How do I get my Android to play sound through both headphones and speakers?
Android devices have traditionally only allowed audio output through one source at a time, whether headphones, Bluetooth speakers, or built-in speakers. This limitation means you can’t listen to music or videos through headphones while also playing sound out loud at the same time.
Having to choose between headphones or speakers can be inconvenient for many users. You may want to privately listen to music while still allowing others nearby to hear the audio too. Or you might want to play a game’s sound effects out loud while listening to its background music privately. There are many situations where sending audio to both headphones and speakers simultaneously would be useful.
The goal is to find methods to enable Android devices to play sound through both wired headphones and built-in speakers at the same time. This guide will cover different options, from splitters to apps, that allow users to bypass the single audio output limitation.
Understanding Audio Output Options
Android devices have various audio output options that users can switch between, such as wired headphones through the 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth headphones or speakers, USB-C audio, HDMI audio through an external display, and built-in speakers.
By default, Android handles audio routing by granting “audio focus” to a single app at a time. This prevents multiple apps from playing audio simultaneously, which could result in an unpleasant user experience. According to the Android documentation, the audio focus system helps ensure that important sounds are played correctly by delegating audio playback to the foreground app.
So if you start playing music through the Spotify app and then open a video in YouTube, the video audio will take over and pause the music playback. This routing behavior applies across all the various audio output options on an Android device like wired headphones, Bluetooth speakers, etc. Only a single audio stream will be played at once as apps contend for audio focus.
While this behavior provides a cleaner experience in most cases, it limits the ability to mix and playback multiple audio streams together, such as listening to a podcast through headphones while also hearing navigation prompts through the speakers. Modifying the default audio routing requires using special apps, accessories, or modifications detailed in the sections below.
Methods to Enable Simultaneous Audio
There are a few different methods Android users can try to get audio to play through both headphones and speakers at the same time:
Splitter Cables
Using a headphone splitter or Y-splitter cable is one of the easiest ways to output audio to two destinations simultaneously. These cables have one headphone jack on one end that plugs into your phone, and two headphone jacks on the other end that allows you to connect two sets of headphones or a headphone and speaker.
Bluetooth Transmitters
Bluetooth audio transmitters can send audio wirelessly to multiple Bluetooth devices at once. You can connect headphones to the transmitter via Bluetooth while also playing audio through the phone’s speakers.
Rooting and Audio Mods
For advanced users, rooting Android and installing audio modification mods can enable simultaneous wired and Bluetooth audio output. However, this involves more technical steps and risks voiding your phone’s warranty.
Third Party Apps
There are some third party apps like Bluetooth Audio Connect Widget that add more advanced audio controls, allowing you to route audio to multiple outputs.
Using a Headphone Splitter
One simple way to get audio to play through both your headphones and speakers on an Android device is to use a 3.5mm headphone splitter (also called a Y-splitter). A headphone splitter has one 3.5mm plug on one end that connects to your device’s headphone jack, and two 3.5mm ports on the other end to plug your headphones and external speakers into.
The splitter takes the audio signal output from your device and splits it into two identical signals, allowing you to hear the audio through two sets of headphones or a headphone + speaker combination. It essentially duplicates the headphone jack so two devices can be plugged in and receive audio simultaneously.
When selecting a splitter, look for one that is well-constructed and designed specifically for headphone use. The wiring should be able to carry the audio signal with minimal degradation or interferences. Mid-range splitters from reputable electronics brands generally work well. Avoid flimsy or cheap-feeling options.
The main benefits of a headphone splitter are that it’s inexpensive, widely available, and does not require any software modifications or rooting your Android device. It’s a simple plug-and-play way to get audio from your smartphone or tablet to two destinations. The sound quality should remain consistent.
Potential downsides are that it adds another wired connection and something jutting out of your headphone jack, which could be damaged or caught on something. The splitter may also impact volume levels for headphones, so you may need to increase volume compared to listening without a splitter.
Overall, a headphone splitter is a handy gadget for any Android user who wants the ability to share their music, videos, games or calls over two sets of headphones or external speakers. It provides an easy hardware solution without much setup or technical know-how required.
Bluetooth Transmitters
Bluetooth transmitters allow you to stream audio wirelessly from your Android device to Bluetooth headphones and speakers simultaneously. They work by taking the audio signal from your device via a wired connection and then transmitting it via Bluetooth to multiple receiving devices. This provides more flexibility than splitters since the transmitter and receiving devices don’t need to be physically connected.
To use a Bluetooth transmitter with your Android:
- Connect the transmitter to your device’s headphone jack or USB-C port using the appropriate cable.
- Pair your Bluetooth headphones and speakers to the transmitter.
- On your Android, select the transmitter as the audio output device.
- You can now play audio that will stream to both paired devices simultaneously.
The main benefits of using a Bluetooth transmitter over a wired splitter are:
- Wireless streaming to give you more placement flexibility.
- The ability to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices, not just two.
- Longer range so you can separate the receiving devices more.
Some of the top recommended Bluetooth transmitters for Android devices are the 1Mii ML300 and the Avantree Priva III. These support high quality AptX audio and low latency making them ideal for watching videos and gaming while using Bluetooth.
Rooting and Audio Mods
Rooting gives you administrative access to the Android operating system, allowing you to install mods and tweaks that can customize audio output. Popular mods like Viper4Android use audio processing to enhance the listening experience through headphones and speakers.
However, rooting does come with risks. It voids your device warranty and some mods can cause instability or battery drain. There’s also a small chance of bricking your device if something goes wrong during the rooting process.
If you decide to root, proceed with caution. Unlock your bootloader first, then use an app like Magisk to root without tampering with system files. When installing audio mods, only use reputable sources like XDA forums. Follow all instructions carefully.
To install Viper4Android specifically:
- Backup your device in recovery mode
- Unlock bootloader and root with Magisk
- Download Viper4Android ZIP file
- Reboot to recovery and install the ZIP
- Reboot device and launch Viper4Android app
- Configure audio settings to your preference
With some tinkering, root audio mods can make a noticeable improvement in sound quality. But weigh the risks, back up your device, and research any mods thoroughly before installing.
Apps for Simultaneous Audio
One of the easiest ways to enable simultaneous audio from two sources on Android is by using a dedicated app. Popular options include SoundAbout and SoundAssistant.
These apps work by overriding the default Android audio focus system, which pauses sounds from one app when another app starts playing audio. The apps let you choose to have two or more audio streams play at the same time, regardless of app.
To use SoundAbout or SoundAssistant:
- Download and install the app from the Play Store
- Open the app and look for settings related to audio focus or simultaneous audio
- Enable the option to mix/play simultaneous audio streams
- You may need to select which apps are allowed to play audio simultaneously
- Test playing audio from two apps at once to confirm it’s working
The advantage of these apps is they provide an easy way to get simultaneous audio without rooting or other complex methods. However, there are some limitations:
- May not work perfectly with every app combination
- Can sometimes cause audio glitches or echoes
- Need to reconfigure if you do a factory reset or switch phones
Overall, these audio apps provide a handy option for basic simultaneous audio needs on Android.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Simultaneous Audio on Android
Here is a step-by-step walkthrough to get simultaneous audio output working on your Android device:
Hardware Setup:
- First, make sure your Android device supports Bluetooth 5.0 for dual audio streaming. Older versions may not work.
- Get a Bluetooth transmitter that supports transmitting to two devices at once. Popular options are Avantree DualLink and 1Mii B03Pro2.
- Plug your wired headphones into the Bluetooth transmitter’s audio jack.
- Turn on the Bluetooth transmitter and pair it to your Android device.
App Installation:
- Install an audio app like Spotify or YouTube Music that allows audio playback.
- Open the app’s settings and enable dual audio mode if available.
Connecting Speakers:
- Turn on your Bluetooth speaker and pair it to your Android device.
- In Bluetooth settings, make sure both the transmitter and speaker are connected.
Playing Audio:
- Launch your audio app and start playing music.
- You should now hear audio from both your wired headphones and the Bluetooth speaker!
If you don’t hear simultaneous audio, try toggling Bluetooth off and on or disconnecting and reconnecting devices.
Additional Tips
There are some additional things to keep in mind when playing audio through both headphones and speakers simultaneously on your Android device:
Adjusting relative volume levels – You’ll likely need to adjust the volume levels for each output device to get the right balance. Keep in mind that increasing the overall volume on your device will increase volume for both outputs.
Choosing appropriate content – Some audio content like music may sound fine through both outputs, while content like podcasts or audiobooks could cause distracting echo effects. Test different content to see what works best.
Handling notifications and alerts – Notifications and alert sounds will play through both outputs by default. You may want to route these to just one output like headphones to avoid surprises through the speaker.
Other audio settings to check – Go through your Android’s audio and sound settings to tweaks things like audio balance, bass boost, surround sound effects, etc. Optimizing these can improve your simultaneous playback experience.
Conclusion
This guide has covered several methods for getting your Android device to play audio through both headphones and speakers simultaneously. To recap, the main options are:
- Using a headphone splitter, which allows you to plug in both headphones and speakers.
- Getting a Bluetooth transmitter, which takes the audio signal and transmits it wirelessly to speakers and headphones.
- Rooting your Android and installing audio mods to enable simultaneous output.
- Trying specialized apps like SoundAbout or StereoMix+.
The headphone splitter is the simplest option that doesn’t require any technical know-how. However, sound quality may suffer. Bluetooth transmitters provide wireless flexibility, but also compress audio quality. Rooting and audio mods can work very well, but do require comfort with advanced Android tweaking. Apps are hit-and-miss in terms of results.
In closing, getting simultaneous audio output on Android is definitely possible through several methods. Just be aware of the pros and cons of each approach. Your specific needs and technical comfort level will determine the best option. Hopefully this guide provides a useful overview of the possibilities. Let us know if you have any other questions!