Today’s users often face the challenge of streaming audio to two devices simultaneously, whether it’s a desire to watch a movie together in silence or simply a technical necessity, but the standard Bluetooth logic of connecting a single source to a single receiver is confusing.
Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have provided several workarounds to accomplish this task, depending on your headphone model and the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, the methods can vary significantly. Some methods require deep customization, while others are available in a single click through the system menu.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to synchronize two headsets, we will look at both native system functions and third-party solutions that will help you organize the joint listening to music without delays and desynchronization of sound.
Hardware capabilities of TWS Stereo technology
The first thing to understand is the physical way your devices work, and most of the current Redmi Buds and Mi True Wireless models support TWS Stereo (True Wireless Stereo), a technology that allows you to combine two separate earbuds into a single stereo system, where the left channel is transmitted to one device and the right channel is transmitted to another.
However, users often refer to “two headphones” as two separate sets (e.g. two AirDots cases), in which case the standard TWS mode will not work, as it is designed for a “left + right” bundle. Two pairs of headphones with one phone require Bluetooth Dual Audio protocol support or special pairing modes.
Importantly, not all models support the simultaneous operation of two independent headsets at the system level.Only Xiaomi and Redmi flagship models with Bluetooth 5.0 modules and higher guarantee the stable operation of two audio devices without loss of quality.Older versions may have difficulty synchronizing streams, which will lead to echoes or desynchronization.
- 🎧 Regime. TWS Stereo combines two headphones from one case into a stereo pair.
- 📡 Dual Audio protocol allows you to stream audio to two different Bluetooth headsets.
- ⚙️ Two pairs of headphones often require support for AptX Adaptive or similar codecs.
⚠️ Note: When trying to connect two different sets of headphones (for example, two left-hand earphones), make sure that they were previously torn in pairs with each other, otherwise there will be a conflict of channels.
Use of the Dual Audio system function in MIUI
Starting with certain versions of the MIUI 12 shell and later, and HyperOS, there's built-in support for multi-device audio output, which is hidden in the developer menu or in advanced Bluetooth settings, depending on the firmware region, and you don't need third-party apps to activate it.
First, you need to put both sets of headphones in pairing mode. Usually, you need to remove them from the case and pinch the touch panels before the display appears. Then, in the Bluetooth menu of your Xiaomi smartphone, find the first device and connect. After successful pairing, do not leave the menu, but immediately look for the second device in the list of available devices.
If your smartphone supports multi-connection, the system will allow you to add a second device without turning off the first. In some cases, you may need to activate the "Multi-device output" item in the Bluetooth settings, after which the sound will be duplicated on both headsets with minimal latency.
Consider that activating this feature can increase the power consumption of the smartphone. The Bluetooth module starts to work in a strengthened mode, transmitting two data streams, so if you watch movies in a company for a long time, it is better to have Power Bank on hand.
Setup through the Xiaomi Earbuds app
To fine-tune and manage multiple devices, Xiaomi has developed a special Xiaomi Earbuds app (formerly known as Mi Buds M8 or similar versions for different regions), which allows you to see the charge status of each earphone separately and control noise reduction modes.
While the app is primarily designed to manage one set, it helps diagnose the condition of each device. If you plan to use two sets frequently, make sure that the firmware of each is updated to the latest version through this application. Older versions of firmware may not work properly in multi-connection mode.
The upgrade process is simple: plug in your headphones, open the app, go to settings and select update checks. Repeat the procedure for the second pair. Synchronizing software versions is critical to avoid audio dissynchronization.
☑️ Checking before connection
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to update the firmware of two sets of headphones at the same time through the same phone. this can lead to a recording error and "filling" one of the devices.
Specificity of connecting different models Xiaomi
Different headphone lines have their own pairing features, such as the Redmi Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro series, which have improved connection algorithms to allow faster switching between sources, while budget models like AirDots may require manual resets before each new connection to another phone or pair.
Below is a table of compatibility of popular models with the mode of operation of two headsets:
| Model headphones | Dual Audio support | Delay (Latency) | Recommended treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro | Complete. | Low. | Systemic |
| Redmi Buds 4 Lite | Partial | Medium | Through the Bluetooth menu |
| Mi True Wireless 2 | Complete. | Low. | Systemic |
| AirDots Basic 2 | No. | Tall. | Not recommended |
As you can see from the table, older models may not be stable in pairs, and users often resort to external Bluetooth transmitters that connect to the phone and distribute the signal to two pairs of headphones regardless of the smartphone’s limitations.
What to do if the models are different?
Solving problems with sound desynchronization
One of the most common problems when connecting two headsets is desynchronization. The sound in one headphone can lag for a fraction of a second, creating an unpleasant echo effect, which is especially noticeable when watching videos or playing rhythm games.
To fix this problem, try changing the codec settings in the developer menu. Find Bluetooth Audio Codec and switch it from AAC to SBC or vice versa. Sometimes changing the bitrate helps to align data streams. It is also worth turning off the Absolute Volume function if it is active.
Another method is to perform a full reset of Bluetooth settings on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → Connected Devices → Connection settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Remember, this action will remove all stored networks and pairings.
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If the desynchronization only appears in certain apps (like YouTube), try clearing that app's cache or updating it through the Google Play Store.
Alternative methods and third-party utilities
If Xiaomi’s regular tools don’t work, you can turn to third-party software from the Google Play Market. There are audio aggregators like Audio Relayer or Sound Assistant (from Samsung, but running on many Androids) that can speed up the output of sound to multiple devices.
These programs create a virtual audio track that is then broadcast to connected Bluetooth devices, but it is worth noting that this method can consume significant CPU resources and increase latency, and the use of such utilities is justified when native functions are absent.
Also, there's a wired solution. There are special Bluetooth transmitters that support two channels of connection, they connect to the smartphone via a USB-C or 3.5 mm connector (via an adapter) and independently control the connection of two pairs of headphones, unloading the main module of the phone.
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Third-party apps are a compromise solution. They can run unstable on different versions of Android, so always test them before important use.