How do I stream audio from my computer to my android?

ByJael Lawler

Streaming audio from a computer to an Android device allows you to wirelessly play music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other audio content from your computer on your Android smartphone or tablet. This provides you with access to your audio library and playlists when you are away from your computer. There are several methods to stream audio to Android, with options to stream over WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, and more. This guide will provide an overview of the different streaming options and how to set them up, troubleshooting advice, and tips for choosing the best method for your needs.

Prerequisites

There are a few key prerequisites you’ll need in order to stream audio from your computer to your Android device:

First, you’ll need an active WiFi or mobile data connection on your Android device to receive the audio stream. Streaming audio requires a consistent internet connection, so make sure you have a strong WiFi or LTE/5G signal.

Second, you’ll need the audio file or media you want to stream located on your computer. This can be music files, podcast episodes, audiobooks, or any other audio content stored locally on your PC.

Finally, you may need to have certain streaming apps installed on your Android device or computer, depending on your preferred streaming method. Apps like Spotify, Plex, VLC media player, etc. will enable streaming capabilities and allow you to easily select content to stream.

Using Bluetooth

To stream audio from your computer to an Android device using Bluetooth, you first need to enable Bluetooth on both devices and pair them so they can communicate. Here are the steps:

On your computer, go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle on Bluetooth. On your Android, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth.

Your devices will now start scanning for available Bluetooth connections. On your Android, select your computer name when it pops up in the list of available devices. Your computer will prompt you to confirm pairing – accept it. The devices are now paired.

On your computer, start playing the audio you want to stream. On your Android, open a music app like Spotify and connect to the Bluetooth audio source. The app should automatically detect the computer as an available Bluetooth playback device. Select it and the audio will start streaming over Bluetooth.

The advantage of Bluetooth is that it doesn’t require an internet connection or WiFi network. The drawback is that Bluetooth audio quality is limited, especially at longer ranges. Bluetooth audio streaming works well for podcasts, audiobooks, and background music. For high quality music listening, WiFi or a wired connection is better.

If you experience choppy playback or disconnections, try moving the devices closer together or minimizing obstructions between them. Bluetooth range is typically 30 feet or less. See the troubleshooting section for more tips.

Using WiFi

One of the easiest ways to stream audio from your computer to an Android device is by using your WiFi network. Simply connect your computer and Android device to the same WiFi network. Then you can use various streaming apps on your Android device to play audio from your computer.

Apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud allow you to stream music from your computer to your Android device over WiFi. Install the app on both your computer and Android device, connect to the same WiFi network, and you’ll be able to access your music library and playlists to stream songs.

For the best results, make sure you have a strong WiFi signal in the location you want to stream audio. You may need to move your computer and Android device closer to the router or access point for a stable connection. Using the 5GHz WiFi frequency band can also provide faster streaming speeds compared to the more common 2.4GHz band if available.

With a solid WiFi network set up, streaming apps provide an easy and convenient way to wirelessly play audio from a computer through an Android device anywhere in your home.

Using USB:

One of the simplest ways to stream audio from a computer to an Android device is by using a USB cable connection. To do this:

  1. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. Make sure your device is set to ‘File Transfer’ or ‘USB Mass Storage’ mode.
  2. On your computer, locate the audio files you want to transfer. These could be music files, podcast episodes, audio books, etc.
  3. Copy or move the audio files from your computer to your Android device’s storage. You can typically find connected Android devices as external drives within your computer’s file explorer.
  4. Once transferred, disconnect the USB cable. The audio files will now be available in your Android device’s local media apps and music players.

Transferring files over a direct USB connection is fast, simple, and doesn’t rely on your home network or an internet connection. It also allows you to manually organize audio files into folders on your Android device. The downside is that you have to be physically connected to the computer to transfer files.

Using DLNA

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a standard that allows devices on a home network to share media with each other. To stream audio from your computer to an Android device using DLNA, you’ll need to:

First, enable the DLNA server on your computer. This allows your computer to share media files over the network. On Windows 10, you can enable media streaming by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Under “Apps & features” click “Turn on media streaming”. On Mac, open System Preferences > Sharing and check “Media Sharing”.

Next, install a DLNA app on your Android device, such as BubbleUPnP, Skifta or AllCast. Open the app and it will search for DLNA devices on your network. Select your computer from the list of devices. You can then browse and play music and media files stored on your computer.

The advantage of using DLNA is that it integrates easily with many smart TVs, media streamers and game consoles. No cables required – everything is streamed over WiFi. The drawback is that setup can be tricky, with server and firewall settings to configure. Streaming quality is also dependent on your network speed and router capability. Overall, DLNA is a convenient option if you want to stream media between devices on your home network.

Using Cloud Storage

One method to stream audio from your computer to an Android device is by using a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc. Here are the basic steps to stream audio files uploaded to the cloud:

  1. First, upload the audio files from your computer to your cloud storage service. Make sure they are in a compatible format like MP3.
  2. Install the app for your cloud storage service on your Android device, like the Google Drive or Dropbox app. Log into your account.
  3. Open the cloud storage app on your Android and navigate to the audio files you uploaded from your computer. You may need to select the ‘Files’ or ‘All Files’ view to see them.
  4. Tap on an audio file to start streaming it directly within the app. Many cloud services offer media playback capabilities right in their apps.
  5. You can also download the files directly to your Android device for offline playback. Just tap the download icon next to each file.

Streaming audio from cloud storage avoids needing to transfer files directly from your computer to phone. As long as you have internet access, you can play the audio files from anywhere through the cloud app on your Android. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox offer free storage space for common usage needs.

Choosing a Method

When deciding how to stream audio from your computer to an Android device, you’ll need to compare the pros and cons of each method:

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is convenient for pairing and streaming between devices, but has some limitations:

WiFi

Streaming over WiFi provides better range and quality, but requires more setup:

  • Much longer wireless range, as long as you’re connected to the same network.
  • Capable of lossless, high-quality audio streaming (cite: https://www.crutchfield.com/learn/wi-fi-vs-bluetooth.html).
  • Can connect multiple devices simultaneously.
  • May require installing an app and configuring settings.

USB

USB offers the most consistent wired connection:

  • Guaranteed quality, speed and stability.
  • No wireless interference or dropouts.
  • Only connects one device at a time.
  • Limited by cable length.

Consider which features are most important for your needs when deciding how to stream.

Troubleshooting

If you experience issues streaming audio from your computer to your Android device, here are some fixes for common problems.

No sound or intermittent sound

If you’re not hearing any audio or the sound cuts in and out, try adjusting the volume controls in Windows or Mac. Make sure the application volume is turned up on both your computer and Android device. Swap to a different Bluetooth or WiFi connection, if possible, as interference can sometimes disrupt sound. Some apps like Spotify have built-in equalizers that boost bass. Disable any audio enhancements which may cause conflicts.
Another option is to download and install the latest drivers for your computer’s internal sound card or external USB audio interface. Driver updates often address audio streaming problems.

As a last resort, reboot both devices to refresh all software and connections. This clears any software glitches that could affect streaming.

Playback stops or gets stuck

If the audio playback stops mid-song or doesn’t advance through a playlist, try limiting background apps and processes on your Android device to free up more system resources for streaming. Close any apps you aren’t using. On a Samsung device, open Settings, tap Battery & device care > Battery > Background usage limits and enable Put unused apps to sleep.

Also check that you have enough free storage space on your Android device. Audio apps require open space to buffer songs and continue playback. If storage space gets too low, songs can fail to advance or playback can stall completely. Transfer media like photos/videos to a computer or cloud backup to clear space for the streaming audio app.

Conclusion

In summary, streaming audio from your computer to your Android device can be accomplished in several ways. The easiest options are likely Bluetooth, WiFi or USB. Bluetooth and WiFi allow wireless streaming, while USB provides a wired connection.

For most users, Bluetooth is probably the simplest method – as long as your computer and Android device are relatively close together. Just pair the devices and you’ll be able to stream audio over Bluetooth. WiFi provides more range and potentially higher quality, but requires a bit more setup.

USB is reliable and easy to use, but tethers your phone to your computer. DLNA and cloud storage allow streaming over your local network or internet, but add complexity.

In the end, choose the method that best fits your needs and setup. Any of these options will work to stream audio from a computer to an Android device. If you run into issues getting audio to stream properly, be sure to check your OS and app settings as well as the troubleshooting tips covered earlier. With a little effort, you’ll be able to enjoy your computer’s audio library anywhere.

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