How do I adjust the in-call volume?

Understanding In-Call Volume

In-call volume refers to the volume level you hear through your phone’s receiver during a phone call. It controls how loud the other caller’s voice sounds. In-call volume is separate from your phone’s overall system volume used for apps, music, videos, etc.

Adjusting your in-call volume is important for optimizing call quality and clarity. If the volume is too low, you may struggle to hear the other person. If it’s too high, the audio may become distorted or uncomfortable. Finding the right in-call volume helps you clearly hear the caller without straining. It also reduces the need to constantly adjust volume during the call.

According to NICE, maintaining appropriate in-call volume enables effective communication during calls. For optimal call quality, the volume should be loud enough to hear clearly, yet comfortable for extended conversations.

Checking Volume Settings on Your Phone

The first step in adjusting your in-call volume is locating your phone’s volume settings menu. On most Android phones like those from Samsung or Google Pixel, you can access volume settings by pulling down the notification shade and long pressing on the volume icon. This will take you to the system volume panel where you can adjust volume levels for media, call, ring & alerts, and system [1].

On iPhones, open the Settings app and go to Sounds & Haptics to manage ringtone volume vs call volume. The slider bars allow you to set maximum volume levels for various audio types. However, this maximum volume may be louder than needed during an actual call. To adjust volume only for the current call, simply use the iPhone’s volume buttons on the side while on the call to increase or decrease the volume [2].

Using Volume Buttons During a Call

Most smartphones have physical volume buttons located on the side or top of the device that can be pressed up or down to adjust the volume during a call. On an iPhone, for example, you can use the physical volume buttons on the left side to turn the call volume up or down.

However, some users have reported that the volume buttons do not work to adjust call volume on certain iPhone models like the iPhone XS Max (source). This appears to be an issue related to the proximity sensor, which disables the volume buttons when you hold the phone up to your ear on a call. To get around this, try holding the iPhone slightly away from your face or toggling the mute switch during the call.

On many Android phones like Samsung Galaxy models, the physical volume rocker can be used to control in-call volume. Simply press the up or down volume buttons while on a call to make the caller louder or quieter (source). The volume buttons should work reliably even when holding the phone to your ear.

Overall, the volume buttons are designed to be a quick and easy way to adjust the in-call volume on both iPhones and Android devices. If they do not seem to work during a call, try holding the phone slightly away from your face or toggling mute on and off.

Adjusting Volume in Call Settings

Most smartphones allow you to separately adjust the volume for calls versus media like music or videos. Here’s how to find the in-call or call volume setting on some popular devices:

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringer and Alerts. From here you can drag the slider for “Ringtone” to adjust the volume specifically for incoming calls. There is also a toggle to change the ringer or vibration.

On Android phones, open the Settings app and go to Sound. Look for an option like “Media volume” and “Call volume” that you can adjust independently. Some phones may also have a “Ring volume” setting specifically for ringer and notifications.

The Android Help documentation provides more details on adjusting volume settings.

Setting different volumes allows you to keep call volume audible while lowering media and music volume as needed. Check for an option like “Use volume keys for media” if you want your device’s physical volume buttons to always control media volume rather than switch between media and call volumes.

Using Accessibility Settings

Most smartphones have built-in accessibility settings to help users with hearing difficulties adjust the volume in calls. Enabling these accessibility services can boost the in-call volume above the maximum level.

On iPhones, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and turn on options like Mono Audio to play both channels in one earbud or headphone. Toggle on Phone Noise Cancellation to reduce ambient background sounds on calls. Under Headphone Accommodations, you can adjust audio filters and amplify soft sounds [1].

On Android, open Settings > Accessibility and enable services like Audio Balance to adjust left/right balance. Turn on Mono Audio to play identical audio in both ears. Toggle Hearing Aids to pair Bluetooth hearing aids and adjust their volume [2].

Using these built-in accessibility services can significantly boost in-call volume for users that need it.

Changing Volume via Bluetooth or Headset

If you are using a Bluetooth headset for your calls, you can adjust the volume directly through the headset controls.

First, make sure your Bluetooth headset is properly paired to your phone. Go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings and select the headset from the list of available devices. Your phone may automatically connect to the headset once paired.

Most Bluetooth headsets have built-in volume buttons or controls. Use these to turn the volume up or down on the headset itself during a call. Try pressing the volume up button during a call if the audio sounds too low.

Many Bluetooth headsets also allow you to manage volume settings within companion apps on your smartphone. Look for a headset app either pre-installed or available for download from the app store. Within the app, see if there is a section for volume controls or audio settings.

Additionally, check if your phone’s OS allows managing headset volume in the Bluetooth settings or connections menu. For example, on Android you can go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and select your headset. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and select your headset to find available volume and audio controls.

Refer to your headset and phone manuals for exact instructions on adjusting volume levels through Bluetooth. Improving headset volume can provide a quick fix for low call audio without changing your phone’s system volume.

[Cite: How to change volume of Bluetooth headphones without … https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-change-volume-of-bluetooth-headphones/2299b4c5-82af-4ad1-8847-f484c93c11a2]

Using Third-Party Apps

There are some third-party apps on the Google Play Store that claim to boost your in-call volume beyond the maximum level allowed by your phone’s native settings. These apps work by modifying the audio output of calls specifically.

Some popular call volume booster apps include:

• Call Volume Booster – Allows you to increase call volume at different levels.
• Volume Booster Pro – Controls volume for all sound streams including calls.

While these apps may provide more granular control over your in-call volume, use caution when installing third-party apps. They may request intrusive permissions or contain malware. Reputable app stores like Google Play do scan for malware, but it’s not a guarantee. Verify the app developer and read reviews before downloading.

For maximum security, adjusting call volume through your phone’s native settings is the safest option. Only use third-party apps from trusted developers, and pay close attention to the permissions requested.

Checking for Hearing Issues

In some cases, low call volume may be caused by hearing issues like earwax buildup, ear infections, or age-related hearing loss. Earwax naturally builds up in the ear canal, but too much of it can cause blockage and muffle sounds. Ear infections caused by bacteria or viruses can lead to temporary hearing loss or damage. As people get older, aging and repeated exposure to loud noises can also result in hearing loss and difficulty hearing calls clearly.

If you suspect hearing issues are causing low call volume, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with an audiologist or ear, nose and throat doctor. They can examine your ears and perform hearing tests to check for blockages, infections, hearing loss or other underlying issues. Treatment may involve removing built-up earwax, treating infections with medication, or getting fitted for hearing aids to amplify sounds if hearing loss is detected.

See your doctor promptly if you experience sudden hearing changes or loss, ear pain, ringing in the ears, or dizziness along with muffled call volume. These could signal potential medical emergencies like severe infections or damage that requires immediate treatment. Don’t delay seeking professional care if you notice these issues interfering with your ability to hear calls and daily life.

Cited from: https://www.lifewire.com/fix-low-volume-on-call-on-iphone-5186012

Adjusting Volume on Different Phone Models

The process for adjusting in-call volume can vary depending on your specific phone model and operating system. Here are some tips for different devices:

For iPhones running iOS:

• Use the volume buttons on the side of the iPhone during a call to increase or decrease volume.
• Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and adjust the ‘Headphone Safety’ slider to set a maximum volume limit.
• Open Control Center while on a call and use the volume slider to adjust the call volume.

For Android phones:

• Press the physical volume buttons on the device during a call.
• Open quick settings and adjust the in-call volume slider.
• Go to Settings > Sound and vibration to manage maximum volume limits and other audio settings.

Some Samsung Galaxy models have a dedicated ‘In-call volume’ option under Sound settings that can adjust call volume specifically.

Google Pixel phones running Android 13 introduce a new feature called Adaptive Sound that automatically adjusts call volume based on ambient noise. This can be managed under Sound & vibration settings.

For older phone models, you may need to root or jailbreak your device to gain more granular control over in-call volume limits.

Third-party apps like Volume Booster GOODEV or Extra Volume Booster can boost overall audio volumes, but quality and compatibility can vary across devices.

Troubleshooting Low In-Call Volume

If you find the maximum volume during calls is too low even when the volume buttons or settings are turned all the way up, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

First, check for debris or dust in the speaker and microphone ports and clean them out. Lint and dust accumulation can muffle the sound during calls. Refer to this guide for steps to clean your iPhone’s speakers.

If the volume is still low after cleaning, try toggling the volume buttons and Ringer/Alerts slider in Settings during a call to reactivate the volume. As suggested in the Apple discussions thread, rapidly moving the volume slider back and forth a few times can sometimes resolve the issue.

You can also try connecting headphones or a Bluetooth device to see if the volume issue persists. This helps determine if the problem is limited to the phone’s built-in ear speaker.

For iPhone users, ensure that no accessibility features like Reduce Loud Sounds are enabled under Settings > Accessibility. These can limit the maximum volume.

As a last resort, you may need to restart your phone or perform a reset of network settings if the volume buttons and controls stop responding. Low call volume could also indicate hardware problems with the phone’s speaker that may require service.