How do I connect external speakers to my Android phone?
Connecting external speakers to your Android phone can greatly improve your listening experience. The built-in speakers on most phones are small and limited in sound quality. Using dedicated external speakers provides louder, clearer audio and deeper bass response. There are several types of external speakers that can be connected, both wired and wireless, to suit different needs.
Adding external speakers provides a number of benefits compared to relying solely on your phone’s built-in speaker. You can fill a room with sound for watching movies or listening to music. The sound will be more well-rounded and immersive. External speakers also allow you to conveniently amplify your phone’s volume for conference calls, navigation instructions, or other hands-free uses. With some speakers you can even command your phone’s voice assistant from across the room.
The main types of external speakers that can be connected to an Android phone include wired passive speakers, Bluetooth wireless speakers, smart speakers with integrated voice assistants, and other proprietary wireless speaker systems. This guide will go over the options in more detail and explain how to enable and set up speaker connections on your Android device.
Wired Speakers
Connecting wired speakers to an Android phone typically requires using the phone’s 3.5mm headphone jack or USB-C port. Most Android phones have a 3.5mm audio jack that allows you to plug in wired headphones or speakers using a 3.5mm audio cable. For phones without a headphone jack like newer models, you can get a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to connect wired speakers or headphones through the USB-C charging port.
The required cables and adapters to connect wired speakers include:
- 3.5mm audio cable – plugs into the phone’s headphone jack on one end and the speakers on the other end
- USB-C to 3.5mm adapter – allows connecting 3.5mm audio devices to a USB-C only phone
- Micro USB to 3.5mm adapter – for older Android models with micro USB charging ports
Once connected, volume can be controlled directly through the wired speakers if they have onboard volume controls. You can also control the volume using your phone’s volume buttons, in the notification panel, or through a media/music app like Spotify.
For additional details on connecting wired speakers via the headphone jack or USB-C, check out this guide: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/android-speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Bluetooth speakers have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their wireless connectivity and portability. According to a research report by LinkedIn, the global Bluetooth speakers market is projected to reach USD 42190 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2022-2028 (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bluetooth-speakers-market-trends-research-report). Bluetooth speakers allow you to play audio from your Android device wirelessly, without the need for cables or docks.
To connect Bluetooth speakers to your Android phone, you first need to pair the devices. Put your Bluetooth speaker into pairing mode by following the instructions in the user manual (this usually involves pressing and holding a pairing button on the speaker). Then go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings and select the option to add or pair a new device. Your phone will scan for nearby Bluetooth devices and you should see your speaker show up in the list. Select it to connect.
Once paired, Bluetooth speakers use the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) to stream high quality audio from your phone. The A2DP profile allows for audio to be streamed remotely over Bluetooth. Many Bluetooth speakers also support the Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) which allows you to control playback functions like pausing, skipping tracks, adjusting volume directly from the speaker (https://www.factmr.com/report/portable-bluetooth-speaker-market).
Standard Bluetooth has a typical range of up to 30 feet between devices before audio may start cutting out. Using recent Bluetooth versions like 4.0+ can provide extended range compared to older versions. Obstructions between your phone and the speaker can also impact connection stability. For best results, keep your phone and Bluetooth speaker within direct line of sight.
Smart Speakers
Connecting your Android phone to a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Echo allows you to play music, get information, and control your smart home using just your voice. Most major smart speaker brands now offer seamless WiFi connectivity between your Android device and the speaker.
To connect to a Google Home speaker, simply make sure your phone and speaker are on the same WiFi network. Open the Google Home app on your Android, and it will walk you through the pairing process. You can then ask Google Assistant questions, play music, set reminders, control smart home devices and more, all through the Google Home speaker using your phone. According to Statista, Google holds about 24% of the global smart speaker market share as of 2022 [1].
Connecting an Amazon Echo speaker is also easy if your phone is on the same WiFi network. Open the Alexa app, select “Devices” then “Add Device” and it will find your Echo. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete pairing. You can then access all of Alexa’s capabilities through the Echo speaker using your Android device. Amazon holds the largest share of the smart speaker market at 28% globally [1]. Using Alexa on your Echo speaker, you can play music, get news updates, control smart home devices, set timers and alarms, manage calendars, and much more.
With either Google Home or Alexa speakers connected via WiFi to your Android phone, you have hands-free access to a powerful voice assistant for playing music, getting information, and controlling your smart home devices using natural language commands. The global smart speaker market is expected to grow to $34 billion by 2028 according to Fortune Business Insights [2], so these types of speakers are becoming incredibly popular ways to interact with technology using voice.
Other Wireless Speakers
In addition to Bluetooth and smart speakers, there are other wireless speaker options like WiFi and Chromecast speakers. WiFi speakers allow you to stream audio over your home WiFi network directly from your phone or other devices. Popular WiFi speaker brands include Sonos, Bose, Denon, and Yamaha.
Chromecast speakers like the Google Nest Audio have the Google Chromecast protocol built-in, allowing you to cast audio from Chromecast-enabled apps on your phone or other devices. Setup involves downloading the manufacturer’s app, connecting to your WiFi network, and casting content from your phone or other apps.
The benefit of WiFi and Chromecast speakers is that they don’t rely on Bluetooth, so you can have multiple speakers connected and playing audio simultaneously. The range is also greater since they use WiFi. The downside is you need to be connected to WiFi to use them.
Choosing Speakers
When selecting speakers to connect to your Android phone, there are a few key factors to consider depending on your needs and budget:
Sound quality – Larger speakers with bigger drivers tend to produce better sound, especially bass. However, compact Bluetooth speakers have improved a lot over the years and many models under $100 can provide decent audio. Look at professional reviews on sites like CNET for recommendations.
Portability – If you want to easily carry a speaker around, look for a lightweight model under 2 pounds. Outdoor speakers should also be durable and waterproof. Mini speakers like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom work well for mobility.
Battery life – Make sure the battery life is sufficient for your needs. Average battery life is 10-20 hours of continuous playtime. Some bigger speakers can last over 24 hours.
Wireless range – Standard Bluetooth range is up to 30 feet, but some speakers have extended range up to 100 feet or more. This allows more freedom of placement.
For home usage, bigger speakers with better bass provide an immersive listening experience. Travel speakers should be ultra-portable and durable. For parties, you need high volume capability and deep bass. Consider weatherproofing if using speakers outdoors near the pool or beach.
Prices range widely from $25 for basic mini speakers to several hundreds for premium hi-fi models. Read reviews and determine the right balance of sound and features for your budget.
Enabling Connected Devices
To connect external speakers or other Bluetooth devices to your Android phone, you’ll need to enable and allow permissions for Bluetooth connections. Here are the steps:
Go to Settings > Connected devices and tap the toggle to turn on Bluetooth. This enables your phone’s Bluetooth so it can find and connect with nearby Bluetooth devices.
Make sure the speaker or device you want to connect is turned on and in pairing mode. Your phone will scan and display available Bluetooth devices to connect to.
Tap the name of the Bluetooth speaker or device. Your Android will send a pairing request. Confirm the pairing code on both devices and allow any requested permissions to connect them.
You may need to give permissions for the speaker or device to access your contacts, phone calls, or media files. Grant the required permissions when prompted on your Android device.
Some Android phones try to conserve battery life by limiting Bluetooth connections. Go to Settings > Battery and check for options like “Battery optimization” or “Background restriction.” Tap the drop-down by your speaker/device and select “Don’t optimize” or “Allow background activity.”
Once fully paired and connected, you’ll be able to play audio and media from your Android phone to the external speaker. Test that the speaker works correctly before continuing.
Using Multiple Speakers
You can connect your Android phone to multiple external speakers at once to create a multi-room audio system. There are a few different options for setting up multi-room audio:
Bluetooth – You can pair your phone with multiple Bluetooth speakers to play audio in sync across different rooms. Most Bluetooth speakers have a range of 30-50 feet, so you’ll need the speakers relatively close together. Look for speakers that support multi-pairing to connect to 2 or more at once.
WiFi – Many wireless (WiFi) speakers can connect together on a home network to enable multi-room audio. Brands like Sonos, Denon, Yamaha, and others offer wireless speaker systems designed for whole home audio. A central hub or controller connects to your router, then you place WiFi speakers in different rooms that connect back to the hub. The advantage here is much longer range and seamless control.
Wireless protocols like Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, and Alexa’s Multi-Room Music also allow casting audio from your phone to compatible speakers across multiple zones. Check that your speakers and phone support the same protocols before purchasing.
Consider sound quality, ease of use, multi-zone expansion, and voice assistant support when choosing a wireless multi-room audio system. Carefully plan speaker placement for optimal coverage. For audiophile-quality sound, a wired option like a multi-zone receiver system may be preferable.
See https://www.whathifi.com/advice/multi-room-audio-everything-you-need-to-know for an overview of building a multi-room system.
Troubleshooting Issues
If you encounter problems getting your external speakers to work properly with your Android device, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
First, check that the speakers are powered on and connected to your device correctly via Bluetooth, cable, or WiFi as applicable. Ensure cables are fully inserted and any pairing steps are completed.
You may also want to check the audio or volume settings on both your Android device and the external speakers. Make sure the volume is turned up on both, and that your device is outputting audio through the correct output mode like Bluetooth or headphone jack.
For Bluetooth speakers, make sure the device is within range of your Android phone as the connection can drop if the two are too far apart. You can try re-pairing the devices if the connection seems to have been lost.
Some other steps for troubleshooting audio issues include:
– Update your Android OS and speaker firmware to the latest versions[1]
– Use an audio troubleshooting app to diagnose connection issues[2]
– Reset network settings on your Android device
– Try a different speaker or audio source to isolate the issue
If you still have problems getting your external speakers to work properly after troubleshooting, you may need to contact the manufacturer for further support.
Future Speaker Options
There are several emerging standards and technologies that are expected to improve wireless connectivity for speakers in the future. Some key innovations include:
WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) is a wireless interoperability standard that allows separate audio components like TVs, Blu-ray players, and speakers to connect wirelessly via the 5 GHz band. This allows for high resolution, multi-channel audio without cables. WiSA certified products from different brands can connect seamlessly. WiSA is expected to gain adoption for home theater setups with wireless surround sound speakers.1
New Qualcomm chips like the S5 Sound Platform aim to improve wireless earbud connectivity and audio quality using Bluetooth 5.3 and proprietary adaptations. Features like Qualcomm Auracast broadcast audio, support for lossless codecs like aptX Adaptive, and 2x lower latency should lead to a more seamless listening experience.2
Future versions of Bluetooth like LE Audio are also expected to enable new use cases like audio sharing between devices and multi-stream audio to multiple speakers or headphones from a single device. Improvements to range and audio quality are also slated.3
Overall, these new standards point towards a future where high fidelity wireless audio connects seamlessly across home theater setups, portable speakers, headphones and more. Consumers can expect robust connectivity, improved latency, lossless multi-channel audio and more flexibility in how audio components work together.
1 https://www.wisaassociation.org/technology/
2 https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-qualcomms-new-audio-tech-could-transform-your-wireless-earbud-experience/
3 https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/bluetooth-technology/le-audio/
