What app makes speakers louder?
Many people find that their phone’s built-in speakers do not get loud enough for their liking. Whether in a noisy environment or wanting to amplify audio for a group, low phone speaker volume can be frustrating.
There are several reasons why quiet phone speakers may be an issue for users:
- Trying to play music or videos for a group of people but the volume isn’t sufficient
- Being in a loud environment like a bar or party and having trouble hearing phone calls or media
- As we age, hearing can diminish, making soft speakers troublesome
- Wanting to enjoy media at high volumes for improved experience
To combat quiet speakers, users often resort to speakerphones, headphones, earbuds, or external amplifiers. However, these solutions come with their own disadvantages like lower call quality, cost, and audio fidelity. There is an opportunity for better onboard volume capacity on phones to prevent these issues.
Built-in Volume Boosters
Most Android phones have built-in settings to increase the maximum volume output. The most basic way to turn up your phone’s sound is by pressing the volume up button on the side of the device. Most phones allow you to raise the volume beyond the default maximum limit by continuing to press the volume button up past the point where it normally would stop.
In your Android phone’s settings menu, you may also find additional sound and volume options. For example, going into Accessibility settings enables further volume boosting features on many devices. This can allow you to increase volume higher than the standard volume buttons permit.
Certain Android models also have sound enhancement settings to amplify audio volume and quality. For example, Samsung Galaxy phones have a function called Adapt Sound that can customize sound output for your specific hearing. Phones may also have equalizer settings or Dolby Audio effects that boost loudness.
Equalizers and Audio Enhancers
Equalizer apps like Equalizer FX and Music Volume EQ allow you to customize the sound profile on your phone. They provide fine control over bass, mids, and treble to boost soft sounds and make music playback louder. Many include presets for different genres, and some offer surround sound effects. While they can’t physically make your speakers louder, these EQ apps maximize audio volume through signal processing.
In addition to graphic equalizers, there are audio enhancement apps like Wavelet that tune the audio specifically for your phone model. They analyze the frequency response of the speakers and headphones and apply corrections to compensate for hardware limitations. This can significantly improve clarity and loudness. Some manufacturers like LG and Sony include custom audio tuning software pre-installed.
Using equalizers and enhancement apps together can really make the most of your phone’s speakers and headphones. But be careful not to overdo the bass boost which can cause distortion at high volumes. Start with subtle adjustments and do plenty of listening tests to find the optimal settings.
speakers and Amplifiers
One way to make your phone’s audio louder is by connecting external speakers or amplifiers. Several Bluetooth speaker models will play significantly louder than most smartphones. According to CNET’s review of top Bluetooth speakers, options like the JBL Boombox 2 and the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom have very high maximum volume levels. These speakers also have large drivers, powerful amplifiers, and big batteries to support their loud playback.
You can also connect wired self-powered speakers to your phone’s headphone jack or USB-C port (with an adapter) to boost volume. Small battery-powered guitar amplifiers like those from Fender, Vox, Roland, and others work quite well too. Just plug your phone into the amp’s aux input jack to hear a loud, full sound. With the right amp and speakers, you can easily fill a room at max phone volume. But be cautious of potential hearing damage from prolonged high decibel playback.
Streaming and Casting
Streaming audio content from your phone to speakers, smart displays, Google Cast devices, or Chromecasts is a great way to boost the volume beyond your phone’s built-in capability. Modern phones with Android 10 and higher or iOS 14.5 and higher have options to stream media to other devices (1). Smart speakers like Google Home or Amazon Echo speakers can play the audio from your phone via streaming over Wi-Fi. The same is true for devices with built-in Chromecast support or standalone Google Chromecast adapters.
To stream from an Android device, open the quick settings and tap on the Cast button. Select the device to stream to from the list of available options. For iPhones and other Apple devices, open the Control Center and select AirPlay, then choose the AirPlay device to stream audio to. In most cases, streaming provides not only a volume boost, but also an audio quality improvement versus listening directly on a phone’s speakers.
When streaming over Wi-Fi to speakers or other devices, the playback controls including volume adjustment will shift to controlling the remotely connected speaker or display (2). This allows boosting the volume substantially by controlling the destination device rather than just the phone output volume.
Adjust Media Volume
One option for making audio louder from your phone’s speakers is to turn up the volume in the specific media app you are using. Many streaming apps like Spotify, Pandora, Netflix, YouTube, and others have their own in-app volume controls separate from your device’s system volume. Try turning up the volume to maximum within the app itself.
For example, in the Spotify app you can adjust the volume under Settings > Playback. Netflix has a volume control in the player toolbar. YouTube has a volume slider below each video. Using these app-specific volume boosters can help make the audio louder without having to max out your phone’s master volume.
Just keep in mind that turning up in-app volume does not affect system volumes. So you may still need to adjust the main volume controls on your phone in addition to in-app settings. But app-level volume controls give you more granular ability to turn up audio, which can result in louder sound output.
Get Phone Service or Repair
If adjusting software settings does not fix an issue with low speaker volume on your phone, it’s a good idea to take it in for service or repair. Low volume could be caused by a hardware problem such as a faulty speaker or audio chip.
Common hardware issues that can cause low volume include:
- Clogged or damaged speaker
- Faulty audio IC or amplifier chip
- Issues with headphone jack or connectors
- Debris or corrosion in phone
Visit an authorized service center to have your device inspected. Technicians can diagnose issues, clean out speakers, and replace any damaged parts like headphone jacks or audio chips. Most major brands have official repair centers you can mail devices into or visit locally.
Getting professional service is advisable if DIY cleaning or software fixes don’t work. Technicians have the expertise and proper tools to fully disassemble phones and fix underlying hardware issues affecting volume. This avoids further damage from improper at-home repairs.
While waiting for service or repairs, use wired headphones or external Bluetooth speakers as a temporary solution for low call volume issues. Just make sure volume is set at safe levels while troubleshooting.
Sources:
https://mobi.easeus.com/ios-tips/phone-speaker-volume-suddenly-low.html
Consider Phone Upgrade
If your phone’s internal speakers are lacking in volume and quality, one effective solution is to upgrade to a newer phone with better speakers. Modern smartphones released in the past couple of years tend to have much improved speakers capable of outputting louder volume and crisper audio.
According to The phones with best speakers in 2024, newer phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, Google Pixel 6 Pro, and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max feature extremely powerful and high-quality stereo speakers. Upgrading to one of these flagship phones can significantly boost your speaker audio capabilities.
When researching new phones with loud, clear speakers, look at professional reviews on audio performance. However, you may want to test speakers out yourself in-store by playing music or videos. Consider phones specifically advertised as having strong speakers or audio features when making your selection.
Investing in a more recent premium phone model, like a 2023 flagship release, can give you a major speaker upgrade over an older budget phone. Just make sure to compare speaker sound samples first before purchasing to ensure your satisfaction.
Use Headphones or Earbuds
Using headphones or earbuds is an effective way to boost the loudness of your smartphone’s audio for private listening. Some top options to consider include:
Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Bluetooth earbuds like the Hora Wireless Earbuds allow you to listen wirelessly and provide premium sound quality. They’re also portable and don’t drain your phone’s battery.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Headphones with noise cancellation like the Sony WH-1000XM5 block external sounds to boost audio clarity. This makes music, shows, and calls sound louder by removing background noise.
Call-Optimized Bluetooth Headsets
Bluetooth headsets tuned for calls like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II use mic systems that amplify the voices of callers. This boosts call loudness and clarity.
Conclusion
There are several options to safely and effectively make your phone’s speakers louder. Using your device’s built-in volume boosters and equalizers can help optimize sound quality and volume. Consider accessories like portable speakers and amplifiers for a bigger boost. Be careful not to damage your hearing by playing music or media too loudly over long periods. Streaming to other devices like speakers and headphones can also help redirect and amplify sound.
In the end, make sure you follow safe listening habits, and if you need consistent extra volume, upgrading your phone or getting repairs may provide longer term solutions. With some adjustments and accessories, you can achieve better speaker performance from most smartphones.
