Why Xiaomi has a quiet sound and how to fix it
Have you ever encountered a situation where at the maximum volume of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, you can barely hear the interlocutor in the handset, and the music sounds like an old radio? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones brand β despite the stated characteristics of powerful speakers, the real volume is often disappointing. The reasons can be several: from the banal limitations of MIUI to the hardware features of a particular model.
In this article, weβll look at all the possible ways to turn up the volume on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from standard settings to hidden engineering menu features and third-party utilities. Itβs important to understand that some methods require caution: wrong actions can lead to audio distortion or even damage to the speakers, so we recommend testing each method at minimum volume before experimenting.
Let's start with the simplest and most secure solutions that don't require superuser rights or additional software installations, and if standard methods don't work, we'll move on to advanced techniques, including modifying system files and using the system's software. ADB-team.
1. Check basic sound settings in MIUI
Before digging deeper, make sure the problem isn't in the trivial settings. MIUI often resets audio settings after updates or reboots. Here's what to check first:
- π Do Not Disturb Mode: Go to Settings β Sound and vibration β Do not disturb and make sure that the mode is turned off or set to skip calls.
- π± Sound profiles: In the same section, check the active profile (normal, no sound vibration.
- π Adaptive sound: in Settings β Special facilities β Turn off the βAdaptive Soundβ option β it automatically lowers the volume in noisy places.
- π΅ Equalizer: In the Music or Google Play Music app, open the equalizer settings β possibly the low-frequency sliders are pinched down.
Pay special attention to the setting βAmprovement of sound in headphonesβ (if you use a wired or Bluetooth headset). This option is hidden in Settings β Additional β Settings for developers β Audio (if the developer partition is not activated, do it via About Phone β MIUI version by pressing 7 times).
Make sure the "Do Not Disturb" mode is off.
Check the active sound profile (normal/quiet)
Disable "Adaptive Sound" in special features
Reset the equalizer settings in the music player
Activate "Amprovement of sound in headphones" (if necessary)-->
Important! If the volume hasn't changed after these manipulations, the problem may be the hardware limitations of your model. For example, the Xiaomi Mi A3 and Redmi 9A are known for weak speakers because of hardware savings, in which case only an external amplifier or Bluetooth speaker connection will help.
2.Use of the engineering menu to manually adjust volume
The engineering menu is a hidden part of Android where you can manually adjust audio settings, including maximum volume limits. On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 11, POCO F4) this method works steadily, whereas on devices with MediaTek (Redmi 10, POCO M4) it can cause crashes.
To get into the engineering menu:
- Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (for MediaTek) or ##4636## (for Qualcomm).
- Select the Hardware Testing β Audio section.
- In the test list, find LoudSpeaker Mode (for speaker) or Headset Mode (for headphones).
- Set the Max Vol value at 160 (normally 140-150 by default).
β οΈ Warning: Exceeding 160 can cause high-frequency audio distortion and overheating of the speaker. 12T) maximum safe value is 155. Once you change the settings, restart the phone.
Yes, to tune the sound | Yes, but for other purposes | No, I'm afraid to break the phone | I don't know what that-->
If the engineering menu doesnβt open or changes donβt save, try the alternative method through ADB (described in the next section). Also note that newer versions of MIUI 14+ may block access to the engineering menu, in which case only unlocking the bootloader will help.
3. Increase the volume through ADB-teams (without root)
If the engineering menu is not available or does not give a result, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a tool for debugging Android devices, which does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-cable.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Googleβs Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
- Activate USB debugging on your phone: Settings β About Phone β MIUI version (click 7 times), then go back to Settings β Additional β For Developers β Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the adb.exe folder and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
- Execute the command to increase the volume of the speaker: adb shell settings put global volume_steps 15 This command increases the number of volume steps from standard 7 before 15, This allows you to adjust the level more accurately.
- To increase the maximum volume threshold, use: adb shell settings put global volume_music_speaker 160 (substitute 160 at the right value, but do not exceed 180).
β οΈ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K50) team ADB To fix the changes, create a script with these commands and run it automatically when you connect to a PC (for example, via Tasker).
| ADB Team Team | The effect | Safe range of values |
|---|---|---|
| volume_steps [number] | Increases the number of volume control steps | 10β20 |
| volume_music_speaker [number] | Set the maximum volume of the speaker | 140β180 |
| volume_voice_call [number] | Adjusts volume during calls | 120β160 |
| volume_system [number] | Controls system sounds (notifications, alarm clock) | 100β150 |
If after applying the commands the sound began to distort, return the default values:
adb shell settings delete global volume_music_speakeror reset all sound settings through Settings β System β Resetting β Resetting sound settings.
4. Apps to amplify sound: top-5 tested utilities
If you don't want to mess with ADB or the engineering menu, you can use third-party apps, and we tested dozens of utilities and selected those that actually work on Xiaomi without lags or advertising.
- ποΈ Volume Booster GOODEV β A simple booster with presets for music, video and calls. MIUI 12-14 minus: limitation in the free version (maximum) +20% volume).
- π Precise Volume β allows you to fine-tune the volume in 1% increments, rather than the standard 15.
- π§ Equalizer FX β Not only amplifies the sound, but it also offers a 10-band equalizer.Works with Spotify, YouTube Music and local files.
- π± SoundAssistant (Samsung) β Despite the name, it works great on Xiaomi, giving separate regulators for each type of sound (media, notifications, alarm clocks).
- π ViPER4Android FX β The most powerful instrument, but requires Magisk (root) to allow you to tune the sound at the core level, including virtual surround and bass booting.
Important! Boost applications work on the principle of software amplification of the signal, which can lead to loss of quality (wheezing, noise). If after installing the utility the sound became "dirty", try to reduce the gain or turn off high-frequency processing.
π‘
Before installing a sound booster, check it is compatible with your version of MIUI. Some applications (like ViPER4Android) require additional modules for Magisk and may not work on the latest updates.
For models with MediaTek (Redmi 10C, POCO M5), we recommend Precise Volume - it copes better than others with the features of the sound chip of these processors. But on flagships (Xiaomi 13, Black Shark 5) you can safely install ViPER4Android - their hardware will pull advanced processing.
5 Hardware Solutions: When Software Methods Don't Help
If none of the above methods worked, the problem could be hardware, and here are the most common reasons for Xiaomiβs quiet sound and how to fix it:
- π Contamination speaker: dust and pile over time clog the speaker grid, especially on models with a lower location (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3). Clean the hole with a soft brush or compressed air (a canister for cleaning equipment).
- π Disassembly and soldering (only in the service center) if the sound disappears when the phone is tilted or after falling, the fault is the departed contact!).
- π Weak sound amplifier: on budget models (Redmi 9, POCO C40) They often install cheap sound chips, and the only way out is an external Bluetooth amplifier (like FiiO). BTR3).
- π± Problems after the update: sometimes the firmware resets the audio settings. Try to roll back to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot.
β οΈ Warning: If you notice that the sound has become quieter after moisture hits (even if the phone did not turn off), immediately take the device to the service.
How to check the speaker for hardware damage
On models with stereo speakers (Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K40), check both speakers separately. Sometimes a quiet sound is associated with turning off one of them (for example, the top speaker can only be used for calls). To turn on both speakers for music, use the command:
adb shell settings put global dual_speaker_media_enabled 1(It doesnβt work on all devices.)
6. Alternative methods: from headphones to external speakers
If all attempts to turn up the volume on the phone itself have failed, consider alternative options:
- π§ Headphones with active noise cancellation (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) β they not only block external noise, but also have their own sound amplifier.
- π Portable Bluetooth speaker (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Portable Speaker) β connects in seconds and gives powerful sound without loss of quality.
- π» FM-transmitter (for cars) β if the car is quietly playing music from the phone, the transmitter will amplify the signal via the radio.
- π» Connecting to an external sound card (for example, Creative Sound Blaster) is important for those who work with sound professionally.
For owners of POCO F3 or Xiaomi 12 Lite, who often listen to music in transport, the best solution will be the inserts with reinforced bass (for example, 1More Triple Driver). They require no additional power and give a rich sound even at low volume source.
Interesting fact: some Xiaomi models (such as Black Shark 4) have a hidden feature called βGame Soundβ that automatically amplifies bass and volume in games, activates it through Settings β Sound β Game Mode (if there is no partition, then your model does not support this option).
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When you try to turn up the volume on Xiaomi, users often make mistakes that lead to the opposite result β the sound becomes even quieter or distortions appear.
- π§ Set maximum values in the engineering menu without testing. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the value of Max Vol. = 200 leads to constant wheezing.
- π Resetting to factory settings in the hope of a miracle will remove all your customizations, but wonβt solve hardware problems.
- π± Use "cache cleaners" like Clean Master - they often delete files responsible for audio settings.
- π Turn on all sound amplifiers at the same time (e.g. booster) + equalizer + ADB-commands - this leads to clipping (cutting the signal).
If after the experiments the sound is completely lost, reset the sound settings:
adb shell settings reset globalOr go back to factory settings via Settings β System β Reset (select Reset Sound Settings).
π‘
Before any sound manipulation, back up your settings through Settings β System β Backup. This will allow you to roll back quickly if something goes wrong.
Remember, sound quality is more important than volume, and if you get extraneous noise or distortion after amplification, you better go back to standard settings and consider buying external accessories (earphones, speakers).