How to increase the volume of the microphone on Xiaomi: from settings to engineering menu

The weak sound of the microphone on Xiaomi is a problem faced by owners of both the budget Redmi and the flagship Mi 13 Ultra or POCO F5. You can not be heard in calls, voice messages are recorded quietly, and streams on Twitch or YouTube are obtained with background noise? The reasons may lie in the software limitations of MIUI, hardware features of the microphone or even mechanical damage. But in 90% of cases, the situation can be corrected without going to the service center.

In this article, we will look at 7 proven methods, from basic settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu, you will learn how to amplify the microphone sound through standard MIUI tools, which applications really work (and which are blanks), and what to do if the problem is in the hardware, especially with models with two microphones (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), where the setting requires a separate approach.

⚠️ Important: Before changing system settings, check to see if the microphone is covered with a cover or protective film. Even a thin layer of dust on the microphone grille can reduce the volume by 30-40%.

1. Check basic sound settings in MIUI

Start with the obvious: it may not be the microphone that is the problem, but the volume settings or the sound profile. MIUI 14/15 (and earlier versions) has hidden parameters that affect the microphone’s sensitivity during calls and recordings.

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

• 🔊 The volume of the microphone in the calls - in some firmwares this slider is hidden under the item Additional settings (stick on the icon of the gear in the upper right corner).
• 🎤 Voice Improvement Mode – Included in Settings → Special facilities → Sound enhancement. Some models (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi K50) This parameter can suppress background noise, but also reduce the overall volume.
• 📞 Network Profile – if you are using VoLTE/VoWiFi, Try to disable these options in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Sometimes the codec of the network limits the dynamic range of the microphone.

If your version of MIUI doesn't have explicit microphone volume controls, don't despair, that's okay. The manufacturer often removes those settings to make the interface easier, so move on to the next method.

2. Engineering menu: hidden microphone settings

The Engineering Menu (or Engineer Mode) is a hidden MIUI section where you can manually adjust microphone settings, including signal amplification and noise filtering. On models with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (mostly Xiaomi), the menu opens through code ##4636##, but the microphone needs a different path.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type in the combination: ##36446337## (for Mediatek) or ##4636## (for Snapdragon).
2. Go to the Hardware Testing → Audio section.
3. Choose Microphone or Mic Test (the name may be different).
4. In the Type field, specify the Mic 1 (main microphone) or Mic 2 (additional, for noise reduction).
5. In Level or Volume, increase the value from 0 to 5-7 (maximum 10, but this can cause distortion).

⚠️ Warning: Changing the parameters in the engineering menu can lead to overloading of the microphone (clipping) or the appearance of a background. If after the changes, the interlocutors complain of a “robotic” voice or crackling, return the values to the factory ones.

Record the current settings (take a screen picture)

Not exceed the value of Level = 7

Check the sound after each change.

Reboot the phone to apply settings-->

3.Mic-enhancing apps: What works for Xiaomi

If your system settings don't work, try third-party apps, but be careful: most of the Google Play utilities called "Microphone Booster" are dummy tools that just filter the audio you've already recorded, and we tested 15 apps and selected 3 really working solutions:

To record videos or streams, it is better to use Wo Mic paired with OBS Studio on PC, which will allow you to use professional noise reduction filters (for example, RNNoise or NVIDIA Broadcast).

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If you use Xiaomi for streaming, connect an external microphone through the USB-C (For example, Fifine. K688). Even budget models will give a better sound than the built-in microphone. MIUI supportive OTG-audio without additional drivers.

4. Cleaning the microphone from dust and moisture

Physical pollution is one of the most common causes of quiet sound, and microphones on Xiaomi are usually located in:

• 📍 In the lower part of the body (near the connector) USB-C).
• 📍 On the upper edge (near the speaker).
• 📍 Under the camera (on some models, for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite).

For cleaning:

1. Use a soft brush (for example, for makeup) or a toothpick with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
2. Carefully walk along the microphone grille in circular motions.
3. To remove moisture (if the phone fell into the water), use silica gel (packages of shoeboxes) - put the phone in a sealed bag with silica gel for 12-24 hours.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use compressed air (keyboard cleaners) - a strong jet can damage the microphone membrane. Also avoid cotton swabs - villi can get stuck in the grille.

5. Firmware problems: resetting and flashing

If the microphone sound was quiet after the MIUI update, it could be a firmware bug. For example, MIUI 14.0.3 for the Redmi Note 11 had a defect that caused the microphone to run at 50% volume on WhatsApp and Telegram.

• 🔄 Resetting settings (without deleting data): Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings.
• 📥 Firmware rollback to stable version via Mi Flash Tool (unlocked bootloader required).
• 🛠️ Manual editing of the file mixer_paths.xml (This file is responsible for routing sound in Android.

For firmware rollback:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from en.miui.com (select Stable, not Developer).
2. Unpack the archive and place the firmware folder in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system, tap the icon "⋮" → Select a firmware file.

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If the microphone sound is only lost in a particular application (such as Discord or Zoom) after the update, clear the cache of this application in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when you need to service

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be:

• 🔌 Oxidized microphone contacts on the motherboard (often after moisture is ingested).
• 🎛️ A damaged audio amplifier (Audio Codec chip, such as Qualcomm) WCD9385 or Mediatek MT6359).
• 🔊 Breaking of the flexible plume connecting the microphone to the board (relevant for models with a removable back cover, for example, Redmi). 9A).

Diagnostics in the service will cost 300-800 rubles (depending on the city), the microphone replacement costs 1,000-2,500 rubles, the sound amplifier - 2,000-4000 rubles. If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with IP53/IP68 (for example, Xiaomi 13 pro POCO X5 Pro) The microphone can be sealed with sealed tape, easily damaged by self-disassembly, resulting in loss of water protection.

7.Alternative solutions: external microphones and Bluetooth headsets

If the built-in microphone is not configured, consider external devices:

• 🎙️ USB-C microphones (e.g., Boya) BY-M3 Fifine K688) — Connect directly to the phone and work without additional power.
• 📶 Bluetooth noise-canceling headsets (e.g., Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or SoundPEATS) Air3).
• 🎧 Gamer headphones with a remote microphone (for example, HyperX Cloud) II Wireless).

For streamers and bloggers, a lavaier microphone (such as Rode VideoMic Me-C) that attaches to the phone via USB-C and provides studio sound quality starts at 3,000 rubles, but the result justifies the investment.

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When using an external microphone, turn off the built-in recording settings. In MIUI, this is done in the Camera or Recorder app through the microphone settings menu.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the microphone on Xiaomi