Xiaomi and Redmi’s modern smartphones allow you to create unique multimedia scenarios that go beyond the standard listening to music by one user. The ability to work with two pairs of wireless headsets simultaneously opens new horizons for sharing movies while traveling or training with a partner without having to share a single device. This feature has become especially relevant with the development of Bluetooth 5.0 and higher protocols that provide stable audio streaming to multiple receivers.
However, many device owners have difficulty syncing two independent audio output devices. Android’s standard settings aren’t always obvious, and the MIUI or HyperOS shell interface can hide the necessary switches in the depth of the menu. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available methods, from native system features to using third-party utilities, so you can enjoy stereo sound together.
Before you start setting up, make sure your hardware technically supports this load. Not all smartphone models, even from a well-known Chinese brand, have the hardware power to encode and transmit two AAC or aptX streams simultaneously. Understanding the limitations of your gadget will help avoid frustration and quickly find a working solution.
⚠️ Attention: Using dual audio significantly speeds up the battery discharge of the smartphone, as the Bluetooth radio module operates in enhanced data transfer mode.
Technical requirements and compatibility of devices
The foundation for successfully connecting multiple audio devices is the Bluetooth version of the module in your phone. For stable operation of the feature, often called Dual Audio, it is desirable to have a module of version 5.0 or later. Older versions, such as 4.2 or 4.1, may not physically cope with the bandwidth required for two channels of high quality sound.
The operating system and its modifications also play an important role. The MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS have built-in media controls that may differ from stock Android. Owners of the budget models of the Redmi Note or Poco M series may face software restrictions that the manufacturer imposes to save processor resources.
The headphones themselves must also support the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) profile. Virtually all modern Xiaomi models, whether Mi True Wireless Earbuds or Redmi Buds, meet this standard. However, when mixing headphones from different brands or different generations, codec conflicts can occur, which will lead to lower sound quality or dissynchronization.
- 📱 Bluetooth version 5.0 and higher in your smartphone.
- 🎧 Supporting the profile A2DP both-device.
- 🔋 Adequate battery charge on all three devices (phone and two headphones).
- 🔄 Up-to-date version of the firmware MIUI or hyperos.
Use of the native Dual Audio function in MIUI and HyperOS
Starting with certain firmware versions, Xiaomi engineers have implemented the ability to output sound to two devices directly through the system menu, which is the most reliable way to install no additional software, and to activate this option, you first need to attach both devices to the phone separately in the standard Bluetooth menu.
After successfully pairing both headsets, go to the control panel. To do this, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen (or up from the bottom edge, depending on the navigation settings). Find the music playback widget, which usually displays the name of the current track or podcast. In the top right corner of this widget, the output device select button often hides.
If you click on an icon or an arrow, you'll see a list of available devices. Unlike standard Android, where you only pick one option, MIUI can have checkboxes or multiple choices. If you tick two pairs of headphones, the system will redirect the audio stream to both channels. In some versions of the shell, this item is called Audio output or Dual Audio.
Settings → Bluetooth → Press the gear next to the device → Enable “Double audio”If you don’t have this option on the standard menu, try activating hidden features through an engineering menu or special codes, although in recent versions of MIUI access to them is often closed. Also worth checking the Settings → Special Features → Hearing aids section, where you can sometimes find additional audio output settings, although this is not a direct analogue of Dual Audio.
⚠️ Note: When connecting two Bluetooth devices, latency can increase, making watching videos with lip and voice desynchronization noticeable without using low-latency codecs.
☑️ Checking the Dual Audio settings
Connecting through the developer menu and hidden settings
For advanced users whose devices do not have an explicit Dual Audio button in the interface, it is possible to activate the function through the developer menu. This method requires caution, since changing system parameters can affect the work tab of the Bluetooth module as a whole.
Once you have the option "Additional" in the settings, go to the developer menu. Here we're interested in the Bluetooth section. Find the Bluetooth Audio Codec or Bluetooth MAP Version option. Some MIUI builds have an Enable Dual Audio or Audio Share option, which is hidden by default.
Also worth paying attention to the Max Connected Audio Devices parameter. If such a field is present, change the value from 1 to 2. This is a direct indication to the system not to block the second connection after the first device has successfully paired.
| Parameter | Standard value | Required importance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 / 5.1 | It doesn't change. | Basic protocol support |
| Audio Codec | SBC | AAC / aptX | Quality and delay |
| Max Devices | 1 | 2 | Number of simultaneous connections |
| Sample Rate | 44.1 kHz | 48 kHz | Frequency of sampling |
Keep in mind that the developer menu is a testing tool. The changes made here can be reset after a system update or network reset. If the function stops working after the reboot, the procedure will have to be repeated. This is a temporary solution that is often used by enthusiasts on devices where the manufacturer has software-limited functionality.
What to do if the developer menu is empty?
Use the Sound Assistant app for advanced management
If the system tools don’t work, specialized apps like Samsung’s Sound Assistant, which is adapted for other Android smartphones, or Xiaomi’s native Earbuds app come to the rescue. Although Sound Assistant was originally created for the Galaxy, its features often work on other devices running Android 10 and higher, allowing routing of sound to multiple outputs.
Once you install the app, find the Dual Audio or Multi-connect function, and it's similar to the system function, where the app takes control of the audio stream by duplicating it to the devices you select, and unlike system settings, you can adjust the volume balance for the left and right earphones independently.
Another option is to use the Lesser AudioSwitch app, which is a powerful tool that allows you to force the audio output to switch. In the program interface, you can choose multiple output devices at the same time, which is especially useful if you want to connect, for example, one Bluetooth earphone and one Bluetooth speaker, which is a standard tool Xiaomi is reluctant to do.
- 🔊 The ability to independently adjust volume for each device.
- 🔄 Forced switching between speakers, headphones and Bluetooth.
- 🎛️ Support for complex scenarios (headphones) + column).
- ⚙️ Automation of switching when connecting accessories.
When using third-party applications, it is important to give them the necessary permissions. On Android 11, 12, 13 and 14, the security system strictly controls access to audio outputs. When you first start, be sure to confirm requests to change the system settings of the sound, otherwise the application will work in limited mode or will not start at all.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps may conflict with Xiaomi's system equalizer.If the sound becomes deaf or distortions appear, disable audio enhancements in standard settings MIUI.
Nuances of connection of wired and combined headphones
The situation with wired headphones is radically different from wireless ones. The standard 3.5 mm (mini-jack) or USB-C connector in a Xiaomi smartphone is designed for an analog stereo signal for a single device. Physically, you can only divide the signal into two pairs of wired headphones using a special splitter that connects to the phone socket.
However, when it comes to a combination of "wired" + Bluetooth, or two Bluetooth, comes into effect with the limitations of the Android operating system. By default, Android can't output sound simultaneously to the phone speaker and headphones, or to the phone. USB-Headset and Bluetooth headphones, and these scenarios will require the mixer apps we talked about earlier, or root rights, again.
When using USB-C splitters, it is important to consider support for DAC (Digital Analog Converter). Xiaomi smartphones often don't have a built-in DAC in the charging connector, relying on a digital signal. Cheap splitters without their own power and chip may simply not earn or produce a quiet, hoarse sound.
If you plan to use two pairs of wired headphones often, the best solution is to purchase a high-quality Bluetooth transmitter with multipoint support or a separate portable headphone. DAC-an amplifier with two outputs of 3.5 mm, which connects to the smartphone through USB-C. This will ensure the best sound quality and no programming conflicts.
💡
The combination of wired and wireless headphones is possible only through third-party software or special hardware (splitters with DAC).
Solution: desynchronization and sound problems
One of the most common problems when connecting two headphones is desynchronization (desync). The sound in one headphone can be ahead of or behind, which is especially annoying when watching videos. This is due to differences in data packet buffering across devices. To minimize this effect, use aptX Low Latency or aptX Adaptive codecs if your headphones and phone support them.
Another problem is quiet sound. When splitting the stream into two devices, the system volume can be unpredictable. Check if the Absolute Volume feature is on the developer menu. Disabling or turning it on (by sampling method) can level the sound level. Also make sure that the volume is twisted to the maximum on the headphones themselves (if there is a physical button).
If one of the devices is permanently shut down, check the distance. Bluetooth has a limited range, and with two receivers, the load on the phone's antenna increases. Try to keep both headphones closer to the smartphone, avoiding shielding the signal by the body of the person standing between the phone and the headphones.
Why Xiaomi headphones don’t see each other when trying to pair TWS?
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Does Dual Audio affect the quality of music?
In conclusion, connecting two headphones to a Xiaomi smartphone is a solvable task, but it requires understanding the technical limitations of your particular device. Whether it’s a native Dual Audio feature, hidden developer settings or third-party applications, each method has its pros and cons, the main thing is to ensure a stable connection and choose the right codec for comfortable listening.