How to increase the volume of speakers on Xiaomi: safe and hidden methods

Speakers on Xiaomi smartphones are often criticized for not loud enough, especially in noisy rooms or when listening to music without headphones. The manufacturer limits the maximum sound level for safety reasons (to avoid damaging the equipment), but these limits can be circumvented by legal means. In this article, we will analyze 7 working methods - from basic settings to hidden engineering menu functions that work on Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13 and others.

It's important to understand that increasing the volume above factory values can cause the sound to be distorted at high levels or overheated with prolonged use. We tested all the methods on real devices — in this article only those methods that do not require root rights and do not violate the warranty. If you need a temporary solution (for example, to watch video in transport), software methods are suitable. For constant use, it is better to combine several approaches.

1. Sound settings in MIUI: what can be changed without third-party software

The first thing to check is the standard sound settings in MIUI firmware, and many users miss the obvious options that can add 10-15% volume.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration and pay attention to:

• 🔊 Speak-Off mode: Enable the “Amply Sound” option (available on some models, such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro)+).
• 🎵 Equalizer: Choose Preset Bass or Rock – they automatically raise the level of low and medium frequencies, which subjectively makes the sound louder.
• 🔄 Adaptive sound: Turn off this feature if it is active – it dynamically lowers volume depending on the surroundings.
• 📱 Separate settings for multimedia and notifications: set the maximum level for both types of sound.

On some devices (such as the POCO X3 Pro), there is a hidden option in this menu called Additional Sound Settings. To see it, tap 5 times on the MIUI version in the About Phone section, and then the Engineering Mode will appear in the audio settings — but more on that in the next section.

2. Engineering menu: how to unlock hidden sound settings

Engineering Mode is a service section of the firmware where you can manually adjust the speaker settings. Careful: improper changes can damage the hardware, and we recommend writing down the original values before changing them so that you can get it back if necessary.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## (or #4636### on older versions of MIUI).
2. Go to the Hardware Testing → Audio section.
3. Select LoudSpeaker Mode (or Speaker on some models).

In this menu you are interested in the parameters:

• 🔊 Max Vol: Factory volume limit (usually 140-160 by default) Upgrade the value gradually, in 5-10 increments, and test the sound.
• 🎛️ Gain: signal amplification. Optimal value - up to 6 dB. Exceeding can cause wheezing.
• 🔄 DAC Volume: Digital amplification (not available on all models) Increase to 80-90%.

⚠️ Warning: After changes to the engineering menu, the speakers may start wheezing at maximum volume, a sign that you've exceeded the physical capabilities of the equipment, immediately return the parameters to factory values!

3. Apps to amplify sound: top-5 tested utilities

If you need a temporary solution without interfering with system settings, use third-party applications. We tested dozens of utilities and selected those that actually work on Xiaomi without root rights.

How to use sound boosters correctly:

1. Install the application and give all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, overlay over other windows).
2. Start with a minimum gain (+5-10%) and check the sound on different tracks.
3. If wheezing appears, reduce the volume in the app or turn off high frequency amplification.

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Before using the sound booster, open the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, tap 7 times) and turn on the option to Turn off the absolute volume level.

Tune the equalizer: how to make the sound louder without distortion

The right equalizer settings can visually increase volume by raising certain frequencies, a technique that doesn't increase the physical power of the speakers, but makes the sound more saturated and clear.

MIUI has a built-in equalizer: go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Equalizer. If you don’t have one, install the Equalizer FX or Wavelet app from the previous section.

Recommended settings for maximum volume:

• 🎛️ 60 Hz (bass): +3–4 dB (adds body to sound).
• 🎛️ 230 Hz (lower middle): +2 dB (improves vocals).
• 🎛️ 910 Hz (medium frequencies): +1 dB (increases legibility).
• 🎛️ 14 KHz (upper frequencies): 0 or -1 dB (reduces hissing).

Tip for music: If you're listening to bass-dominated tracks (hip-hop, electronic music), try the preset "Bases" or "Electronics." For vocals (pop, rock) Jazz or Classic is better - these presets raise the average frequencies, which subjectively increases the volume.

Set all sliders in a neutral position (0 dB)

Boost your bass by +3dB

Increase the average frequencies by +1–2 dB

Check the sound on different tracks

When you have a wheezing, reduce the intensification-->

5. Hardware solutions: covers and external speakers

If software methods don't work well, consider hardware solutions that don't require tampering with your phone's settings and are safe for hardware.

Options for amplifying sound:

• 📱 Passive amplification cases: for example, Xiaomi Mi Sound Amplifier Case (increases volume by 20-30% due to directional sound channel).
• 🔊 Portable Bluetooth speakers: Xiaomi Mi Portable Speaker or Redmi Pocket Speaker (compact, with good bass).
• 🎧 Noise-canceling headphones: Xiaomi Hybrid Pro or Redmi Buds 4 Active (isolates external noise, allowing you to listen at lower volumes).
• 🔌 USB-C Audio adapters: Xiaomi Type-C to 3.5mm (It allows you to connect more powerful headphones).

The advantage of hardware is that it doesn't load on the built-in speakers or distort the sound. For example, the Mi Sound Amplifier case physically redirects the sound waves forward, which increases the volume without loss of quality. And portable speakers (for example, the Redmi Pocket Speaker) have their own battery and do not discharge the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap Bluetooth speakers from unknown brands can have poor build quality and distort the sound at high volume, 4PDA or Mi Community).

6. Firmware Update and Settings Reset: When It Helps

Sometimes the problem with low volume is not hardware constraints, but software failures. Updating MIUI or resetting the audio settings can return factory volume (or even increase it if the new firmware optimized sound).

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on “Check Updates” and install the latest version of MIUI.
3. After the update, reset the sound settings: Settings → Applications → App management → Sound → Storage → Clear the data.

If the update didn’t work, try resetting all settings to factory:

1. Make a backup of the data (Settings → Additional → Backup).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset Settings (not Reset All Data!).

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14, the Dolby Atmos option appeared in the audio settings. Turn it on and select the profile "Cinema" or "Music" - this can add 5-10% volume due to the optimization of the sound signal.

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Updating the firmware is the only official way to increase volume without risking hardware.Newer versions of MIUI often optimize sound profiles for specific models.

7.Extreme measures: unlocking the bootloader and custom firmware

If you want maximum audio amplification and you're willing to sacrifice the warranty, you might consider installing custom firmware, which requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to data loss.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install a custom recavery (TWRP).
3. Sweeve the firmware with a modified sound stack (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS with ViPER4Android patch).
4. In ViPER4Android, activate Master Limiter and install Output Gain at +3-5 dB.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🔊 Full control over sound settings (without restrictions) MIUI).
• 🎛️ Support ViPER4Android and other audiomodes.
• 🔄 The ability to roll back to standard firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may result in a device blink (completely inoperable). XDA Developers or 4PDA. Do not use firmware from other devices!

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume on Xiaomi