How to change the type of headphones on Xiaomi Redmi

Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation where the system incorrectly recognizes the connected accessory. Instead of a stereo headset, the phone can detect a mono device, or, conversely, try to bring sound to the speaker with the headphones connected. Correct identification of the type of audio device is critical for comfortable listening to music and conducting conversations.

The MIUI or HyperOS shell interface has many hidden features, but the standard menu does not always offer an obvious headphone switch. Users are forced to look for workarounds using engineering menus, special applications or developer settings. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to solve the problem.

Incorrect settings can cause the headset microphone to stop working and the sound to become deaf or quiet. The system algorithm sometimes fails to determine the resistance or pin pin pin pin pin slinging. Understanding the principles of the Android audio system will help you quickly correct the situation and return quality sound.

Standard sound settings in MIUI and HyperOS

Before we go to complex methods, we need to eliminate software failures in the standard interface. Xiaomi system automatically detects the connection of a 3.5 mm jack or Bluetooth device. However, the user can manually adjust the behavior of the sound through the settings menu. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration.

Here you will find basic volume sliders, but for finer settings you will need to enter the extended menu. In some versions of the firmware, the Mi Sound Enhancer option is available, which allows you to select the type of connected headphones from the list (for example, Xiaomi Earbuds, regular headphones, speakers).

• 🎧 Open the sound settings and check if the Mi Sound Enhancer is activated.
• 📱 Make sure the Connected Devices section displays the correct type of headset.
• 🔊 Try switching the equalizer mode to No Effects to reset the program distortions.

⚠️ Note: If there is no explicit headphone-type switch in the standard menu (such as “Intrachannel” or “Office”), this means that your current version is not the same. MIUI does not support manually changing this setting through the user interface. Do not attempt to install third-party themes that promise such features, as they may contain malicious code.

Often, the problem is solved by simply switching Bluetooth profiles. If you use a wireless headset, go to Bluetooth settings, click on the gear next to the device name, and check if the Media and Phone Sound profiles are activated. Deactivation and re-activation of these profiles forces the system to re-determine the capabilities of the device.

Using an engineering menu to change audio configuration

For advanced users who don't have the standard methods, there's an engineering menu, a hidden part of the system that's designed to test hardware, where you can force the configuration of the audio output, and you can log in to the menu using a special code that can vary depending on the processor (Snapdragon or MediaTek).

Dial ##6484## or ##3646633##. If the code doesn't work, you may need MIUI Hidden Settings or similar from trusted sources. In the testing menu, find the Audio or Audio Debug section. This is where the deep audio driver settings are.

Within the Audio section, look for the Audio Type or Device Type subsection. There may be a choice between different impedances or connection types (Headset, Headphone, Speaker). Change these settings requires caution. After selecting the desired setting, be sure to click Set or Apply.

• 🛠 Enter the engineering menu via dialer code or special application.
• 🔍 Find the Audio tab → Audio Debug → Audio Type.
• ✅ Select the desired type of device and apply the settings with the Set button.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 9, Redmi) 10C) The menu may look different than on Snapdragon. Do not change the values in the sections associated with the menu. RF (radio frequency or power, this may affect the operation of communication modules.

Setup through the Developer Menu

Another layer of access to system settings is the developer menu, which is hidden by default, but activating it allows you to control Bluetooth settings and audio codecs. To activate the menu, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version 7 times.

Once the "You've Been a Developer" notification appears, go back to the main settings menu and select "Additional → For Developers." Scroll down to "Network" or "Multimedia." We're interested in the Bluetooth LDAC or Bluetooth Audio Codec. Changing the codec may force the system to rethink the type of device connected.

And you can also use the option to turn off the absolute volume level, and switching it can solve the problem when the phone thinks it's connected to a headset with its own amplifier, which is not the case, and it's a common reason for the phone and headphones to become out of sync.

Keep in mind the Bluetooth Audio Codec Sample Rate, which can help if the headphones are detected, but the sound is distorted or interrupted. Experiment with 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz as these are the most compatible.

Solving problems with Bluetooth headsets

If you’re trying to “change the type” of wireless device, for example, make your phone see TWS-headphones as a headset with a microphone, not just as a speaker, the problem is often in communication protocols. Android system shares profiles A2DP (sound quality) and HFP/HSP (call-up).

Sometimes the phone gets stuck in A2DP mode and doesn't switch to the headphone microphone when you call, and then you can completely reset your Bluetooth settings. In the developer menu, find Reset Bluetooth and confirm the action, and that will remove all the paired devices and return the module to factory status.

For TWS-Many Xiaomi, Redmi Buds and AirDots models require Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Wear apps to update the internal software. Old firmware can conflict with new versions of Android, causing device type errors.

Application of third-party applications and equalizers

When the system is exhausted, Google Play apps come to the rescue, programs like Lesser AudioSwitch or Sound Assistant force the audio output switch, and they can make the phone think that the wired headset is connected, even if the sensor in the connector is faulty.

Lesser AudioSwitch gives you full control over audio routing. You can manually choose "Headphones," "Speaker" or "Bluetooth." This is the perfect way to get around a software bug when the phone doesn't see the physical connection of the 3.5mm jack.

Also worth mentioning is the Poweramp Equalizer, which doesn't change the type of device at the driver level, but it allows you to create an output profile that emulates the characteristics of the right type of headphones, a software correction that often sounds better than standard settings.

⚠️ Note: Apps that require root rights to modify system audio files can lead to a “boot loop” if you make an error, only use them if you are confident in your actions and have a backup copy of the data.

Hardware causes and diagnostics of the connector

If the software isn't working, it's probably a physical problem, and there's a 3.5mm connector that tells the system that the headphones are connected, and if that contact is contaminated or oxidized, the phone will assume that nothing's connected, and it will continue to output the audio through the speaker.

Try to clean the connector gently with compressed air or a dry soft brush. Metal objects are strictly forbidden, as you can damage contacts or cause short circuit. 80% of the "misunderstanding" of the type of headphones is the fault of dust or pile compressed at the bottom of the connector.

It's also worth checking the headset itself on another device, and if it's correctly detected on another phone, it's the Xiaomi smartphone that's the problem, and if it doesn't work anywhere, maybe the cable is out of order or the speaker is out of order.

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Use isopropyl alcohol (no more than 70%) and a cotton swab to clean the connector contacts carefully, before turning off the phone.

In rare cases, a charging plume replacement is required, as many Redmi models have the audio jack soldered on the bottom board, which is a task for a service center if you do not have the skills to solder chips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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If none of the software methods helped, most likely, the problem lies in the hardware malfunction of the connector or the audio module itself, which requires diagnosis in the service center.