Why is my media volume sync greyed out?
What is Media Volume Sync?
Media Volume Sync allows users to sync the volume control across different devices when connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (Apple support thread). It is part of Apple’s Continuity features found in macOS and iOS which enable integration and consistency across Apple devices.
When Media Volume Sync is enabled on an iPhone or iPad, adjusting the volume on that device will also adjust the volume on any AirPods, Beats headphones, or Apple TVs connected to the same iCloud account. For example, turning up the volume on an iPhone to watch a video will also turn up the volume on wirelessly paired AirPods.
Media Volume Sync relies on devices being signed into the same iCloud account and connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It allows a seamless listening experience across Apple devices without having to manually adjust the volume separately on each device.
When is Media Volume Sync Available?
Media Volume Sync requires devices running macOS and iOS/iPadOS that are signed into the same iCloud account and in close proximity to each other. Additionally, the Media Volume Sync feature must be enabled on both devices for syncing to occur.
Specifically, you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12.0 or later, a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or later, and both devices signed into the same iCloud account. Both devices should also be within Bluetooth range of each other, usually within 33 feet.
On iOS/iPadOS devices, Media Volume Sync can be enabled by going to Settings > Bluetooth and toggling on “Sync Volume.” On Macs, the feature is enabled through System Preferences > Bluetooth and checking “Sync volume between devices.”
With properly updated devices signed into the same iCloud account, in close proximity, and with Media Volume Sync enabled, adjusting the volume on one device will change the volume on the other device as well to keep them in sync.
Why Would Media Volume Sync Be Grayed Out?
There are a few reasons why the Media Volume Sync setting may be greyed out on your iPhone or iPad:
- Devices not signed into same iCloud account – Media Volume Sync relies on having devices signed into the same iCloud account to work properly. If your devices are signed into different accounts, it will not be available.
- Devices not close enough for Bluetooth/WiFi Handoff – The devices need to be in close Bluetooth and WiFi range for Handoff features like Media Volume Sync to work. If your devices are too far apart, it may show as greyed out.
- Feature disabled on one or more devices – Media Volume Sync can be turned off in Settings on specific devices. If it’s disabled on even one of the devices, you may see it greyed out on the others.
To troubleshoot, first make sure all devices are signed into the same iCloud account and in Bluetooth/WiFi range of each other. Also check that Media Volume Sync is enabled in Settings on each device. If it remains unavailable, contact Apple Support for further help.
Checking iCloud Settings
One of the main troubleshooting steps when Media Volume Sync is greyed out is checking your device’s iCloud settings. The key prerequisite for the Media Volume Sync feature to work properly is that all devices must be signed into the same iCloud account.
To check this:
- Open the Settings app on each device
- Select the iCloud option
- Confirm you are signed into the same Apple ID across devices by verifying the Apple ID email address displayed
Additionally, you can scroll down on this screen on each device to view the list of devices signed into that iCloud account. Your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch, etc. should all appear here if correctly configured.
If devices are missing from any device’s view of the iCloud settings, this likely indicates a mismatch that needs to be corrected before Media Volume Sync will function properly.
Checking Device Proximity
Media Volume Sync relies on the Handoff feature to connect devices, which uses Bluetooth and WiFi radios. For Handoff to work properly, devices need to be within range of each other – typically about 30 feet.
As stated by Apple, “Your devices are within Bluetooth range of one another (about 33 feet or 10 meters).” So if Media Volume Sync is grayed out, check that your iPhone and other devices are within 30 feet and there are no major obstructions between them.
Some users have suggested the proximity threshold could be increased as the U1 chip provides more accurate location detection. As noted in a Reddit discussion, “If the U1 chip is as accurate as Apple says, we should be able to adjust the distance that hand-off is activated.” However, currently the range is limited to about 30 feet for Handoff features.
If your devices meet the proximity requirements but Media Volume Sync remains unavailable, you may need to check other troubleshooting steps.
Enabling Media Volume Sync
Media Volume Sync allows the volume controls on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to adjust the volume on connected Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and other audio devices. If Media Volume Sync is grayed out and unavailable, you can enable it in your device settings:
On Mac
To enable Media Volume Sync on a Mac, open System Preferences and click on Sound. In the Sound preferences pane, check the box next to “Use volume keys for sound output”. Once enabled, your Mac’s volume keys will control the volume on connected Bluetooth audio devices.
On iOS/iPadOS
On an iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS, open the Settings app and select General. Scroll down and tap on “Use Volume Buttons for” and make sure the toggle is enabled for “Bluetooth Volume”. With this setting turned on, your device’s physical volume buttons will change volume for paired Bluetooth speakers and headphones.
Troubleshooting Tips
If Media Volume Sync is grayed out, try these troubleshooting tips to enable it:
- Restart both your smartphone and Bluetooth device – Restarting can clear any temporary issues such as an unauthorized change to the settings. Turn off both devices, wait 30 seconds, then power them back on.[1]
- Update to the latest operating system – Make sure your smartphone and Bluetooth device are both running the latest OS version. Outdated software can prevent Media Volume Sync from enabling properly. Check for updates and install if available.
- Reset network settings – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will delete any problematic Bluetooth pairing information and allow you to reconnect from scratch.
After trying the troubleshooting tips above, check if Media Volume Sync is now enabled. If the issue persists, you may need to try alternative solutions or contact support.
Using Accessibility Options
If media volume sync is unavailable or grayed out, you may still be able to control volume through Accessibility options:
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and enable options like “Touch Accommodations” which allows you to control device volume by holding down volume buttons. This acts as an accessibility workaround when sync is not available (source).
On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility and enable services like “Volume key shortcut” which lets you quickly toggle accessibility volume control without hardware buttons. You can also customize the volume up and down gestures here if sync is grayed out.
On Windows, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio and enable “Show volume control on the taskbar” so you can control volume by clicking the taskbar icon rather than via keyboard shortcuts. There are also third party apps that add an accessibility volume control overlay if needed.
Enabling these Accessibility services for volume control can serve as handy alternatives when media sync is not available on your device for whatever reason.
Alternative Options
If Media Volume Sync is unavailable or not working properly, there are some alternative options to sync volume control across devices:
Use AirPlay
AirPlay allows you to stream audio from your iOS device or Mac to other AirPlay-enabled devices like speakers, TVs, or Apple TV. When using AirPlay, you can control the volume from your streaming device which will adjust the volume on the receiving AirPlay device.[1]
Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party apps available that provide synchronized volume control across devices:
- EarTrumpet for Windows
- Sound Control for macOS
- Volume Sync for Android
These apps usually work by installing a client on each device you want to sync then connecting them over WiFi. The advantage is they work across platforms while Media Volume Sync is limited to Apple devices.
When to Contact Apple Support
If Media Volume Sync remains grayed out and unavailable after trying the troubleshooting tips listed above, then it’s time to contact Apple Support. Customers who have an iPhone or Apple TV that’s still under the 1-year limited warranty or who have an active AppleCare+ plan should contact Apple.
An Apple Support representative can run diagnostic tests, check server logs for issues, or arrange for a device replacement if hardware failure is suspected. They have more tools and resources available for troubleshooting obscure problems.
According to the Apple Support article, customers can contact Apple Support through their support site, by making a Genius Bar appointment, calling 1-800-APL-CARE, or reaching out on Twitter @AppleSupport.
Before contacting Apple Support, it’s recommended to back up your device, install the latest software updates, check account settings, and delete/reinstall problematic apps as the first course of action. Then Apple can better focus on potential issues with the device itself or core services.