How to add sound to Xiaomi: from basic settings to engineering menu

The sound on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common causes of user discontent, with speakers running too quiet, the balance between high and low frequencies broken, the volume dropped dramatically after the MIUI update, and there may be dozens of reasons, from a trivial error in settings to hardware malfunctions, but in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved software-free without going to the service center.

In this article, weโ€™ll look at all the possible ways to turn up the volume on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, from standard MIUI tools to hidden engineering menu features, how to customize the sound to specific scenarios (music, calls, games), which apps will help you get the most out of the speakers, and what to do if the sound is gone after the update, and at the end, answer to the most common questions on the topic.

1. Basic sound settings in MIUI

Start by checking the obvious. Often users miss basic parameters that can be changed in a few taps. Open Settings โ†’ Sound and vibration and pay attention to the following points:

  • ๐Ÿ”Š Media volume - regulates the sound in applications (YouTube, Spotify, games.
  • ๐Ÿ“ž Call volume is a separate regulator for incoming calls. In some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi) 11T) There is an option to "High up the volume in your pocket".
  • ๐ŸŽต Sound quality in new versions MIUI 14+ You got Equalizer presets (Bas, Rock, Jazz.
  • ๐Ÿ”‡ Do not disturb โ€“ make sure the mode is not activated (especially if the sound is suddenly gone).

If you change the volume after you change the parameters, move to the next section. On models with stereo speakers (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5) check the balance between the top and bottom speakers - sometimes one of them turns off due to contamination of the grille.

๐Ÿ“Š What type of sound does not suit you?
Calls and notifications
Music and video
Sound in games
Microphone during calls

2. Hidden sound settings through the engineering menu

Engineering Mode is a powerful tool for fine-tuning hardware components, including sound. Careful: improper changes can cause malfunctions. We recommend using this method only if standard settings have not worked.

To open the engineering menu:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter ##36446337## (for MediaTek) or #4636## (for Qualcomm Snapdragon).
  3. Go to the Hardware Testing โ†’ Audio section.

Here you will see a list of parameters that can be changed:

ParameterRecommended valueWhat regulates
Speaker ModeNormal or LoudTotal volume level of the speaker
Headset ModeNormalLoudness with connected headphones
Mic Gain0-3 (not higher!)Microphone sensitivity
Max Vol150-160Maximum volume level (default 100)

โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not set the Max Vol above 160, which can cause sound distortion and damage to speakers at long high loads. 9A, POCO M3) risk!

What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
If the combination ##36446337## It doesn't work, try it: 1. Install the application MTK Engineering Mode from Google Play (for MediaTek processors). 2. Use it. ADB-Command: Adb shell am start -n com.miui.engineermode/.EngineerMode 3. On some firmware, the engineering menu is blocked - you need to unlock the bootloader.

3. Sound amplification applications

If the system settings don't work, try third-party utilities. They work on two principles:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Sound amplifiers โ€“ increase volume due to processing algorithms (risk of distortion).
  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Equators โ€“ adjust the frequency balance, making the sound โ€œlouderโ€ by raising certain ranges.

Top.-3 tested applications:

  1. Volume Booster GOODEV is a simple booster with pre-profiles for music, video and games. Supports Xiaomi on Android 10-14. Minus: advertising in the free version.
  2. Equalizer FX is a 10-band equalizer with presets for different genres, and you can save your own settings for specific applications (for example, separately for Spotify and YouTube).
  3. ViPER4Android โ€” It's the most powerful audiophile solution, and it requires a Magisk root installation, and it allows you to configure virtual environments, compressors, limiters, and even simulations. 3D-sound.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Amplifiers can cause clipping (torture of sound at high volume); if you hear wheezing, reduce the gain or turn off the application. On models with weak speakers (Redmi). 8A, POCO C31) risk of damage.

Install the app from an official source (Google Play or 4PDA)

Check the current volume in the MIUI settings (should be 70-80%)

Start with a minimum gain level (5-10%)

Test the sound on different tracks (speech, bass music, high frequencies)

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4.Sound problems after MIUI update

MIUI updates often bring not only new features, but also sound bugs.

  • ๐Ÿ”‡ The sound is gone (the speakers are not working).
  • ๐Ÿ“‰ The volume has dropped sharply (even at maximum quiet).
  • ๐Ÿ”Š The sound is distorted (wheezing, interruptions).
  • ๐ŸŽง Problems with Bluetooth headphones only.

Decisions of the order:

  1. Reboot is trivial, but it works 30 percent of the time. Press the power button and select Reboot.
  2. Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ App Management. Find Media and Bluetooth, clear the cache. For Xiaomi with Android 12+, also clear the Android System WebView cache.
  3. Resetting sound settings: Settings โ†’ System โ†’ Resetting settings โ†’ Resetting sound settings This item appeared in MIUI 13 and later.
  4. Update rollback โ€“ if the issue has appeared after the last update, try rolling back: Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update โ†’ Three points (menu) โ†’ Select the service pack Select the previous version of MIUI (if saved in the device memory).

If nothing helps, check the FAQ section โ€“ itโ€™s cleared out specific cases for different models.

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps by Build Number in About Phone).

2. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers.

3. Find the option to Turn off the absolute volume of Bluetooth and turn it on.-->

5. Hardware causes of silent sound

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware.

  • ๐Ÿงน Contamination of speakers โ€“ dust and pile block sound waves, especially for models with a lower speaker (Redmi Note 9, POCO X3).
  • ๐Ÿ’ง Moisture intrusion โ€“ even after complete drying, oxidation of contacts can worsen sound.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Trail damage is a common problem after falling or disassembling the phone.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Wear speaker - over time, the membrane loses elasticity (typical for phones older than 3 years).

How to diagnose:

  1. Speaker test: ##0673## or #0289## (on some Xiaomi models), if one of the speakers is not making sound, the hardware problem is.
  2. Pollution check: flash a flashlight into the speaker's grille. Do you see fibers or dust? Clean carefully with a soft brush (do not use toothpicks!).
  3. Test with headphones: if the sound in the headphones is normal, and in the speakers is quiet, the problem is with the speakers or their connection.

Cost of repairs in service centers:

Type of repairAverage price (โ‚ฝ)Repair time
Cleaning the speakers500โ€“1 20030-60 minutes
Replacement of the lower speaker1 500โ€“3 0001-2 hours
Replacement of the plume speaker2 000โ€“4 5002-3 hours
Repairs after moisture3 000โ€“8 0001-3 days

โš ๏ธ Warning: If you decide to clean the speakers yourself, do not use alcohol or liquids - they can damage the membrane.The best option is a dry soft brush (for example, for camera lenses) or a compressed air balloon (keep 10 cm away!).

6. Sound optimization for specific scenarios

There's no universal audio setting, and what's good for music may not be good for calls, and we'll sort out the optimal configurations for different tasks.

๐ŸŽฎ Games

In games, spatial sound and clear reproduction of high frequencies (steps, shots) are important.

  • Turn off Dolby Atmos (if any) โ€“ it adds a delay.
  • In the engineering menu, set Speaker Mode = Loud.
  • Use low latency headphones (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro).

๐ŸŽต Music.

For music, the balance of frequencies is critical.

  • Activate Dolby Atmos (in Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Sound Quality).
  • In Equalizer FX, select Preset Bass or manually configure: 60Hz: +4 dB 230Hz: +2 dB 910Hz: 0 dB 14KHz: +1 dB
  • For Spotify, enable High quality streaming in the application settings.

๐Ÿ“ž Calls.

If the interviewer is not heard well:

  • Increase the Mic Gain in the Engineering menu to 2-3.
  • Turn off noise cancellation in Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Improve voice.
  • Use a headset โ€“ the built-in microphone of headphones is often better than the main one.

๐Ÿ’ก

For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F4), AptX Adaptive is available โ€“ turn it on in Bluetooth settings for better sound in wireless headphones.

FAQ: Frequent Sound Questions on Xiaomi

๐Ÿ”Š Why Xiaomi has a quiet sound in headphones, although the volume is at its maximum?
This is a MIUI restriction to protect hearing. Solutions: Turn off Safe Volume Level in Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Security and Notifications. Install Volume Booster and increase volume by 10-15%. For Type-C headphones, check if the connector is dirty (clean with a wooden toothpick). On models with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K60), turning off Absolute Volume in the developer settings can help.
๐Ÿ“ต After updating MIUI 14 lost the sound in the speaker?
This is a well-known bug in firmware V14.0.3.0 and V14.0.4.0. Order of action: Reset audio settings: Settings โ†’ System โ†’ Reset settings โ†’ Reset audio settings. If it didn't work, roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions on 4PDA). For Redmi Note 11 and POCO X4 Pro, there is a patch from the community - search the forums on the model. If the sound is only gone on WhatsApp or Telegram, clear the cache of these applications and reinstall.
๐Ÿ”ง Can you increase the volume of the microphone on Xiaomi?
Yes, but with reservations: In the engineering menu, increase the Mic Gain to 3 (maximum noise risk). Use the Microphone Amplifier app (root required). For WhatsApp or Zoom calls, connect an external microphone (even a cheap lavalier will improve quality). On models with MediaTek Helio G95 (Redmi Note 10S, POCO M4 Pro), the microphone often wheezes at high amplifier - in which case only replacement will help.
๐ŸŽ›๏ธ How to Include Dolby Atmos on Xiaomi?
Dolby Atmos is not available on all models. Check support: Open Settings โ†’ Sound and vibration โ†’ Sound quality. If there's no Dolby Atmos, your model doesn't support it at the software level. 11T Pro, Redmi K50 You can activate the newer Dolby through Google Play Music (even if you don't use the service). ViPER4Android (Magisk demands).
๐Ÿ”‡ Xiaomi doesn't have an overhead speaker. It's a hardware problem?
Not always. First check: Run the speaker test (code ##0673##.) If the top speaker is silent, there is a problem with the plume or the speaker itself. On models with stereo sound (Xiaomi 12, POCO F3) check the balance in Settings โ†’ Special features โ†’ Sound settings โ†’ Mono sound balance. Update the firmware โ€” MIUI 13.5 had a bug that shut down the top speaker after connecting the Bluetooth headphones. If the speaker is not working in the bells but is working in the music playback, the microphone or antenna tube is a problem.