How to turn on and configure equalizer on Xiaomi: all ways for different models

Why is Xiaomi not equalizer in standard settings?

Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones face a problem: the audio settings menu simply does not have a tab with an equalizer, the reason lies in the company’s policy — since MIUI 12, developers have removed the system equalizer from the firmware for most regions, this is done to “simplify the interface”, but in practice deprives users of the ability to fine tune the sound.

But Xiaomi’s equalizer can still be activated! There are several working methods: built-in hidden settings, third-party apps, and even an engineering menu. In this article, we’ll look at everything from the simplest to the most advanced, taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 on Android 13/14).

It is important to understand that the availability of methods depends on the model of the smartphone. For example, on the flagships of the Xiaomi 13/14 series or POCO F5, hidden settings may not be available, and on the budget Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10, it works stably.

Method 1: Enabling a hidden system equalizer through sound settings

The fastest method is to activate the built-in equalizer, which is hidden in the depths of MIUI. It works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 (including Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 11 Lite, etc.), but may not be available on some firmware for the global market.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ ("In addition") in upper right corner.
3. Select the Equalizer option (if not, proceed to the next method).
4. Activate the slider at the top of the screen.

If there is no Equalizer, try an alternative path:

Settings → All settings → System applications → Music → Equalizer

Check out the MIUI version (update to the latest version)

Reboot your smartphone

Remove the Music app cache (Settings → Applications → App management → Music → Clear cache)

Try another player (e.g. Mi Music or Google Play Music)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4 GT) This method may not work because of the manufacturer's limitations, so move on to the third-party application method.

Method 2: Use of an engineering menu (for advanced users)

If the system equalizer is not available, you can try activating it through an engineering menu (MTK Engineering Mode or Qualcomm Service Menu), which is suitable for devices on MediaTek chips (for example, Redmi Note 10/11, POCO M4/M5) and some Qualcomm (Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K50).

Step-by-step instructions for MediaTek:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. Go to the Hardware Testing → Audio section.
3. Choose Speaker Mode or Headset Mode (depending on where the sound is displayed).
4. Activate the Equalizer option and set the sliders manually.

For Qualcomm chips, use a combination of:

##4636##

Then go to Audio → Volume and try to find the equalizer settings.

⚠️ Note: Not all options in the engineering menu are safe. Avoid changing the Gain, Impedance or Menu values DAC Settings can cause damage to the audio chip or complete loss of sound. If the speaker starts wheezing after the changes, reset the settings:

##7378423## → Service tests → Audio → Reset

Method 3: Third-party equalizer apps (best options for Xiaomi)

If the built-in methods don't work, you have to use third-party apps, which not only add an equalizer, but often offer advanced features: 3D-sound, bass-boost, presets for different genres of music.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi:

• 🎵 Wavelet is the best choice for root-right users. ViPER4Android, It has a built-in frequency analyzer and works even with Spotify and YouTube Music.
• 🔊 Equalizer FX — It's a simple application without root, with presets for different headphones.
• 🎧 Poweramp Equalizer - Optimized for Poweramp Player, but works with other applications as well.

How to set up Wavelet (recommended option):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Select AutoEq to automatically adjust to your headphones (if you have them in the database).
3. Activate System-wide equalizer (audio access permission required).
4. In the Equalizer section, set up sliders or select a preset (like Bass Boost or Vocal Boost).

Wavelet

Equalizer FX

Poweramp Equalizer

Other (write in the comments)

I don't use equalizer.

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⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 Some equalizer apps may not work due to Android limitations 13/14. If the sound is distorted or disappears after installation, try it:

• Disable MIUI Audio Effects in the sound settings.
• Add the application to Auto Run (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Auto Run).
• Use the Magisk module of the Audio Modification Library (root required).

Method 4: Activate the equalizer via ADB (for power users)

If you’re ready to experiment, you can enable hidden audio settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, but requires a connection to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command to ADB: adb shell settings put global audio_effects_conf_file /vendor/etc/audio_effects.conf
3. Reset the device.
4. Check the appearance of the equalizer in Settings → Sound and vibration → More.

If this method doesn’t work, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global audio_effects_enabled 1

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⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) These commands can reset all audio settings to the factory. If the sound is gone from the headphones after execution, do it:

adb shell settings delete global audio_effects_conf_file

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all ways to include equalizer on Xiaomi:

For most users, the best solution is a combination of hidden settings and Wavelet app. If you are not afraid of experimentation, try ADB or engineering menus, but be prepared for possible bugs.

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Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up an equalizer on Xiaomi, users often encounter typical errors.

• 🔇 Equalizer turns on but doesn’t work: Check if it’s disabled in the settings of a particular app (e.g. Spotify or YouTube Music has its own audio settings). → Sound. → Monozvook mode not activated.
• 🎧 Equator works only with headphones: This is a limitation MIUI — on certain models, for example, POCO X3) The equalizer only applies to 3.5mm or Bluetooth output. Solution: Use applications like Wavelet with System-wide option.
• 🔄 Equalizer settings are reset after rebooting: Clear the Music or Settings app cache (but not the data!). If the problem remains, it's a firmware bug, only an update will help. MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dolby Atmos (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra or Redmi K50 Pro) the system equalizer may conflict with surround sound technology to fix this:

1. Open the Settings → Sound → Dolby Atmos
2. Choose a Music or Game profile (instead of Auto).
3. Turn off the Adaptive Sound option.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions