Xiaomi: Set the Default Media Volume Level

MIUI treats Media volume as a separate channel from ringtone, alarm, and notification sounds. That is why the Volume buttons on the side of your Xiaomi phone only control whatever is currently active - without an open video, music, or game running, the buttons default to ringtone volume instead.

To set a fixed baseline for videos, music, and games, open Settings ➔ Sound & vibration ➔ swipe left or right on the Media volume slider. This value becomes the starting point every time you launch a media app, so you no longer need to grab the buttons right after opening a video.

Adjusting Media volume this way does not touch your ringtone or alarm levels, since MIUI keeps all volume channels independent. If sound cuts out only inside a specific app, check that app's own in-app volume control or mute switch instead - the system-level Media volume only sets an upper limit and cannot force sound where the app itself has muted playback.

Focus mode style profiles can also lower Media volume automatically during scheduled quiet hours. If playback keeps resetting to a lower level on its own, check whether a Focus or Do Not Disturb schedule is active before assuming the setting failed to save.