Does Android support USB audio?

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google that has become the most popular operating system in the world. Since the first commercial version of Android launched in 2008, support for USB audio has continued to improve with each new version of the OS.

USB audio allows Android devices like smartphones and tablets to connect to external USB headsets, speakers, and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to output high quality audio. This allows users to bypass lower quality internal DACs and analog audio circuitry, providing the ability to play music and other audio at higher bitrates and sampling rates.

USB Audio Overview

USB audio refers to the digital transmission of audio data over USB connections. USB audio devices convert analog audio signals into digital data that can be transferred over USB. This allows audio data to be transmitted between devices without the loss of quality associated with analog audio connections.

There are several common types of USB audio devices:

USB headphones and speakers – These devices contain digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to convert the digital USB audio data back into an analog signal that can be played through headphones or speakers. Many modern headphones use USB connections rather than 3.5mm audio jacks.
USB DACs – Also known as USB sound cards, these devices convert digital audio data to analog and often have headphone amplifiers for driving high impedance headphones. They can provide higher quality DACs and audio circuitry compared to what is built into computers and mobile devices.

USB microphones – These function in reverse as analog-to-digital converters, converting external audio input into digital data to send over USB to a computer or mobile device.
USB audio interfaces – Used in music production, these have inputs and outputs to send multiple channels of digital audio between recording devices, mixers, and computers. They enable high quality, low latency audio production.

The USB audio protocol enables all these device types to interface with host devices like computers, phones, and tablets. USB provides the digital connection for sending audio data back and forth.

(Source: Fundamentals of USB Audio)

Android USB Audio Support

Android started supporting USB audio in Android 3.1 Honeycomb, which was released in 2011 (1). This initial support allowed USB headsets and headphones to connect to Android devices via the USB port. However, it was limited to supporting USB 1.0 audio and only allowed audio output, not input.

More robust USB audio support was added in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, released in 2012. This version added support for USB 2.0 high-speed audio and enabled audio input for recording and communication apps (2). Additional enhancements like audio over USB support were added in subsequent Android versions.

For Android devices to support USB audio, they need to meet certain hardware and software requirements (1):

The Android version must be 4.1 or higher.
The device hardware must support USB audio – both audio output and input.

The appropriate USB audio drivers must be included in the Android build used on the device.

So in summary, Android has supported USB audio since 2011, with more advanced support added in 2012. Devices running Android 4.1 or later with the proper hardware and drivers can enable USB audio input and output.

(1) https://source.android.com/docs/core/audio/usb

(2) https://www.soundonsound.com/news/android-gets-usb-audio

Using USB Headsets and Speakers

Connecting and using USB headsets on Android devices is straightforward. Most Android devices with a USB-C port that supports audio output will automatically detect and route audio through a connected USB headset without any additional setup. Simply plug the USB headset into the device’s USB-C port and it will become the default audio output.

According to Android’s documentation, while in accessory mode, Android automatically routes its audio output to USB [1]. This allows USB headsets to seamlessly work for music, calls, notifications, alarms and all other audio.

Using USB speakers follows the same principle. Connecting USB-powered speakers to an Android device’s USB-C port will usually enable audio routing without extra configuration. The speakers become the default audio output just like a wired headset.

One exception noted on Stack Exchange is that some Android devices require explicitly enabling USB audio output in settings before routing audio to a USB accessory [2]. So if USB audio does not work automatically, check audio settings for a “USB audio” option to activate.

Using USB DACs

A USB DAC (digital-to-analog converter) is an external audio device that can be connected to an Android device via USB to bypass the phone’s internal DAC and provide higher-quality audio output. USB DACs convert digital audio data to an analog signal that can then be amplified and sent to headphones or speakers.

Many USB DACs are compatible with Android devices, but getting them to work properly involves a few steps:

– Most Android devices need to have USB audio support enabled in the developer settings. This allows the OS to recognize the DAC.^[1]

– USB DACs require power, so you need to use a powered USB hub or OTG cable. The phone alone may not provide enough power.^[2]

– Use a USB OTG adapter to connect the DAC if your Android device does not have a USB-C port.

– After connecting, you may need to set the USB DAC as the default audio output in your Android settings.

– Music and audio apps need to be configured to output to the USB device rather than the phone speaker.

– If you experience crackling or dropout, try different USB cables, avoid splitters, and adjust audio settings.

With the proper setup, USB DACs can greatly improve audio quality for music and movies on your Android device.

^[1] https://nuprimeaudio.com/ufaqs/how-do-i-connect-my-dac-to-android-or-ios-tablet-and-smartphone/

^[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9ni4dc/psa_using_a_usb_dac_with_an_android_phone_that/

USB Audio Driver Support

Android has native USB audio driver support built into the operating system. This allows USB audio devices like headsets, speakers, and external DACs (digital-to-analog converters) to connect to an Android device and output sound without needing to install additional drivers.

However, the native Android USB audio drivers are basic and may not offer the best audio quality or low latency performance needed for pro audio applications. Some USB DAC manufacturers provide their own custom USB audio drivers for Android that can be installed to replace the native drivers and unlock the full capabilities of their devices.

For example, FiiO, a popular external DAC brand, offers an optional USB audio driver that can be installed on Android devices to reduce latency for their USB DAC models like the K5 Pro as noted on Reddit: “Do I need to download FiiO Drivers to use my K5 Pro?”. While not always necessary, using the manufacturer’s drivers can improve audio fidelity and performance with niche USB DAC devices.

USB Audio App Support

Many popular Android media apps have added support for USB audio devices and high-resolution audio playback over the years. Apps like USB Audio Player PRO, UAPP, and Neutron Music Player can bypass Android’s native audio stack and output audio directly to an external USB DAC.

These specialized audio apps tap into the USB audio APIs added in Android 5.0 Lollipop and higher. They can deliver bit-perfect output at high sample rates and bit depths, taking full advantage of high-res DACs. USB Audio Player PRO also supports native DSD playback up to DSD256 on compatible Android devices.

However, the default Android music and video apps do not support bit-perfect USB audio output. Apps like YouTube, Spotify, and Google Play Music will resample audio before outputting to a USB DAC. Certain games and video streaming services also do not redirect audio properly when a USB device is connected.

There are also sporadic reports of USB audio issues on some Android builds, especially when switching between wired and Bluetooth headsets. Audio can unintentionally get routed to the phone’s internal DAC rather than the external USB device.

Audio Quality Considerations

Android devices support high-quality audio output over USB, but the specific quality depends on the device hardware, USB port, cables, and configuration settings. According to testing done by Audio Science Review, many modern Android devices using USB-C connectors can output 24-bit audio with sample rates up to 192 kHz when paired with compatible USB DACs (digital-to-analog converters) [1]. However, audio quality can be limited by the quality of the DAC, amp, headphones or speakers, and audio source material.

One important factor in audio quality over USB is latency, which is the delay between the digital audio signal being sent and audible sound being produced. Excessive latency can result in lag, pops, or echo effects. Qualcomm’s Aqstic audio codec and other integrated DACs can help minimize latency for real-time audio applications like gaming or video streaming. Noise is another consideration – inferior DACs or interference can introduce audible background hiss or buzzing.

Android supports audio output over USB in standard formats like PCM 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality audio up to 32-bit/192kHz for high-res lossless formats. Maximum supported bitrate depends on the DAC, OS, and specific device. For example, many devices using Android 10 or higher will support up to 384kHz/32-bit [2]. Choosing high-quality audio components is important to take full advantage of what the device supports.

Troubleshooting Tips

USB audio on Android devices can sometimes experience issues. Here are some common problems and potential fixes:

Common USB Audio Problems and Fixes

If you plug in a USB audio device but don’t hear any audio, try the following:

Check that the USB audio device is properly connected and seated in the USB port.
Toggle your volume controls and make sure volume is turned up on both the device and phone.

Go to Settings > Sound and see if the USB audio device is selected as the audio output.
Restart your Android device.
Try a different USB port on your phone if available.

If the audio sounds distorted or choppy, try:

Updating your Android OS and audio driver software to latest versions.
Changing USB connection mode from charging to file transfer mode.

Disabling battery optimization for audio apps affecting USB output.
Adjusting audio quality settings if available for your USB device.

If facing intermittent audio cutouts, you can try:

Disabling WiFi, Bluetooth, and other connections to remove interference.
Plugging the USB device into a powered USB hub instead of directly into your phone.
Limiting multitasking when using USB audio.

Hardware Compatibility Issues

Some USB audio devices may have limited compatibility with Android. If troubleshooting basic steps don’t resolve your issue, research the make and model for known Android issues. Trying a different USB audio device can also determine if the problem lies with your hardware or software.

USB-C headphones and USB DACs generally have the best compatibility and audio quality results compared to USB-A devices which can be more prone to connectivity issues.

Conclusion

In summary, Android has supported basic USB audio connectivity since Android 5.0 via the standard USB audio class driver. This allows most wired USB headsets, speakers, and basic external DACs to connect to Android devices and output audio.

However, Android did not previously support lossless high resolution audio over USB. The new lossless USB audio feature introduced in Android 14 finally brings this capability, allowing external audiophile-grade DACs and amps to unlock the full fidelity of lossless music tracks.

Based on Google’s announcements, we can expect the Pixel 8 and other newer Android devices to add lossless USB audio support soon via updates. This will greatly improve audio quality for anyone with high-end headphones and USB DACs. Lossless USB audio brings Android up to par with the fidelity achievable on Apple’s iOS devices.

Overall, the future is bright for wired audio fans on Android. With lossless USB audio support, Android finally fulfills its potential for audiophile-quality listening when paired with the right external gear.[1]