How to increase the volume of SMS on Xiaomi smartphones: all the ways of 2026

Are you constantly missing important messages because the SMS signal on Xiaomi is too quiet?The problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - even at full volume, SMS notifications can be barely audible in a noisy environment. Unlike the ringtone of calls or messenger alerts, SMS system sounds are often limited by the manufacturer, but this does not mean that the situation cannot be fixed.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to increase the volume of SMS on Xiaomi, from basic MIUI settings to hidden engineering menu features and third-party utilities. Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, where the logic of sound management has changed, and you will learn why sometimes the volume is reset after an update and how to prevent it.

We warn you that not all methods are equally safe, for example, changing the parameters through the engineering menu can cause sound failures if you set the values above the hardware constraints, but don't worry, we will explain in detail which settings can be touched and which are better left alone.

1. Basic volume settings in MIUI

Start with the obvious: check if the standard sound settings are lost. In MIUI, SMS notifications are regulated separately from other alerts, and many users miss this point.

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Slip the slider “Notification Loudness” (not to be confused with “Media” or “Call”).
3. Make sure that the SMS slider (or Messages) is moved to the right, and in some versions of MIUI it is hidden behind the button Additional.

If the slider is already at its maximum, but the sound is still quiet, the problem can be hidden in the sound profile. Switch to General (not Quiet or No Sound) mode in the same menu. Also check if Do Not Disturb with exceptions is activated - sometimes it blocks SMS sounds even at maximum volume.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14 resets the individual volume settings for the applications. If you notice that the sound has become quieter after the upgrade, return the settings manually.

Make sure the "Notification" slider is at maximum|Check a separate slider for SMS|Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode"|Switch to General profile"-->

2. Change the system melody of the SMS to a louder one

The standard notification sounds in Xiaomi are often optimized for "slow" playback, the solution being to set your own tune with a higher amplitude.

1. Download. WAV-a file with a loud signal (such as a siren or a special sound for SMS) and place it in the Ringtones or Notifications folder on the internal drive.
2. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → The sound of default notifications.
3. Select Local Melodies and specify your file. For SMS, set up separately in the Messages app (three dots → Settings → Notifications → Sound).

Where do you get the right sound?

• 🔊 Sites with free notifications: Notificationsounds or Zedge (look for files marked Loud).
• 🎵 Create Yourself: Use an audio editor (such as Audacity) to increase the volume of Xiaomi’s standard sound by 20-30 dB.
• 📱 Ready-to-use: The Play Market has apps like Loud Alarm & Ringtones that collect loud signals specifically for notifications.

Important: MP3 or M4A formats can play quieter than WAV because of compression. Use uncompressed audio files for maximum volume.

3. Customization through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If standard methods fail, you can intervene in system settings via the engineering menu (#4636## or #36446337##) which is suitable for experienced users, as incorrect changes can lead to failures.

Instructions for Xiaomi on Qualcomm Snapdragon (most Redmi/POCO models):

1. Enter ##4636### and select Audio (or Hardware Testing → Audio).
2. Scroll to Volume and find the settings: Sip Call Volume (don't touch!), Ring Volume (call), Media Volume (media), Notification Volume (this is what you need!)

Increase the Notification Volume to 150-160 (usually 160 maximum). Don't put 160 right away - try 150 first and check the sound.

Save the changes and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global POCO X3 Pro) the engineering menu may be missing or blocked, in which case use the alternative code ##36446337## or the appendix MTK Engineering Mode (MediaTek chips only).

4.Use of third-party applications to amplify sound

If you don't want to go through the system settings, the apps from Play Market will come to the rescue, and they don't require root rights and they work on most Xiaomi models.

• 🔊 Volume Booster GOODEV: Increases the volume of notifications to 20% without distortion. MIUI 12–15.
• 🎛️ Equalizer & Bass Booster: Allows you to configure the equalizer separately for notifications, amplifying high frequencies (where the SMS sound is usually “lost).
• 📲 Notification Volume Booster: Specialized application for amplification SMS-There's a volume test feature.

How to set up Volume Booster GOODEV:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select the Notifications tab.
3. Activate the Boost Volume slider and move it 15-20%.
4. Turn on the Auto Boost option to reset the volume after listening.

Warning: Boost applications can reduce the speaker life with prolonged use at maximum settings. Do not set the gain above 25% - the risk of distortion and damage to equipment increases.

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Before installing the booster, check if MIUI blocks it. In Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Autorun add the application to the list of allowed ones, otherwise it will not work in the background.

5.Discussion problems: When software methods don't help

If you've tried all the ways, but the texting sounds are still quiet, the problem could be hardware.

• 🔇 Contamination speaker: Dust or moisture reduce volume. Try gently clean the speaker hole with a soft brush.
• 🔌 Train damage: After falling or repairing, the speaker's contact with the motherboard could have moved away.
• 🔊 Speaker wear: Over time, the membrane loses elasticity, especially if you often listen to music at full volume.

How to check the speaker:

1. Turn on any audio file at maximum volume, and if the sound is distorted or missing, the problem is the dynamics.
2. If you put on your headphones, if you text them loudly and you don't use the speaker, it's the hardware.
3. Record a video with the microphone on and play it back, and if the sound is louder than the live sound, the speaker needs to be replaced.

The cost of repairing the speaker in Xiaomi:

• Redmi Note Series: 800–1,500 ₽ (model-wise).
• POCO F/X series: 1 200–2 000 ₽.
• Mi 11/12/13: 1 800–2 500 ₽ (due to the complexity of disassembly).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi warranty, do not open it yourself! Contact the service center - the speaker replacement should be done free of charge, if the malfunction is not your fault.

6. Resetting the sound settings to factory

Sometimes the cause of silent SMS are conflict settings after updating or installing third-party applications, in which case will help reset audio parameters without losing data:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset the sound settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot, and all audio parameters will return to factory.
4. After the reboot, reset the volume of notifications as described in the first section.

If this method didn’t work, try clearing the Messages app cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Messages and tap it.
3. Select Clear Cache (not Data!).
4. Restart the app.

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Resetting your audio settings is the safest way to return the factory volume of your SMS if the problem is caused by a software failure, and it doesn’t delete your messages, photos, or apps, but only returns your audio settings to default values.

7. Alternative ways to avoid SMS

If you can not increase the volume, use additional methods of notification:

• 🔦 Vibration. + LED: In SMS notification settings, activate Vibration and LED light (if any (POCO F4 GT) You can adjust the color of the flash for different contacts.
• 📱 Duplication for smart watches: Connect Mi Band or Amazfit – SMS will be duplicated on the screen of a smart watch with vibration.
• 🔔 Voice Alerts: Apps like Read It To Me voice incoming SMS via a speaker or Bluetooth headset.
• 📧 Redirection to email: In settings SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Redirection) can be configured to send copies of SMS to the mail.

For Xiaomi owners with MIUI 14+, there is a hidden feature called “Reminder of Missed Notifications”:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Reminder of missed notifications.
2. Enable the option and add Messages to the list of applications.
3. Set up a reminder interval (e.g., every 5 minutes).

It won’t turn up the volume, but at least it won’t let you miss an important message.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the volume of SMS on Xiaomi