How can I make my Bluetooth mic louder on Android?

Many Android users utilize Bluetooth microphones for various audio purposes, whether it’s for taking clearer phone calls, livestreaming gameplay, recording podcasts, or capturing better audio in videos. Often the mic volume may be too low, making it difficult for others to hear you clearly. There are several reasons why users may want their Bluetooth microphone louder on an Android device:

Improve call quality – A louder mic ensures your voice is transmitted clearly to the other caller.
Enhance livestreams – Increase mic volume so your commentary is more audible to viewers.

Boost vocal clarity in recordings – Raising the mic level captures vocals strongly in podcasts, vlogs, music recordings, etc.
Overpower background noise – With a louder mic, your voice is less likely to get drowned out by ambient sounds.

Having optimal microphone volume is key for delivering quality audio content from an Android device. The techniques covered in this guide will help you get the most out of your Bluetooth mic.

Check Mic Volume Settings

One easy way to boost your Bluetooth microphone volume on Android is to check the mic volume settings in your device’s Settings app and make sure it is turned up to the maximum level. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Tap on “Sound” or “Sounds and vibration.”

3. Look for an option like “Microphone volume” or “Voice call volume.” Tap on it.

4. Drag the volume slider all the way to the right to set it to the maximum level.

Setting your Android mic volume to maximum in the Settings will ensure your phone is capturing audio from your Bluetooth mic at the highest input volume it can. This should make your Bluetooth mic louder. You may also want to check any app-specific volume settings as well.

Check App Volume Settings

Many apps that utilize the Bluetooth microphone have their own internal volume controls specifically for the microphone input. Open the settings in apps you use the Bluetooth mic for like phone calls, voice chat, video conferencing, and streaming. Look for a setting related to microphone or input volume and make sure it is turned up to the maximum level.

For example, in Zoom’s settings there is a separate “Microphone Volume” slider that adjusts the gain specifically for your mic input. Setting this to 100% can significantly boost the volume coming from your Bluetooth microphone.

Checking each individual app’s volume controls is important because even if your system or device volume is turned up high, the app may be limiting how loud your mic input can be. Setting the mic input gain to max within the apps themselves ensures your Bluetooth microphone is being captured at the highest possible volume.

Use a Mic Boost App

One of the easiest ways to make your Bluetooth microphone louder on Android is by using a dedicated microphone boost or volume booster app. These apps can amplify the gain on your device’s microphone input to increase the volume coming through your Bluetooth mic.

Some top options to try include:

Microphone Booster & Amplifier – Boosts volume up to 300% with adjustable gain control.

Volume Booster GOODEV – No frills volume enhancer that can boost volume beyond your device’s default maximum.
Mic Boost+ – Provides a simple microphone volume slider with boost up to 400%.

These apps work by interfacing with your Android device’s microphone input and applying software-based amplification. This amplified signal is then passed through to your Bluetooth headset. The result is that the mic audio gets louder on the receiving end.

Just install the app, grant microphone permissions, connect your Bluetooth mic, and adjust the volume boost slider to your liking. Some apps provide advanced options like noise reduction too. Experiment to find the right boost level for your setup without introducing too much distortion.

Adjust Bluetooth Codec

One way to potentially get louder volume from your Bluetooth mic is to switch to a higher quality audio codec like aptX or LDAC. The default SBC codec on Android compresses the audio more, which can result in lower volume and quality.

The aptX codec uses a different compression algorithm that preserves more detail and volume. Enabling aptX may allow you to increase the mic volume since there is less lossy compression. According to source [1], aptX can provide “better sound quality compared to the default SBC codec on Android devices.”

To enable aptX, first make sure your Android device and Bluetooth headphones/mic support aptX. Then go into your phone’s Developer Options and select “Bluetooth Audio Codec” [2]. Here you can choose aptX as the preferred audio codec. This will allow your phone to use aptX with headphones that also have aptX support.

Additionally, you may need to enable aptX in your Bluetooth headset or mic settings if available. Check the instructions for your specific headphones to ensure aptX is turned on. With aptX enabled on both devices, you should get louder mic volume and audio quality.

[1] https://www.androidpolice.com/change-bluetooth-codec-android/
[2] https://www.makeuseof.com/change-bluetooth-codec-android/

Use a Headset with Better Mics

One way to make your Bluetooth microphone louder is to use a headset that has higher sensitivity microphones. Microphones with higher sensitivity ratings are able to pick up more volume from your voice. Look for headsets that advertise mic sensitivity in dBSPL – the higher the dBSPL, the more sensitive the mic.

Some good Bluetooth headset options with highly sensitive mics include:

Plantronics Voyager 5200 – sensitivity of -38 dB

Jabra Evolve 75 – sensitivity of -42 dB
BlueParrott C300-XT – sensitivity of -38 dB
Sennheiser Presence – sensitivity of -44 dB

Getting a headset designed specifically for calling versus music listening can also provide better mic pick up. The microphones in these headsets will be optimized for capturing your voice audio clearly.

Adjust Noise Gate Settings

A noise gate filter can help increase your vocal volume on a Bluetooth mic by reducing background noise. Noise gates work by silencing audio input that falls below a set threshold. This removes ambient noise while allowing louder sounds like your voice through.

Here are some steps to adjust the noise gate on common Android apps:

In the Samsung Voice Recorder app, tap the 3-dot menu and enable ‘Noise Reduction’. Drag the slider to adjust the noise gate threshold.
In the Google Voice Access app, go to Settings > Speech and toggle on ‘Remove ambient noise’.
Try using third party recording apps like Sony Audio Recorder which have advanced noise gate controls.

For music apps like Spotify, enable ‘Audio Effects’ in the settings and use the Sound Amplifier to filter noise.

Adjust the noise gate threshold so it blocks out background noise but doesn’t cut off your speech. Positioning the mic close to your mouth can further improve voice pickup.

Use an External Mic

One of the most effective ways to make your Bluetooth mic louder on Android is to use an external microphone. The built-in mics on most headphones and devices tend to be quite small and low-powered. An external mic with a larger diaphragm and better sensitivity can capture sounds at a higher volume.

Some good external mic options to consider for Android include:

Shure MV88 – A high quality condenser mic that easily clips onto your mobile device. It captures crisp, rich audio and has an adjustable gain control (https://vergecampus.com/best-external-microphone-for-android-phone/)
Rode VideoMicro – A compact and lightweight directional mic perfect for vlogging and interviews. It requires no battery and has excellent sound pickup.

Boya BY-MM1 – An affordable cardioid mic with surprisingly good audio quality for the price.

Using one of these professional-grade external mics with your Android device can significantly boost the volume and audio quality captured by your mic. Just make sure the mic is compatible with your phone and has the appropriate connector or adapter. The extra volume and clarity can make a big difference for recording podcasts, music, or any other vocal audio.

Adjust Distance from Mic

The optimal distance to hold your Bluetooth microphone from your mouth is generally 1-6 inches. Holding the mic too far away can result in the volume dropping off or picking up more ambient noise. According to research, “When recording audio only, the microphone should start between 6 and 12 inches from the subject, adjusting as needed for environmental recording…” (source).

Try experimenting with positioning the mic at different distances from your mouth while speaking or singing to find the sweet spot for your particular mic and voice. The ideal distance often falls around 4-6 inches. Just avoid holding the mic more than 6 inches away, as the volume and sound quality will start to degrade at longer distances.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several methods you can try to increase the volume of your Bluetooth microphone on Android devices.

First, check your microphone volume settings in your device’s Settings menu and in the app you are using. Increase the mic volume to the maximum level. You can also try using a microphone boost app like Volume Booster to amplify the mic volume.

Adjusting your Bluetooth codec to SBC can help increase volume as well. Or, use a headset with higher quality microphones that capture sound better. Play with noise gate settings and move the mic closer to your mouth to pick up more volume.

Additionally, consider getting an external microphone or audio interface device to provide cleaner audio input. Position yourself closer to the mic so it can capture more of your voice. Test different recording apps to find one that offers better mic support.

With some tweaking of these settings, you should be able to achieve improved volume from your Bluetooth mic when using Android. Focus on adjusting the input volume first before trying other methods like accessories or apps.