict and failure of the Bluetooth driver.
Dual Audio audio quality is usually higher than with third-party applications, because processing is at the system level. However, if one of the devices is too far from the smartphone or has a weak signal, the system can automatically turn it off to maintain the stability of the connection.
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To minimize the delay of sound, try to keep both sets of headphones at a distance of no more than 3-5 meters from the smartphone and in line of sight, without physical obstacles.
Application of third-party applications
If the two devices fail to connect properly, specialized applications from the Google Play store come to the rescue, creating a virtual audio bridge by redirecting the data stream to multiple destinations. One of the most popular solutions is the AudioShare app, which requires the server part to be installed on the receiving device (if it is a second phone) or runs in emulation mode.
Another option is to use applications to create a Wi-Fi Direct tunnel through which the audio stream is transmitted, which bypasses Bluetooth limitations but requires both devices to be on the same network or connected directly over Wi-Fi, a method that often produces lower latency but consumes more power.
When installing third-party software, be sure to check the permissions requested. Some applications may require access to a microphone or contacts that are not necessary for their operation. The security of your data should be a priority, so choose programs with high ratings and a large number of reviews.
Why do some apps not work on newer versions of Android?
Configure through the engineering menu (for advanced)
For users who are not afraid to experiment with system settings, there is a method of activating hidden functions through an engineering menu, which allows you to force support for multiple connections, even if it is hidden by the manufacturer. However, incorrect change of parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the Bluetooth module or complete loss of communication.
To log in to the menu, you need to enter a special code in the Phone app. The code depends on the processor of your device: for Qualcomm it is often # #3646633##, and for MediaTek it is ##4636##. After logging in to the menu, you need to go to the Bluetooth section and find the option to change the number of connections (Max Connected Devices).
Change the value from 1 to 2 or more, then restart the device. This method does not work on all Xiaomi models, since manufacturers often block the change of these parameters at the firmware level. If the settings are reset after the reboot, then the method is incompatible with your version of the software.
☑️ Check before entering the engineering menu
Synchronization and delay problems of sound
One of the major technical challenges when connecting two pairs of headphones is desynchronization, and the sound in one device can be split-second behind the other, which creates an echo effect and makes watching movies impossible, because of differences in data buffering and codec processing speeds by different chips.
To minimize this effect, use the same model and manufacturer headphones. Homogeneous devices use the same decoding algorithms, which reduces the likelihood of desynchronization, and it also helps to turn off any sound enhancers, such as Dolby Atmos or equalizers, which add additional processing and latency.
If latency is present, try changing the Bluetooth Codec settings in the developer settings. Switching from AAC to SBC or aptX can make a difference. Sometimes lower sound quality (SBC) provides more stable data transfer with less latency than high-quality codecs.
⚠️ Warning: Changing codecs in the developer settings can result in a complete no sound if your headphones don't support the format you choose.Be prepared to reset your Bluetooth settings or restart your phone.
Alternative solutions and hardware methods
In cases where software methods don't work, you can use hardware solutions. There are special Bluetooth transmitters that support multiple connectivity, and these devices connect to a USB-C or 3.5 mm smartphone connector and take over the audio stream distribution function.
These gadgets often have their own batteries and do not consume the power of the smartphone. They provide a more stable connection, because they use a dedicated radio module that does not depend on the main Bluetooth chip of the phone. This is a great solution for older Xiaomi models that do not support Dual Audio software.
Another option is to create a local network and use synchronous playback applications like Rave or Discord (with Go Live feature), where sound is transmitted via the Internet protocol rather than through classic Bluetooth streaming. This is convenient for remote co-browsing, but requires a good Internet connection.
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Using an external Bluetooth transmitter is the most reliable way to get high-quality sound on two pairs of headphones if the built-in smartphone functions are not coping or missing.