Many users of modern Xiaomi smartphones often face the desire to share the audio stream with two people at once. Whether watching a movie on an airplane, listening to a podcast in the park or playing together, the ability to stream the sound to two devices at once is becoming a highly sought-after feature. However, standard Bluetooth settings in the MIUI or HyperOS interface are not always obvious, and finding the right switch can take a long time.
Wireless technology has come a long way in recent years, allowing Xiaomi smartphones to work with multiple audio streams without delay and desynchronization. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate Dual Audio mode, what are the limitations of the Bluetooth protocol, and how to circumvent system bans if your phone model does not support the function out of the box.
It’s worth noting that the success of the operation depends not only on the phone’s settings, but also on the Bluetooth protocol version in the headphones themselves. Older headsets may not support simultaneous connection to a single signal source, even if the smartphone is technically capable of doing this. Before you start, make sure that your TWS-Headphones or regular Bluetooth headsets are quite modern and charged.
Technical requirements and compatibility of devices
Before you start pairing, you need to make sure that your equipment meets the minimum technical requirements. Xiaomi smartphones released in the last 3-4 years, as a rule, equipped with Bluetooth modules version 5.0 and higher, which is a basic condition for stable operation of two communication channels. Older versions of the protocol may simply not withstand the load when transmitting stereo sound to two receivers.
It's important to understand the difference between A2DP profile support and multi-connection. Most current Redmi and Mi models support Bluetooth 5.0, which theoretically allows multiple devices to be connected, but the MIUI software shell can limit audio output to only one active channel by default, which is done to save battery power and prevent codec conflicts.
It also matters what type of headphones you use. TWS-In headsets (where each headphone is independent), the system can perceive them as one device if they are paired together. But if you want to connect two separate pairs of headphones (for example, your Xiaomi Buds 3 and a friend's headphones), the phone must be able to distribute the audio stream to two different audio streams. MAC-address.
- 🎧 Bluetooth version 5.0 and higher in the Xiaomi smartphone.
- 🔋 Batteries of both connected devices at least 30%.
- 📱 Up-to-date version of the firmware MIUI HyperOS to support new codecs.
- 🔊 Supporting the profile A2DP Sink on both receiving devices.
⚠️ Attention: When two Bluetooth devices work simultaneously, the battery consumption of the smartphone can increase by a factor of 15-20% It is recommended to have a power bank on hand if you plan a long listening session.
Dual Audio in MIUI and HyperOS
In modern versions of Xiaomi shells, audio sharing is often built directly into the Bluetooth menu, but hidden from the eyes of the average user. To activate it, you first need to pair both devices separately. Go to the settings, turn on Bluetooth and plug in the first pair of headphones, wait for the sound confirmation, and then connect the second.
Once both devices are listed as "Conjugated Devices" and have "Connected" status, go to advanced settings. In some versions of MIUI, you need to click on the gear next to the device name or use the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen. Look for an item that may be called "Audio output", "Play on" or Dual Audio.
If you can't activate the mode with standard methods, try using the control panel. Swipe from top to bottom to open the "Stork", and find the media control widget or Bluetooth. Sometimes there's an additional plus-plus speaker icon that allows you to add a second device "on the fly", without deep immersion in the settings menu.
☑️ Connection algorithm
It is worth considering that the interface may differ depending on the regional version of the firmware. Global ROM may be called differently than in Chinese (CN ROM). If you do not find the right switch, perhaps your version of the shell requires activation through special codes or hidden developer menus, which will be discussed below.
| Xiaomi model | Android version | Dual Audio support | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 / 14 | Android 13/14 | Native. | It works out of the box. |
| Redmi Note 12 | Android 12/13 | Through settings | Requires MIUI 14+ |
| Poco F5 | Android 13 | Native. | Stable work |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 | Android 10/11 | Limited. | Possible delays |
Using the Developer Menu to Expand Opportunities
If the standard interface doesn't have an explicit switch for two headphones, the developer menu comes to the rescue. It's a hidden part of the system, designed for debugging, but with a lot of useful features for advanced users. To get there, open About Phone and quickly press 7 times the build number (MIUI Version) until the activation message appears.
In the Developer menu that opens, scroll down to Network or Bluetooth. Find Bluetooth Audio Codec or Bluetooth AVRCP Version. Changing AVRCP to 1.5 or 1.6 often allows the system to handle metadata requests and manage multiple devices more correctly.
Another important parameter is Bluetooth Audio Codec. Switching the codec to SBC or AAC can improve compatibility with older headphones that do not support modern formats like LDAC or aptX HD when multi-connected. Experiment with settings, but remember that changing some settings can temporarily disrupt the sound.
How to reset the developer settings?
Remember that the developer menu is a powerful tool that requires caution: Changing parameters related to sampling frequency or color depth of Bluetooth can lead to connection instability. If the headphones start to stutter or permanently shut down after the changes, return all values to the default state.
Application of third-party applications for sound separation
When Xiaomi’s system limitations prevent two devices from being enabled, specialized apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, like Sound Assistant (from Samsung, but it runs many Androids) or Audio Share, which allows you to programmatically redirect the audio stream, and they create a virtual mixer that broadcasts the sound to all available Bluetooth outputs.
The way these gates work is to intercept the system audio signal before it is sent to the Bluetooth driver, and the application clones the stream and sends it to two different addresses, which can create a minimum latency that is noticeable when watching the video, but the difference is not significant for listening to music.
When using third-party software, it is important to give the application all the permissions requested, especially access to the microphone and media management. Without these permissions, the program will not be able to intercept sound. Some applications require the purchase of a premium version to unlock the multi-connection feature, as this is considered an advanced option.
- 📲 Sound Assistant – allows you to set individual volumes for different applications.
- 🔊 Audio Share – specializes in transmitting sound to multiple devices.
- 🎵 LesserSwitch – a utility for quick switching between audio outputs.
- ⚙️ Bluetooth Connect – Automates the process of reconnecting devices.
⚠️ Note: Install applications from unknown sources or use modified applications APK-files to unlock system functions can lead to infection of the device with viruses. Use only proven software from official stores.
Solving problems with desynchronization and delays
One of the biggest problems with connecting two pairs of headphones is that you can desynchronize the sound, and one listener can hear music in advance or in fractions of a second, which is critical for rhythmic tracks or movies, because of the way the signal is encoded and the different processing speeds in the headphone chips.
To minimize delays, it is recommended to disable all the sound "improvers" in MIUI Sound settings, such as Dolby Atmos or Mi Sound Enhancer. These effects take processing time and can be applied differently to different devices, amplifying the out-of-synchron. Use the "Normal" or "Standard" sound profile.
Network resetting also helps. If the headphones are connected, but the sound is only going to one or is disturbed, try using the Bluetooth menu to select "Forget the device" for both pairs, reboot the smartphone and perform pairing again. Sometimes it helps to connect the first "leader" device (higher quality), and then the second one.
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If you're watching a video with two pairs of headphones, use players like VLC or MX Player, which have an audio delay built-in setting, and you can manually move the sound in one of the pairs to sync the picture and the audio.
Features of working with TWS-headsets of different brands
Connecting two TWS-The True Wireless Stereo is very specific, and often the phone sees the left and right earbuds as two separate devices. To avoid chaos, first connect the headphones to each other (usually removing them from the case at the same time) so that they work in pair mode, and only then connect this pair to the phone as a single device.
If you connect two different things TWS-Headsets (like AirDots and Honor Earbuds), make sure they are not in pairing mode.Each pair should be independently linked to the smartphone. Xiaomi does a good job of mixing signals from different manufacturers, but perfect synchronization is guaranteed only when using headphones of the same brand and series.
Owners of older Xiaomi models should know that the hardware limitation of the chip may not allow you to transfer stereo sound to two devices at once, in which case the system can switch to mono mode or disable one of the devices.
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Key takeaway: The stability of the two headphones depends on the Bluetooth version and the smartphone processor load. Use the same generation and brand devices for the perfect result.