Can you compress audio files on Android?

Audio file compression is the process of encoding audio data using fewer bits than the original audio file to reduce the file size. This allows audio files like MP3s and M4As to take up less storage space on an Android device while maintaining reasonable audio quality. There are a few different ways Android users can compress audio files.

The Android operating system has built-in audio compression features that can be enabled in the settings. There are also third party apps that can compress audio files with different compression formats, quality levels, and speeds. The goal of audio compression on Android is typically to save storage space, reduce upload/download times, or make sharing audio files easier when needed. However, compressing audio too much can negatively impact sound quality. This article will explore the built-in and third party options for audio compression on Android devices.

Why Compress Audio Files?

One of the main reasons to compress audio files on Android is to save storage space. Music, podcasts, audiobooks and other audio files can take up a lot of room, especially if you have a large collection. Compressed audio files take up less storage space on your device while still retaining reasonable audio quality. This frees up space for other files and apps on your phone or tablet.

For example, an uncompressed audio file encoded using an uncompressed format like WAV or AIFF can be 50-60 MB for a 3 minute song. The same song encoded in a compressed format like MP3 or AAC may only be around 5 MB. That’s a 90% reduction in file size with minimal impact to audio quality! Compression algorithms remove unnecessary data from the audio file to shrink its size.

Being able to store 5x or 10x more songs by using compression is extremely useful if you have a large music library. It allows you to carry your entire catalog with you without needing hundreds of gigabytes of storage. Compression brings big benefits whether using the built-in Android tools or third party apps.

Built-in Audio Compression

Android has built-in audio compression capabilities that allow you to compress audio files directly on your device without needing to download third party apps (Reddit). To access the built-in compression, go to Settings > Sound > Advanced > Sound quality and effects. There you’ll find options to enable audio compression to dynamically optimize the sound output (Quora).

The built-in compression aims to boost quiet sounds and limit loud sounds for a consistent listening experience. It works across music, videos, phone calls, and other audio playback. You can adjust the compression intensity level from light to extreme. Light compression subtly evens out volume, while extreme compression aggressively smooths volume spikes and dips.

Built-in compression is handy for boosting quiet podcasts or songs to hear details better. It also prevents loud action scenes or rock songs from blasting too loudly through your headphones. The dynamic range compression helps audio playback stay within a comfortable volume window.

Settings for Built-in Compression

Locating the built-in audio compression settings on Android devices requires navigating to the Sound settings. On Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Advanced sound settings. Look for the “Adaptive sound” option and toggle it on to enable compression that minimizes loud bursts of audio [1]. You can adjust the strength of the compression effect in this menu.

For other Android devices, go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Audio effects. Look for options like “Volume leveler” or “Dynamic compression” and enable them to activate compression. The settings may vary across manufacturers. Some devices also have system-wide compression built into their media apps like Video Player, Music, or YouTube [2].

Third Party Apps

While Android has built-in audio compression capabilities, you may want more options and control. That’s where third party audio compression apps come in handy.

Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated Android apps for compressing audio files:

MediaHuman Audio Converter – Allows you to convert between all popular audio formats and customize compression settings. Works offline so no uploads required.
Audio Converter – Simple, fast app to convert between MP3, M4A, WAV and more. Includes presets for quickly optimizing for file size or quality.
MP3 Compressor – Specialized app just for compressing MP3 files. Gives you control over bitrate and other settings.

Simple Audio Converter – As the name suggests, this app makes it easy to convert and compress audio with just a couple taps.

The benefit of third party apps is you get more features, options and advanced settings for controlling the audio compression process. The downside is you have to download and learn to use a new app.

How to Use Third Party Apps

There are several excellent third party apps available on the Google Play Store that can compress audio files on Android devices. Here are instructions for using some of the top audio compression apps:

MP3 Compressor

MP3 Compressor (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.audiocompress) is a simple, no-frills app for compressing audio files. To use it:

Install and open the MP3 Compressor app.

Tap the folder icon in the top right to select an audio file to compress.
Adjust the “Quality” slider to set the desired level of compression.
Tap “Compress” and select a name and location to save the compressed file.

Audio Eraser

Audio Eraser (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.utility.audioerazerlite) provides advanced options for compressing audio. To use it:

Install and launch Audio Eraser.
Tap the folder icon to choose an audio file.

Tap the magic wand icon and adjust settings like bit rate, sample rate, channels.
Tap the check mark icon to compress the file and save it.

The app allows even finer control by tapping the burger menu icon and changing the compression algorithm and other advanced settings.

Compression Formats

There are several common audio compression formats available when compressing audio files on Android:

MP3 – The most popular digital audio format. MP3 uses lossy compression, which reduces file size by removing some audio information. Widely supported across devices.

AAC – Similar to MP3 but uses newer compression algorithms. Can produce better sound quality at similar file sizes. Supported on most modern devices.

FLAC – An open source lossless format, meaning no audio data is lost on compression. Creates larger files than lossy formats but provides better quality. Not compatible with all devices.

OGG – Free and open source container format. Comparable to MP3 quality. Supported on many but not all Android devices.

When choosing a compression format, consider factors like audio quality needs, file size constraints, and device compatibility.

Compression Quality

When compressing audio files on Android, one of the most important considerations is balancing file size and audio quality. The higher the compression quality, the larger the resulting file size will be. This is because less data is being discarded from the original file in order to maintain higher audio fidelity. On the other hand, lower compression quality will result in smaller file sizes, but at the expense of audio quality since more data is being removed.

So you’ll need to decide what level of compression quality makes sense for your needs. If you want to preserve as much of the original audio quality as possible, aim for lossless compression or high bitrate lossy compression like 320kbps MP3. This will produce large files but sound closest to the uncompressed originals.

If you need to save storage space or send files quickly over the internet, consider more aggressive lossy compression like 192kbps or 128kbps MP3. This will significantly reduce file sizes though make the audio quality noticeably lower. It’s best for situations where having small files is more important than perfect audio fidelity.

Try compressing at different quality levels to see what works best. You can find a good middle ground that provides reasonably small files without too much audible quality loss. Just be aware of the trade-off between compression quality, file size, and audio fidelity.

Compression Speed

The speed at which audio files can be compressed on Android depends on several factors:

The compression algorithm being used – Some algorithms like MP3 are relatively fast, while others like FLAC are slower.^[1] The more complex the algorithm, usually the slower the compression speed.

The app or software doing the compression – Apps optimized for speed like M4A Audio Compressor^[2] can compress faster than the built-in Android tools.

The size and format of the original audio file – Compressing a large, high bitrate audio file will take longer than a smaller, lower bitrate file.^[3]

The processor speed and available RAM on the Android device – Newer/faster devices can compress audio quicker than older/slower devices.

Conclusion

Android makes it easy to compress audio files right on your device without needing any additional apps. The built-in audio compression tools allow you to reduce audio file sizes through adjusting sample rate, bitrate, and other settings. For more advanced compression options, third party apps like Audio Compressor provide additional formats, higher quality, and faster compression speeds.

In summary, compressing audio files on Android can save storage space while maintaining quality. Use the built-in tools for basic compression needs, or explore advanced third party apps for more control. Test different settings and compression levels to find the optimal balance of file size reduction and audio quality for your needs.

When sharing compressed audio files, carefully check the quality beforehand, as overly aggressive compression can degrade the listening experience. Make incremental adjustments and compare original and compressed versions. For long term storage and archiving, lossless formats like FLAC strike a good balance. Follow best practices of high bitrates and optimal encoding settings for transparent results.