What is the app that turns the volume up?
Amplify is an app that allows users to boost the maximum volume output on their iPhone beyond the default limit set by Apple. With Amplify, you can turn the volume up higher than the standard volume controls allow, which helps when trying to hear music, podcasts or calls in noisy environments.
The app works by modifying the iPhone’s software volume limit, rather than just increasing the gain. This allows for louder audio playback while maintaining sound quality and avoiding distortion. Amplify lets users choose how much to amplify the volume, with options ranging from a moderate volume boost to doubling the max volume.
If you often struggle to hear your iPhone in loud areas or over background noise, Amplify gives you the extra volume you need, all while protecting sound quality. It’s a simple but powerful app that provides more listening flexibility.
History
Volume Booster, originally known as Super Volume Booster, was first created and released in 2019 by the developer Goodev. It launched on both the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices.
Goodev designed Volume Booster to be a simple way to increase the maximum volume output on smartphones. Many users complained about low maximum volume levels on their devices, which led Goodev to develop an app that could override the built-in volume limits.
Within the first year of its launch, Volume Booster gained significant popularity and over 10 million downloads across iOS and Android. It filled an important niche for users who wanted louder sound from their mobile devices.
Features
Some of the key features and capabilities of volume booster apps include:
Volume Control – These apps allow you to boost the overall volume beyond the max built-in volume levels on your device. Some offer increments up to 200% of the default max volume.
Equalizer – Volume booster apps often include an equalizer with preset modes like Jazz, Pop, Rock etc. This allows you to customize the sound profile.
Bass Booster – Special bass boosting capabilities are offered to increase low frequency sounds for a richer audio experience.
Simple Interface – The apps are designed with an easy to use interface. Users can quickly boost volume via a slider or dedicated boost button.
Auto Launch – Some volume boosters can launch automatically when you open certain apps like Spotify or Netflix. This ensures volume is boosted instantly.
Sound Effects – You may get sound effects like 3D surround sound on certain volume booster apps.
Headphone Optimization – Features like headphone virtualization are offered on some apps for an optimized sound experience over headphones.
Multiple Device Support – Many volume boosters support using the app across various devices like headphones, speakers, TV, PC etc.
How It Works
Volume booster apps work by amplifying the amplitude of the audio signal that is sent to the speakers or headphones. They do this through a process called digital signal processing (DSP) [1]. The app takes in the digital audio signal, applies gain (which increases amplitude and volume), puts a limiter on it so the boosted signal does not clip or distort, and then outputs the amplified audio.
Specifically, volume booster apps boost quieter sounds more than louder sounds. They identify parts of the audio that have lower amplitude and selectively turn those up, while keeping parts that are already loud at the same level. This makes soft and quiet sounds comparatively louder without pushing already-loud sounds to peak amplitude and distorting.
Under the hood, the app is able to analyze the waveform of the incoming audio and change the gain at different frequencies and amplitudes dynamically in real time. This targeted boosting allows volume to be increased substantially while maintaining audio quality and avoiding clipping distortion.
Benefits
The main advantage of using a volume booster app is that it allows you to increase the maximum volume output on your device beyond the built-in limits. This can be useful in situations where you need extra loud volume but your device’s speakers or headphones can’t reach an adequate decibel level.
For example, some users report the volume booster helps when trying to hear a movie or music over loud ambient noise, like on an airplane or train. It can also help those who are hard of hearing get the volume they need.[1]
Unlike simply turning up the device volume to max, volume booster apps can override software restrictions and enable louder sound levels safely. They may utilize digital signal processing to achieve fuller, richer audio at higher volumes.[2]
Additionally, many volume booster apps include customizable presets and equalizers to get the perfect sound profile for different situations. This allows optimizing the loudness and audio quality for music, movies, calls, and more.
Overall, for those needing more volume output, a dedicated volume booster app can deliver safe, high-quality sound exceeding your device’s normal limits.
Drawbacks
While volume booster apps can help increase the loudness of audio from your device’s speakers or headphones, there are some potential downsides to be aware of:
Excessive volume levels can damage hearing over time, especially with headphones right in your ear. Volume boosters allow you to raise volumes above the safe limits, so it’s important to be careful.[1]
Pushing your device’s speakers or headphones beyond their capabilities can cause distortion, clipping, or blown-out sound quality at max volume settings.
Some volume boosters are free apps with ads or in-app purchases. Make sure to vet the app thoroughly to avoid unnecessary costs or privacy concerns.
Certain volume booster apps have been found to contain malware or viruses. Only download reputable apps from official app stores.
Volume boosters drain battery life faster since they increase resource usage. This can shorten the battery life of your mobile device.
Not all apps work perfectly. Some volume boosters may cause crashes, freezes, or compatibility issues with certain devices or audio files.
While helpful in some situations, volume boosters shouldn’t replace addressing the root cause of low volumes, whether it’s the speaker hardware itself or the audio source file.
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/hrep01/eli5_how_do_volume_booster_apps_work/
Alternatives
There are several alternative apps similar to Sound Booster that can increase the maximum volume output on Android and iOS devices. Some popular alternatives include:
FxSound – FxSound is one of the top alternatives to Sound Booster on Android. It provides an equalizer to boost overall volume and bass. FxSound allows adjusting system volume beyond the max set by the device manufacturer.
Boom 2 – Boom 2 is an iOS app that can boost volume by up to 400%. It works system-wide and has an equalizer to customize audio. Boom 2 is considered one of the best volume booster apps for iPhone.
Volume Booster GOODEV – This Android app boosts sound in music, video, and games. It provides options to customize volume boost level and left/right audio balance. Volume Booster GOODEV works with wired and Bluetooth headsets.
Compared to Sound Booster, these alternatives can amplify sound to higher levels in some cases. They provide customizable audio equalizers as well. However, Sound Booster offers more control over the volume boost with options to set independent levels per app.
Cost
Volume booster apps are available both as free and paid versions. The free versions typically provide basic volume boosting functionality but lack advanced features and may contain ads. Some popular free volume booster apps include Volume Booster for Android and Boom: Music Player & Equalizer for iOS.
Paid volume booster apps offer premium features like customizable presets, equalizer controls, playback speed adjustment, and ad-free experience. Pricing varies by app and platform – for example, Volume Booster on iOS costs $2.99 as a one-time purchase, while Bass Booster Pro on Android has a subscription model at $3.99 per month. Some apps offer discounted annual subscriptions as well.
The added functionality and ad-free experience of paid volume booster apps may be worth the price for frequent users who want precise audio control. However, free apps can still boost volume adequately for casual use.
User Reviews
The Volume Booster app receives mostly positive reviews and ratings from users on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. On Google Play, Volume Booster GOODEV has over 500,000 downloads and a 4.3 out of 5 star rating based on over 18,000 user reviews. Users praise the simple interface and ease of use. Many mention it is great for boosting sound when listening with headphones or external speakers. Some users warn that it can distort audio at high volumes and should be used carefully.
On the App Store, Volume Booster has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating based on over 1,300 ratings. Users compliment the clean design and intuitive controls. Some mention using it to amplify volume when watching videos or playing music. A few users note occasional crashing or buggy performance on certain devices. Overall most users seem satisfied with the ability to safely increase volume beyond system limits.
Conclusion
Volume booster apps provide a simple and easy way to increase sound volume past your device’s maximum levels. The Volume Booster by GOODEV is one of the top options, offering a clean interface, audio equalizer, volume normalization, and bass booster. Users report it provides a significant volume increase without distortion or quality loss.
Overall, volume booster apps can be useful for those who need extra volume for hearing assistance or enjoying music and videos. However, it’s important to be cautious and avoid excessive volume levels that could potentially damage speakers or your hearing. Use the volume boost sparingly when needed, and don’t rely on it as a permanent solution for volume issues.
If you need more volume and your device’s native options don’t suffice, the Volume Booster app is a recommended option to try. Just be wise with your volume habits. And as always, consult an audiologist if you have ongoing hearing or volume concerns.
