How to increase volume on Xiaomi Mi 9T: from MIUI settings to firmware modification

Xiaomi Mi 9T

Redmi K20

soft-sound

work-in

Don't rush to disassemble your phone or install custom firmware. Start with simple methods: often the problem is solved by adjusting the sound uniformity or cleaning the speakers from dust. If you want maximum amplification, you will have to dive into the engineering menu or even edit system files. It is important to understand that some methods can affect the warranty or stability of the device.

Before you start settings, check the basics:

• 🔊 Make sure the phone does not activate Do Not Disturb or Quiet Mode (check the notification panel).
• 🎧 If you have a problem with headphones, test them on another device to rule out a faulty accessory.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone: sometimes sound drivers “hang” after updates or long work.

MIUI Sound Settings: What Can Be Changed Without Root

Xiaomi has built a few hidden options into MIUI to fine-tune the sound, with most users limited to the volume slider, but the system has deeper options.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration. Here, pay attention to:

• 🎛️ "Equator -- turn it on and select the preset "Bas" or "Rock." It doesn't turn up the volume directly, but it makes the sound more intense, which subjectively improves the perception.
• 🔇 "Dynamic Range – Turn off this option if it is active and it automatically lowers the volume in quiet music or video snippets.
• 📱 "Sound separation – if the headphones are connected, you can redirect the sound only to them, turning off the speakers (useful when listening to music in noisy places).

Pay special attention to the item "Earphone settings" (appears when you connect wired or Bluetooth headphones), here you can activate the option "Ampt up sound", which adds +20% to the volume, but can cause distortion at maximum levels.

⚠️ Note: The "Amply Sound" option in the headphones only works with certified Xiaomi accessories.

2. Engineering menu: hidden volume settings

The Xiaomi Mi 9T has a hidden engineering menu where you can manually adjust the volume levels for each type of sound (calls, multimedia, alarm clock) and this method does not require root rights, but you need to change the parameters carefully.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##36446337## (code may not work on some firmware).
3. If the code doesn’t work, try the alternative: ##4636##, then go to the Audio tab.

In the engineering menu you are interested in the following sections:

• 🔊 "Normal Mode – here the volume is adjusted for the main scenarios (music, video).
• 📞 "Headset Mode – settings for wired headphones.
• 🎧 "Headset_Loudspeaker Mode" - combined mode (headphones) + dynamics).
• 📢 "Loudspeaker Mode – setting up an external speaker.

For each mode, sliders are available:

- Media (multimedia)

- Ring (calls)

- Sip (VoIP calls)

- Mic (microphone)

Adjustment recommendations:

• Increase the values gradually, 5-10 units at a time.
• The maximum value for Media in Normal Mode is 160 (usually 120-140 by default).
• For the Loudspeaker Mode, do not exceed 150, otherwise wheezing will appear.

⚠️ Warning: After changes to the engineering menu, the sound may become distorted at maximum volume. 10-15 unit.

Record the current values of all sliders|Do not exceed the recommended maximums|Check the sound after each change.|Reset the settings if there are distortions-->

3. Apps to amplify sound: top-5 utility

If the standard settings don't work, you can use third-party apps, and they work on two principles:

1. Software amplification of sound (equalizer emulation).
2. Change system parameters (require root or ADB)

The best apps for Xiaomi Mi 9T:

The ViPER4Android is considered the most powerful tool, but for its full operation on the Mi 9T you will need:

• Install Magisk (if there is root).
• Download the ViPER4Android FX driver for your Android version.
• Enable sound processing in the application settings.

⚠️ Attention: When in use ViPER4Android firmware MIUI You may lose sound in your calls. Before you install, backup your system settings.

💡

If distortions appear after installing the app to amplify the sound, try turning off the "Bas Improve" option or lowering the pre-amp level to -3 dB.

Modification of system files (for advanced)

If you're willing to go beyond standard methods, you can change the system files that control volume limits, which requires unlocked bootloader and root rights, and you can also know how to work with an ADB or a file manager with superuser rights.

The main files that can be modified:

• 📄 /system/vendor/build.prop — Here are the global sound parameters.
• 📄 /system/etc/mixer_paths.xml — Contains volume limits for different scenarios.
• 📄 /system/etc/audio_policy.conf — sound-flow configuration.

Example of modification mixer_paths.xml:

1. Backup the original file.
2. Open it in a text editor (such as MT Manager).
3. Find the following lines: <path name="speaker"> <ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" /> <ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" />
4. Increase the value to 90-95 (maximum 100, but this is fraught with distortion).
5. Save the file and restart the device.

On MIUI 12.5+, the path to the files may be different: check the /vendor/etc/ folder instead of /system/etc/.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop.If you are not sure about your actions, use ready-made modules for Magisk, such as "Audio Modification Library".

5. Hardware solutions: cleaning and replacement of speakers

If software methods didn’t work, the problem could be the physical wear of the speakers. Over time, the membranes get polluted by dust, which reduces the volume and sound quality. On the Xiaomi Mi 9T, the bottom speaker (also spoken) is most often affected, since it is located next to the USB-C connector.

How to clean the speakers yourself:

• 🧹 Use a soft brush (for example, for makeup) or compressed air (a canister).
• 💧 Do not use liquids! Water or alcohol can damage the membrane.
• 🔧 For deep cleaning, disassemble the phone (requires experience and tools: sucker, mediator, screwdriver). T3).

If the cleaning didn't work, you might need to change the speaker. The Mi 9T uses two speakers:

1. Top (multimedia) - responsible for stereo in music and video.Article: 18051-0101-0001.
2. Lower (conversational) - used for calls and notifications. Article: 18050-0101-0001.

The cost of the original speakers: ~500-800 rubles per unit. You can replace it yourself (there are video instructions on YouTube) or at the service center. Note: when you replace the speakers, the leakiness of the body is reset, which can affect the dust protection (IP53 on Mi 9T).

💡

Before replacing the speakers, check their performance through the test menu: type ##6484## and select Manual Test → Receiver/Loudspeaker. If there is sound but quiet, it is a problem with settings or contamination.

6.Alternative methods: from Bluetooth amplifiers to external speakers

If none of the above methods worked, consider external solutions:

• 🎵 Bluetooth audio amplifier (e.g. FiiO) BTR3 or SoundMagic ES100). Connects to the phone via Bluetooth and displays sound on headphones with amplification.
• 🔊 Portable speakers with support USB-C or 3.5 mm (e.g, JBL Go 3 or Xiaomi Mi Portable Speaker).
• 🎧 Headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC), which automatically increase the volume in noisy conditions.

The Mi 9T will also be equipped with USB-C adapters, such as:

AudioQuest DragonFly (for audiophiles)

iFi Audio xDSD (with MQA support)

Xiaomi USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter (budget version)

If you often listen to music through a 3.5mm connector, pay attention to the quality of the cable. Cheap wires can create additional resistance, which reduces volume. The best option is cables with gilded connectors and shielding (for example, UGREEN 20539).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to turn up the volume on the Xiaomi Mi 9T, users often make the following mistakes:

• 🔧 Change settings without backup – always save the original versions before editing system files.
• 📱 Ignoring updates MIUI — In new versions of firmware can be fixed bugs with sound.
• 🎛️ Over-amplification in the engineering menu – values above 160 for Media almost always lead to distortions.
• 🔊 Use of incompatible applications – some utilities (such as Dolby Atmos) do not work on Mi 9T modificationless.

Another common problem is application conflict, and if you have multiple amplifiers installed (like ViPER4Android + Equalizer FX), they can block each other.

1. Turn off all sound modifiers.
2. Leave only one application.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially global) support is disabled LDAC And aptX, which is a Bluetooth audio enhancement codec, requires manual firmware from the Bluetooth Library Patch module through Magisk to activate it.

💡

If the sound remains quiet after all the manipulations, check the phone for hardware malfunctions: connect it to the PC and play the sound through ADB with the command adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "file:///sdcard/test.mp3" -t audio/mp3. If the sound is quiet and through ADB - a problem in the speakers or audio chip.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions