How to increase the volume of the speaker on Xiaomi smartphones: from MIUI settings to firmware modification

Did you notice that while calling the interlocutor barely audible, even when the volume is twisted to the maximum? The problem of weak sound in the conversational speaker (earpiece) is relevant for many models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — from the budget Redmi 9A to flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The reasons can lie in the software limitations of MIUI and hardware features of the device.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to increase the volume of the speaker during calls, from basic audio settings to working with the engineering menu and modifying system files. Importantly, some methods require root rights or can affect the warranty. We will specify the risks for each option so that you can choose the best one.

Before you start settings, check the obvious: whether there is physical damage to the speaker (for example, after a fall or moisture), whether it is closed with a protective film or a case. If the problem occurs suddenly, try to restart the smartphone or reset the sound settings to the factory.

MIUI Sound Settings: What Can Be Changed Without Risks

To start with, the safest method is standard MIUI tools, which the manufacturer limits the maximum volume of a speaker to protect hearing, but some firmware can bypass these limits.

Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Loudness. Here you will see sliders for different types of sound.

• 🔊 Calling – adjusts the volume of the call (not to be confused with the volume of the interlocutor!).
• 📞 Media – is responsible for music and video, but not for the speaker.
• 🗣️ Calls -- this slider controls the volume of the person's voice. Try to move it to the right.

If the slider is already at its maximum, but the sound is still quiet, try to turn on the option Sound Amplifier (available on not all models).

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Hearing.
2. Activate the sound amplifier switch.
3. In the amplifier settings, select Type → Speaker and adjust the volume.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro option Sound amplifier can distort the voice of the interlocutor at maximum settings. If there is a wheezing or echo, reduce the gain level.

2. Engineering menu: hidden volume settings

If the standard settings didn't work, the next step is the Engineering Mode, which is a hidden section where you can manually increase the microphone volume and speaker, bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##3646633## (some models may run ##4636###).
3. Select the Hardware Testing → Audio section.

In the Audio menu, you are interested in the following options:

• 🔇 Normal Mode is the standard call mode, and you can increase the Sph (microphone) and Sip (dynamics) values).
• 🔊 Headset Mode – settings for the headset (if there is a problem and there).
• 📞 LoudSpeaker Mode – loud communication (not to be confused with a conversational speaker!).

For an earpiece, change the values in the Normal Mode section:

• Increase Max Vol (max volume) from 160 to 180-200 (do not put above 200 to avoid distortion!).
• The Type option should be Media or Voice Call.

Record the current parameter values

Not exceed Max Vol = 200

Reboot your phone after the changes

Check the sound with a test call-->

⚠️ Note: On Qualcomm Snapdragon models (e.g, POCO F3) Changes to the engineering menu can be reset after you restart. To fix the settings, use applications like MTK Engineering Mode (for Mediatek) or Qualcomm EngineerMode.

3. Apps to amplify sound: top-5 utility

If you don't want to go through the settings manually, you can use third-party apps, and they work on two principles:

1. Software amplification – increase the volume at the OS level (for example, Volume Booster).
2. Equalizers – adjust the frequencies to make the voice of the interlocutor clearer (Equalizer FX).

The best apps for Xiaomi:

ViPER4Android FX is the only app that can dramatically improve the sound of a conversational speaker, but it requires an Audio Compatibility Patch driver and root access to work properly. Without root rights, it will only work with media files, not with calls.

How to set up Equalizer FX for calls:

• 🎛️ Choose Preset Voice or Create Yours.
• 🔄 Increase the sliders in the range of 100-500 Hz (this is the frequency of the human voice).
• 🔊 Enable the option of Apply to Phone Calls (if any).

💡

If there is interference after installing the sound amplifier, try to reduce the level of bass (60-250 Hz) in the equalizer - they often conflict with the conversational speaker.

Modification of system files (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, the most radical way is to edit the system files that control sound, which requires root rights and can lead to loss of warranty or unstable phone operation.

Where to look for volume settings:

• 📁 File. /system/etc/mixer_paths.xml — contains volume parameters for different scenarios (calls, media, microphone).
• 📁 folder /vendor/etc/ — There may be additional configs for a particular model (for example, audio_platform_info.xml).

Example of editing mixer_paths.xml (Make a backup before the changes!):

<path name="handset-mic">


<ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" />




<ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" />




</path>




<path name="speaker">




<ctl name="SPK Amp Gain" value="3" />




</path>

To edit system files, you will need:

• 🔧 Root access (you can get it via Magisk or SuperSU).
• 📝 Editor with superuser rights (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
• ⚠️ Backup of original files - in case after the changes the sound disappears completely.

5. Hardware solutions: cleaning, replacement, external accessories

If the software methods failed, the problem could be the physical state of the speaker.

• 🧹 Pollution – dust, pile or moisture got into the speaker’s lattice.
• 🔧 Detachment of contacts – after falling or vibration.
• 🔋 Wear – speakers degrade over time (especially in budget models).

How to clean the speaker yourself:

1. Use a soft brush (for example, for drawing) or a toothpick wrapped in microfiber.
2. To remove moisture, place the phone in a bag of silica gel for 12-24 hours.
3. Do not use compressed air – it can damage the speaker membrane!

If cleaning doesn’t help, consider the following options:

• 🔊 Replacement of the speaker - in the service center Xiaomi or third-party masters. Cost: from 500 to 2000 ₽ model-wise.
• 🎧 Use of headset – wireless headphones (Xiaomi AirDots) or wired headset with microphone.
• 📱 External speaker – for example, Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker with hands-free.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with stereo speakers (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro: The problem of quiet sound during calls is often due to the incorrect operation of the second speaker. → Speaker Test → Disable Stereo).

6. Update firmware and reset settings

Sometimes a quiet sound in a conversational speaker is a firmware bug, and the manufacturer can fix it in the next MIUI update to check the relevance of your version:

Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If a new version is available, install it, especially for global firmware devices (like Redmi Note 10 Global), where sound bugs are more common than in Chinese versions.

If there are no updates but the problem has recently appeared, try resetting the sound settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Phone app and select Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Do the same for the Contacts app.

If the reset didn’t work, the last option is a full factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset).Be sure to back up your data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive before doing so!

💡

Updating your firmware is the safest way to fix software bugs. If there is a problem after the update, check the forums (for example, Mi Community) — this may be a known bug of a particular model.

7.Alternative methods: Internet and external calls

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

• 📶 VoIP calls — use WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Meet. These apps often have louder sound than a standard phone.
• 🔗 Call forwarding – set up a redirect to another number (such as a home phone) via Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call forwarding.
• 🖥️ PC Calls – Connect your phone to your computer via Mi PC Suite and call through it.

For owners of Xiaomi with Mi AI support (for example, Xiaomi 13), there is another life hack: turn on the voice assistant during the call.

1. Say “Hi Siri” (if you’re setting up Google Assistant) or “Hi Xana” (for Mi AI).
2. Say, “Grow up the volume” or “Put on speaker.”

This method doesn’t work on all models, but it can be a temporary solution if the speaker suddenly becomes quieter.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the volume of the speaker on Xiaomi