How to Enable LDAC/LHDC Codec on Xiaomi: Expert Guide

Today’s flagship and mid-budget smartphones, Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, have enormous multimedia potential that is often hidden from the default user. The built-in high-resolution audio codec can do wonders with sound quality, turning listening to music into a full-fledged audiophile experience. However, standard settings of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system often limit data transfer over Bluetooth, using basic codecs like SBC for maximum compatibility.

Activation of advanced compression algorithms, such as LDAC, LHDC or HD, It requires tampering with hidden parts of the system, and it's not just a switch in the Bluetooth menu, it's a deep setup of the audio stream settings, and you're going to need to access the developer menu, where the Bluetooth Audio Codec control keys are hidden. TWS-The headphones will sound mediocre.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail the activation process, possible pitfalls, and the technical nuances of the protocols on Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets used in Xiaomi devices, you will learn how to make a smartphone transmit sound in a resolution close to the studio, and what restrictions the Android architecture itself imposes.

Technical differences: LDAC, LHDC and standard codecs

Before you get into the settings, you need to understand the physical difference between audio formats. The standard SBC (Sub-band Coding) codec is a must for all Bluetooth devices, but it compresses the audio stream very much, cutting down on high frequencies and dynamic range. It's quite enough for a regular phone conversation or podcasts, but it's not suitable for music.

That changes when high-resolution codecs come into play. Sony’s LDAC allows data to be transmitted at up to 990 kbps, three times faster than standard Bluetooth audio. It supports sampling rates of up to 96 kHz and 24-bit depth. LHDC (Low Latency High Definition Audio Codec) is a competitor to SAVITECH, which is often found in Xiaomi devices and provides similar quality with lower power consumption.

The bitrate is the key here. The higher it is, the more details of the original track are saved when airborne, but it is worth remembering that these codecs require support from both the smartphone (source), headphones or headset (receiver).

• 🎵 LDAC: Maximum quality, high bitrate, but greater power consumption and sensitivity to interference.
• 🚀 LHDC: Balance between quality and low latency, optimized for mobile processors.
• 📉 SBC/AAC: Basic codecs for maximum compatibility, but with a noticeable loss of quality on complex tracks.

It is important to note that having codec support in the specifications of a Xiaomi smartphone does not guarantee its automatic activation.The system can prioritize the stability of the connection by choosing a lesser quality but more reliable protocol.

Preparation of the device: activation of the developer menu

To access hidden audio settings, you'll need to activate developer mode. This is a standard procedure for Android devices that allows you to access diagnostic tools and fine-tuning the system. On Xiaomi smartphones, this process is a little hidden in the depths of the MIUI shell interface.

First, go to the basic smartphone settings and find the "About Phone" item. Here you need to find the "Version" line. MIUI» (or "Version" OS» You need to click on the logo or version number quickly and repeatedly — usually it takes 7 to 10 clicks.

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If nothing happens after 10 clicks, check if you have ad blockers or third-party launchers that can intercept clicks. In rare cases, you need to turn off Advanced Settings in the security menu.

Once activated successfully, a new option will appear in the main settings menu, "For Developers" in the "Additional" section, and this is where all the necessary controls for the Bluetooth stack are located. Be careful: changing other settings in this menu without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable system operation or data loss.

• 🔓 Open "Settings» → «The phone».
• 👆 Find the "Version" MIUI» and press 7-10 once.
• 🔍 Go to "Additional» → «For developers».
• ⚙️ Scroll down to the “Network” or “Bluetooth” section».

⚠️ Warning: Enabling Developer Mode May Make a Device More Vulnerable to Debugging USB. Do not leave this mode on permanently unless you use it for specific tasks, such as setting up codecs.

Search and Configure Bluetooth Audio Codec

Once you log into the developer menu, you'll see a long list of technical options, and we're interested in the Bluetooth section, and depending on the Android version and the MIUI shell, it can be called Bluetooth Audio Codec, Bluetooth AAC Codec, or it can be inside the Bluetooth Audio Codec submenus.

If you find the right item, you'll see a list of available codecs. If your smartphone and connected headphones support LDAC or LHDC, they'll show up in the list. Choosing a specific codec makes the smartphone try to initiate a connection through that protocol every time a compatible device is connected.

Consider that the choice of codec in the developer menu is global, which means that when you connect headphones that do not support the chosen high standard, the system can either automatically roll back to the SBC or (in rare cases) not connect at all if you choose a hard priority.

The Bluetooth audio bit rate and sampling rate are also worth noting. For maximum quality, 24 bits and 96 kHz (or 48 kHz if 96 is causing artifacts) are recommended in conjunction with LDAC, but the actual bitrate will still change dynamically depending on the quality of the radio signal.

Engineering menu and hidden settings (Engineer Mode)

In some cases, a standard developer menu is not enough, especially on devices with MediaTek processors, where audio drivers can be blocked by the manufacturer, and an engineering menu comes to the rescue – a deep level of diagnostics, available through special code in the “bell ringer”.

Xiaomi's engineering menus often use code ##6484## (CIT) or #3646633## (MediaTek Engineer Mode), but global firmware often shuts down the latter. If the code doesn't work, you can try installing the MTK Engineering Mode app from the Play Market store, although it's limited on newer versions of Android.

Example of CIT login code (works on most Xiaomi):

##6484##


Alternative path through ADB (PC required):



adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

If you manage to get into the engineering menu (Hardware Testing -> Audio -> Audio Debugger), you can find settings related to Bluetooth DAC. You can force support for certain frequencies or check the status of the codec connection in real time. Audio Debug allows you to see which codec is active at the moment.

Using the engineering menu requires special care. Changing the settings in the sections marked as "Debug" or "Test" can cause the sound to disappear completely or the device to reboot. Always remember the original values before making changes.

Equipment compatibility and codec table

Even after you set up your smartphone correctly, the sound quality will be limited by the capabilities of your headset. Not all headphones with the "Hi-Res" logo support LDAC or LHDC on Xiaomi devices. Often manufacturers only certify one platform (for example, only Android or only iOS with AAC).

Below is a table of compatibility of popular codecs and their characteristics so you understand what to expect from your bundle of smartphones and headphones.

Note the line from LHDC. This codec is native to many Xiaomi flagships (Mi 10, Mi 11, Xiaomi 12/13/14 Ultra), but is often absent from Redmi's budget models. If you don't see LHDC in the codec list, then either your smartphone is not licensed or the Bluetooth module does not support this standard hardware.

Also worth mentioning is aptX Adaptive, an evolution of Qualcomm’s codec that automatically adjusts bitrates based on signal reception conditions and content type (game or music), which is often more stable than LDAC on Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon processors, especially in noisy air.

Problems, delays and troubleshooting

The switch to high-resolution codecs doesn't go unnoticed by the system. The main side effect is the increased latency. When you watch video, this is offset by synchronization algorithms, but in games you can notice the disconnect between the shot and the sound. The LDAC and LHDC codecs in maximum quality mode have the greatest latency.

The second problem is connectivity stability: high bitrate requires a clean data channel. In a subway, shopping mall or office with dozens of Wi-Fi routers, LDAC connections can be permanently interrupted and the sound will stutter, in which case the system must lower the quality itself, but sometimes manual intervention is required.

⚠️ Attention: If, when switched on, LDAC The sound is interrupted every few seconds, try the developer menu to find the item “Bluetooth”. AVRCP Version" and change it to 1.4 or 1.5. Also helps to disable the option "Absolute Volume" (Absolute Volume).

To minimize interrupt problems, you can use the Bluetooth Codec Changer app (Root required) or specialized modules that allow you to prioritize codecs more flexibly than the standard Android menu. However, for most users, it is enough to simply switch to aptX Adaptive or reduce the bitrate of LDAC to 660 kbit / s in the settings of the smartphone itself (if the model allows).

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Connection stability is more important than maximum bitrate. If LDAC is running in snags, you'd better switch to aptX or AAC -- you'll lose some of the detail, but you'll keep the piece of music intact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)