How to Disable Absolute Bluetooth Volume on Android

One of the features Android phones provide to users is the ability to control the volume of a connected Bluetooth device and the phone's volume from the volume control. It's called the Absolute Bluetooth Volume. Although you may not have heard about it a long time ago, it has been around since 2015! With it being one of the many quiet and sneaky Android features, here's the full rundown on what it is, how to use it, and how to disable it, if needed.

What is Absolute Bluetooth Volume?

Android allows you to control the volume of your Bluetooth device speaker from the volume button on your phone. This eliminates the need to use your Bluetooth device's physical buttons to adjust the volume. You can change the volume of your phone's speaker or headset by using the phone's volume button.

When you use a Bluetooth device to adjust your phone's volume, the reverse is also true. Having absolute Bluetooth volume control isn't just convenient; it's increasingly considered necessary. Since Apple removed the headphone jack, Android followed a few models later by removing the 3.5mm jack. To privately listen to music today, most people are forced to use Bluetooth earphones or headsets. By the way, if at any point your Bluetooth is acting up, check out this troubleshooting article.

How to disable Absolute Bluetooth Volume on Android phones

A Bluetooth volume control function on Android devices is handy. Using it, you can increase Bluetooth volume using your phone volume and vice versa.

Absolute Bluetooth volume control, however, can sometimes cause Bluetooth connections to fail. Usually, because the Bluetooth device you're trying to control did not come with absolute volume control.

If this sounds like you, you might have already disabled absolute volume control in your device's settings. But, if you're unfamiliar with the wonderland of "Developer Options," let us walk you through the hidden setting.

Enable "Developer Options"

Here's how to turn on Developer Options if you do not see it on your phone. If you already have your phone set as "developer," skip to the next step.

1. Click the "Settings" icon > and then "Developer Options".
2. Select "About Phone".
3. Find your phone's build number and tap it seven times quickly.
   Yes, this was NOT a joke. Tap it seven times.
4. Your account will now be marked “developer.”
5. Close the settings app

Disable Absolute Bluetooth Volume

Once you have "Developer Options enabled," it's easy to disable Absolute Bluetooth Volume. To disable absolute Bluetooth volume, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect any Bluetooth headsets/speakers, or other Bluetooth device.
2. Go back into "Settings".
3. Select the "System" tab.
   You will find "Developer Options" there.
4. Click on "Networking" on the left-hand side.
5. Select "Disable Absolute Volume" .

Following this, you should separate the volume controls for your Android device and Bluetooth device.

To test, try pressing the volume buttons on your phone. Adjusting the volume on your Android device should not affect the volume of your Bluetooth device. Increasing or decreasing the volume on your phone will not change the volume on your Bluetooth speaker.

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