Is it possible to play music during calls so that the partner can hear it Android?
Playing music in the background while on a phone call is a common desire for many Android users. With smartphones replacing traditional media players, people want the convenience of uninterrupted music playback even during calls. However, the default phone and music apps on Android do not support this feature out of the box.
Android’s built-in phone app pauses any media playback when a call comes in or is made. This is by design to avoid sounds from interfering with the call audio. But various third-party apps and mods have been developed over the years to re-enable background audio on calls. With the right setup, Android users can enjoy their music library or streaming playlists during conversations.
There are some technical challenges to overcome, but with customizable ROMs and creative software workarounds, playing music in the background on calls is possible on Android. This guide will explore the different methods and apps that exist for this purpose.
Can You Play Music During Calls on Android?
Yes, playing background music during phone calls is possible on Android, but it depends on the device, OS version, and apps being used. The native phone app on Android does not directly support playing music in the background during calls. However, there are some workarounds using third-party apps and custom ROMs that allow you to play your music library or media files while on a call.
The technical challenge is that the native phone app takes over the audio channel when a call starts, pausing any background music playback. But with the right apps and settings configured, you can redirect and mix the audio streams to enable both the phone call and music playback to be heard at the same time. Overall, it is possible with some effort, but results can vary across different devices and Android versions.
Using the Native Phone App
The default phone app that comes pre-installed on Android devices unfortunately does not support playing background music during calls. The phone app is designed to only transmit voices between the two parties on the call. Any music or other audio played on the device will not be routed through the call.
This limitation exists due to how the phone app is programmed to handle call audio. The app isolates the microphone input and does not have the capability to mix in additional audio sources. So even if you start playing music, the person on the other end of the call will not hear it.
Some Android manufacturers like Samsung and LG have added extra features to their customized phone apps, but the ability to play background music during calls has not been implemented. The default phone apps on all Android devices do not support this feature out of the box.
There are technical challenges to enabling music playback during calls which the native phone app is not designed to handle. Alternative third-party calling apps provide workarounds to play music, which will be covered in the next section.
Using Third-Party Apps
If the native phone app on your Android device doesn’t support playing music during calls, third-party apps provide an alternative solution. Many popular music and streaming apps have built-in functionality to keep playing audio in the background while on a call.
For example, apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and others will seamlessly continue playing songs, playlists, or stations during a phone call on Android. This allows you to enjoy your favorite music uninterrupted while chatting with friends or family.
The advantage of using a third-party music app is that they are designed to run in the background and have robust audio controls. You can easily adjust the volume of the music independently from the call volume. Some apps even have options to lower the music volume automatically when a call comes in.
The only caveat is that not all music apps have this feature enabled by default. You may need to dig into the settings to find the “Play in Background” or “Audio Focus” options. But once enabled, third-party apps provide a simple and effective way to play music on calls.
The Technical Challenges
There are several technical limitations that prevent playing music during calls on Android devices:
The native phone app mixes audio streams into one stream that is sent to the other party. This makes it difficult to play music that both parties can hear without disrupting the call audio. As noted on Stack Overflow, “The music will be at the expense of call audio quality” (1).
Android limits audio focus to one app at a time. As Quora users point out, “The Telecom/Phone app claims exclusive access to the audio channel when a call is in progress” (2). This prevents other apps from playing audio during calls.
There are also bandwidth limitations and encoding challenges. As one YouTube video explains, music files may be too large to transmit clearly during a call without compression and optimization (3).
In summary, the Android OS restrictions, audio mixing, and bandwidth challenges pose difficulties for playing music that both parties can hear during a call. Workarounds require custom mods, apps, or settings.
Tips and Tricks
There are a few useful tips for playing music during calls on Android phones:
First, make sure the app you’re using has permission to access the microphone. You can check this in your phone’s settings under App Permissions.
Also try connecting headphones or a Bluetooth speaker so you can hear the music clearly while on calls. The music might get drowned out if relying only on the phone’s speakers.
Adjust the volume balance in your phone’s settings so the music volume is higher than the call volume. That way the music is more prominent.
Use an app like MixPad that allows playing music and calls together by design. It has options to duck the music when you or the caller speak.
Finally, if your phone supports multi-tasking you can play music in the background from an app like Spotify while handling the call in the native phone app.
Custom ROMs and Mods
Some custom ROMs and mods for Android allow you to play music in the background during calls. These customized versions of Android give you more control and customization over system settings and features.
For example, LineageOS, which is based on the open source Android code, has an option in the privacy settings called “Play voice call audio over speaker” that lets you play music while on a call [1]. Enabling this makes the call audio play through the speaker instead of the earpiece so that music can also be heard.
Other popular custom ROMs like Pixel Experience and ArrowOS also have similar options to enable background music playback during calls. Modded versions of these ROMs may further tweak audio routing to better mix music and call audio.
Overall, custom ROMs provide more flexible audio controls and customizations that the stock Android firmware lacks. Installing one on your Android phone is the best way to enable music listening concurrently while on voice calls.
Limitations and Downsides
While playing music during calls on Android can be fun and enhance the calling experience, there are some limitations and downsides to be aware of:
Audio Quality Issues – Playing music in the background while on a call can sometimes lead to audio quality issues. The music and call audio may overlap or distort, making it difficult to carry on a conversation.
App Conflicts – Certain third-party apps that enable music playback during calls may conflict with Android’s native phone app or other apps. This can lead to instability, crashes, or other bugs.
Drains Battery Faster – Having music playing from an app while also using the phone app to make calls can drain battery life much quicker. The combined audio from two apps puts more strain on the battery.
Can Be Distracting – For some users, having background music on while trying to have an important or serious phone conversation can be distracting or make it harder to focus.
Not Supported on All Devices – Playing music during calls is not universally supported across all Android devices and OS versions. It may only work reliably on certain phones.
While the ability to have background music on calls can be a nice feature, users should be aware of these limitations before relying on it for all calls. Proceed with caution and test it out thoroughly on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common FAQs about playing music during Android calls:
Will my partner be able to hear the music during the call?
It depends on which apps and methods you use. Some apps like Truecaller and third-party dialers allow both parties to hear the music. However the native phone app usually only allows you to hear it.
What music apps work for playing music during calls?
Apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming services will work if you use them with a compatible third-party calling app. The music apps themselves don’t enable the feature by default.
Does playing music use more data during calls?
Yes, streaming music will use some mobile data even during calls. The exact amount used will depend on audio quality. Using locally stored music is recommended if you have data limits.
Can I play music during video calls?
Usually not with the native apps, however some third-party video calling apps do support background music during video chats.
Will the music disrupt my call quality?
It shouldn’t affect quality much if you adjust the music volume properly. Make sure the music isn’t too loud compared to your microphone level.
Conclusion
In summary, playing music during calls on Android is possible but can be tricky. The native phone app doesn’t support this feature, so you’ll need to use third-party apps specifically designed to play audio in the background during calls.
The technical challenges arise from the way Android handles audio sources and routing. To merge music with call audio requires advanced programming and customization that isn’t built into the operating system.
With the right app and setup, you can play your own music or audio tracks to share with the person on the other end of the call. This can allow for a more interactive and multimedia call experience.
However, there are some downsides to keep in mind. The audio quality may not be ideal, and playing external audio could disrupt the normal call. There are also risks of distortion, echo, or delays.
Overall, playing background music during calls on Android is possible but should be approached with proper expectations. With some patience and the right tools, you can add a personal touch to your conversations.