Why can’t i turn on media volume sync?

ByJael Lawler

What is Media Volume Sync?

Media Volume Sync is a feature available on many Bluetooth devices that allows the volume level to be synced between the Bluetooth device and the connected smartphone, tablet, or computer. When enabled, adjusting the volume on one device will automatically adjust the volume on the other device as well.

For example, if you increase the volume on your Bluetooth headphones, Media Volume Sync will also increase the media volume on your paired smartphone. This prevents you from having to adjust the volume separately on both devices.

The Media Volume Sync feature is helpful for maintaining a consistent volume level and provides a more seamless listening experience when using Bluetooth audio devices with a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other host device.

Common Causes of Media Volume Sync Not Working

There are several common reasons why media volume sync may not be working properly:

Sync disabled in settings – Media volume sync needs to be enabled in your device’s Bluetooth settings for it to work. If it is disabled or toggled off, make sure to go into the settings and turn it on. This Reddit post mentions needing to toggle on Media Volume Sync in Bluetooth settings.

Using incompatible devices – Certain Bluetooth devices may not properly support media volume sync, often if they are older models. You’ll want to check compatibility to ensure your devices can utilize the feature. This Samsung forum post discusses device compatibility issues.

Outdated device software/firmware – Having the latest firmware and software updates on your phone, headphones, speakers or other devices is important for media volume sync to work correctly. Older versions may not fully support the feature. Updating to the newest releases can potentially resolve volume sync problems.

Connectivity issues between devices – Sometimes there are Bluetooth connection issues that prevent proper syncing of volume levels. Checking that your phone and audio device are maintaining a strong Bluetooth connection is advised. Weak or unstable connections can disrupt media volume sync functionality.

Enabling Media Volume Sync in Settings

Media volume sync allows you to control the volume of Bluetooth audio devices like speakers and headphones from your iPhone. To enable it:

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure your Bluetooth device is connected. Then go to Settings > Music and turn on ‘Sync Volume’. This will sync the volume between your iPhone and the connected Bluetooth device.1

For Android devices, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth. Tap the settings icon next to your Bluetooth device and enable ‘Media volume sync’. This will sync the volumes.2

On Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and make sure your device is paired. Click the volume icon in the taskbar and enable ‘Sync volume between devices’.3

For Macs, open System Preferences > Bluetooth and click the options icon next to your device. Check ‘Use volume buttons to control headphone volume’ to enable syncing.2

Checking Device Compatibility

Some devices and platforms have limited compatibility when it comes to enabling Media Volume Sync. Samsung phones such as the Galaxy S20 series and newer generally support the feature, while compatibility can be hit or miss on older models. Most modern Android devices running Android 9 or later seem to have Media Volume Sync present in Bluetooth settings.

As for other platforms – iOS devices do not have an equivalent feature for syncing Bluetooth media volumes. Windows and Mac devices may have varying levels of support through Bluetooth drivers and system settings. If using a gaming console or smart TV, consult the device documentation to check if volume sync is possible.

If unsure whether your devices are compatible, first go to Bluetooth settings on each device and look for advanced options or media volume sync toggles. Try pairing the devices and play audio to test if volumes change in sync. As a last resort, check with the device manufacturer if sync support can be added through a software update.

Updating Device Software and Firmware

It is important to keep your device firmware and software up-to-date to ensure Media Volume Sync functions properly. Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues and bugs that disrupt syncing capabilities. According to Samsung, “Software updates give you access to new improvements and fixes bugs on your TV. Keeping the software up-to-date will allow your Smart TV to operate at its peak performance.”

To check for updates on a Samsung Smart TV, navigate to Settings > Support > Software Update and select Update Now. If an update is available, your TV will download and install it automatically. You can also update a Samsung TV’s software manually by downloading the latest firmware from the Samsung support site and installing via a USB drive. For other brands, check their support sites for firmware download and instructions.

Updating the software on mobile devices and tablets can usually be done in the device settings or app store. Enable automatic updates if possible to ensure you always have the latest firmware. Keeping all media devices up to date improves connectivity and Media Volume Sync compatibility.

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

In order to use Media Volume Sync, your devices need to have a successful Bluetooth, WiFi, or cable connection.

If you are experiencing connectivity issues between your devices, here are some troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and that they are paired. See this Samsung community post for more details.
  • Check that WiFi is enabled if using that for connectivity instead of Bluetooth.
  • For a wired connection, inspect the cable for any damage and make sure it’s securely plugged in to both devices.
  • Toggle Bluetooth or WiFi off and back on to refresh the connections.
  • On your phone, try “Forgetting” and then re-pairing the Bluetooth device.
  • Restart both devices and try re-connecting.
  • Update to the latest firmware on both devices in case earlier versions had connectivity bugs.

If issues persist even after troubleshooting, consider contacting the device manufacturers for further support.

Contacting Device Manufacturers

If you are still unable to resolve the issue after trying the troubleshooting steps above, you can reach out to the official customer support for your device manufacturer for further assistance.

For Samsung devices, you can contact their support team via the following methods:

When you reach out to Samsung support, make sure to provide detailed information to help them troubleshoot, including:

  • Device model number
  • OS version
  • Apps and software involved
  • Logs from the time issue occurred
  • Steps you’ve already tried to resolve the problem

Providing as many specifics as possible will allow their tech team to better understand the problem and provide tailored troubleshooting suggestions to help get media volume sync functioning again.

Using Third-Party Apps

There are several third-party apps available such as
VolumeSync and SoundAssistant that can sync volume across multiple devices. These apps give users more flexibility and control in setting up volume profiles and how syncing works. Some key benefits include:

  • More customization options for syncing behavior
  • Works across multiple brands and device types
  • Can create various automated sync triggers

The downsides to using third-party apps, compared to built-in features, are:

  • Requires installing another app and setting up profiles
  • May have compatibility issues with some devices and software versions
  • Lacks native integration so may affect system performance

In summary, third-party volume sync apps provide more robust features for power users, but require additional setup and may not work on all devices. The built-in sync options work out of the box but offer limited behaviors and device support.

Adjusting Sync Behavior

You can customize the media volume sync feature to better fit your needs. Here are some options:

Choose Which Devices to Sync: Within your device Bluetooth settings, tap on the advanced settings for media volume sync and select which paired devices you want to sync. For example, you may only want to sync with your car Bluetooth system but not your wireless earbuds.

“Media Volume Sync” option missing

Sync Certain Media Only: Some devices allow you to set volume sync based on the type of media. For instance, your phone may have options to enable volume sync for media but not calls. Refer to your device advanced Bluetooth settings.

Media volume sync does not sync media volume

Control Level of Sync: You can fine tune some sync settings, like whether volume is mirrored exactly or only adjusted to a certain degree on connected devices when changed on one device.

PSA: Low volume on BT audio fter updating to Android 12

Alternative Solutions

If media volume sync is not working properly, there are some alternative solutions you can try:

Manual Volume Adjustment

You can manually adjust the volume on both your Bluetooth device and phone/tablet to get them in sync. This takes extra effort but allows you to fine tune the levels.1

Remote Controls

Many Bluetooth speakers and headphones come with remote controls that allow you to control volume directly from the external device. This bypasses the need to sync volumes.2

Universal Remotes

You can use a universal remote or programmable remote to control the volumes on both your phone and Bluetooth device in one place.

Voice Assistants

Voice assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, or Bixby can control the volume on compatible devices with voice commands when you say “turn volume up/down.”

Home Theater Receivers

Connecting your phone to a home theater receiver via Bluetooth allows you to control the overall system volume from one place.

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