How to turn on noise cancellation on Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including its Redmi and POCO sub-brands, feature advanced audio processing algorithms that often remain hidden from the user by default. The problem of background noise during a conversation or recording voice messages is familiar to every owner, especially when in high-traffic areas or in the wind. Built-in AI systems are able to cut off extraneous sounds, leaving only the voice of the interlocutor clean, but you need to set the device correctly.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to activate and adjust noise reduction on different versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell. You will learn how to manage microphone parameters, whether to use third-party applications and what hidden functions of the engineering menu can help in critical situations.

Before you get to specific steps, it’s important to understand that methods can vary depending on your gadget’s model and the version of the operating system installed.Some features are only available on flagship Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi 14 series models, while budget devices may require additional software solutions.

Built-in noise reduction functions in MIUI and HyperOS

MIUI shells and the new HyperOS provide basic sound filtering tools that work at the system level, and they are most often activated automatically when a conversation or recording begins, but the user can influence their performance through standard settings, and first of all, check the audio and vibration partition, where the switches associated with recording quality can be located.

Many devices have a noise reduction function that is tightly integrated into the modem's algorithms and doesn't have a separate button in the regular menu. However, recent firmware versions have enabled the ability to select the microphone modes when using a voice recorder or video recording. To access these settings, you need to go to the Dictophone app, click on the three-point menu, and select Recording Settings, which often hides the noise reduction option.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note models may use noise reduction to cut down on low voice frequencies. If someone complains that your voice has become deaf, try turning this option off in a particular app.

You should also pay attention to the settings of the Phone app itself, and depending on the regional version of the firmware (Chinese, global or Russian), the interface may differ. Global versions often feature the item “Improving sound quality” or “HD Voice”, which indirectly affects the operation of algorithms for cleaning the audio stream in real time.

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Setting up noise reduction during calls

The quality of communication during phone calls is a priority for most users, and here Xiaomi’s system offers several levels of interference protection. The basic mechanism works automatically, analyzing the frequency spectrum of the incoming signal and suppressing static noise. However, in high winds or the rumble of transport, automation may not cope, requiring manual adjustment or use of a headset.

If you use wireless headphones like Xiaomi Buds, noise reduction control is often transferred to the Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Home app. In this case, the settings of the smartphone itself play a secondary role, since the sound processing takes place inside the case or the headphones themselves. However, additional options for a particular device can be found in the Bluetooth connection menu, including the Audio Codec switch, the choice of which (for example, LDAC or aptX) can affect the transmission of pure sound.

To improve the quality of voice communication over the cellular network, it is recommended to make sure that VoLTE is activated in the settings of the mobile network. 4G/5G, This allows for a wider frequency range and better operation of the noise reduction algorithms on the operator and device side. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choice SIM-map → Use VoLTE.

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Use of third-party applications for recording

Xiaomi’s regular voice recorder is functional, but it doesn’t always provide the flexible filtering settings needed to professionally record lectures or interviews. In such cases, third-party apps from Google Play that use their own algorithms come to the rescue. DSP-These programs often allow you to adjust the sensory level of the microphone and the degree of noise suppression by hand.

One popular solution is Dolby On or RecForge II, which allows you to use different presets to record in noisy environments. Once you install such an application, you will need to give it permission to access the microphone, and possibly adjust the priority of using the main or secondary microphone.

When using third-party software, it is worth considering that some Xiaomi models have restrictions on access to raw audio from third-party applications for security reasons, which can lead to the fact that in a third-party voice recorder, noise cancellation will work worse than in the system, since the application receives sound already processed by the system.

Why can third-party applications not work?
Some manufacturers restrict access to the microphone for third-party applications in the background, so to get around this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the voice recorder app, and select the "No Limits" mode, which allows the program to use the CPU resources to process sound well even when the screen is off.

Engineering menu and hidden microphone settings

For advanced users who want to gain full control of their smartphone audio, there is an engineering menu, a hidden part of the system designed to test equipment by engineers in the factory, but available for activation through special code, and you can find detailed microphone sensitivity settings and noise reduction test modes.

To get into the engineering menu, open the Phone app and dial the code ##6484## or #4636##. In the Hardware Test menu that opens, you need to find the audio-related section (often called Main Camera or Speaker, but you need to search for the Mic subsection).

In some versions of the engineering menu, the Noise Reduction Mode option is available, which can change the behavior of the microphone, but requires extreme caution, and if it is not set correctly, it can cause the microphone to stop working or transmit distorted sound.

ParameterDescriptionRecommended value
ANC (Active Noise Control)Active noise cancellationOn (On)
NS (Noise Suppression)Noise suppression by algorithmsHigh level (High)
AEC (Acoustic Echo Canceller)Echo suppressionOn (On)
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)Automatic volume controlOn (On)

⚠️ Attention: Making changes to the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the sound subsystem. Before changing any parameters, it is recommended to take a screenshot of the initial values to be able to return everything as it was.

The impact of covers and accessories on sound quality

Often, the cause of poor sound quality and ineffective noise reduction is physical factors, not software settings. Xiaomi smartphones usually have two or three microphones: one at the bottom, one at the top and sometimes a third at the back to record video. If you use a tight protective case, it can block the holes of microphones, creating a “barrel” effect or amplifying vibrations.

This is especially true for silicone and leather cases, which over time deform and can fit tightly into the case, in which case the noise reduction system starts to work incorrectly, trying to filter out the hum created by the opening itself, and as a result can drown out your voice. Take off the cover and check whether the quality of the recording or conversation has changed.

It's also worth checking the mic nets, which eventually get clogged with dust, pocket pile and dirt, and you can't use sharp objects or compressed air under high pressure to clean them, because you can damage the membrane, and you can use a soft brush or a special sticky tape to clean them up.

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Use a soft toothbrush to clean the microphone nets carefully, a simple but effective way to restore microphone sensitivity that no software settings can solve.

Problems with Bluetooth headsets and their solution

When using Bluetooth headsets with Xiaomi phones, users often find that noise cancellation works great for incoming sound (you hear silence), but the interlocutors hear all your surrounding sounds.

If your headset doesn't have its own powerful noise-cancellation algorithms, you can try activating system improvements. In Bluetooth settings, clicking on a gear next to the connected device, look for "Sound Improvement" or "MI Sound." While these settings primarily affect music playback, in some cases they activate additional communication profiles that improve voice transmission.

Another common problem is desynchronizing profiles. If the headset supports a Hands-Free Profile (HFP) profile with broadband support, make sure it is activated. The options menu, which can be enabled by quickly clicking on the build number in the About Phone section, has Bluetooth Audio Codec settings. Switching the codec can solve the problem of intermittent sound or noise.

How to enter the developer menu on Xiaomi?
To activate the hidden menu, go to Settings → About the phone. Find the line "Version." MIUI» or "Version" OS» And press it fast. 7-10 Once in a row, until the notification "You became a developer" appears, and then a new section "Developers" will appear in the "Additional" menu, where you can find the settings of Bluetooth codecs.
Why is noise reduction turned off in messengers?
Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram use their own audio compression algorithms that can conflict with Xiaomi's system noise cancellation. Often the system "thinks" that a video or game is being recorded and changes the microphone profile. Try finding the Sound and Video section in the messenger settings and disabling the "Use hardware acceleration" or "Traffic savings" options, which can improve voice processing.
Does screen recording affect noise reduction?
Yes, when you turn on the sound screen, the system can switch the microphone to system audio capture mode or change noise cancellation priorities. If you notice a deterioration in the quality of the call while recording the screen, complete the recording or change the sound source in the screen recording settings to Microphone instead of System Sound.

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The noise reduction quality on Xiaomi is the combination of hardware microphones, operating system algorithms and the correct configuration of a particular application.

To sum up, enabling and adjusting noise reduction on Xiaomi smartphones requires attention to detail. From choosing the right case to fine-tuning the engineering menu, each step can contribute to the purity of your voice. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings within safe limits to find the perfect balance for your device and usage conditions.