Do volume booster apps work Android?

Volume booster apps are applications designed for Android devices that claim to boost the maximum volume output beyond the phone’s built-in limits. The maximum volume level on Android phones is normally capped by the device manufacturer for hearing safety. Volume booster apps purportedly override this limit through audio processing techniques, allowing users to increase media and call volumes louder than the max setting.

These volume booster apps effectively act as software amplifiers. They use digital signal processing to dynamically compress and amplify the audio from media and calls played through the phone’s speakers. This is meant to push the volume to extreme levels beyond what the standard volume controls allow.

Volume booster apps like Volume Booster, Super Volume Booster and Volume Booster Pro all promise to maximize volume, enhance bass, and give an overall louder sound. They market themselves as ways to improve quiet videos, podcasts, music, navigation directions, speakerphone calls, and games without purchasing external speakers.

How Volume Works on Android

Android devices have both software and hardware limitations that determine the maximum volume output. On the hardware side, the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) built into the smartphone converts digital audio signals into analog signals that can be amplified and output through the speakers or headphone jack. The quality and power of the DAC limits how loud the analog signal can be. Many modern smartphones use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon system-on-chips, which have integrated DACs with certain maximum decibel outputs (1).

In terms of software, the Android operating system enforces volume limits on media playback. Users can set a maximum media volume limit in Settings which overrides any hardware limitations, allowing people to limit volume output if desired. Android also has default warnings that will alert you if volume is set above safe levels for prolonged listening. However, the default maximum volume level varies between manufacturers. For example, Samsung sets a lower max volume limit than other brands by default (2).

Testing Popular Volume Booster Apps

To evaluate whether volume booster apps actually work, I tested some of the most popular options on the Google Play Store. These included:

Volume Booster GOODEV – This simple app promises to boost sound volume for speakers and headphones. It provides volume controls for ringtone, notifications, and media.

Volume Booster – Sound Booster – With bass booster and equalizer features, this app claims to boost phone volume beyond max levels.

I installed each app and tested them while playing music, watching videos, and making calls. I compared the sound levels with the apps enabled versus disabled to determine if they actually worked as advertised.

Do They Actually Work?

Most volume booster apps claim to boost the volume beyond the max level set by Android. However, the volume limit is hard-coded into Android and cannot be increased through software alone. The maximum volume level is determined by the phone manufacturer and is a hardware limitation.

Analyzing popular volume booster apps shows they do not actually amplify the volume, but instead optimize audio output to make it seem louder. According to testing by reviewers, the volume increase is often negligible or imperceptible.

For example, Volume Booster GOODEV makes audio sound louder through equalizer adjustments, but does not exceed the max volume limit. Users report the volume boosting effects are minor, with small improvements to clarity and fullness.

While these apps may optimize sound, they cannot physically amplify volume beyond the set Android limit. The volume increases are often subtle and may simply result from a perceived placebo effect. Ultimately, volume booster apps do not boost max volume in a significant way.

The Placebo Effect

Perception of loudness can be affected even without an actual change in decibels. As discussed in this Frontiers in Psychology article, loudness perception involves complex psychoacoustic and cognitive processes. Users may perceive sounds as louder after using a volume booster app, when in reality the decibel levels have remained constant. This can occur due to auditory sensory memory and the tendency to focus more attention on loudness after expecting a change.

The placebo effect likely plays a role as well. If a user expects the volume booster app to work, they may subjectively experience louder sound simply due to that expectation. According to studies, perceived loudness correlates closely with psychological factors like attention and expectation. While volume booster apps cannot physically alter the amplitude of sound waves, users may think sounds are louder because they believe the app worked.

Advantages

Volume booster apps claim to be able to increase the maximum volume output on your device beyond the built-in limits. This allows you to turn up games, music, videos, and other audio louder than what your phone natively supports (Volume Booster, 2022). Some users report being able to get up to a 30% boost in volume using these apps, which can be appealing for those who want louder sound without external speakers (Reddit, 2020).

Potential benefits users cite include (Reddit, 2020):

Making quiet audio more audible in noisy environments

Enhancing immersion for games and videos
Avoiding the need to purchase expensive external speakers

So in theory, volume booster apps provide a free and convenient way to push your device’s sound to its limits without extra equipment.

Disadvantages

While volume booster apps may seem like an easy solution to increase your device’s audio output, they do come with some risks that are important to consider:

Pushing your speaker volume to the maximum limit over long periods can potentially damage the speakers and degrade audio quality over time. According to one Reddit user, after using a popular volume booster app for several months they noticed the speakers cracking and reduced volume capacity even at normal levels [1].

Increasing the volume, especially while using headphones, can also be dangerous for your hearing. The WHO warns that exposure to sounds over 85 dB for prolonged periods can cause permanent hearing loss [2]. Volume booster apps often go over this limit.

Additionally, many free volume booster apps are not from reputable developers and may contain malware, viruses, or privacy-violating trackers. It’s wise to exercise caution when installing unknown apps that make system modifications [3].

While the volume increase may seem worth it initially, the potential long-term damage to your speakers and ears likely outweighs any temporary benefits. Proceed with caution.

Alternatives

While volume booster apps may seem like an easy fix for improving audio on your Android device, there are better options that don’t require downloading another app. Here are some alternatives to try:

Use wired headphones or external speakers, which will likely provide louder and higher quality sound than your device’s built-in speaker.
Adjust the volume and audio settings in your device’s Settings app, like enabling volume boosters or equalizers. Just be careful not to max out all the volume sliders, as that can degrade audio quality.
For calls, turn on speakerphone or use headphones to make it easier to hear the other person.

Check if your phone model has an “Extra volume” option accessible through phone dialer codes. For example, Samsung Galaxy phones can enable extra volume by inputting ##3646633##
Clean out your phone’s speakers and headphone jack, as dust buildup can affect volume.
As a last resort, consider rooting or jailbreaking your Android to gain more control over software audio settings.

The point is, before trying to fix things with an additional app, explore the settings already built into your Android device. Tweaking these options is a simpler way to potentially improve volume and audio quality.

The Verdict

After reviewing the capabilities of volume booster apps and testing some popular options ourselves, the verdict is clear – these apps do not actually boost the hardware volume limits of an Android device. While they may make audio seem louder through audio processing techniques like compression and limiting, they cannot physically override the volume caps programmed into the phone’s hardware and OS by the manufacturer.

At best, volume booster apps provide more granular control over the existing volume range, or make low volumes seem louder through audio tricks. But they cannot truly boost output volume higher than the phone’s physical capabilities. The volume tests we conducted showed no measurable increase with these apps installed. Any perceived louder volumes are likely a placebo effect.

So in summary – no, volume booster apps do not work as claimed. They do not allow you to exceed the maximum volume hardware limits of your Android device. The only real way to get louder volume is to use external speakers or amplifiers that introduce more power external to the phone.

TLDR

Volume booster apps don’t actually increase the maximum volume of your Android device. They simply override the default volume limit set by the manufacturer to allow you to turn the volume up higher. This gives the illusion of a volume boost, but can damage your hearing at high volumes. Use caution with volume booster apps, as the louder maximum volume they enable could harm your ears over time.