How do I change playback speed on Android?
Playback speed refers to the rate at which audio or video content plays. On Android devices, users have the ability to adjust playback speed for apps like YouTube, Spotify, podcast players, audiobook apps, and more. There are several reasons why someone may want to adjust playback speed on their Android device:
- To listen to or watch content faster – increasing playback speed allows you to consume content more quickly.
- To slow down difficult content – decreasing playback speed can help make fast-talking or complex content easier to comprehend.
- For accessibility – some users may need slower playback speeds if they have auditory processing challenges.
- To save time – listening at 1.5x or 2x speed allows you to get through more content in your day.
- For comprehension – adjusting playback speed can aid focus and information retention.
- Personal preference – some users simply prefer listening at slightly faster or slower speeds.
Android’s flexibility in changing playback speed allows users to customize their listening/viewing experience to best suit their needs and preferences.
Locate Playback Settings
The playback settings on Android devices can be accessed within each individual media app, such as YouTube, Spotify, podcast players, etc. The settings may be in a slightly different location in each app, but they are generally found in a “Settings” or “Preferences” menu.
For example, in the YouTube app, tap on your profile icon in the top right, go to “Settings”, and select “Playback”. This will allow you to adjust options like playback speed, resolution, and more. In Spotify, go to “Settings” and choose “Playback” to change settings like crossfade, gapless playback, etc.
Most podcast apps have a settings menu where you can find options to adjust playback speed as well. Look for a “Settings” or “More” menu and explore there. For audiobook apps, the playback settings may be under a menu option like “Reading Settings”.
So the key is to open the settings/preferences menu within each individual media app on your Android device to locate playback options like speed, crossfade, resolution, etc. The settings are generally app-specific, but easy to find within the menus.
Playback Settings in YouTube
The YouTube app for Android allows you to easily adjust the playback speed for videos. Here are the steps to change the playback speed in the YouTube app:
1. Open the YouTube app on your Android device and start playing a video.
2. Tap on the three dot menu icon in the top right corner of the video player.
3. Select ‘Playback speed’ from the menu.
4. You will see a list of playback speed options ranging from 0.25x to 2x normal speed. Select your desired playback speed.
5. The video will now play at the selected speed. You can change it again at any time by repeating the steps.
6. The playback speed you select will be remembered for future videos played in the YouTube app.
So in summary, access the playback speed options by tapping the three dot menu during video playback in the YouTube app. This makes it quick and easy to speed up or slow down videos based on your preference.
Playback Settings in Spotify
You can easily adjust the playback speed in the Spotify app for Android. Here are the steps:
- Open the Spotify app on your Android device.
- Go to the song or podcast you want to adjust playback speed for.
- Tap on the “…” icon in the bottom bar.
- Select “Playback speed” from the menu.
- You will see options to play at half speed, normal speed, or fast speed. Tap on the speed you want.
- You can also tap “Custom” to manually set a custom playback speed between 0.5x to 3x normal speed.[1]
This allows you to easily slow down or speed up playback in the Spotify app as needed. The setting will stay applied to that particular song or podcast until you change it again.
Playback Settings in Podcast Apps
Most popular podcast apps on Android allow you to adjust playback speed for flexibility while listening. This allows you to speed up or slow down the podcast to your preferred pace.
In Podcast Addict, tap on the episode you are playing, then tap the settings icon in the top right corner. Go to Playback and toggle “Playback speed” to adjust the speed up or down as desired. You can also set playback speed globally in the app’s Settings.
For Google Podcasts, bring up the player controls during an episode, then tap the 1x icon in the lower left corner. This brings up a speed slider to adjust faster or slower.
In Castbox, use the uneven dotted line button in the top left while playing an episode. Drag left or right to decrease or increase speed.
Most other podcast apps like Pocket Casts, Podbean, and more also include playback speed options accessible through the episode or app settings. Checking for a “Playback speed” or similar setting is the best way to adjust podcast pacing.
System-Wide Playback Changes
There are a few third-party apps on Android that allow you to adjust playback speed system-wide, affecting video and audio playback across any app on your device. Some popular options include:
Videoshop Video Editor by InShot Inc. lets you control playback speed from 0.5x up to 32x for both videos and audio. You can set the speed adjustment globally from the settings and it will apply to media playback in any app (source).
Another option is Video Speed Controller by Winner Video Studio. This app sets a system-wide speed adjustment ranging from 0.25x to 16x speed. The developers claim it is compatible with most video apps like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc. (source).
For audio-focused adjustments, Audipo: Audio Speed Changer by Audipo can change playback speeds from 0.5x to 3x. It works with podcasts, audiobooks, and music apps on your device (source).
Playback Settings for Audiobooks
Many Android users enjoy listening to audiobooks. However, the default playback speed may be too fast or too slow for some listeners. Thankfully, most audiobook apps for Android allow you to adjust the narration speed to suit your preferences.
In the Audible app, you can customize narration speed by tapping on the title you are listening to, opening the player window, and selecting the Speed icon. You can choose from speeds ranging from 0.5x up to 3x [1]. This provides a lot of flexibility to speed up or slow down the narration.
The OverDrive app also lets you change playback speed for downloaded audiobooks. Tap on the audiobook in your app library, then tap the speedometer icon. You can select speeds from 0.5x to 2x here [2]. OverDrive allows you to slow narration down for clarity, or speed it up to get through books faster.
Many third-party audiobook apps like Smart Audiobook Player and Voice Audiobook Player also have playback speed controls. Look in your app’s settings or player screen for options to adjust speed.
Adjusting playback speed is an accessible way to tailor your audiobook experience on Android. Faster speeds help you power through books, while slower speeds let you savor the narration.
Adjusting Speed for Accessibility
Some users may benefit from adjusting playback speed to aid listening comprehension or accessibility needs. Increasing playback speed can help people with conditions like dyslexia more easily process and understand speech in videos, podcasts, and audiobooks. It allows them to take in information at a pace better suited to their abilities. Slowing down playback speed can also help people for whom the default speed is too fast to fully understand. This includes some people with cognitive disabilities, people who are not native speakers of the language used in the audio, or people who are new to listening to digital media. According to research from Bucks New University, adjustable playback speed is an important accessibility feature to support users’ diverse learning needs.
When creating or distributing digital audio content, consider offering playback speed options to optimize comprehension for all users. Most modern apps and platforms allow speed adjustments, so taking advantage of these features can help make content more inclusive.
Source: Bucks New University
Potential Downsides
While increasing playback speed can help you consume content more quickly, setting the speed too fast can negatively impact comprehension. According to a study published in Mind, Brain and Education, older adults had significantly reduced comprehension when watching lecture videos sped up 50-100% faster than normal playback speed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37017554/). The researchers advise against older adults watching videos at faster speeds.
For younger viewers, watching videos at 2x speed may also reduce comprehension of complex topics, as indicated in this Quora discussion (https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-watching-all-videos-with-2x-speed). Increased speed can make it harder to absorb nuances and details. Additionally, some argue that increased playback speed contributes to shortened attention spans over time.
Overall, it’s best to choose moderate playback speeds and adjust as needed based on the complexity of the content. Set speeds too fast, and you risk missing key information and reducing comprehension.
Conclusion
There are several main methods for adjusting the playback speed on Android devices. First, individual apps like YouTube, Spotify, and podcast apps allow you to control the speed within their settings. Second, you can make system-wide changes in the Accessibility settings to increase the speed across all media. Third, some specific domains like audiobook apps provide playback options to listen faster. Lastly, adjusting speeds can help those with accessibility needs, although there are some downsides to consider, like reduced comprehension at very fast speeds.
Overall, Android offers flexibility in controlling playback speed to suit your preferences. The options range from app-specific settings, to device-wide changes, to adjustments for specific content types. With some experimentation, you can find a playback speed that enhances your experience.
