How do I choose audio output on Android?

Choosing the right audio output on your Android device is important for getting the best sound quality and experience.

Android offers various options for audio output that you can select from depending on your usage needs and the external devices you want to connect.

Understanding Android audio output options

There are several audio output options available on Android devices:

Phone speaker – This small built-in speaker on your phone is designed for basic audio playback and hands-free speakerphone calls.
Wired headphones – You can connect wired headphones to your device’s 3.5mm headphone jack or USB-C port (with an adapter). This allows private, high-quality audio.
Bluetooth headphones/speakers – Android supports wireless Bluetooth audio connections to paired Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, speakers, and car audio systems.

HDMI – Newer Android devices can output audio over an HDMI cable to an external display or TV.
USB audio – Some devices can connect to external USB audio devices like DACs (digital-to-analog converters) and amplifiers.
Cast devices – You can cast or stream audio to Google Cast devices like Chromecast on your Wi-Fi network.

The sound quality and latency will vary between these options. Wired connections like the headphone jack and HDMI tend to provide lower latency and higher fidelity output compared to wireless options like Bluetooth. The phone speaker is more convenient but has lower audio quality than headphones.

Choosing audio output on Android

You can select which audio output to use in the Android settings menu or in individual audio apps. Here’s how to choose audio output on Android:

Via Android Settings

Open the Settings app on your Android device.

Tap Sound & vibration (on some devices under Sound).
Tap Media volume to adjust different volume sliders if needed.
Under Audio output, select your desired output option such as Phone speaker, Wired headphones, or the name of a paired Bluetooth device.

This sets the audio output device that will be used globally by default across different apps. You can still override this on a per-app basis.

Via Individual Apps

Many audio apps like music and video players have their own option in the app settings to select the audio output. This lets you override the global device setting just for that app.

For example, in the Spotify app:

Tap the cog Settings icon.
Tap Playback.
Under Audio output, select Phone speaker, Headset, or any paired Bluetooth devices.

This will make Spotify play from that audio output regardless of your global device setting.

Bluetooth audio output

Bluetooth is a popular wireless option to stream audio from your Android device to headphones, speakers, hearing aids, car audio systems, and more. Here are some tips for using Bluetooth audio:

Pair your Android device with the Bluetooth device so they can connect. You may need to put the external device in pairing mode.

In Bluetooth Settings, ensure the checkbox is toggled on next to the paired device name to enable connections.
Select the Bluetooth device name as the audio output in Android Settings or your audio apps.
Stay within the ~30 foot Bluetooth range between your phone and the device.

Check for interference from walls, water, other wireless signals, etc. that can disrupt Bluetooth.

Note that Bluetooth connections can allow some sound degradation or latency compared to wired connections. But they provide great wireless convenience.

Wired headphone audio output

Using wired headphones by plugging them into your Android device’s headphone jack or USB-C port is a reliable way to get high-quality, low latency audio output:

Make sure your device has a 3.5mm headphone jack and/or USB-C port.
Plug your wired headphones or earbuds into the appropriate port using an adapter if necessary.
Select “Headphones” or the specific model name as your audio output in Android Settings.

Pros of wired connections:

Reliable and consistent sound quality.
Very low audio latency.

No battery power required.
Wide compatibility with headphones.

Cons:

Limited by cable length.
Can get tangled cables.
Must be plugged in physically.

For listening privately on your device, the 3.5mm or USB-C wired connection remains a top choice.

HDMI audio output

Newer Android phones and tablets can output audio over an HDMI cable to an external screen like a TV or computer monitor with speakers. This allows you to play the audio from your device through the HDMI display’s sound system.

To use HDMI audio output from your Android device:

Use an appropriate HDMI cable or adapter to connect your Android device to the HDMI input on the TV/display.
On your device’s Settings, choose HDMI audio output.
On the external display, select the connected Android device as the audio input source. You may need to change TV input to the HDMI port.

HDMI can transmit both high-quality audio and video signals. But it requires you to be near the external screen to hear the audio.

USB audio output

Some Android devices support connecting to external USB digital-to-analog converters (DACs), amplifiers, and audio interfaces using USB OTG cables or adapters.

Enabling USB audio output allows you to connect headphones, speakers, and other gear to these professional-grade audio devices for premium sound quality and control.

To use USB audio output:

Connect your Android phone or tablet’s USB-C or micro-USB port to the external DAC/amp using the appropriate OTG adapter cable.
Install drivers or apps if required by the USB device maker.

Select the USB audio device in Android Settings sound output options.
Connect wired headphones, speakers, etc. to the DAC/amp ports.

USB audio adds versatility for audiophiles but requires compatible Android devices and USB gear.

Casting/streaming Android audio

You can wirelessly cast or stream audio from apps on your Android device to speakers and displays on the same Wi-Fi network using Google Cast technology:

Connect your Android phone and the Cast receiver device like Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi.
In a Cast-enabled app, tap the Cast button and select the Cast device as the audio output.

Music will stream from your phone to the Cast speaker in high quality.
You can still use your phone independently while the audio streams.

Casting allows wireless multi-room audio playback but depends on app support and Wi-Fi network quality.

Choosing between audio outputs

With all these audio output options, how do you choose what’s right for your needs? Here are some things to consider:

To privately listen on your Android device itself, wired headphone connections are ideal for sound quality and zero latency.
For wireless listening freedom, transmit audio over Bluetooth to portable speakers or headphones.

Cast to Google Cast devices for whole home or office wireless audio streaming.
HDMI output is great for bringing your device’s audio to TV displays and sound systems.
Amplify and enhance the analog audio signal using USB DACs and amps.

The internal phone speaker works for hands-free use but gives low audio quality.

Also factor in your preferred listening devices, need for mobility, audio quality requirements, budget, and convenience when deciding on Android sound outputs. Test different options to determine what works best for your needs.

Learning to switch between the various audio outputs on your Android gives you the flexibility to direct sound where you want it. Mastering your device’s sound settings takes a little effort but allows you to always enjoy audio optimized for your situation.

Troubleshooting Android audio issues

If you experience any problems getting audio output working properly on your Android device, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check that your device’s media volume is turned up in Settings > Sound > Media volume.
Try restarting your Android device and the connected audio output device if sound stops working.

Ensure any connected cables are firmly plugged in all the way.
Test with different headphone/speaker devices to pinpoint the issue.
Use a different app like a video player to check if audio works there.

Inspect cables and ports for damage, dust, or debris causing connection problems.
Disable any EQ effects or audio processing settings that may be interfering.
Check for Android or app updates that may address audio bugs.

For wireless connections like Bluetooth and Cast devices, also try:

Reset network settings under System settings if connectivity is inconsistent.
Ensure Bluetooth is turned on and your device is paired to the audio device.

Move closer to the wireless receiver and reduce interference from obstacles.
Forget the device connection and re-pair for a fresh start.

Finally, you can search device forums or contact tech support if you can’t resolve the problems. With some testing and tweaking, you should be able to sort out any audio issues that pop up.

Changing Audio Output on Android 10 and Newer

For Android 10 and newer versions, Google has simplified switching between audio output options using the Quick Settings panel:

Pull down the Quick Settings panel from the top of your screen.
Long press on the audio output icon in the upper right corner. It appears as a speaker icon.

A box will pop up with available audio output choices like “Phone speaker,” “Wired headphones,” and any paired Bluetooth devices.
Tap your desired option to connect and switch the audio routing.

This makes it quick and convenient to change where audio is being sent, whether to your phone’s speaker, plugged in headphones, or wireless headphones connected over Bluetooth.

In addition to the Quick Settings switch, you can change audio output in the main Settings menu:

Open the Settings app.
Tap Sound or Sound & vibration.

Choose Audio output.
Select your desired audio output option.

Here you can also manage paired Bluetooth devices and configure options like whether to automatically switch to newly connected devices.

Switching Audio Output on Android 9 and Older

On older versions of Android, like Android 9 Pie and below, the process for changing audio output is a little different than newer versions.

First, open the Quick Settings panel and tap the audio output icon in the upper right. This opens an audio output menu:

Media – Routes audio from music, videos, games, and other media.

Alarms – Sets the audio output specifically for alarms.
Ring – Chooses where ringtones and notification sounds play.

Tap one of these categories first depending on the type of audio you want to change. Then select the output option you want from the next screen.

For example, tapping “Media” will let you choose between outputs like “Phone speaker,” “Headphones,” and Bluetooth devices for your media audio.

You can also go into the Settings menu for expanded options:

Open Settings and tap Sound.

Tap Phone ringtone for ringtone/notification output.
Tap Media for media audio output options.
Tap Alarms for alarm audio output.

Choose your desired output method in each section.

Here you can configure more specific settings, like having different outputs for alarms vs. media. The Quick Settings panel provides quicker access to common audio output options.

Maximizing Android audio quality

Beyond just selecting the audio output, you can also adjust Android settings to maximize your sound quality and listening experience:

Use a wired connection like headphone jack or HDMI when possible for the purest signal.
Turn off audio effects and surround sound processing to avoid distortion.
Enable high quality audio codecs like aptX and LDAC for Bluetooth devices that support them.

Adjust the EQ to suit your listening preferences if your device offers system-wide equalizer settings.
Use a USB DAC/amp for cleaner and louder analog signal levels.
Update apps and Android version for latest performance enhancements.

Close extra apps and reduce CPU load to allocate resources for audio.

You can also maximize quality on the audio playback device side:

Use high-fidelity headphones, earbuds, or speakers to hear the nuances.

Check that listening device volume levels are not set too high.
Clean headphones and speaker contacts if sound cuts out due to poor connections.
Upgrade firmware on Bluetooth audio gear when updates are available.

Finding the right balance of audio settings across your Android device ecosystem gives you the detail and clarity to enjoy your music and videos to the fullest.

Advanced wired audio connections

Android’s wired audio options using the headphone jack or USB go beyond just plugging in headphones. With the right gear and adapters, you can connect professional studio monitors, high-end audiophile equipment, guitar amp modelers, and more to your device.

Some examples of advanced wired audio connections include:

XLR microphones – Use an XLR to 3.5mm adapter to connect pro condenser mics for crystal clear vocals and acoustic instrument recording.
Tube preamps – Add warmth and color to Android audio output by connecting guitar tube preamps between your device and monitors or amps.
Balanced monitors – Connect to balanced TRS monitors via the headphone jack for proper stereo imaging and noise rejection.

Digital mixing boards – Use USB audio to send channels directly to mixing board channels for multi-track recording.

The right OTG adapters allow interfacing Android with a wide range of audio equipment for premium quality. Audio latency can be an issue for monitoring live instruments, so test gear for delay before recording.

Get the most from Android Bluetooth audio

When using wireless Bluetooth audio, there are some settings tweaks and tricks to maximize range, stability, and quality:

Disable Wi-Fi for less interference if your router is too close to your listening area.
Face the device antenna (located at the top or bottom) toward the Bluetooth receiver.
Choose Bluetooth version 5.0 devices for extended range over older versions.

Set your smartphone to Airplane mode and re-enable just Bluetooth to reduce signal congestion.
Charge your phone during listening to avoid battery drain interference.

Also try changing these developer options:

Enable Bluetooth AVRCP to allow better metadata streaming.
Set Bluetooth A2DP hardware playback for lower latency audio.
Adjust Bluetooth frequency range for less crowded transmission bands.

Testing different antenna orientations, locations, and settings will help overcome wireless obstacles for clean Bluetooth streaming.

Broadcasting Android audio over Wi-Fi

You can broadcast audio from your Android device to multiple speakers over Wi-Fi using solutions like Google Cast or third-party apps like AmpMe:

Connect your Android phone and each speaker or TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

Open the audio broadcasting app and select the devices you want to stream to.
The app streams audio from your smartphone to the chosen devices in sync.
No need to pair each speaker directly – just connect to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi audio broadcasting allows whole home or office audio streaming from your phone. Make sure your network has sufficient bandwidth for multiple streams.

Recording Android audio output

Want to record the audio playing from your Android device? You have a few options:

Use a 3.5mm audio cable and connect your phone headphone jack to your computer mic input to record directly into audio software.

Try apps like Mobizen Screen Recorder that can capture internal audio output while screen recording.
Enable Developer options > Internal audio capture in Settings to allow apps to record audio streams.
Some custom ROMs have built-in audio output recording features.

Recording line level audio output can capture high quality streams for music sampling and archiving your mix playlists. But some apps may restrict recording due to copyrights.

Get help with Android audio issues

If you still can’t resolve your Android audio issues, don’t struggle alone. You can find support and solutions from various resources:

Device manufacturer forums – Post questions to get help from fellow users and moderators knowledgeable about your specific Android device.
Reddit threads – Audio and Android subreddits often have active discussions about troubleshooting problems.
XDA Developers forum – Enthusiasts share workarounds and custom ROMs to fix audio bugs.
Retail tech support – Bring your device to tech repair shops for hands-on testing and component replacements.
Online tutorials – Sites like YouTube offer step-by-step video guides on fixing various audio issues.

Don’t forget basic fixes like updating your Android version, checking for app updates, cleaning ports, and testing different headphones. With some targeted help from audio experts, you’ll get your devices sounding smooth again.

The bottom line

Android offers great flexibility for audio output options – from the tiny phone speaker to surround sound systems. Learn how to access and switch between the different outputs like Bluetooth, headphone jack, HDMI, Cast devices, and USB connectivity based on where and how you want to listen.

Dig into your device sound settings to configure optimal quality for wired and wireless connections. Troubleshoot problems using volume adjustments, cable replacements, resetting network settings, forgetting devices, and testing different apps. Leverage online help resources if needed to resolve trickier issues.

Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy seamless Android audio whether privately listening on headphones, rocking out on wireless speakers, or queuing up playlists across rooms. Don’t settle for default factory settings – grab control of audio output on your Android to amplify your listening experience.