How do I increase Incall volume on my Android phone?

Understand Incall Volume

Incall volume refers to the loudness of the audio you hear during a phone call on your Android device. You may want to increase the incall volume if you are having trouble hearing the other person on the call, especially in noisy environments. There are a few methods you can try to increase incall volume:

The incall volume is separate from media volume (for music, videos, etc.) and ringtone volume on your Android phone. It specifically controls the loudness of the voice audio during calls. Increasing incall volume can make it easier to hear the other caller without having to strain or press the phone tightly to your ear. ¹

Before trying to increase incall volume, it’s a good idea to check your current incall volume settings and make sure the volume is not already set to the maximum level. There are also some third-party apps that can boost incall volume beyond the normal maximum. Adjusting audio settings like enabling audio boost can also help increase loudness. If those options don’t work, you may need to update your phone software or even consider switching to a different phone model.

Check Current Incall Volume Settings

To find the incall volume setting on your Android phone, go to Settings > Sounds & vibration (or Sound & notification on some devices). Look for options related to “Incall volume,” “Call volume,” or “Voice call volume.” The default incall volume is typically around 4-6 out of 15 increments, but it can vary by device.

For example, on a Samsung Galaxy device, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Volume and tap the drop down arrow next to Ringtone to change it to In call. You can then adjust the slider to increase or decrease the incall volume as needed. Knowing your current default incall volume can help determine if the volume needs to be turned up.

On a Motorola phone, go to Settings > Sound > Calls and look for the Incoming call volume option. Slide it left or right to adjust the incall volume before making a call to test the loudness.

Understanding the default incall volume setting on your specific Android device model is useful when troubleshooting low call volumes. This starting point gives you an idea of how much you may need to boost the incall volume for your needs.

Adjust Incall Volume

The most straightforward way to increase incall volume on an Android phone is to manually adjust the incall volume level. On most Android phones, you can do this by using the volume buttons on the side of the device while on a call. Press the volume up button to increase the incall volume, and press volume down to decrease it.

To achieve maximum incall volume, keep pressing the volume up button during a call until you cannot increase it any further. This will set the incall volume to the highest level your device allows.

You can also adjust incall volume through the Settings app on your Android phone. Go to Sounds and Vibration > Volume and drag the Call volume slider all the way to the right. This will set call volume to the maximum level.

Some Android phones may also have an additional Volume Booster setting under Accessibility settings that can further increase the maximum incall volume level. Enabling this allows you to crank up the volume even higher than the normal maximum.

Setting incall volume to the maximum level can help increase audibility during phone calls, especially in noisy environments. However, be careful not to increase the volume too much as it could damage your hearing over time.

Use Volume Booster Apps

There are several apps available on the Android Play Store that can boost the incall volume higher than what your phone allows by default. Some top apps to consider include Volume Booster GOODEV (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodev.volume.booster), Volume Booster & EQ (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.desaxedstudios.volumebooster), and Extra Volume Booster (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extra.volume.booster).

These apps work by amplifying the audio signal beyond the built-in limits of your phone. Some allow you to boost volume up to 200%. However, take caution as excessive amplification can potentially damage speakers or cause audio distortion if not used properly.

It’s recommended to increase volume gradually and test during calls to find the maximum level that still sounds clear. Also beware that overly amplifying soft or low quality audio sources may expose background noise. While volume boosters can make calls louder, they do not improve the actual sound quality being transmitted.

Adjust Audio Settings

One way to increase in-call volume is by adjusting your Android phone’s audio settings. Go to Settings > Sound and look for options that boost overall volume levels.

Enable ‘Extra volume’ if available – this allows going beyond the typical maximum volume. Just be careful not to increase it too much as it could damage your hearing over time.

You can also try disabling any ‘Volume limit’ option that may be restricting how loud calls can be. Removing this limit enables turning up the volume as needed.

Additionally, look in audio settings for a ‘Voice call’ section and move any volume sliders here to max. An option called ‘Voice clarity’ could also help increase loudness and clarity.

Finally, if using a Samsung device, disabling ‘Noise reduction’ in Call settings can help increase volume and remove muffling effects.

Adjusting these core audio configurations can potentially give your Android calls a major volume boost. Just be careful not to go overboard as excess loudness can hurt your ears over time.

Use Headphones or Speaker

Using headphones or enabling the speaker function during calls is an easy way to increase the incall volume on your Android phone. Headphones generally allow for louder volume than the built-in earpiece speaker on your phone. Make sure to use well-fitted headphones that block out background noise for optimal call clarity and volume. Enabling the speaker function also projects sound louder than the earpiece, allowing you to better hear the caller. Just be aware of your surroundings when using speaker – ensure you are in an appropriate environment before broadcasting your call aloud. Some Android phones allow you to use the speaker by simply moving the phone away from your ear during a call. You can also select the “Speaker” button on the call screen to enable it. Overall, both headphones and speaker can significantly boost incall volume on Android phones compared to relying solely on the built-in earpiece.

Check for Hearing Damage

There are many signs that may indicate hearing loss or hearing damage. Some key signs to look out for include:

Muffling of speech and other sounds (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072)

Trouble hearing conversations, especially in noisy environments (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17673-hearing-loss)
Frequently needing to ask others to repeat themselves
Difficulty understanding women’s and children’s voices

Ringing, hissing, or roaring sounds in your ears (tinnitus)

You should seek medical advice from your doctor if you experience any persistent hearing issues. A doctor can check for infections, earwax buildup, or other treatable causes of hearing loss. They may conduct a hearing test or refer you to an audiologist for specialized hearing exams. Early treatment is important to prevent permanent damage (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373077).

Update Your Phone Software

One way to potentially improve in-call volume on your Android phone is to update your phone’s software. Here are some tips for updating your phone’s software:

Install the latest version of Android – Make sure your phone is running the most recent version of Android. Newer versions of Android often include bug fixes and optimizations that can improve performance and volume. Go to Settings > System > System Update to check for and install any available software updates.

Install vendor updates – Your phone manufacturer may release firmware updates that include audio improvements. Check your phone manufacturer’s website or your phone’s system update menu regularly for any available updates. Installing these can update drivers and frameworks that manage volume.

Update drivers – Outdated drivers can affect your phone’s ability to properly control volume. Search online for any available driver updates for your phone model and install them. This can update the low-level software that handles audio functions.

After updating your phone’s software, test the in-call volume again. The latest software optimizations can sometimes resolve volume issues. If you still experience low in-call volume, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps.

Get Your Hearing Tested

Hearing tests are used to determine if you have any degree of hearing loss. There are several different types of hearing tests that can be performed. Some of the most common hearing tests include:

Pure tone audiometry – This test uses an audiometer to play tones at different frequencies and volumes into each ear to map your hearing sensitivity across the frequency range.

Speech discrimination test – You’ll be asked to repeat words spoken at a comfortable volume to evaluate how well you understand speech.
Tympanometry – This test measures how the eardrum responds to pressure changes to check for fluid or other issues in the middle ear.

It’s recommended to get your hearing tested if you suspect any amount of hearing loss or have trouble hearing. Some common signs include needing to turn up the TV or radio volume, difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments, or asking people to repeat themselves frequently. Getting tested regularly can also establish a baseline to compare future test results.

If a hearing test confirms hearing loss, treatment options include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, therapy, medication, or surgery. The type of hearing loss and severity will determine the most appropriate treatment options to improve hearing ability.

Consider Switching Phones

If adjusting the in-call volume settings and trying volume booster apps does not resolve your low in-call volume, switching to another phone model may help. Some Android phones have better built-in microphones and speakers optimized for phone calls.

Before switching phones, visit a phone retailer and test the in-call volume on demo models. Pay attention to volume levels on both ends of the call. Certain phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Motorola Edge Plus are known for excellent call quality.

Also compare specifications like the phone’s frequency response range, which indicates how accurately it captures and plays back sound. A wider and flatter frequency response range generally produces better call clarity.

Purchasing a phone optimized for voice calls can significantly boost your in-call volume without having to constantly adjust settings or rely on third-party apps.