How do I turn off auto volume reduction Android?
What is Auto Volume Reduction?
Auto volume reduction is a feature on Android devices that automatically lowers the media volume when certain interruptions occur, such as notifications or navigation guidance. The volume is then restored back to normal once the interruption ends.
The purpose of auto volume reduction is to prevent notifications or navigation instructions from blaring loudly over your music, podcasts, or other media. By temporarily lowering the volume, these interruptions can be heard more clearly without forcing the user to manually adjust the volume each time.
On Android Auto specifically, auto volume reduction aims to improve drive safety and prevent distraction by ensuring navigation prompts or incoming calls can be clearly heard over any background audio. It’s enabled by default, but some users choose to disable it if they find the volume fluctuations disruptive or unnecessary.
Overall, auto volume reduction is an accessibility feature that aims to provide a better experience by automatically managing volume levels during common interruptions. It’s been present in Android for many years and continues to be a built-in option on most Android devices and in Android Auto.
Why You May Want to Disable It
There are several reasons why you may want to disable Android’s auto volume reduction feature:
You want full volume control – The auto volume reduction can limit the maximum volume output on your device. If you want complete control over your device’s volume range, turning this off allows you to turn the volume up higher.
It doesn’t work well for your audio setup – The volume reduction relies on algorithms to analyze audio and adjust levels. It may not work optimally with certain headphones, speakers, or your specific hearing needs.
It causes inconsistent volume jumps – Some users find the auto adjustment leads to sudden volume changes, making it difficult to set a comfortable level.
You listen in noisy environments – If you frequently listen in loud surroundings like a commute or gym, having the full volume range may help overcome background noise.
You want a consistent experience – If you find the feature irritating or distracting, disabling it can provide a more predictable and seamless audio experience.
Checking if Auto Volume Reduction is Enabled
To check if auto volume reduction is enabled on your Android device, follow these steps:
Open the Settings app and go to Sound & vibration. Look for an option called Adaptive sound or Volume balance. If you see it, tap on it to check if it’s enabled.1
On Samsung devices, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Volume and tap the three dots in the upper right corner. Choose Media volume limiter and see if it is on.2
For other brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo etc, look for Sound enhancement or Audio tuning options in the Sound/Audio settings and disable features like Volume booster or Automatic volume adjustment.
If you see an option enabled that says it will automatically balance, enhance or limit the volume, that means auto volume reduction is turned on.
Disabling Auto Volume Reduction Globally
You can disable auto volume reduction entirely at the system level so it doesn’t affect any apps. Here are the steps to turn it off completely:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap on Sound & vibration (on some devices it may be under Sounds & vibration).
3. Look for the option Volume panel and tap on it.
4. Turn off the toggle next to Media volume limiter. This prevents the system from automatically lowering the volume.
5. You can also turn off Adapt sound if it’s enabled. This feature customizes the sound profile based on your hearing and may alter volume.
6. Tap on Volume and toggle off Auto volume reduction. This disables the feature completely.
7. Check if the issue is now resolved and volume no longer reduces on its own. If not, you may need to also disable audio normalization or try other troubleshooting tips.
This will fully disable auto volume reduction across the Android system so that media volume remains consistent without automatically lowering. If you find the volume too loud, you can always manually reduce it as needed per app or media file. But it will prevent any behind-the-scenes tampering of volume levels.
Disabling Per App
You can disable auto volume reduction for specific apps instead of globally if you find it is only happening with certain apps. Here’s how to disable it per app on Android:
1. Open the Settings app and go to Apps or Application Manager.
2. Select the app that is lowering volume automatically.
3. Tap Advanced and then turn off “Auto volume leveling” or “Volume leveling.”
This will stop that individual app from automatically reducing the volume while leaving the feature enabled for other apps. You can repeat this for any problematic apps.
Some music and video apps like YouTube and Netflix may have their own auto volume reduction settings within the app’s settings as well. Check there to disable it if the system setting doesn’t work.
Disabling per app gives you more granular control compared to disabling globally. Try this first if you only notice inconsistent volume with certain apps.
Using Third Party Apps
One way to boost the volume past the max level on your Android device is by using third party volume booster apps. There are several good options to consider in the Google Play Store.
Volume Booster GOODEV (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodev.volume.booster&hl=en_US&gl=US) is a popular app with over 10 million downloads. It provides a simple interface to boost your speaker or headphone volume beyond the normal limits. This can be useful for listening to music, movies, or audiobooks. Just be careful not to set the volume too high to avoid damage to your hearing.
Another top-rated option is Volume Booster – Sound Booster by InShot Inc (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=volumebooster.sound.loud.speaker.booster&hl=en_US&gl=US). This app has features like a five-band equalizer, bass booster, and virtualizer to enhance your audio experience. The main volume booster can increase sound up to 200%.
These third party apps provide easy ways to get extra volume from your Android device’s built-in speakers or headphones. Just be sure to adjust the volume carefully to avoid distortion or damage. And don’t overdo it at maximum volumes for long periods.
Trying an Alternate Audio Player
One potential solution is to try using a different audio player app that does not apply auto volume reduction. Some popular options include:
VLC Media Player – This open source app is known for playing a wide variety of media files and having extensive audio settings and customization options. According to users on Reddit, VLC does not seem to apply the same auto volume reduction as Android’s default media players [1].
Neutron Music Player – This advanced audio player app has settings to disable audio processing effects like volume normalization. Users report it can play music at consistent volumes without unpredictable volume changes [2].
Poweramp – This popular music player has advanced audio settings and equalizer presets. It may help provide steady volume playback, according to users on forums.
Trying out apps like these as alternates to your device’s default players may provide a simple solution for disabling auto volume reduction.
Adjusting Audio Normalization Settings
Instead of fully disabling auto volume reduction, you may want to adjust the normalization settings to find a happy medium. The default settings tend to aggressively lower loud sounds, so tweaking them can help prevent overly muted audio.
On Android 9 and above, go to Settings > Sound > Advanced > Volume normalizer. Here you can adjust the target volume and loudness compression amount. Setting the target volume higher and reducing compression can lessen the impact of normalization.
On Samsung devices, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Advanced sound settings > Volume. Adjust the “Media volume limiter” and “Voice volume limiter” to your liking.
You can also use third party apps like Volume Booster GOODEV to customize audio normalization settings with more granular control.
Finding the right balance may take some trial and error. Start with small adjustments and test with your commonly used apps and media files to tune the settings to your preference.
Automating Volume Changes
One option for automatically adjusting the volume at certain times or based on triggers is to use a macro app like MacroDroid. Macro apps allow you to set up automated routines to control different functions on your Android device.
With MacroDroid, you can create a macro that will increase your device’s volume at a specific time. For example, you could set it to turn the volume up to 100% every morning at 7am when your alarm goes off. The macro would then run in the background automatically without you needing to adjust it manually.
To set this up in MacroDroid, you would:
- Create a new macro
- Set the trigger to a specific time, like 7am every day
- Add an action to increase volume to maximum level
- Save the macro
The macro would then increase your volume each morning automatically. You can create similar macros to lower the volume in the evenings or based on arriving at certain locations. Macro apps provide an easy way to add automation around volume control.
Other Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some additional tips for bypassing auto volume reduction in Android Auto:
Check for firmware or software updates for your car’s infotainment system, as an update may improve Android Auto integration and resolve volume issues. Consult your owner’s manual or dealer for update instructions.
Try adjusting the default volume and EQ settings in the Android Auto app settings. Setting the default volume higher and reducing bass may help overcome automatic volume reductions.
As a workaround, you can switch to a music app with a built-in volume booster, like Bass Booster Pro. This can override Android Auto’s volume management.
Some users have reported disabling absolute volume in Developer Options reduces volume inconsistencies in Android Auto. However, this may have unintended side effects on overall sound quality.
You can submit feedback directly to Google through the Android Auto app to report volume issues. The more users that report problems, the likelier Google will address in future updates.
As a last resort, switching to a different car mode or audio app like CarStream can bypass Android Auto’s audio restrictions entirely.
