Connecting two headphones via Bluetooth to Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways and nuances

Introduction: Why does the smartphone not see the second headset?

Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face a problem: the phone supports only one Bluetooth device in the audio category. When you try to connect a second headset, the first one automatically turns off. This is not a defect of the device, but a limitation of the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) protocol, which by default does not support multi-streaming on most Android smartphones.

However, there are workarounds, both official (via MIUI settings) and non-obvious (using third-party apps or features for people with hearing impairments).In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to connect two headphones to the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models on MIUI 12-14, including their pros, cons and possible problems.

Important: Not all methods work on all models. For example, Redmi 8A or Redmi 9C with outdated Bluetooth 4.2 chips may not even support software bypasses. Check out the Bluetooth version from the Settings menu → About Phone → Full spec.

Method 1: Use the dual audio function in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added a hidden Dual Audio feature that allows you to stream audio to two devices simultaneously, but it is not available on all models and requires activation through the developer settings.

Algorithm of action:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → Developer settings.
3. Find the option Enable Dual Audio (Laboratory) or Bluetooth: Dual audio and activate it.
4. Connect the first headphone through the standard Bluetooth menu.
5. Press the connected device icon in the notification panel and select Add a second device.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔴 It only works on models with Bluetooth 5.0.+ (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi K40 newer).
• 🔴 It can delay up to 0.5 seconds between devices.
• 🔴 The function may disappear after the update MIUI.

Method 2: Multi-streaming audio applications (SoundAssistant, Bluetooth Dual Audio)

If you don't have a built-in Dual Audio feature, you can use third-party utilities.

1. SoundAssistant (from Samsung, but it works for Xiaomi):

• 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🎧 Connect both earphones separately via Bluetooth settings.
• 🔊 In SoundAssistant, select Double Audio → Enable and specify both devices.

2. Bluetooth Dual Audio (requires root rights on some models):

• 🛠️ Download. APK APKPure (with caution with sources!).
• 🔗 Connect your headphones, then in the app select Connect Both.
• ⚙️ When the sound is delayed, adjust the synchronization in the application settings.

Warning: Some applications may conflict with MIUI system services, causing the Bluetooth module to reboot. If the sound starts to break, try turning off Adaptive sound in the headphone settings.

Method 3: Hearing aid mode (for ASHA-enabled headphones)

Little-known fact: Xiaomi’s Android 10+ smartphones support the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) protocol, originally designed for hearing aids. Some modern headphones (such as the Sony WH-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro) can connect through this protocol, which allows you to bypass the limit on one audio device.

How to activate:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Hearing aids.
2. Turn on Streaming Audio mode.
3. Connect the first headphone as usual (via Bluetooth).
4. Connect the second headphone through the Hearing aids menu, selecting it in the list of available devices.

Please note:

• 🟢 It only works with headphones that support ASHA (A list of compatible models can be found on the manufacturer's website).
• 🟡 The sound can be broadcasted with a lower bitrate (up to 192 kbit / s vs 328 kbit / s in the video). A2DP).
• 🔴 On Redmi with MIUI 12.5 and below, this method may not work.

Method 4: Using a Bluetooth transmitter (hardware solution)

If the software methods don't work, you can use an external Bluetooth transmitter that supports multi-stream audio, such as the Avantek APT-X Low Latency or the 1Mii B06 Plus, which connects to your smartphone via a 3.5 mm connector or USB-C and streams the sound to two headphones simultaneously.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ It works on all Redmi models, including the old ones (Redmi 7, Redmi Note 8).
• ✅ No sound delays between devices.
• ✅ Supports aptX codecs and AAC high-quality.

Cons:

• ❌ Additional costs (from 1500) ₽ transmitter).
• ❌ Requires constant carrying of the device with you.

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Before buying a transmitter, check if your Redmi supports USB-C audio output. On some models (e.g. Redmi 9T), this port only works for charging.

Method 5: Configure with ADB (for advanced users)

If you’re ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can manually activate hidden Bluetooth features, a technique that works for MIUI 13/14 and requires a computer.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings → Additional → Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global bluetooth_dual_audio_enabled 1
4. Restart your phone and try connecting two devices.

Additional commands for fine tuning:

• Current status check: adb shell settings get global bluetooth_dual_audio_enabled (should be returned 1).
• Reset Bluetooth settings (if errors occur): adb shell pm clear com.android.bluetooth

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB You can disrupt your Bluetooth module. Before experimenting, back up your data through your Settings. → System system → Backup.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successfully connecting two headphones, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical problems.

1. The sound is only going to one device.

• 🔹 Check if the headphone settings tick Monopoly mode (for example, in Sony Headphones Connect).
• 🔹 Reconnect both devices, starting with one that doesn't work.
• 🔹 In Settings → Select Media Audio for both headphones.

2.Severe sound delay (up to 1-2 seconds)

• 🔹 Turn off the codecs. LDAC or aptX in Bluetooth settings (they add latency).
• 🔹 Use codecs. SBC or AAC minimally latency.
• 🔹 If you are using Dual Audio, try disabling Hardware Audio Acceleration in the developer settings.

3.The headphones are constantly switched off

• 🔹 Make sure your phone has power saving mode turned off for Bluetooth (Settings) → Battery. → Energy consumption of applications).
• 🔹 Update the firmware of headphones through the manufacturer's branded application.
• 🔹 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

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If the problem persists, try to reconnect the headphones in reverse order (first second, then first), sometimes helping to synchronize the streams.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions