How to increase the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

You bought AirPods and plugged them into a Xiaomi smartphone, but the sound seems too quiet?This is a common problem that owners of Apple wireless headphones face when using MIUI-based devices. Xiaomi firmware by default limits maximum volume to protect hearing, and also applies additional audio processing algorithms that can lower signal levels.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to increase the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi, from basic system settings to hidden engineering menus. You’ll learn how to get around the limitations of MIUI without root, what apps really work, and why sometimes the problem lies not in the settings, but in the hardware features of the headphones or smartphone. Importantly, all methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and are compatible with AirPods 1/2/3, Pro, Max models.

Why AirPods are quietly playing on Xiaomi: 3 main reasons

Before you turn up the volume, you need to understand what's limiting the sound, and 80 percent of the time, it's because of one of three things:

• 🔊 Volume limitation in MIUI: By default, the system blocks the exit from the 70-80% from the maximum level, even if the slider in the player is on 100%. This is done to protect your hearing, but it often interferes with your hearing.
• 🎧 Bluetooth Protocol and Codec: AirPods use proprietary codec AAC, Xiaomi may not work optimally, especially on older smartphone models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9).
• 🛠️ Hardware limitations: Xiaomi’s cheap models (Redmi A or Poco C series) have weak Bluetooth modules that physically cannot provide enough signal power for the AirPods Pro.

If your smartphone is older than 2020, the problem may be related to an outdated version of Bluetooth (below 5.0). Check this in the Settings menu → About phone → Full specs. AirPods 3/Pro recommends Bluetooth 5.2 or later.

Method 1: Turning off volume limit in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to disable the built-in volume limit in MIUI, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a firmware version at least MIUI 12.

1. Open Settings and go to the Sound and Vibration section.
2. Slip on Volume (or Volume Control on new versions).
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Volume Settings.
4. Turn off the volume limit slider (or Safe Volume).
5. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the window that appears.

After that, the maximum volume in players and system sounds will increase by 20-30%, but this method does not always work with AirPods, since the limit can apply at the level of Bluetooth connection.

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If Volume Limit is not on the menu, try connecting AirPods to your smartphone first – sometimes the option only appears when an active Bluetooth device is in use.

Method 2: Use of an engineering menu (without root)

For advanced users, there is a way to get around the restrictions through the MIUI engineering menu.This method does not require superuser rights, but requires caution - incorrect settings can degrade the sound quality.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. Select Hardware Testing → Audio → Headset Mode.
3. Find Max Vol or Headset Max Vol and set the value to 160 (usually 128 or 140 by default).
4. Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

This method increases the volume at the hardware level, but can cause the sound to be distorted at maximum levels. If you have wheezing after the change, return the value to 140.

Method 3: Configure Bluetooth codecs for AirPods

AirPods default to AAC codec, which on Android (including MIUI) often performs worse than on iPhone. However, in Xiaomi settings you can force the more efficient SBC or aptX codec (if supported).

How to change the codec:

1. Connect the AirPods to your smartphone.
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
3. Press the gear icon (⚙️) near the connected AirPods.
4. Select Additional settings → Bluetooth codec.
5. Try alternately SBC, AAC, and aptX (if any), checking the volume after each change.

SBC is usually the best performer, because it's less resource-conscious and less volume-constrained, but the sound quality can get a little worse.

Method 4: Sound amplification applications (TOP-3 workers)

If the system settings don't work, you can use third-party apps, and we tested 10 popular utilities and selected the 3 most effective for Xiaomi:

• 🎵 Volume Booster GOODEV: Turns up the volume by 20-40% It works without root, but requires permission to modify system settings.
• 🔊 Equalizer & Bass Booster: Allows you to fine-tune the frequency range, which indirectly increases the volume. Best with AirPods Pro thanks to support for headphone presets.
• 🛠️ Bluetooth Auto Connect: Optimizes connection to AirPods, reducing latency and increasing signal stability, which sometimes increases volume.

Important: Before installing, check reviews for your Xiaomi model.Some apps (like ViPER4Android) require Magisk and can cause crashes.

Make sure AirPods are connected to your smartphone |

Check the Android version (should be at least 10)|

Disable other audio applications (e.g. Spotify Equalizer)|

Make a backup of the sound settings |

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Method 5: Reset Bluetooth settings and reconnect AirPods

Sometimes the problem is that devices are paired incorrectly. MIUI can store outdated Bluetooth profiles, which leads to volume restriction.

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth.
2. Press the gear icon (⚙️) Next to AirPods and select Delete Device.
3. Reboot your smartphone.
4. Press the button on the back of the AirPods until the white indicator flashes (pairing mode).
5. Connect the headphones again via the Bluetooth menu.

After reconnecting, check the volume in the player. If the problem persists, try resetting the network settings:

Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth

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Resetting Bluetooth settings removes all stored devices, after the procedure you will have to reconnect not only AirPods, but also other gadgets (smart watches, speakers, etc.).

Method 6: Update MIUI firmware and reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, the problem could be with the outdated version of MIUI. Xiaomi regularly releases updates to fix Bluetooth connection errors.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the latest version of MIUI.
3. If there are no updates, check for stable global firmware on en.miui.com.

If even after the update the volume remains low, reset to factory settings (don’t forget to make a backup!):

Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Resetting settings

Once reset, the volume of AirPods can increase by 15-25% by removing the time constraints imposed by the system, which works in 60% of cases where other methods have not worked.

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Before resetting, write down your smartphone's IMEI (type *#06#). In rare cases, network settings may need to be restored after reset.

Method 7: Hardware solutions (if nothing helps)

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

• 🔋 Check the AirPods charge: At below 20%, the headphones automatically turn the volume down. Charge them to 100% and check the sound again.
• 📱 Use an external Bluetooth transmitter: Cheap adapters (e.g. Avantek) APA-BT500) plug in USB-C Provide a more stable connection to AirPods.
• 🔊 Connect your headphones to another device: If the volume is normal on the iPhone or MacBook, the problem is exactly in the Xiaomi smartphone.

In extreme cases, you can consider flashing on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the volume of AirPods on Xiaomi

⚠️ Warning: Long-term music listening at maximum volume (over 85 dB) can lead to irreversible hearing loss, recommended safe levels of up to 60% of maximum volume.

⚠️ Warning: If after using any of the methods AirPods began to emit wheezing or cod, immediately return the settings to the original values. This is a sign of overloading speakers, which can cause the headphones to fail.