Did you connect AirPods to a Xiaomi smartphone, but the sound is too quiet despite the maximum volume in the player? The problem is familiar to many Apple headphone owners who use them with Android devices. The reason lies in the limitations of the Bluetooth protocol, the differences in audio processing between iOS and MIUI, and security settings that artificially lower the volume to protect hearing.
In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to increase the volume of AirPods (including Pro, 2/3 generation and Max models) on Xiaomi Redmi, Poco, Mi and Black Shark smartphones. From standard MIUI settings to hidden engineering menus and third-party apps, you’ll find a solution for even the most deaf headphones. Importantly, methods using an engineering menu (#36446337#) can lead to reset network settings – back up before experimenting.
Why AirPods are quietly playing on Xiaomi: 3 main reasons
Before you turn up the volume, it’s worth understanding why AirPods sound quieter on Xiaomi than on iPhone.
- 🔊 Limitation of Bluetooth codec: Apple uses proprietary codec AAC High bitrate, while Android defaults to SBC — less efficient and compressed format that cuts high frequencies and reduces volume.
- 📱 Politics MIUI Security: Xiaomi firmware has a maximum volume limit for Bluetooth devices (especially after upgrading to the new device). MIUI 14+), to prevent hearing damage.
- 🔋 Energy saving: AirPods automatically reduce volume when the battery is low (below 20%), and MIUI Optimize sound to save energy.
Fun fact: On the iPhone, the AirPods volume is controlled separately from the system, whereas on Android, it is tied to the general media level, which means that even if you twist the slider in the player to the maximum, the real volume can remain low due to software constraints.
Method 1: Configure the Bluetooth codec in the developer
The safest and most effective method is to force the AAC codec (or aptX if your AirPods support it) to be enabled.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Enter your Xiaomi account password if needed.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Network settings → Bluetooth codec
AAC
aptX HD
Important: After changing the codec, reconnect AirPods (forget the device in Settings → Bluetooth and reconnect). Volume should increase by 20-30%. If there is no AAC option, your smartphone does not support this codec at the hardware level (relevant to the budget models of Redmi 9A/10A).
☑️ Preparing for codec change
Method 2: Increase volume through the engineering menu
The MTK Engineering Mode allows you to bypass MIUI restrictions and manually raise the volume for Bluetooth devices. Warning: Incorrect settings can cause audio distortion or damage to speakers!
⚠️ Note: This method only works on Xiaomi smartphones with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note) 11/12, Poco M4/M5). For Snapdragon devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13, Poco F4) Use the method 3.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
- Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Volume.
- Select Media Volume and set the value to 150 (default maximum is 100).
- For AirPods, change the Bluetooth Volume to 120-130.
- Save the settings and restart the phone.
If the sound has become hoarse or distorted after the changes, return the values to the original. For smartphones on Snapdragon, similar settings are available through the code # #8612#, but you can only change Media Volume there.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 3: Applications for sound amplification
If the system methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. 5 Apps and selected top-3, Which Really Increases the Volume of AirPods on Xiaomi:
| Annex | Volume up. | Demands a Root. | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume Booster | up to +40% | No. | Advertising, sometimes resets settings |
| Equalizer FX | up to +25% + equalizer | No. | Paid version for Presets preservation |
| ViPER4Android | up to +60% | Yes. | Complicated setting, risk of damaging sound |
Recommendation: to start, try Equalizer FX – it does not require root rights and allows you to fine-tune the sound to AirPods. Install the Bass Booster preset and raise the Pre-Amp slider by +3-5 dB. If you want maximum volume – use ViPER4Android, but be prepared for possible distortions.
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Before installing the audio amplifiers, check if MIUI has a Hearing Safe Mode (Settings → Sound → Hearing Safety) option that automatically reduces the volume to 80% of the maximum.
Method 4: Update AirPods and MIUI firmware
Often, the problem with quiet sound is solved by a banal update: Apple regularly releases firmware for AirPods that optimize compatibility with Android, and Xiaomi fixes Bluetooth bugs in new versions of MIUI.
How to update AirPods:
- Connect your headphones to your iPhone or iPad (borrow from a friend if you don’t have your own).
- Place the AirPods in the case and plug in the charging.
- Open on iOS Settings → Bluetooth, click on the i icon next to AirPods.
- If an update is available, confirm the installation.
How to update MIUI:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If a new version is available, download it and install it.
After the updates, reconnect AirPods to Xiaomi. In some cases, the volume increases by 15-20% without additional settings. For example, MIUI 14.0.5 fixed the volume limit bug for Bluetooth 5.2.
Method 5: Reset Bluetooth and AirPods settings
Sometimes the problem is contaminated connectivity settings, and a full reset helps 30% of the time when other methods fail.
Instructions for Xiaomi:
- Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ Next to AirPods and select Forget Device.
- Reboot the phone.
- Turn on the pairing mode on AirPods (press the button on the case) and connect again.
Reset AirPods settings:
- Place the headphones in the case and close the lid.
- Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
- Connect AirPods to Xiaomi as a new device.
⚠️ Warning: After the AirPods reset, they will lose all of their saved settings, including iCloud binding (if any), and to return the automatic switching feature between Apple devices, you will have to reconnect them to your iPhone.
Method 6: Using an external Bluetooth amplifier
If the software methods didn’t help and the sound is still too quiet, consider a hardware solution. Bluetooth amplifiers (like FiiO BTR5 or Creative BT-W5) connect to Xiaomi via Bluetooth, and AirPods connect to the amp.
- 🎧 Bypassing restrictions MIUI loudly.
- 🔊 Use high-quality codecs (aptX) HD, LDAC).
- 🔋 Extend the AirPods (amplifier takes over part of the sound processing).
The disadvantage of such a solution is additional costs (from 3 000 USD). ₽ And for the budget models, and the need to carry another device, but for music fans who care about sound quality, it's the best option.
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Hardware amplifiers are the only way to get a real volume increase (up to +100%) without distortion if the software methods do not work.
Method 7: Alternative headphones with better compatibility
If neither of these methods worked, it may be hardware incompatibility.AirPods are optimized for the Apple ecosystem, and even with the latest updates, they may sound quieter on Android than dedicated headphones.Consider alternatives with better MIUI support:
- 🎵 Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro: Full integration with the company MIUI, support LDAC, The volume is 30% higher than the AirPods 3.
- 🎧 Sony WF-1000XM5: Best audio in the segment, adaptive volume, compatibility with aptX Lossless.
- 🔊 Nothing Ear (2): Optimized for Android, Low Latency, Volume Comparable to AirPods Pro.
If you still want to stay on AirPods, try using them with Xiaomi via a wired adapter (e.g. Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm + USB-C to Lightning adapter). In this case, the Bluetooth restrictions will not apply, and the volume will increase to a maximum.