How do I use call audio routing on my Android phone?
Call audio routing allows you to choose where the audio from incoming and outgoing calls is played through on your Android device. You can route the call audio to different destinations like the phone’s speaker, connected Bluetooth headphones or speakers, or wired headphones plugged into the headphone jack.
This can be a very useful feature for several reasons:
- Route calls to headphones for privacy when in public places
- Route calls to Bluetooth in the car for hands-free calling
- Route calls to speaker to use speakerphone mode
Call audio routing gives you more flexibility and options for how you take calls on your Android device. With just a few taps, you can change where the audio plays through based on your situation and needs.
Enabling Call Audio Routing
Call audio routing allows you to choose where the audio from your phone calls is played, such as through the phone’s speaker, connected Bluetooth headphones, or wired headphones. To enable this feature on most Android phones:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on “Sound & vibration” or “Sounds and vibration.”
3. Tap on “Phone ringtone.”
4. Enable “Call audio routing.” You may need to tap the 3-dot menu in the top right corner and select “Show call audio routing.”
This will allow you to choose separate audio outputs for calls, media, alarms, and notifications. Now when you make or receive a phone call, you can choose whether to route the audio to the phone speaker, headphones, or a connected Bluetooth device.
According to Android Central, call audio routing may be called something slightly different on certain Android skins and manufacturers. For example, on Samsung Galaxy phones it is called “Separate app sound.” But the general steps to enable it are the same.
Routing Calls to Speakerphone
One of the easiest ways to route calls to your Android phone’s speakerphone is by using the volume buttons during a call. When you are on a phone call, press the volume up button on the side of your Android phone. This will automatically switch the call audio from the earpiece to the louder, speakerphone mode.
The volume buttons act as a toggle during calls – pressing volume up once turns on speakerphone, pressing it again turns it off. You can also press the volume down button to toggle speakerphone off if it is currently on.
Using the physical volume buttons is the fastest way to quickly route call audio to the speakerphone on most Android phones. It saves you from having to navigate through menus while on a call.
According to users on Reddit (source), this method works reliably on phones from manufacturers like Samsung and LG. However, it may not work on all Android devices, so you may need to test it out on your specific phone.
Routing Calls to Headphones
One convenient way to route calls to headphones on your Android phone is to simply plug in your wired headphones while you’re on a call. When headphones are plugged in, the audio will automatically switch over to the headphone jack.
This happens because Android is designed to automatically route audio output to the most recently connected device. So as soon as you plug in wired headphones, Android will switch the call audio to go through the headphone jack instead of the speaker.
You don’t have to do anything to enable this feature – it works automatically. Just make sure your headphones are fully plugged in to trigger the audio switch. The audio routing will switch back to the speaker once you unplug the headphones.
This method provides a quick and seamless way to switch your call audio to headphones on the fly. It’s very convenient if you need to briefly go from speakerphone to private headphone mode during a call.
Routing Calls to Bluetooth
One convenient way to route your Android phone’s call audio is to pair it with a Bluetooth device like wireless headphones or a speaker. Here’s how to set up and use Bluetooth for your call audio:
First, you’ll need to pair your Android phone with the Bluetooth device you want to use for calls. Go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth on your phone. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, then select “Pair new device.” Your phone will search for nearby Bluetooth devices – select the headphones or speaker you want to pair from the list.
Once paired, the device will connect automatically whenever it’s in range. To use it for calls, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth and select the settings icon next to the paired device. Make sure the “Phone audio” option is checked. This routes all call audio to that Bluetooth device by default.
Now when you make or receive calls, the audio will be routed to your Bluetooth headphones or speaker automatically. You’ll be able to hear and speak through that device rather than the phone’s earpiece. Keep in mind the Bluetooth device will need to stay connected during the call.
If you ever want to switch the audio back to your phone, open the Bluetooth device settings and uncheck “Phone audio.” You can toggle this on and off to choose where your call audio is routed.
For more details, check out this guide: How to Set Your Bluetooth Headphones as Default Android Call Audio
Using the Sound Profile
One way to control call audio routing on Android phones is through the Sound Profile or Sound Mode settings. The Sound Profile allows you to quickly switch between sound modes like vibrate, mute, and ring to control notification and call volumes.
To use the Sound Profile during calls:
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Tap on Sound & Vibration > Sound mode or a similarly named option.
- Select Vibrate to mute incoming call ringtones and alerts, replacing them with vibration.
- Choose Mute to turn off all sounds and vibrations.
- Switch to Ring to go back to normal ringtones and notification sounds.
The Sound Profile gives a convenient way to quickly mute calls or switch to vibrate mode without adjusting multiple volume sliders. Just toggle between the different modes depending on your situation. Some Android skins like One UI also allow automating sound profile changes based on time of day or calendar events.
Overall, using the built-in sound modes through the Sound Profile settings provides a simple way to control call routing and volume on Android phones. Toggling between ring, vibrate, and mute gives users more flexibility without requiring manual volume adjustments.
Automating Call Routing
One way to automate call audio routing on Android is by using third party apps like Tasker. Tasker allows you to set up context-based rules to automatically change audio routing. For example, you can configure it to route calls to your Bluetooth headset while in the car, then switch to the phone speaker when you leave your car, as described in this Reddit post: Automatic audio routing between two bluetooth devices.
To set this up in Tasker, you first need to create a context based on Bluetooth connections to your car stereo and Bluetooth headset. Then make a task to route calls to the headset when connected to the car, and route calls to the speaker when disconnected. You can add additional contexts like time of day if you want routing to vary in different situations.
The main advantage of using Tasker for call audio routing is it allows fully automatic switching based on where you are or what you’re connected to. The drawback is it requires some technical knowledge to configure the app properly. There are guides and examples available if you search online. Overall, Tasker provides a powerful way to customize and automate call audio routing on Android.
Troubleshooting
Here are some solutions for common call audio routing problems on Android phones:
If calls are not routing to your preferred audio output like the speakerphone, headphones, or Bluetooth device, first go to Settings > Sound and check that the option for “Call audio routing” is set to “Automatic”. This will allow your phone to switch the audio based on what devices are connected. If it is set to “Handset earpiece” then calls will always route to the phone speaker even if headphones are plugged in.
Make sure your Bluetooth device is properly paired and connected. Go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth and ensure your device shows as “Connected”. If not, try unpairing the device and repairing again. Also check that media audio works over Bluetooth as this uses a separate profile compared to calls.
If routing to Bluetooth is intermittent, try resetting the network settings on your phone under System > Reset options > Reset wifi, mobile & Bluetooth. This will clear up any corrupted Bluetooth pairings.
For consistent routing issues, check if there are any app updates available for your calling and Bluetooth apps. Updated apps may have bug fixes for audio routing problems. As a last resort, you can try a factory reset of your device to eliminate any system-level bugs affecting call audio.
If none of these solutions work, you may need to contact your device manufacturer for hardware-related troubleshooting. There could be an issue with the audio components that may require repair.
Limitations
Certain Android versions and devices have restrictions when it comes to audio routing that limit functionality:
Older versions of Android like Android 10 and below had limitations on the number of simultaneous Bluetooth connections for audio. As explained in the EEvBlog forum post, initially Android could only have one audio Bluetooth connection at a time due to bandwidth limitations. This prevented routing calls to Bluetooth headphones while music played to a Bluetooth speaker.
Some cheaper Android devices also may lack the hardware capabilities to handle multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, restricting audio routing functionality. The combined audio routing features require adequate processing power and memory.
Certain brands like Samsung have additional software limitations in their Android skins that prevent full use of audio routing features, even on newer Android versions. For example, Samsung devices cannot route call audio to both speaker and wired headphones simultaneously.
So in summary, older Android versions, lower-end devices, and customized Android skins can introduce limitations on call and audio routing features. Checking your Android version and device specs, or using a Pixel phone with stock Android is recommended for full functionality.
Conclusion
Using call audio routing allows you to take control of how your phone call audio is directed, providing flexibility and convenience. With Android’s built-in routing options and sound profiles, you can easily send call audio to speaker, headphones, Bluetooth devices, and more.
In summary, enable call audio routing in Settings, choose your preferred output such as speaker or Bluetooth in the call screen, set up sound profiles to automate routing, and troubleshoot any issues. With some experimentation, you’ll be able to optimize call audio for different situations.
Final tips: Use a speakerphone for hands-free conversations, route calls to headphones for privacy, and link with your car’s Bluetooth system for calls on the go. Keep your device’s OS and apps updated for the best call performance. Adjust volume appropriately for your chosen audio output device. With call routing, enjoy phone calls your way!