How to increase the volume of the speaker when talking on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: 5 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still popular due to its balanced specs and affordable price. However, many users experience a quiet sound during calls, a problem that is especially relevant in noisy places or when using a low-quality headset. If you can’t hear someone even at maximum volume, don’t be quick to blame the hardware: 80% of the time, the problem is solved by software methods.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to increase the volume of a conversational speaker - from standard settings. MIUI You'll learn how to safely change volume limits, which applications actually work and which can harm, and what to do if the problem is a physical breakdown. MIUI-Optimizations, so read warnings carefully before action.

1. Check basic volume settings in MIUI

Before you climb into the engineering menu or install third-party utilities, make sure that the problem is not in the banal settings. Redmi Note 8 based on MIUI 12/13/14 has separate volume controls for media, alarm and calls - they are easy to confuse.

Open the swipe quick settings panel from top to bottom and find the volume slider. Tap the "Cog" icon next to it, and a menu with three tabs opens: Media, Calls and Alarm clock. Make sure the slider in the Calls section is set to maximum. If it's already at the limit, but the sound is still quiet, move on to the next step.

🔊 Turn off Do Not Disturb mode: it can automatically turn down the volume of incoming calls. → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb.
📞 Check the settings. SIM-Cards: some operators (e.g, Tele2 Or Yota, they use their own volume profiles. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Call settings.
🔄 Reset the sound settings: in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings will return all parameters to the factory.

If the volume hasn't changed after these manipulations, the problem goes deeper, either in the software constraints of MIUI or in the hardware, and further techniques will require more serious interventions.

📊 How often do you hear a quiet sound when you’re calling?

Constantly.

Sometimes.

It used to be, but it solved the problem.

Never.

The Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) has a hidden engineering menu where you can manually change the volume limits for a conversational speaker.This method does not require root rights, but improper actions can lead to audio failures. On models with MIUI 14+, access to the engineering menu can be blocked - in which case, use alternative methods from the following sections.

To open the menu:

Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337###
Select Hardware Testing → Audio → LoudSpeaker Mode.
In the Type section, specify Sph (Speak Speaker).
In the Value field, change the value from 84 (standard) to 100-120 (maximum 160, but not recommended).
Press Set, then restart the phone.

Parameter	Recommended value	Maximum value	Risks.
Sph (conversation speaker)	100–120	160	Sound distortion at 140+
Sph2 (headset)	90–110	150	Risk of damage to headphones
Media (multimedia)	105–125	160	Overheating dynamics

⚠️ Warning: Values above 140 can cause sound distortion or damage the speaker. If there is a wheezing or cracking after the changes, return the settings to factory (84 for Sph).

If the engineering menu doesn’t open or changes don’t save, try the alternative code:

##4636##

Audio Information → Volume

Record the current parameter values|Use values not higher than 120|Do not change the settings "Mic" (microphone)|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

3. Volume-boosting apps: What works on MIUI

Google Play Store is full of utilities to increase volume, but most of them are either inefficient or require root rights. For Redmi Note 8 only those that work through ADB or modify system files without deep intervention will work.

List of verified annexes:

🔧 Volume Booster GOODEV — Increases volume by 20-30% without root, but requires permission to change system settings through root ADB.
🎧 Precise Volume – allows accurate volume settings in 1% increments, supports separate profiles for calls and media.
🛠️ SoundAssistant (from Samsung, but runs on Xiaomi) – adds separate regulators for each type of sound, including a conversational speaker.

For the installation of Volume Booster GOODEV:

Download the app from Google Play.
Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm grant com.goodev.volume.booster android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
Open the app and move the Call Volume slider 110-120%.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Speaker Boost or Volume+ They need root and can cause a hang on MIUI. Avoid utilities that request access to system/bin — They often contain malicious code.

If you don’t want to mess with ADB, try SoundAssistant – it doesn’t require special permissions, but it gives you less options for fine-tuning.

💡

Before installing any audio app, check out Redmi Note 8 user reviews – some utilities are optimized for pure Android smartphones only and don’t work on MIUI.

Modification of system files (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail, you can manually edit the system files responsible for volume limits, which requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, as well as a backup of the data – an error can lead to a bootloop.

Instructions for experienced users:

Install Magisk and get root access.
With Root Explorer or Mixplorer, go to /system/vendor/etc/.
Find the file. mixer_paths_tasha.xml (or mixer_paths.xml firmware).
Open the file in the text editor and find the lines: <path name="speaker"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> </path>
Change value="84" to value="100" or value="110".
Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone.

An alternative method is to use a Magisk module called the Audio Modification Library, which allows you to change the volume without manually editing files, but requires you to adjust through Terminal:

su


am start -n com.andr68rus.audio.modification/.MainActivity

⚠️ Note: SafetyNet may be activated after the system files are modified, blocking banking applications. Before the changes, check SafetyNet status through MagiskHide Props Config.

What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the change?

If you edit the Redmi Note system files 8 stuck on the logo or left in the bootloop, try: 1. Log in Fastboot (hold on Power) + Vol Down). 2. Command: Fastboot Flash boot magisk_patched.img (If you have a patched boot image). 3. If it doesn’t work, flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option!).

5. Hardware causes of silent sound: diagnostics and solutions

If software methods fail, the problem may lie in the hardware. Redmi Note 8 is known for several typical malfunctions that affect the volume of the speaker:

🔈 Contamination speaker - dust and pile eventually clog the grille, lowering the volume. Try to clean it carefully with a soft brush or compressed air.
🔌 Contact oxidation - moisture or sweat can cause corrosion on the speaker plume. Requires disassembly of the phone and cleaning contacts with alcohol.
🔊 Wear speaker - over time, the membrane loses elasticity, especially if you often listen to music at maximum volume. ~500-800 rubles).
📶 Antenna problems - weak network signal can affect sound quality. Check signal level in the engineering menu (#4636## → Network Information).

For diagnosis, perform the dynamics test:

Open the engineering menu (#36446337##).
Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Normal Mode.
Select Speaker Test and listen to the test signal.
If the sound in the test is loud, and during the call is quiet, the problem is in the firmware or network settings.

If you are unsure of your repair skills, contact the service center.Replacement speaker on the Redmi Note 8 takes 15-20 minutes and is cheaper than trying to repair yourself with the risk of damaging the plume or motherboard.

💡

Before disassembling the phone, be sure to check whether the warranty is valid. Xiaomi refuses warranty repairs in the wake of opening the case.

6. Alternative solutions: Headset, Bluetooth and VoIP

If you can not increase the volume of the speaker, consider the workarounds:

🎧 Use a wired headset — even cheap headphones with a microphone often give a clearer sound than the built-in speaker. Redmi Note 8 will suit models with a 3.5 mm connector (for example, Xiaomi Basic or Mi In-Ear).
🔵 Switch to Bluetooth – wireless headphones (e.g. Redmi AirDots) support the protocol A2DP, Improves the sound quality during calls.
📞 VoIP calls over the Internet — apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Meet often provide better volume by compressing sound, and you can adjust the microphone volume and speaker separately in the settings of these apps.
🔊 External speaker – if you talk frequently in noisy places, connect a portable speaker via Bluetooth or 3.5mm.

To set up a Bluetooth headset:

Put the headphones on the phone.
Go to Settings → Connected Devices → [Your Headset] → Sound settings.
Enable the option to “Improving Call Quality” (if available).
Some MIUI firmware has a separate volume control for Bluetooth – set it to maximum.

If you make frequent calls via WhatsApp, open the app settings and turn on the “Revolve Volume” option in the Storage & Data → Network Use section.

FAQ: Frequent Volume Questions on Redmi Note 8

After the MIUI update, the sound was quieter when the calls were made. How do you get the volume back up?

MIUI updates often reset user audio settings. Try: Reset audio settings to Settings → System → Resetting → Reset audio settings. Check the engineering menu (##36446337#) – Sph may have reset. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool (if the update was recent). If the problem persists, write in support of Xiaomi with the firmware version – sometimes the quiet sound after the update is a bug that is fixed in the next patches.

Can I turn up the microphone volume on the Redmi Note 8?

Yes, but with reservations. The microphone volume is adjusted in the engineering menu (#36446337##) in the Mic section. However: Increasing the value above 200 will lead to severe noise. The interlocutors may hear echoes or distortions. On some firmware, changes do not persist after rebooting. For stable results, use an external microphone (for example, a Lavalier with a 3.5 mm connector) or a Bluetooth headset.

Does flashing on custom software (like LineageOS) help solve the volume problem?

Yes, but not always. Custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience often have more flexible audio settings, but: Requires unlocking the bootloader (resets all data). Some builds may have bugs with sound (e.g., not working the speaker); You lose official updates and warranty (if it's still valid); Before you run the firmware, check the reviews of Redmi Note 8 users on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums - look for topics that mention ginkgo (codename of the model).

How to check if the speaker is physically damaged?

Do the diagnostics: Call the phone from another device and listen to the sound — if it wheezes or interrupts, the speaker is damaged. Connect the headphones — if it has a clear sound, the problem is the dynamics. Put a flashlight into the speaker's grille — if you see dust or foreign objects, clean it. Shake the phone next to your ear — if you hear a knock, the plume or membrane may have gone away. Use the test in the engineering menu for accurate diagnosis. If the sound in the dough is distorted, you need to replace the speaker.

Is there a risk of damaging your phone when you change the volume settings?

The risks depend on the method: Standard MIUI settings are not risky; Engineering menus are above 140, there may be audio distortion but no hardware damage; System file editing is a bootloop risk or loss of warranty; root-access applications can conflict with MIUI and cause freezes; The safest way is to use a Bluetooth headset or external speaker. If you're not sure about your skills, contact the service.