How to increase the volume of the microphone on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: from settings to modifications

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 often face the problem of quiet microphone during calls, recording voice messages or streams. Even at maximum volume, the interlocutor can not hear the voice, and the recorded sound is muffled, the reasons for this lie both in the hardware limitations of the model (modest dynamic range of the built-in microphone) and in the software settings of MIUI, which are optimized by default for energy saving, not for sound quality.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, from basic settings to deep system modifications that will help strengthen the microphone without buying external hardware. It is important to understand that some methods require root rights or installing third-party applications, so we will separately highlight the risks and alternatives for users without technical skills. If your Redmi Note 4 is warranty, try software solutions first!

1. Checking the physical health of the microphone

Before you change your settings, make sure that the problem is not a hardware malfunction. The Redmi Note 4 has two microphones:

• 🎤 Main (bottom, next to the microUSB connector) – responsible for voice during calls and recording.
• 🎤 Noise suppressing (top, next to the front camera) – suppresses background noise.

How to check the efficiency:

1. Start the Dictaphone app and record your voice from a distance of 20-30 cm from the microphone.
2. Listen to the recording: If the sound is quiet in only one channel (like when calling), the problem may be in a particular microphone.
3. Try recording video in the Camera app – if the sound is normal and when calling is quiet, the phone settings are to blame.

⚠️ Warning: If the microphone is not working at all (no sound in the calls or recordings), the cause may be oxidation of the contacts after moisture or mechanical damage to the plume.

2. MIUI settings to enhance microphone

MIUI hides some of the audio settings, but you can activate them through Developer Mode or Engineering Menu.

Method 1: Enabling voice amplification in calls

1. Open Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find Voice Call Enhancement and turn it on.

Method 2: Engineering Menu (MTK)

The Redmi Note 4 on the Helio X20 processor (MTK model) supports the engineering menu. This method is not suitable for the Snapdragon version!

Open the phone application and enter ##3646633##

Go to the Hardware Testing tab → Audio

Select Normal Mode and set the Mic Volume to a maximum of 255.

Save settings and restart the phone-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the engineering menu - this can lead to failures in the communication module or complete loss of sound. If the microphone becomes worse after the changes, reset the network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

3. applications for microphone amplification

If your system settings don't work, try third-party utilities. They work on two principles:

• 🔊 Software amplification – increase the volume of recorded sound due to processing algorithms.
• 🎛️ Change system settings – require root and modify sound configuration files.

Top.-3 apps for Redmi Note 4:

Important: Rootless applications can only amplify sound in their own recordings (e.g., in a voice recorder), but will not affect sound quality in calls or instant messengers. Global amplification will require modification of system files.

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Before installing microphone-enhancing apps, check out Redmi Note 4 user reviews – some utilities are optimized only for new Xiaomi models and may not work on older firmware.

Modification of system files (root required)

If you're ready to get root rights, you can manually edit the audio configuration files, which is a method that maximizes the effect, but requires caution.

Step 1: Getting root rights

For Redmi Note 4, the method is suitable through Magisk:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP for your model (the Snapdragon and MTK versions are different!).
3. Run Magisk through TWRP.

Step. 2: Editing mixer_paths.xml

File. /vendor/etc/mixer_paths.xml It contains the volume of the microphone, and find the Mic strings in it, and increase the value of the microphone. 20–30%. Example:

<path name="handset-mic">


<ctl name="RX1 Digital Volume" value="84" />




<ctl name="RX2 Digital Volume" value="84" />




</path>

Step 3: Reboot and Testing

After saving the changes, restart the phone and check the microphone. If the sound gets worse (wheezing), return the previous values or try other parameters in the file.

5. Alternative solutions: external microphones and accessories

If the software methods didn’t help, consider hardware solutions:

• 🎙️ External lavalry microphone (e.g., Boya) BY-M1) — connect through 3.5 mm or USB-C (You need an adapter. Cost: 800. ₽.
• 📱 Bluetooth headset with a good microphone (for example, Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones).
• 🎤 USB-microphone (requires) OTG-Adapter. Suitable for streaming or podcast recording.

For the Redmi Note 4, it is important to choose a microphone with a low impedance (up to 2.2 kOhm), otherwise the sound will be quiet even with an external device. MIUI — some USB-Microphones require additional drivers.

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An external microphone is the only solution if the problem is physical wear and tear on the built-in microphone (for example, after a phone falls).

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to strengthen the microphone, users often make these mistakes:

• 🔇 Ignoring Updates: Older Versions MIUI (Below 10) may have sound bugs. Update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Improper disassembly: When cleaning the microphone from dust, it is easy to damage the membrane.Use a soft brush or compressed air.
• 📱 Application conflict: Some screen recording utilities (e.g, AZ Screen Recorder blocks access to microphone for other programs.

If the microphone has stopped working after the change:

1. Check if it is turned off in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone.
2. Reset the sound settings: Settings → Sound → Resetting the settings.
3. If you have used root, restore the original file. mixer_paths.xml backup.

7. Comparison of methods: what works best?

The effectiveness of the methods depends on the cause of the problem:

For most users, the best option is a combination of MIUI + engineering menu settings, and if that doesn’t work, you should try an external microphone or root solution (for power users only).

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On the Redmi Note 4 with the Snapdragon 625 processor, the engineering menu is not available – use apps or root methods instead.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note microphone 4