How do I turn up the volume on incoming calls?
What it Means to Adjust Incoming Call Volume
Incoming call volume refers to the loudness or amplitude of the audio from incoming phone calls. Adjusting the incoming call volume allows you to increase or decrease how loud the other person’s voice sounds during a phone call.
There are several reasons why you may want to adjust the incoming call volume on your phone:
- The default volume is too loud or too soft for your preferences
- You are having trouble hearing the caller clearly
- The environment you are in is very noisy or quiet
- You want to optimize the volume for use with headphones or hearing aids
The process for adjusting incoming call volume involves changing the system-wide ringer volume, in-call volume, using volume buttons during a call, or installing third party apps. Keep reading to learn the various methods you can use to turn up or turn down the volume on incoming calls.
Check Your Phone’s Default Settings
The first step is to locate your phone’s sound or volume settings menu. On Android phones, open the Settings app and look for Sound & vibration or Sound & notification. On iPhones, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. This is where you can view and adjust default volume levels for ringtones, media, alarms, and calls.
Pay attention to the default maximum volume level set for incoming calls. Many smartphones automatically default incoming calls to start at max volume as a convenience. However, this may be uncomfortably loud, especially if using headphones or hearing aids. The max level is often denoted by additional volume bars beyond the standard limit. You can turn down the max incoming call volume in the sound settings.
For example, on Samsung Galaxy phones, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Volume and tap the More options button. Under In call volume, drag the slider left to reduce the max volume [1]. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and adjust the headphone safety level.
Checking your phone’s default sound settings is the first step towards taking control of your incoming call volume.
Use Volume Buttons During a Call
Most smartphones have volume buttons located along the left or right side of the device. On an iPhone, for example, the volume buttons are thin rectangular buttons on the left side above the silence switch.
During a phone call, you can press the up volume button to increase the call volume and the down volume button to decrease it. Pressing up while on a call will make the other person’s voice louder through the earpiece or headphones.
According to an Apple discussions thread, the volume buttons may stop working if the iPhone’s proximity sensor is activated when holding the phone up to your ear. In this case, you’ll need to pull the phone away from your face for the buttons to work again1.
On Android devices, pressing the volume buttons during a call should control the in-call volume by default. But you may need to check your sound settings to ensure the “Use volume keys for media” toggle is off, so the buttons control call volume rather than media volume2.
Adjust Overall Ringer Volume
The ringer volume controls the loudness of incoming calls and notifications. To turn up the ringer volume on an iPhone:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap “Sounds & Haptics.”
3. Under “Ringer and Alerts,” use the slider to turn up the volume.
Drag the slider to the right to increase the volume. You’ll hear a sample ringtone play as you adjust the volume. Turn it up until you reach the desired loudness.
You can also press the Volume Up button on the side of the iPhone to temporarily increase the ringer volume. However, adjusting it in Settings sets the default ringer volume.
For more details, visit Apple’s support guide: Adjust the volume on iPhone.
Adjust In-Call Volume Separately
Most smartphones allow you to set separate volume levels for incoming calls versus other audio like music or videos. This lets you customize the loudness for phone conversations without affecting your media playback volume.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Under ‘Ringer and Alerts’ you can adjust the volume slider for ringtones and alerts. For in-call volume, scroll down to ‘Calls’ and move its volume slider separately [1].
On Android, open Settings and go to Sound. You’ll find individual volume sliders for media, notifications, ringtones, and in-call volume. Adjust the ‘In call’ slider for your desired loudness during calls [2].
Some Android devices also have a Volume Boost option that can further amplify in-call volume beyond the maximum slider setting. Toggle this on if you need a volume increase for phone calls.
Setting custom in-call volume levels lets you optimize loudness for voice conversations separately from other audio playback. This gives you more control over the exact volume you need to hear callers clearly.
Use Volume Boosting Apps
One option to help boost in-call volume is to use an app designed specifically for that purpose. There are several apps on app stores such as Google Play that can amplify the overall volume output on your phone or target increasing call volume specifically.
Apps like Call Volume Booster (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmml.callvolumebooster&hl=en_US&gl=US) and Volume Booster Pro (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.music.hero.volume.master.control&hl=en_US&gl=US) can specifically target boosting call volume. Many also allow you to customize the exact volume level.
There are also apps like Boom: Music Player and Equalizer (https://www.lifewire.com/best-speaker-booster-apps-4174657) that can universally amplify the audio output volume on your device. This boosts overall sound volume including during calls.
The advantage of volume boosting apps is that they provide an easy way to get louder call volume without adjusting your phone’s default settings. Just be careful not to amplify the sound too much as that could damage your hearing over time.
Adjust Volume for Hearing Aids
If you wear hearing aids, you may need to adjust the volume differently than someone without hearing loss. Many modern hearing aids can pair directly with smartphones via Bluetooth to help amplify phone calls.
To increase call volume for accessibility:
– Pair your phone with your hearing aids following the manufacturer’s instructions. This allows the devices to communicate directly.
– Look for a button or slider on your hearing aid to control volume. This lets you turn up the volume during a call while lowering environmental sounds.
– Try pressing the upper button on your hearing aid to increase volume or the lower button to decrease it (source).
– Adjust volume on both hearing aids evenly for balanced sound.
If you still have trouble hearing calls clearly, consult your audiologist. They can adjust settings or recommend apps and accessories to boost phone call volume.
Check for Obstacles and Interference
One of the most common reasons for low incoming call volume is physical obstacles or interference between your phone and your ear. Here are some potential causes to check:
Phone case or cover blocking volume: Bulky or poorly designed cases can sometimes obstruct the phone’s speaker and reduce call volume. Try removing your case and testing the volume again to see if it improves. If it does, you may need a new case with better audio performance.
Network issues interfering: In areas with poor cellular reception, network interference can disrupt call audio. Move to a location with stronger signal strength and test if volume increases. You may only experience issues in certain areas.
As a precaution, also check that any accessories plugged into the phone’s headphone jack or charging port are not causing interference. Remove all accessories and test call volume again.
If the issue persists without a case or accessories attached, it likely indicates a deeper hardware or software issue, which may require contacting your service provider or device manufacturer for support.
Test Volume with Different Headphones
The type of headphones you use can impact call volume and audio quality. Over-ear headphones that fully enclose your ears tend to provide better noise isolation compared to earbuds. This allows you to hear calls more clearly at lower volumes.
Try switching between different headphone styles to find the optimal volume boost for your needs. Test a variety of over-ear and in-ear options to determine which allows you to hear call audio at a comfortable level.
Additionally, experiment with different brands and models of headsets. Some are specifically engineered to amplify quiet sounds during calls and media playback. Look for headphones marketed for enhanced call clarity and volume if the built-in smartphone options aren’t sufficient.
With the right pair of headphones, you may be able to turn up call volume to practical levels without resorting to risky maximum volume settings on your phone.
Get Your Hearing Checked
If you are having ongoing difficulty hearing phone conversations even after trying the tips above, it may be a sign of hearing loss. Some common signs of hearing loss include:
- Frequently needing to ask others to repeat themselves on the phone
- Having trouble understanding words, especially women’s and children’s voices
- Turning up the volume very loud but still struggling to hear
- Hearing ringing or buzzing sounds
- Feeling like people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
If you experience these issues regularly, it’s a good idea to get your hearing evaluated by an audiologist. An audiologist can do a comprehensive hearing test to determine if you have hearing loss, to what degree, and in which frequencies. This will help pinpoint what is causing the difficulty hearing on the phone.
Based on the test results, the audiologist can recommend appropriate treatment solutions if hearing loss is detected. These may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, therapy, or even surgery. With the right solution, you can regain your ability to hear phone conversations comfortably and confidently again.
Getting a professional hearing evaluation is the best way to address phone hearing difficulties. Don’t put it off – visit an audiologist and take control of your hearing health.
