How to increase the volume of the speaker on Xiaomi Mi 8: from settings to engineering menu

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship smartphone of 2018, which is still in demand thanks to the powerful hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. However, many users face the problem of insufficient volume speaker, especially when listening to music or watching videos in a noisy environment. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to increase the volume, from basic settings to advanced methods using engineering menus and third-party applications.

It's important to understand that the volume limits on the Mi 8 are built for a reason: they're designed to protect against overloading speakers and distortion of sound, but if you're willing to compromise between quality and volume, we have solutions. We'll also show you how to avoid the typical errors that can damage the audio system.

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi Mi 8 modifications (including Mi 8 SE, Mi 8 Pro and Mi 8 Explorer Edition), but some methods may require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. If you are not sure of your technical skills, start with the simplest ways.

1. Checking basic sound settings

Before you resort to radical measures, make sure that the problem is not in the standard settings. Often users simply do not notice the obvious parameters that can affect the volume.

Open the Settings menu → Sound and vibration and check:

• 🔊 Media volume - the slider should be at its maximum, sometimes it is reset after updating or connecting headphones.
• 🎵 equalizer MIUI — Turn it on and select the preset Bass or Rock, this can add volume at low frequencies.
• 🔇 Don’t disturb – make sure mode is turned off or set to media sound resolution.
• 📱 Adaptive sound – disable this feature if it is active (sometimes it automatically lowers volume depending on ambient noise).

It's also worth checking the settings of a particular app, for example, YouTube or Spotify might have a separate volume control that limits the maximum level, go to the player's settings and make sure there are no artificial restrictions.

Cleaning of speakers from dust and debris

One of the most common reasons for the volume down is the pollution of the speakers. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, the bottom speaker (main speaker) is located next to the USB-C connector and is often clogged with dust, villi or particles from your pocket, which physically blocks the sound waves, making the sound quieter and more deaf.

How to clean the speakers:

1. Use a soft toothbrush with a short pile, and gently run it through the speaker grille without pressing too hard.
2. To remove dust from hard-to-reach areas, a compressed air can can (sold in electronics stores) will do. Keep the balloon upright and blow the speaker in short bursts.
3. If the garbage is deep inside, you can use a thin plastic spatula (like a SIM card) wrapped in a soft cloth, gently tuck the grille and remove the visible particles.

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Do not use metal objects (needles, pins) - they can damage the membrane of the speaker. Also avoid wet wipes: getting liquid inside the case will lead to corrosion of the contacts.

After cleaning, check the volume by playing a track with clear basses (like "Test Tone 100Hz" on YouTube). If the sound is cleaner and louder, the problem was pollution. If not, move on to the following methods.

3.Use of the engineering menu (without root)

All Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden engineering menu where you can manually adjust audio settings, including maximum volume.This method does not require root rights, but changing some parameters can lead to distortion of the sound.

Instructions for entering the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. You will be taken to the Engineering Mode menu. Go to the Hardware Testing → Audio section.
3. In the LoudSpeaker Mode submenus, select Max Vol and set the value to 150 (the default is usually 128 or 140).
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Record the current parameter values|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Turn off Bluetooth and headphones|Prepare a backup copy of important data-->

After you restart, check the volume. If the sound is louder but there are wheezing or distortions, return the value to 140 or 130. On some MIUI firmware, the change in the parameters in the engineering menu is reset after the system update.

4. Installation of third-party applications to amplify sound

If the system settings don't work, you can use third-party utilities, which work on two principles: either amplify the sound programmatically (through a uniform increase in amplitude), or bypass the limitations of MIUI at the OS level.

Top.-3 Apps to increase volume on Xiaomi Mi 8:

The easiest option is Volume Booster. After installation, launch the app, move the slider 120-130% and turn on the "Apply at Boot" option to save the settings after the reboot. If the sound starts to "wheeze" - reduce the value to 110%.

ViPER4Android is a more powerful tool, but requires driver installation and manual tuning.

1. Install ViPER4Android from Google Play.
2. Download and install the driver ViPER4Android (file viper4android_fx_v2.7.1.6.apk + SELinux Mode Changer to change mode to Permissive).
3. In the application settings, activate "Enable ViPER4Android" and select the "Xiaomi" profile.

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ViPER4Android is the best, but it requires technical skills, and if the sound is completely lost after installation, check the SELinux settings or reinstall the driver.

5. Modification of system files (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can try changing the system files responsible for limiting volume, which requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, as well as a backup of data - if you make a mistake, the phone may stop turning on.

Editing instruction mixer_paths.xml:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Cross the path. /system/vendor/etc/ and find the file. mixer_paths.xml.
3. Make a backup copy of the file (copy it on the SD-map).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with the parameters: <path name="speaker"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" /> Change the value from 84 to 90 or 92 (no higher, otherwise the risk of damaging the speakers!).
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone.

If there is no sound after the restart or there are strong distortions, return the original file. mixer_paths.xml This method gives you the largest volume increase, but it's also the riskiest.

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Before editing system files, check your Mi 8 model in settings (Settings → About Phone → Model). For Mi 8 SE (codename sirius) and Mi 8 Pro (equuleus), file paths may be different!

6. Hardware modifications (at your own risk)

If the software is exhausted and the volume is still not good, then the hardware is fine, and this is an extreme measure that can both improve sound and completely disable speakers, and we'll talk about two of the most common ways that we can do this.

1. Replacement of speakers with more powerful ones

Xiaomi Mi 8 has speakers with a resistance of 8 Ohms and a power of 0.8 W. They can be replaced by the analogues from Xiaomi Mi 9 or Redmi K20 Pro, which have slightly better characteristics.

• 🔧 Complete disassembly of the phone (risk of damage to plumes).
• 🛠️ Solding station (soldered speakers to the board).
• 📏 Accurate matching of dimensions (otherwise, the new speaker will not stand in the case).

Installation of an external amplifier

For real audiophiles, there is an option with a miniature amplifier (for example, FiiO A1 or iBasso DC01) connected via USB-C. This solution is expensive (from 3000 rubles), but gives a significant increase in volume and sound quality. Minus - the amplifier will stick out of the phone, which is inconvenient for everyday use.

7. Alternative solutions: Bluetooth speakers and headphones

If all attempts to increase the volume of speakers have failed, it may be worth considering external audio devices. Modern Bluetooth speakers and headphones offer much better sound quality than built-in speakers of a smartphone.

Optimal options for Xiaomi Mi 8:

• 🎧 Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 is a budget TWS-headphones with good volume and bass.
• 🔈 Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker – a compact speaker with a capacity of 16 watts, suitable for the street.
• 🎵 Soundcore by Anker Life P2 — Headphones with BassUp technology that enhances low frequencies.

If you listen to music often or watch videos in noisy places (transport, street), external devices will be the best solution, they are not only louder, but also safer for hearing — at maximum volume of the built-in speakers, the risk of hearing damage is higher due to the proximity to the ear.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume increase on Xiaomi Mi 8