How to increase the volume in Xiaomi wireless headphones on Android: all ways

Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are among the most popular smartphone accessories, thanks to a combination of price, quality and functionality. However, many users face a problem: even at maximum volume in Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless 2 or Buds 4 Pro, the sound seems quieter than in wired counterparts, the reasons are rooted in the limitations of Android, the security policy of MIUI and the hardware limits of the headphones themselves.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to turn up the volume, from basic smartphone settings to hidden menu features and third-party utilities. It’s important to understand that some methods can cause sound distortion or shorten the life of speakers when used excessively, so we’ll give you safe limits for each technique.

If you use Xiaomi headphones with a phone from another brand (such as Samsung or iPhone), some of the ways will also work, but the effectiveness may differ. The main focus of the article is to optimize the sound on Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI 12-14.

1. Check basic volume settings in MIUI

Before you resort to radical measures, make sure the problem isn't with standard settings. MIUI has separate volume controls for multimedia, calls and notifications, and hidden options for Bluetooth devices.

Open Settings → Sound and vibration and follow the following steps:

• 🔊 Divide Volume Controls: Turn on the option of Separate Volume Control to independently adjust the sound for headphones and speakers.
• 🎧 Check your Bluetooth profile: in the Bluetooth Devices section, find your headphones, click on the settings gear and select A2DP (for music instead HFP (call-in).
• 🔄 Reset the sound settings: at the bottom of the page click Reset the sound settings if you have previously experimented with an equalizer.

Pay special attention to Safe Volume (available on MIUI 13+), which automatically lowers the volume during long-term listening, turn it off or increase the limit manually.

2.Use of equalizer and MIUI presets

The built-in equalizer in MIUI allows you not only to adjust the frequencies, but also indirectly influence the perceived volume, for example, the amplification of low and high frequencies creates a "volume effect", which makes the sound appear louder.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Equator.
2. Select a User Profile and manually lift sliders to 60 Hz (bass) and 16 kHz (high frequencies) on 3-4 divisions.
3. Save the preset under the name "Amproved Sound."

For models that support LDAC (like Buds 4 Pro), turn this codec on in your Bluetooth settings. It's a higher quality transmitter that subjectively increases volume through detail.

💡

If your version of MIUI doesn’t have a built-in equalizer, install the Wavelet app from Google Play, which supports customizations for each Bluetooth device.

3. Volume increase via engineering menu (MTK/Qualcomm)

The engineering menu is a hidden tool for deep customization of hardware parameters. In Xiaomi smartphones on Qualcomm chips (most models) and MediaTek (Redmi Note series), you can manually raise the volume limit for Bluetooth.

Attention: improper actions in the engineering menu can cause malfunctions in the audio system.

For Qualcomm:

1. Open the Phone app and type ##36446337##.
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Volume.
3. Find the Sph Max Vol (maximum volume for headphones) and set the value of 150 (standard - 80-100).

For MediaTek:

1. Enter the phone application ##4636##.
2. Select Audio → Volume.
3. Increase the Media Max Vol setting to 140 (default 100).

4. Apps to amplify sound: top-5 utility

If standard methods fail, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we tested dozens of utilities and selected those that work consistently with Xiaomi and do not cause distortion.

Important: Before installing any utilities, disable the built-in MIUI equalizer to avoid conflicts. Also check if the app supports your headphone model - some work only with A2DP, others require LDAC/aptX.

Disable the built-in equalizer MIUI|

Check reviews about compatibility with your headphone model |

Do not set the volume above 80% in the first sessions |

Monitor the temperature of the headphones (overheating is dangerous)-->

5.Setting up Bluetooth codecs: LDAC vs AAC vs SBC

Bluetooth audio quality and volume are directly dependent on the audio codec used. By default, Xiaomi often chooses SBC, a universal but outdated standard with limited bandwidth, and switching to LDAC or aptX can give you a boost in volume due to better high-frequency transmission.

How to change the codec:

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open Settings → Connected devices → Settings (cog next to the headphones).
3. Select the Audio Codec and set LDAC (Quality Priority) or aptX Adaptive (Quality and Latency Balance).

Codec comparison:

• 🔹 LDAC: Maximum quality (up to 990 kbps) but high power consumption supported by Buds 4 Pro, Mi True Wireless 2.
• 🔹 aptX Adaptive: dynamic bitrate (up to 420 kbps), low latency. Optimal for gaming.
• 🔹 AAC: Balanced codec (up to 250 kbit / s), works with all headphones.
• 🔹 SBC: Basic codec (up to 328 kbps), lowest volume gain.

Warning: If the sound starts to break or there is interference after changing the codec, go back to SBC, which means that your headphones do not support the chosen standard at the hardware level.

Hardware limitations: when software methods do not help

If neither method has produced a noticeable result, the problem may lie in the hardware limitations of the headphones themselves. Cheap models (such as the Redmi AirDots or Mi Basic) are physically unable to produce sound louder than a certain threshold due to:

• 🔋 Small speakers (diameter less than 10 mm).
• 🔌 Weak amp in headphones.
• 🔇 Passive noise reduction (no active compensation for external noise).

There are two options:

1. Replacement of headphones with a model with support for ANC (active noise cancellation) or large speakers (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro with 12 mm drivers).
2. Use an external Bluetooth amplifier (e.g., FiiO BTR3K) that connects to the phone and headphones at the same time.

Also check the tightness of the earbuds. The tight fit of the earbuds increases insulation from external noises, which subjectively makes the sound louder. Complete with most Xiaomi models come interchangeable tips of different sizes - experiment with them.

💡

If the sound is quiet after all the manipulations, but the volume is normal in wired headphones, the problem is the limitations of the Bluetooth chip of your wireless headphones. The hardware solution (new headphones or amplifier) will be the only way out.

7.Alternative methods: from firmware to physical modifications

For advanced users willing to take risks, there are radical ways to turn up the volume: They require technical skills and can void warranty.

• 📱 Brush firmware: Installing LineageOS or Pixel Experience removes restrictions MIUI It requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 🔧 Modification of the file mixer_paths.xml: In this file (is in the /system/vendor/etc/) You have volume limits. You have to change the values.
• 🔨 Soldered modifications: Replacement of resistors on headphone board (for collapsible models) Risky method requiring experience in soldering.

Example of modification mixer_paths.xml to increase the volume of Bluetooth:

<path name="bluetooth-sco">


<ctl name="BT Sco Volume" value="15" />




</path>

Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (cyclical phone reboot).Before making changes, back up /system partition via TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about volume increase