How can I increase the volume on my phone even more?
Current Volume Limitations
Smartphones have volume limits in place to protect hearing. According to a 2018 study published in PLoS One, smartphones cap volume at around 80-85 decibels to avoid immediate hearing damage. Listening at high volumes for prolonged periods can still cause gradual hearing loss over time. The World Health Organization warns that exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can damage hearing.
Smartphone manufacturers calibrate the maximum volume to balance usability and safety. Pushing volume to the current limit already poses some risk, so increasing beyond that level is not recommended by health experts.
Warning About Hearing Damage
While it may be tempting to crank up the volume on your phone to its maximum level, it’s important to be aware of the risks of hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud noise. According to the CDC, sounds above 85-90 decibels can lead to gradual hearing loss over time. For reference, your phone at max volume can reach over 100 decibels, which is loud enough to cause hearing damage in less than 15 minutes.
Hearing loss from noise exposure is generally gradual and painless, so you may not even realize the damage being done on a daily basis. However, prolonged max volume listening sessions can permanently damage the tiny hair cells in your inner ear that convert sound into signals for the brain. Once damaged, these hair cells do not regenerate. Protecting your hearing now will pay dividends by allowing you to continue enjoying music, conversations, and other auditory experiences well into the future.
While an occasional loud session likely poses minimal risk, it’s important to avoid making maximum volume a daily habit. Consider lowering the volume to a safer level and take regular breaks during longer listening periods. Your ears will thank you down the road.
Adjust Media Volume
You can increase the maximum volume for media playback like music and videos separately from the system volume on iPhones running iOS 13 or later. To do this, go to Settings > Sound & Haptics and scroll down to the Media section. There you’ll see a slider titled “Media Volume” that allows you to set the maximum volume for media playback only (1). Dragging this slider to the right will increase the max media volume allowed on your device. It’s useful if you want louder music or videos while keeping your ringer and alerts volume lower.
Use Volume Booster Apps
There are various volume booster apps available for both iOS and Android that can amplify the overall system volume beyond the normal maximum limit. Some popular options include:
Volume Booster GOODEV (free for iOS, Android) – Boosts volume by up to 200% and includes an equalizer.
Equalizer FX (free for iOS, Android) – Offers volume boost up to 200% and various equalizer presets.
Volume Booster Pro (free for iOS, Android) – No ads and boosts system volume beyond max limit.
These apps can help make audio from videos, music, games, and phone calls louder. However, be cautious of potential hearing damage from excessive volume.
Enable Extra Volume Option
Most smartphones have accessibility settings that can enable extra volume beyond the normal maximum. This allows people with hearing impairments to increase the volume further. To find the setting on an iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and toggle on “Headphone Accommodations.” Then adjust the “Max Volume” slider to your desired level (source).
On Android devices, the steps vary by model but often involve enabling a hearing aids option or other accessibility volume settings. For example on a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing enhancements and toggle on “Hearing aid support.” You can then adjust the maximum volume beyond the normal limit (source). However, take care not to raise the volume to dangerous levels that could damage your hearing.
Use a Sound Amplifier
One way to increase the volume on your phone beyond the built-in limit is by using an external sound amplifier. These are physical devices you attach to your phone that amplify the audio coming out of the speakers. Some popular options include:
The Clarity Sound Amplifier, which uses digital audio processing to boost volume up to 50 decibels. It’s compatible with most smartphones and landlines.
The Serene Innovations Sound Amplifier, which clips onto your phone and requires no batteries or power source. It amplifies sound up to 26 decibels.
The Bellman Visit Cell Phone Amplifier, designed specifically for cell phones. It offers up to 30dB of adjustable amplification and also boosts tone quality.
These devices simply attach to your phone like a case and use analog or digital amplification to increase the volume output. They provide an inexpensive and effective way to boost your phone’s sound without any settings adjustments or software required.
Connect External Speakers
External speakers, whether wired or wireless, can help amplify the sound from your phone while ensuring your listening experience remains clear and undistorted. Here are some options for connecting external speakers:
Wired Speakers: Connecting your phone to wired desktop speakers or a home stereo system via a 3.5mm audio cable or USB-C adapter can provide a significant volume boost. Position the external speakers properly for optimal listening. Choose wired speakers with adequate power and sound quality to achieve clean audio at higher volumes (Source).
Wireless Bluetooth Speakers: Portable Bluetooth speakers let you stream music wirelessly from your phone with louder, richer sound. Quality Bluetooth speakers like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 produce impressive volume levels with beefy bass, while remaining compact enough for transport (Source). Position the Bluetooth speaker appropriately to direct sound towards you.
Wireless Multi-Room Speakers: For whole home audio, install a multi-room speaker system like Sonos or Heos. Connect multiple wireless speakers in different rooms and control them from your phone to fill your entire home with synced music at higher volumes. Place speakers strategically for wide, immersive sound.
Choosing the right external speakers and positioning them effectively can significantly boost your phone’s volume output without distortion or damage to your hearing.
Get Your Hearing Checked
Listening to loud music or noise can cause temporary hearing loss or permanent hearing damage over time. If you are still having trouble hearing even at maximum volume on your phone, it’s important to get your hearing checked by an audiologist.
An audiologist can perform a hearing test to determine if you have any hearing loss. Some common symptoms that may indicate hearing damage include: ringing in the ears (tinnitus), difficulty understanding speech, or needing to turn up the TV or radio volume louder than others. Hearing loss can affect just one ear or both ears.1
Hearing loss that develops gradually may go unnoticed at first. Getting a baseline hearing test allows audiologists to monitor any changes over time. If hearing loss is detected, early treatment and preventive strategies can help stop further progression.
Treatment options for hearing loss include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, and speech therapy. An audiologist can suggest devices and strategies tailored to your specific needs and degree of hearing loss. Addressing hearing loss is important for maintaining good communication skills and quality of life.
Update Your Phone
One way to potentially increase your phone’s maximum volume is by upgrading to a newer phone model. Phone manufacturers are continuously improving their devices, and newer phones often have louder maximum volumes than older models. For example, according to this ZDNet article, the AGM 5 Pro Android phone can reach 109 dB without distortion. Upgrading to a newer high-end phone may allow you to reach higher volumes than your current device.
When researching new phones, look at their technical specifications and reviews to compare maximum volume levels. Newer phone models, especially from top brands like Samsung and Google, tend to have excellent audio capabilities. For instance, according to AGM Mobile, the AGM H5 has a giant 33mm speaker and 109dB maximum volume. Before upgrading, check if your current phone model can be updated via software to unlock louder volumes. But generally, buying a newer high-end phone is one solid option to significantly boost your maximum volume.
Consider Alternatives
If the maximum volume level on your phone is still not loud enough for your hearing needs, you may need to consider alternative audio devices. Here are some options:
Hearing aids: Getting fitted for a hearing aid can help amplify sounds coming from your phone. Newer models often have Bluetooth connectivity to pair directly with smartphones.
Assistive listening devices: These devices are designed to help people with hearing loss by providing amplification and reducing background noise. Examples include personal amplifiers, FM systems, and induction loop systems. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, they can improve the signal-to-noise ratio by up to 30 decibels.1
External speakers: Wired or Bluetooth speakers that connect to your smartphone can provide volume beyond the phone’s built-in speakers. Look for speakers with clear audio quality.
If your phone’s volume is still insufficient after trying the above options, it may be time to consider upgrading your phone or having your hearing evaluated to determine if you could benefit from medical treatment.
