Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone often wonder about improving the quality of the audio they play, especially when using wireless headphones. Standard Android settings do not always allow you to unlock the full potential of audio equipment, so activating HD Audio becomes a priority for music lovers. In this article, we will discuss in detail the methods of forcing high-quality codecs and hidden system options.
It should be noted that the term “HD Audio” in the context of Xiaomi mobile devices often implies not one specific button, but a set of data transmission settings, which refers to the transition from the standard SBC codec to more advanced protocols such as AAC, aptX or LDAC.
Before you start making changes to the system, you need to make sure that your headphones or Bluetooth headset also support the stated formats. Without the appropriate equipment on the receiver side, turning on the settings on the Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone will not give the desired effect, since the connection will be established at the lowest common denominator. We will consider both software methods through the developer menu and deeper intervention options.
Check codec support on Redmi Note 8 Pro
The first step before activating any improvements is to diagnose the current capabilities of your device.The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is based on the MediaTek Helio G90T processor, which is theoretically capable of handling high-quality streams, but the MIUI software shell can limit their use by default.
To find out which codecs are available to your system right now, you can use the built-in debugging tools, which will avoid installing third-party software and give you accurate information about the current status of the connection. You don't need to be an engineer to read this data.
- 📱 Open the Settings menu and go to About Phone section.
- ⚡ Find the item Version. MIUI And press it quickly. 7-10 once in a row, until a notification of the activation of the developer mode appears.
- 🔧 Go back to the main settings menu, select Additional and find a new item for developers.
Inside the developer menu, we're interested in the Bluetooth section, and that's where the key switches are hidden. Find the Bluetooth Codec and click on it, and you'll see a list of audio compression formats available to your device.
⚠️ Note: If only available on the list SBC and AAC, This means that your smartphone or current firmware version does not support native high-resolution codecs (HD) like an aptX HD or LDAC without additional.
Also worth paying attention to is the bitrate and sampling rate that are displayed next to the selected codec. For HD Audio sound quality, values should be close to 990 kbit/s for LDAC or at least 576 kbit/s for aptX HD. Standard SBC usually operates at significantly lower data rates.
Activate HD Audio through the Developer Menu
Once you've made sure that the hidden options are there, you can force them to activate. The developer menu in MIUI provides access to settings that are usually hidden from the average user for system stability. However, if your goal is maximum sound quality, these risks are justified.
In the Developer section, scroll down to the Network or Bluetooth block. Here you will find some important switches. First, activate the Bluetooth Audio Codec option and select the best option your headset supports from the list. If you have a choice between aptX and LDAC, choose the latter for maximum quality.
Next, you need to adjust the bitrate settings, find Bitrate Bluetooth and set a value of 990 kbit/s (or the maximum available), which force the Bluetooth module to transmit more data per second, which directly affects the detail of the sound.
☑️ Activation checklist HD Audio
It's important to understand that once you change these settings, you need to completely reconnect the Bluetooth device. Just turn off and turn on Bluetooth on the phone may not be enough; it's better to perform the "Forget the device" action in the list of conjugated gadgets and create a pair again, only then the handshake protocol agrees on new transmission parameters.
Some users have noted that after the HD Audio is turned on, battery life can be reduced, due to the increased load on the processor and Bluetooth module when encoding and transmitting high-resolution streams. However, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with its capacious battery, this change should not be critical.
Using an engineering menu to customize the sound
If the standard developer menu isn't enough, you can access some system settings through the engineering menu. On devices with MediaTek processors, which include the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this tool provides access to low-level audio subsystem settings.
To enter the engineering menu, open the Phone app and enter a special combination. The most common code for Xiaomi/Redmi devices is ##3646633##. After entering the last digit, the Engineer Mode menu should automatically open.
In the interface that opens, go to the Hardware Testing tab, then select Audio. Here you are interested in the AudioDebug or Speech Enhancement section. Depending on the version of MIUI, the interface may differ, but the logic remains the same: search for settings related to Bluetooth Audio.
The Way to the Menu: Hardware Testing -> Audio -> AudioDebug -> Bluetooth AudioIn this section, you can find options for signal amplification or switching the Bluetooth chip profiles. Be very careful: changing unknown parameters can lead to the complete disappearance of sound or imbalances.
It is recommended to take screenshots of the initial values before making any changes.
⚠️ Note: Do not change the meanings in the sections related to"PCM" or"I2S", If you don't understand their purpose, it can cause digital distortion of the sound in all applications.
Of particular interest is the BT Sample Rate option. If it is available for editing, try setting a value of 48000 or 96000 Hz. This meets Hi-Res Audio standards and can improve the sound when listening to high-quality tracks through streaming services.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Third-party applications for activating codecs
When built-in tools fail to achieve the desired result, specialized applications from the Google Play Market come to the rescue, which allow you to manage Android audio drivers more flexibly than standard MIUI settings.
One of the most popular tools is the Lesser AudioSwitch app, which allows you to force the output of sound between the speaker, headphones and Bluetooth, and also choose your preferred codec if it is supported by hardware, but hidden by the system.
- 📥 Download and install Lesser AudioSwitch or analogue (e.g. Bluetooth Codec Changer).
- 🔒 Give the application the necessary permissions (usually you need permissions to change system settings).
- 🎛️ In the application interface, find the Bluetooth partition and select the desired codec from the drop-down list.
Another powerful tool is Material Codec, which allows you not only to change the codec, but also to adjust the bitrate and sampling rate for each connected device separately, which is especially convenient if you use different headphones for sports and for home.
On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, obtaining root rights (via Magisk) is a relatively simple procedure, but it automatically voids the warranty and can disrupt the operation of banking applications (although this is necessary).
| Annex | Demands a Root. | Functional | Compatibility with MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser AudioSwitch | No (basic) | Switching output, selecting a codec | Tall. |
| Material Codec | Yes (for all functions) | Deep bitrate and frequency setting | Medium |
| Bluetooth Codec Changer | No. | Forced codec selection | Tall. |
| Poweramp Equalizer | No. | Equalizer + Management of conclusions | Tall. |
Using third-party software has its own risks: applications can conflict with MIUI system services, causing connection breaks or increased power consumption, and if the phone starts to behave unstable after installing such software, it is better to delete the application and restart the device.
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Before installing audio management applications, back up important data. While the risk is minimal, interfering with system audio settings always requires caution.
Problems and Solutions When Configuring HD Audio
While tuning the high-quality audio to the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often face a number of typical problems, and understanding the causes of these problems will help quickly restore the system to work without going to a service center.
The most common problem is that there is a sound, but it is interrupted or cracked. This is a classic sign that the bandwidth of the Bluetooth channel is exceeded. If you set the maximum bitrate of LDAC, but you are in an area with a lot of radio interference (mac, station), the communication will be unstable.
The solution is simple: temporarily reduce the quality of the transfer in the developer menu to Balance or Connection Priority. This will reduce bitrate, but provide a stable connection. Also try to move away from sources of interference or remove the phone from your pocket if it is shielded by the body.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound is completely gone after the codec change (silence instead of music), check if you select a codec that is not supported by the headphones. The system may be stuck in data transfer mode that the receiver cannot decode. HD The codec is on the list, it's just gray or not. That means the Bluetooth driver is in the current firmware version. MIUI In this case, only waiting for a system update or flashing to a global version helps. ROM), And codec certification is often broader, and sometimes users complain about the dissynchronization of audio and video when they turn on. HD Audio. This is because high-quality coding takes longer. In the developer settings, you can find the item “Bluetooth Audio Latency”, but its manual setting rarely gives the perfect result without specialized software. 💡The stability of the connection is more important than the maximum bitrate. LDAC It causes interference, switch to aptX or AAC comfortable-listening. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Does Inclusion Impact HD Audio to charge the Redmi Note battery 8 Pro? Yes, it does. High bitrate data transfer requires more active work of the Bluetooth module and the processor, which increases power consumption. 5-10% It's a total time spent listening to music, why isn't there a codec list? LDAC, I mean, although the headphones support it, it's probably your version. MIUI or regional firmware not certified for codec use LDAC. This is common in Russian firmware versions. Try installing a third-party codec management app or upgrading to the latest available version. Can you improve audio via AUX on the Redmi Note 8 Pro? The Redmi Note 8 Pro model does not have a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. Sound is transmitted only via USB-C or Bluetooth. For wired connection, you will need a quality DAC in the USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, since there is no built-in analog output on the phone. Will the MIUI update reset sound? Yes, when you update the firmware, all changes to the HD menus are usually repeated after the Audi switches to the system and the switches to the switches to the HD menu.