How to increase the volume of the speaker on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from simple settings to hidden features

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular smartphone with good value for money, but many users face the problem of quiet hearing speakers during calls. Even at maximum volume, it can be difficult to hear in a noisy environment. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to increase the volume of a conversational speaker, from standard settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu and third-party utilities.

It is important to understand that the volume limit on the Redmi 8 is not accidental: it is a protection against damage to the speaker and the user’s hearing. However, in some cases (for example, with a bad microphone or external noise), additional adjustment is required. We will consider both safe methods and more radical ones, indicating the risks of each approach.

This article will be suitable for Redmi 8 owners on any version of MIUI (including global and Chinese firmware), as well as those who use custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. All instructions were tested on current versions of the software (2026).

1. Checking basic volume settings

Before you resort to complex manipulations, make sure that the problem is not in the elementary settings. On Redmi 8, the volume of the conversational speaker is adjusted separately from the multimedia sound, and many users simply do not notice this nuance.

Open the Settings → Sound and vibration → Loudness. Here you will see sliders for different types of sound:

• 🔔 Call – the volume of incoming calls
• 🎵 Multimedia – Loudness of Music and Video
• 📞 Conversation – the volume of the auditory speaker during the call
• 🚨 Alarm clock – the volume of the alarm signal

Drag the "Talk" slider to the far right, and if it's already at its maximum, but still quiet, move on to the next section.

Also check if Do Not Disturb or Quiet Mode is activated in the notification curtain. These features can automatically turn down the volume during calls. Another point is the pollution of the speaker. Check the speaker grille on the top of the end of the smartphone: if there is dust or moisture there, the sound will be muffled. Carefully clean the hole with a soft brush or compressed air.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use sharp objects (dental cleaners, needles) to clean the speaker - this can damage the membrane and completely disable it. If the pollution is severe, contact the service center.

2.Use of the Engineering Menu (MTK Engineer Mode)

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor, but MIUI firmware retains access to an engineering menu where you can fine-tune sound settings, a method that requires caution, as improper settings can damage the speaker or distort the sound.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##36446337## (or #4636## for the alternative menu).
3. Select the Hardware Testing option → Audio.

In this section, you'll see some tabs with settings, and we're interested in Normal Mode (normal mode) and Headset Mode (headset mode).

• 🔊 Select Type: Receiver (Hearing Speaker).
• 📛 In the Value field, set the maximum value (usually 160 or 255, depending on the firmware).
• 🔄 Click Set to apply the changes.

Critical warning: values above 160 can cause the speaker to overload and physically damage, start with a minimum magnification (e.g. 140-150) and check the sound after each change.

⚠️ Warning: After the changes to the engineering menu, restart your smartphone. If the sound becomes hoarse or intermittent after setting up, return the values to the standard (usually 128-130 for Receiver) and contact the service.

3. Sound amplification applications

If you're not getting the standard settings and the engineering menu, you can use third-party apps, and they work on two principles:

1. Software amplification – increase the volume due to sound processing algorithms (noise may appear).
2. Change system files – modify Android configuration files (require root rights).

For Redmi 8 without root, the following utilities are suitable:

• 🔊 Volume Booster is a simple booster with pre-call presets. It doesn't require root, but efficiency is limited.
• 🎛️ Precise Volume – allows you to adjust the volume in 1% increments (instead of the standard 15 levels in the standard range). MIUI).
• 🛠️ SoundAssistant (from Samsung, but runs on Xiaomi) – Advanced audio profile management.
• 📱 Mi Sound Enhancer – a specialized application for Xiaomi devices, adds equalizer for calls.

Install one of the applications (e.g. Precise Volume) and follow the instructions:

Download the app from Google Play|Open the settings and enable the option "Exact adjustment"|Return to the volume slider and tune the sound of the call in 1 increments%|Check the sound in a quiet and noisy environment-->

Note that applications without root can only increase volume within hardware constraints. If the speaker is physically weak (e.g., worn out), software methods will not produce significant effects, in which case only replacing the speaker or using a headset will help.

💡

Before installing audio amplification applications, back up your MIUI settings in Settings → About Phone → Backup. This will help you quickly restore the original settings if the sound gets worse.

Modification of system files (for advanced users)

If you're willing to take risks and have experience with root rights or ADB, you can change the system files that control volume, which is the most effective method, but requires technical skills and can lead to loss of warranty or damage to the firmware.

On the Redmi. 8 The volume limit is controlled by the file /system/vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml. To edit it:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Find the file along the way. /system/vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml And back it up.
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with the parameters: <path name="handset-mic"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" /> Change the value values to 90-95 (not higher!).
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing mixer_paths.xml This can cause loss of sound completely or looping of the boot. If the phone does not turn on after the changes, you will need to flash through the Fastboot.

An alternative way to do it without root is to use it. ADB-Connect Redmi 8 to your PC, turn on Debugging USB In the developer settings and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global volume_steps 30

This will increase the number of volume control steps from 15 to 30, which will allow you to tune the sound more accurately, but the maximum volume level will remain the same - this method simply makes the adjustment smoother.

5. Hardware causes of silent sound and their elimination

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be in the hardware. The most common faults on Redmi 8 are:

• 🔇 Pollution speaker - dust, moisture or fat clog the grille, lowering the volume. Solution: neat cleaning or ultrasonic bath (in the service).
• 🔌 Contact oxidation - over time, the speaker's contacts can oxidize, especially if the phone was operated in a wet environment.
• 🔊 Membrane wear – speakers have limited resource (especially when frequent calls are at maximum volume.
• 📶 Problems with antenna module - weak network signal can affect sound quality.Solution: validation SIM-map or replacement of the communication module.

To diagnose a hardware malfunction:

1. Call from another phone and see if you can hear well. If so, there's a problem with the Redmi 8 speaker.
2. Connect the headset – if the sound in the headphones is loud, and in the dynamics is quiet, it is precisely in the hardware.
3. Record your voice on a recorder and listen to the recording, and if the sound is distorted or quiet, there may be a defect in the microphone or speaker.

The cost of replacing the speaker on Redmi 8 in service centers is 500-1200 rubles (2026). If the phone is warranty, contact the official Xiaomi service - self-repair cancels warranty obligations.

6. Alternative solutions: headset, Bluetooth, external speakers

If you can not increase the volume of the auditory speaker, consider alternative ways of making calls:

• 🎧 Wired headset – even the cheapest headphones with a microphone will provide better sound quality than the built-in speaker.
• 📶 Bluetooth headset – wireless headphones (for example, Xiaomi AirDots) or mono headset (for example, Baseus) WM01).
• 🔊 External speaker – connect your phone to a portable speaker via Bluetooth or 3.5mm connector.
• 📱 Speaker mode – during the call, click on the speaker icon in the call interface to switch to the main speaker.

For owners of Redmi 8 especially convenient headsets with support for Qualcomm aptX — they provide minimal delays in the sound when talking.

• Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (about 2000 rubles) - a good balance of price and quality.
• Redmi AirDots 3 (about 1500 rubles) - light, low power consumption.
• Baseus WM01 (about 1000 rubles) - monoheadset with noise reduction.

If you make frequent calls in noisy places (such as on the street or in transport), consider buying an active noise cancelling (ANC) headset.This will solve the problem of quiet sound radically, without the risk of damaging the smartphone.

💡

Using a headset or Bluetooth headphones is the safest way to improve sound quality during calls, as it does not require interference with system settings and does not risk damaging the speaker.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

Sometimes the quiet sound problem is caused by software bugs in the firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for Redmi 8 to fix such bugs.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version of MIUI is available, install it.

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

1. Open Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings.
2. Select Resetting Sound Settings (not a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

In extreme cases, you can perform a full reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset → Delete all data), but before that, make sure to back up important data. This method helps if the problem is caused by a setting conflict or damage to system files.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all installed apps, accounts and personal data will be deleted, only backup can be restored. Do not reset unless you are confident in your actions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume up on Redmi 8