How to turn it on LDHC Xiaomi Air 2 Pro: a complete guide with photos and tips

Why? LDHC Xiaomi Air 2 Pro is worth setting up

Xiaomi Air 2 Pro wireless headphones support advanced audio codec LDHC (Low Latency High Definition Audio Codec, which promises lossless sound and minimal latency, but by default, the device often uses a standard audio system. SBC or AAC β€” less quality but more versatile formats. LDHC It can dramatically improve the sound of music, movies and games if your smartphone supports this codec.

The problem is that even on compatible Xiaomi devices, the feature doesn’t always activate automatically. MIUI, Update firmware or even reset Bluetooth settings. In this article, we'll look at all the ways to enable LDHC β€” from basic to advanced, taking into account the nuances of different versions MIUI smartphone models.

If you've already tried to include LDHC You can use the standard settings, and you can't do it -- don't despair. Maybe it's the Bluetooth developer's hidden mode, which is only activated through the engineering menu.

What is it? LDHC Why it is not in the default settings

LDHC (Low Latency High Definition Audio Codec is Qualcomm's proprietary audio codec optimized for wireless devices on Snapdragon chips. It provides:

  • 🎡 Bitrate up to 900 kbit / s (versus 328 kbit / s y) AAC), near-quality CD.
  • ⚑ Delay. ~20 ms (vs. 100)+ sm SBC), critical for games and video.
  • πŸ”‹ Adaptive compression that reduces battery load.

So why isn't Xiaomi Air 2 Pro using it out of the box?

  1. Smartphone compatibility: LDHC For example, smartphones on MediaTek (like the Redmi Note 11) may not support it even with the latest updates.
  2. License Restrictions: Qualcomm Charges Royalties for Use LDHC, Some manufacturers have turned it off by default.
  3. Connection problems: Some users complain of sound breaks when activated LDHC β€” This may be due to interference in the 2.4 GHz range.

Before trying to turn on LDHC, Check if your smartphone supports it:

  1. Connect the Air 2 Pro to your phone.
  2. Open Settings β†’ Connected devices β†’ Settings gear next to the headphones β†’ Sound quality.
  3. If there is a codec in the list LDHC β€” You can go to the setup. If you don't, read the section on alternatives.
πŸ“Š What codec are you using now?
SBC
AAC
aptX
LDHC
I don't know.

Method 1: Inclusion LDHC standardized MIUI

If your smartphone supports you LDHC, The easiest way to activate it is via the Bluetooth menu. MIUI 12/13/14:

β˜‘οΈ Step-by-step activation LDHC

Done: 0 / 5

On some firmware, the item may be called differently:

  • πŸ”Š "Audio codec" (MIUI 12)
  • 🎧 "Sound quality" (MIUI 13/14)
  • πŸ“Š "Additional parameters” (on some custom firmware)

If, after the choice, LDHC the sound disappears or becomes intermittent:

⚠️ Warning: This may indicate an unstable Bluetooth connection:

  • πŸ”„ Reconnect the headphones (forget the device and hide again).
  • πŸ“± Reboot your smartphone.
  • πŸ“Ά Make sure there are no sources of interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).

πŸ’‘

If there is no codec in the list LDHC, But you're sure the chipset supports it (like Snapdragon). 865/870/888), Try to update the firmware of headphones through the Mi Earphones app.

Method 2: Activate through the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

If LDHC It doesn’t show up in standard settings, but your smartphone theoretically supports it (Snapdragon chipset) 8xx), You can try to turn on the codec through the Bluetooth engineering menu, which works on most Xiaomi devices, but it requires caution.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## This will open the MMITest menu.
  2. Go to the Bluetooth section β†’ Audio.
  3. Find the Codec Selection and select LDHC.
  4. Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

If the combination doesn’t work, try alternatives:

  • #284## (for Bluetooth testing)
  • ##4636## β†’ Usage statistics β†’ three-point β†’ Bluetooth codec

⚠️ Attention: Changes in the engineering menu can cause Bluetooth to malfunction. If the headphones stop connecting after manipulation, reset the network settings (Settings) β†’ System system β†’ Reset β†’ Resetting network settings).

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Some firmware has blocked access to MMITest. Alternatively, use it. ADB-Adb shell am start start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings After that, the section β€œFor developers” will appear in the settings, where you can turn on debugging by USB and access the hidden parameters.

Method 3: Using applications for forced inclusion LDHC

If standard methods don't work, you can try third-party utilities that force you to set the priority codec.

AnnexReferenceFeaturesNeed a Root?
Bluetooth Audio Codec ChangerGoogle PlayAllows you to manually select a codec, even if it is hidden in the MIUINo.
Developer Options ShortcutGoogle PlayOpens access to hidden Bluetooth settingsNo.
LDAC/LDHC Enabler (Magisk)XDAForced activation of the codec at the system levelYes.

Instructions for Bluetooth Audio Codec Changer:

  1. Install the app and give access to Bluetooth Settings.
  2. Connect the Air 2 Pro.
  3. In the list of devices, select headphones and tap on Select Codec.
  4. Choose. LDHC and confirm.

If the application shows a file to set codec error:

  • πŸ”Ή Make sure the headphones are connected and the sound is played (the codec changes only during streaming).
  • πŸ”Ή Try switching to another codec (for example, AAC), then back to LDHC.
  • πŸ”Ή Some firmware requires you to turn off Bluetooth LE Audio in the developer settings.

Problems after inclusion LDHC And how to solve them.

Even if you were able to activate it. LDHC, You can have typical problems. Here are the most common ones and the ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The sound is interrupted.Interference in the 2.4 GHz rangeTurn off Wi-Fi or switch router to 5GHz
No sound at all.Incompatibility of codecsSwitch to the switch. AAC, back-to-back LDHC
High delayThe "Low Delay" mode has been activated in MIUITurn it off in the sound settings. β†’ Effects.
Fast battery dischargeLDHC Increases the load on the Bluetooth moduleUse it. LDHC only if necessary

If, after activation, LDHC You notice hissing or distortion:

⚠️ Attention: This may indicate hardware problems with the Bluetooth headphone module. Try resetting them to factory settings: press both buttons for 10 seconds until the red light flashes.

On some smartphones (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) post-update MIUI 14 LDHC It might be missing from the codec list:

  • πŸ”„ Firmware rollback to the previous version (via Fastboot).
  • πŸ“² Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
  • πŸ”§ Manual editing of build.prop file (requires Root).

πŸ’‘

If your smartphone is on a MediaTek chipset (Helio, Dimensity), most likely, LDHC This codec is optimized only for Snapdragon.

Alternatives LDHC: What codec to choose if nothing helps

If you include LDHC Don’t despair – there are worthy alternatives that also provide high quality sound:

  • 🎧 aptX Adaptive: Adaptive bitrate (up to 420 kbps), low latency. supported by most Xiaomi flagships on Snapdragon.
  • 🎡 LDAC: Bitrate up to 990 kbps, but high latency (~100ms. It's good for music, but not for games.
  • πŸ“± AAC: Standard for Apple and Android, bitrate up to 256 kbit / s. Universal, but loses in quality.
  • ⚑ LC3 (LE Audio: New Bluetooth 5.2 standard+, Low power consumption, but few supported devices.

How to choose the best codec for your tasks:

The challengeRecommended codecNotes
Music (Spotify, Tidal)LDAC or LDHCMaximum quality, but possible breaks
Games (PUBG, Call of Duty)aptX AdaptiveMinimum delay (~40ms)
Video (YouTube, Netflix)AAC or SBCStability is more important than quality
Conversations (Zoom, Discord)SBC or mSBCLow latency but worse quality

To check which codec is currently in use, install the Bluetooth Codec Checker app or use the built-in diagnostics in the app. MIUI:

  1. Put the headphones on.
  2. Open the settings β†’ About the phone β†’ version of MIUI.
  3. Slip the Core several times until the Diagnostics menu appears.
  4. Choose Bluetooth. β†’ Audio Codec.

FAQ: Frequent questions about LDHC Xiaomi Air 2 Pro

My smartphone can't see. LDHC It's in the codec list?
First, check the compatibility of the chipset: LDHC It only works on Snapdragon. 8xx/7xx (for example, 865, 870, 888). If the chipset supports but no codec: Update the headphone firmware via Mi Earphones. Try activating through the engineering menu (see Method) 2). Install custom firmware (like Pixel Experience) if nothing works, your smartphone doesn't support it. LDHC programmatically.
After inclusion LDHC It's quieter. It's normal?
Yeah, that's a codec feature. LDHC It uses more efficient compression, which can reduce the volume by 10-15%. Solutions: Turn on the sound amplifier in the settings MIUI (Settings β†’ Sound. β†’ Use the equalizer (Wavelet app or built-in Mi Music) to check if Safe Sound mode is activated in Bluetooth settings.
LDHC It works, but it stops occasionally?
This is a typical problem in the 2.4 GHz range: πŸ“Ά Turn off Wi-Fi or switch router to 5GHz. πŸ“± Reduce the distance between your smartphone and headphones. πŸ”‹ Reboot both devices. πŸ”„ In Bluetooth settings, turn off "Absolute Volume." If the problem persists, try another codec (e.g., aptX).
Can I include? LDHC iPhone?
No, Apple doesn't support it. LDHC at the software level, maximum available β€” AAC (Alternatives: Use headphones with aptX support (e.g. Sony) WH-1000XM5). Connect the Air 2 Pro via a Lightning adapter (analog sound). Jailbreak and try modified Bluetooth drivers (risky).
How to reset Bluetooth settings if after experimenting with codecs headphones stopped connecting?
Follow the following steps: Open Settings β†’ Connected devices. Click on the gear next to the Air 2 Pro and select "Forget the device." Reset your smartphone. Reset your headphones: press both buttons for 10 seconds until the red light flashes. Conjugate the devices again. If that doesn't work, reset the network settings: Settings. β†’ System system β†’ Reset β†’ Resetting network settings