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

Why is the volume on the Mi 8 too quiet?

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still a popular smartphone due to its balanced specs, but many users face the problem of insufficient loudness of speakers — especially when listening to music, watching videos or talking on speakerphones.

First, hardware constraints: one dynamic device (monophone) in the Mi 8 can't physically compete with modern stereo speakers. Second, software limits: the manufacturer sets artificial limits on maximum volume to protect the speaker from overload. Finally, the speaker contamination or audio chip malfunction also affects the sound. Before you start settings, check if the speaker is covered with a case or dust - sometimes the problem is solved by a simple cleaning.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to increase volume, from secure system settings to risky manipulation of the engineering menu. Importantly, some methods can damage the speaker or lose warranty if you exceed the permissible loads.

Method 1: Sound settings in MIUI

Start with basic settings – often users just don’t know about the built-in features MIUI. Open the Settings menu → Sound and vibration. Key options are available here:

• 🔊 Media volume: regulates the sound in applications (music, video, games). Move the slider to the right.
• 📞 Call volume: Separately adjusts the volume of incoming calls. Make sure that the maximum value is set here as well.
• 🔇 Don’t disturb: check if this mode is activated – it can silence all sounds.
• 🎵 Mi Sound equalizer: turn it on and select Bass preset or Volume to amplify low frequencies.

Note the Adaptive Sound option (if you have one in your version of MIUI), which automatically adjusts the volume according to the noise level in the environment, and turn it off if you want manual control.

Set maximum media volume|Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode"|Activate the Mi Sound equalizer|Check the option "Adaptive sound"-->

If you don't have enough volume after this manipulation, move on to the next method, but remember, the system settings don't exceed the hardware limits, they only use the available range.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications

When embedded MIUI tools aren't enough, third-party tools come to the rescue, and they work on two principles: either amplify the sound at the software processing level or bypass the system's limitations.

• 🎛️ Volume Booster (Google Play): Volume Booster to increase volume 20-30% It's good for music and video, but it can distort sound at high levels.
• 🔊 Equalizer FX: Advanced equalizer with presets for different genres, allows you to fine-tune the frequencies, which indirectly increases the perceived volume.
• 📱 ViPER4Android (requires root: powerful audio processor with surround effects and compressor, able to significantly improve sound, but difficult to set up.

Warning: applications like the Volume Booster can overload the speaker, causing it to wear out quickly, and use them carefully and don't set maximum values for long.

Volume Booster|Equalizer FX|ViPER4Android|Other|I don't use it.-->

To install ViPER4Android, you'll need to unlock the bootloader and get root rights, which will void the warranty and increase the risk of system damage. If you're not prepared for such casualties, limit yourself to the first two options.

Method 3: Engineering Menu (MTK Engineer Mode)

On the Xiaomi Mi 8 (as well as on other smartphones with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset), there is a hidden engineering menu where you can fine-tune the sound parameters.

To open the menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Select the Hardware Testing Item → Audio.

In the Audio section, you'll see a list of parameters.

• 🔈 Speaker – Volume of the speaker;
• 🎧 Headset - Headphone volume;
• 📞 Ring - volume of the call.

For each setting, you can set a value from 0 to 160 (usually 128) by default. Don't increase the value by more than 10-15 units - this can damage the hardware. After you change, press Set and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are not reset after resetting. If you sell a phone, return all settings to default values, otherwise the new owner may face sound problems.

Method 4: File editing mixer_paths.xml

This method requires root rights and is designed for power users. mixer_paths.xml It contains the configuration of the audio parameters of the system, including the volume limits, and editing it allows you to remove the program limits, but if you make a mistake, you risk being left without sound at all.

Instructions:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer).
3. Cross the path: /system/vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml.
4. Copy the file to a backup folder (in case of an error).
5. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with the parameters: <path name="speaker"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> </path>
6. Increase the value by 5-10 units (e.g., from 84 to 90).
7. Save the file, return the original rights (644) and restart the phone.

If you've edited the sound, or if you've got any distortions, return the original file. Don't increase the value by more than 15 percent, which is critical for the speaker.

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Before editing mixer_paths.xml Make a full backup of the section /system through TWRP. This will help restore the efficiency if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Cleaning dynamics and checking hardware malfunctions

Sometimes the problem isn't the settings, but the physical state of the speaker. Xiaomi Mi 8 has one bottom speaker that can easily get clogged with dust or fibers from your pocket.

• 🔦 Illuminate the speaker hole with a flashlight - if dust is visible, carefully remove it with a soft brush or compressed air (with a canister for cleaning equipment).
• 🧲 Check if the speaker has metal particles stuck to the grid (they can interfere with the device).
• 🔊 Enable test sound (e.g., through the Engineering Menu) → Audio → Speaker Test and listen to distortions.

If the sound has not improved after cleaning, more serious malfunctions are possible:

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect a hardware fault, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself.The Xiaomi Mi 8 has a glue mount on the back cover and brittle plumes - unprofessional repairs can make the problem worse.

Method 6: Update firmware and reset settings

Sometimes software bugs are the cause of low volume, especially if you haven't updated MIUI in a long time.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have an update, install it. Notice the log entry, there may be fixes for the audio system.

If the update didn’t work, reset your settings (but back up your data first!):

1. Open Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Resetting to Factory if you don’t want to lose data).
3. After rebooting, check the volume – sometimes reset eliminates conflicts in the sound settings.

Important: After resetting, you may need to reconfigure the equalizer and other audio parameters. If the problem persists, go back to the hardware methods (cleaning, diagnostics).

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Updating the firmware should be the first step in any software failures, and often sound bugs are fixed in newer versions of MIUI.

Method 7: Alternative solutions for critical cases

If none of these methods work, consider alternative options:

• 🎧 Using an external speaker: connect your phone to a portable Bluetooth speaker.Even budget models sound louder than the built-in Mi 8 speaker.
• 🔌 USB-C audio adapter: if the problem with the 3.5 mm connector (in the Mi 8 it is not, but the adapter allows you to connect headphones with a microphone).
• 📱 Switching to a different smartphone: If sound is critical (for streams or conferences, for example), it may be worth considering models with stereo speakers (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 or even the most popular ones). POCO X3).

For streamers or musicians, there are specialized solutions:

• 🎤 External sound card (e.g. iRig or Focusrite) connected by USB-C.
• 🔊 Directed microphone with separate amplifier for recording voice.

Remember, there's no software trick that can replace physical limitations, and if you want a really loud sound, external devices are more reliable than trying to make the most of an embedded speaker.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume on Xiaomi Mi 8