How to increase the volume in headphones on Xiaomi: from standard settings to hidden features

Have you connected your headphones to Xiaomi, but the sound is too quiet, even at maximum volume? The problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones - the manufacturer artificially limits the volume through MIUI firmware to protect users' hearing. However, these restrictions often interfere with comfortable listening to music in noisy places or when using high-resistance headphones.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to increase the volume in headphones on Xiaomi, from basic system settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu and third-party utilities. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which may deprive you of warranties.

Before you start settings, make sure the problem isn't with the headphones themselves. Try connecting them to another device -- if the sound is still quiet, it could be a damaged cable or a contaminated connector (especially for models with 3.5mm), and check if Do Not Disturb or Silent is activated in the notification curtain.

1. Volume settings in MIUI: What can be changed without root

MIUI firmware offers several built-in audio adjustment tools, starting with the safest methods that don't require any interference with system files.

The first thing to check is the individual volume settings for multimedia, which Xiaomi has separately adjustable volume for headphones and speakers, to change it:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. When playing music or video, press the physical volume button.
3. In the window that appears, touch the gear icon (⚙️) slider-side.
4. Make sure that the Multimedia slider is set to maximum.

If this method does not help, go to the advanced sound settings:

• 🔊 Equator: Open Settings → Sound and vibration → You can choose Bass' preset or Rock, which amplifies the low frequencies, which subjectively makes the sound louder, and you can manually lift the sliders to 100 Hz and 300 Hz.
• 🎧 Adaptive sound: In the same audio settings, turn on Adaptive sound. The system will automatically adjust the volume to the surrounding environment (does not work on all models).
• 🔇 Disabling restrictions: in some versions MIUI There's a hidden option called Safe Volume. To turn it off, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Hearing settings → Safe volume and deactivate the slider.

Note that on devices with MIUI 13/14, the path to some settings may be different. If you do not find the right item, search by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

💡

If the sound automatically decreases after you connect the headphones, check if the Smart Volume Reduction feature in the audio settings is activated. It works when listening at high volume for long periods.

2. Engineering menu: how to remove volume restrictions

If standard settings don’t work, you can use the Engineering Mode, which works on most Xiaomi devices, but you need to be careful that the wrong changes can cause failures.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##36446337##
3. Select the Hardware Testing option → Audio.

In the Audio menu, pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔊 Max Vol: This shows the current volume limits for different types of outputs. For example, Headset Max Vol is the maximum volume for headphones.
• 📊 Type: Choose Media (Multimedia) or Ring (Call), depending on the sound you want to amplify.
• ⚙️ Value: Enter a new value (e.g., Value, 150 opportunistic 80-100). Don't go over it. 160, avoid distortion.

When you change the settings, press Set, then restart the smartphone. If the sound gets too distorted or there's background noise, return the standard values.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu may cause damage to the speakers or loss of warranty.Do not turn the volume higher 150-160, If the sound is gone after the changes, reset the settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings.

3. Third-party applications for sound amplification

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use third-party utilities. We selected 3 proven applications that work on most Xiaomi devices without root rights.

The simplest solution is Volume Booster.

1. Open the app and connect the headphones.
2. Move the Boost Level slider by 150-180%.
3. Activate the Apply on Boot option to save the settings after the reboot.

Equalizer FX is a better way to tune the sound, so you can not only increase the overall volume, but also adjust the frequency response, for example, lift sliders at 60 Hz and 250 Hz for more saturated basses.

ViPER4Android requires the Audio Compatibility Patch driver to be installed and only works stably on firmware with the bootloader unlocked. On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) it can cause stuttering sound.

Make sure that all the points are met:

1. Loader unlocked (if required)

2. Installed by Magisk (for root rights)

3. Download Audio Compatibility Patch

4. USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press)

5. Backup of current sound settings is made-->

4. Modifying the mixer files (for advanced users only)

If you're willing to take risks and you have root rights, you can manually edit the system files that control volume, which is the best way to do this, but it requires care.

In Android, the volume levels are answered by files in the /system/vendor/etc/ or /system/etc/ folder. On Xiaomi devices, this is usually:

• mixer_paths.xml
• mixer_paths_qrd_skuh.xml (for some Redmi models)

To change the restrictions:

1. with the help of Root Explorer or FX File Manager Find the File mixer_paths.xml.
2. Make a copy of it in case of an error.
3. Open the file in a text editor (e.g. QuickEdit).
4. Find the following lines: <path name="headphone"> <ctl name="HPHL Volume" value="80" /> <ctl name="HPHR Volume" value="80" /> Replace value="80" with value="120" (no more!).
5. Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---).
6. Reset the device.

This method gives the greatest amplification of sound, but has risks:

• 🔇 Possible distortion of sound at high volume levels.
• 🔥 Overheating of the audio chip during prolonged use.
• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is warranty, it is better to return the standard values before contacting the service).

💡

Editing mixer_paths.xml — The most efficient way to turn up the volume, but also the riskiest.Recommended only for experienced users with a backup system.

5. Problems with Bluetooth headphones: separate settings

If you use wireless headphones (such as Xiaomi AirDots, Redmi Buds or POCO Buds), standard audio amplification techniques may not work.

Here's what we can do:

• 📱 Developer settings: Turn on the option to Disable Absolute Volume, which will allow your smartphone and headphones to synchronize volume levels independently. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Developer settings → Network → Turn off the absolute volume level.
• 🔗 Bluetooth Codecs: In the same developer settings, select the Bluetooth Codec and install aptX or LDAC (If your headphones support them, these codecs provide higher sound quality and lower volume loss.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off Battery Savings mode for a sound-producing app (e.g. Spotify or YouTube Music).In some cases, the system artificially lowers the volume to save energy.

If the sound in Bluetooth headphones remains quiet after these actions, try resetting their settings:

1. Forget the device in Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Turn off and turn on the headphones (for some models – hold the power button for 10 seconds).
3. Reconnect and check the volume.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the function to Turn off the absolute volume level may not be available. In this case, try using the Bluetooth Volume Unlocker app (requires you to use the Bluetooth Volume Unlocker app). ADB).

6. Hardware causes of quiet sound: when it is not the fault of software

If none of the software methods worked, the problem could be in the hardware, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔌 3.5mm contaminated connector: dust or oxidation of contacts leads to poor connection. Clean the connector with a wooden toothpick (not metal!) or compressed air.
• 🎧 Damaged headphone cable: often rubbing the wire at the plug causes the volume to go down.
• 🔊 Faulty audio chip: if the sound is quiet in both speakers and headphones, the sound amplifier may have failed (for example, Qualcomm) WCD9340 In this case, only repairs will help.
• 🔋 Weak battery: at a discharge below 15%, some Xiaomi models automatically turn down the volume to save energy.

To diagnose a hardware problem:

1. Connect your headphones and run the audio test through the engineering menu (#36446337# → Hardware Testing → Audio → Headset Test).
2. If the test shows an error (e.g. Headset NG), the problem is with the connector or audio chip.
3. Try playing the sound through a USB-C adapter (if your model supports USB-C audio). If the sound is normal, the 3.5mm connector is to blame.

If you suspect an audio chip malfunction, don’t try to disassemble your smartphone yourself – Xiaomi often uses adhesive joints and brittle plumes.

7. Alternative solutions: if nothing helps

If all of these methods have failed, consider alternative options:

• 🎵 External sound amplifier: devices like FiiO A1 Xiaomi HiFi Audio Enhancer connects to a smartphone and amplifies the signal before feeding to headphones. Suitable for models with high resistance (for example, Beyerdynamic). DT 770 Pro).
• 🔊 Bluetooth transmitter: If you have a problem with wired headphones, use a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter (e.g., a Bluetooth adapter, 1Mii B06 Plus), which connects to a 3.5 mm connector and transmits sound to wireless headphones.
• 📱 Firmware change: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) don’t have strict volume limits. Note that installing them will require unlocking the bootloader.

If you decide to use an external amplifier, pay attention to the following parameters:

Before buying an amplifier, check the resistance of your headphones (usually indicated on the box or in specs). For example, for Sony MDR-7506 (63 Ohms) FiiO A3 will suit, and for Sennheiser HD 58X (150 Ohms) – iFi Audio Hip-DAC.

💡

The external amplifier is the most reliable solution for audiophiles, but it costs an extra amount of money. If you just want a higher volume in everyday headphones, you can use the software methods from the previous sections.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)