How to increase number of volume steps in Android?
Android devices allow users to control volume using the volume buttons on the side of the device. By default, Android uses 15 volume steps that increase or decrease the volume incrementally when you press the volume buttons.
While 15 volume steps work well for most users, some may want more granular control over the volume on their Android device. Having more volume steps allows you to precisely tune the volume level rather than making large jumps between the default 15 steps.
This guide will go over several methods to increase the number of volume steps on your Android device, allowing more precise volume control.
Check Current Volume Steps
The first step is to check how many volume steps are currently set on your Android device. To do this:
Open the Settings app and go to the Sound section. On some devices this may be under a “Sound & vibration” menu.
Look for an option like “Volume steps” or “Volume keys control”. This will show the current number of steps your volume buttons adjust the volume in.
Note down this number so you can compare later after making changes. The default is usually 15 or 16 steps on most Android devices.
Knowing the current volume steps will help you determine if any adjustments you try actually increase the granularity.
Use Third-Party Apps
Some apps on the Play Store allow changing the number of volume steps in Android. Popular options include:
Precise Volume – This app provides granular control over volume levels with up to 150 steps. You can adjust the number of steps in the settings. Precise Volume also includes an equalizer and audio booster.
Fine Volume Control – With this app, you can increase the number of volume steps from 15 up to 100. It runs in the background to give you more granular control over your device’s volume.
These third-party apps provide an easy way to increase the number of volume steps on Android without root or other major modifications. Simply install the app, grant the required permissions, and adjust the settings to enable more volume steps up to your desired amount.
Use ADB
ADB, which stands for Android Debug Bridge, is a command line tool that helps developers communicate with Android devices for debugging and other advanced operations. To use ADB to increase volume steps, you first need to enable developer options and USB debugging on your Android device.
Once enabled, connect your device to your computer via USB and use the following ADB command to change the number of volume steps:
adb shell settings put system volume_steps 15
This will increase the steps to 15. You can adjust the number as needed. After running the command, reboot your device for the new volume steps to take effect.
The advantage of using ADB is that you can precisely control the number of steps. However, it does require connecting to a computer and some technical knowledge. Overall, ADB provides a simple way to customize volume steps if you are comfortable using command line tools.
Use Magisk Module
Magisk modules allow you to modify system settings and gain root access without having to flash a custom ROM. There are modules like Volume Steps+ that can increase the number of volume steps on your device.
To use a Magisk module, you’ll first need to install Magisk by downloading the Magisk app and patching your boot image. Once Magisk is installed, you can download modules from the Magisk app or GitHub repositories. Install any modules that adjust volume steps, such as the Volume Steps+ module mentioned above.
After installing a module, reboot your device. The module will automatically make changes to your system settings to increase the number of volume steps. Be aware that some modules may also tweak other audio settings beyond just the volume steps.
Change Settings Database
The number of volume steps in Android is stored in a database file located at /system/etc/audio_policy.conf. To modify this, you first need to remount the /system partition as read-write:
1. Enable USB debugging on your device and connect it to your computer.
2. Open a command prompt or terminal window and type adb shell to get a shell prompt on your device.
3. Type mount -o remount,rw /system to remount /system as read-write.
Now you can modify the audio_policy.conf file directly. Open it in a text editor and find the volume_steps values. Increase these to add more volume steps. For example:
volume_steps {
media = 25
system = 25
ring = 25
music = 25
alarm = 25
notification = 25
}
After saving the changes, remount /system as read-only again:
mount -o remount,ro /system
Reboot your device and you should now have more volume steps. Just keep in mind this modifies a system file directly, so it does carry some risk of breaking things. Make sure you backup your files first.
Risks and Limitations
While increasing the number of volume steps in Android can provide more granular audio control, there are some risks and limitations to be aware of:
Changing volume steps can cause instability – Altering system settings like the volume steps count could potentially cause bugs or glitches, especially if using unstable mods. Proceed with caution and be prepared to reset to default if needed.
May not work on all devices or Android versions – The various methods to change volume steps may not be compatible across all phones, Android OS versions, and skins. Do research to see if your specific device is supported.
Could void warranty if tampering with system – Manipulating internal settings like volume steps often requires root access which can void your warranty. Be careful when altering low-level Android configurations.
Overall, while gaining more volume precision is possible, it does come with risks. Proceed with caution, keep backups, and understand that mileage may vary across devices. Changing core Android settings can introduce instability, so weigh the benefits versus potential downsides.
Reset Volume Steps
If you want to revert your volume steps back to the default, there are a few methods you can try:
In the Settings app, go to Apps > Apps list and find the volume step modification app you installed. Tap on it and select Uninstall to remove it.
You can also use ADB to reset the volume steps. Connect your device to a computer and run:
adb shell settings delete global volume_steps
For Magisk modules, go to the Modules section in the Magisk app and uninstall the volume steps module.
Some apps modify the volume steps by changing values in the settings database directly. You may need to factory reset your device to fully revert these changes.
After uninstalling any volume modifying apps or modules, restart your device. The volume steps should now be reset to the default set by the manufacturer.
Improve Overall Audio
Changing volume steps is just one way to improve audio quality on Android. There are various other tweaks and modifications that can enhance the listening experience.
Installing audio mods like Viper4Android or Dirac can significantly improve audio fidelity by providing EQ, surround sound, and other effects. These mods allow fine-tuning the sound profile to each user’s preference.
Tuning the software EQ in apps like Poweramp or Neutron Music Player can also help enhance the audio. Setting a custom EQ profile suited to the headphones/speakers can make the music sound fuller and more balanced.
Using a quality USB DAC or external amplifier is another option to drive higher impedance headphones properly and amplify the volume. They also provide cleaner amplification compared to an inbuilt smartphone headphone jack.
Lastly, upgrading to audiophile quality headphones or speakers can reveal details and nuances that cheaper audio gear misses out on. High-end transducers paired with a tuned software and hardware setup result in stellar audio reproduction.
Conclusion
Increasing the number of volume steps in Android can provide more granular audio control. We covered several methods to accomplish this, each with their own pros and cons:
Use third-party apps: Simple to use but may lack customization options. Reliant on accessibility of third-party apps.
Use ADB: Provides more control but requires connecting to a computer and using developer tools. Risk of improperly editing system files.
Use Magisk modules: Convenient way to modify system, but requires root access which has security tradeoffs.
Edit settings database: Directly changes volume steps but very technical process with high risk of problems if done incorrectly.
Overall, most users will find success with a third-party app or Magisk module for safely increasing volume granularity. Be cautious when directly editing system files. For advanced audio quality and options, also look into equalizers, DACs, amplifiers, and high-fidelity headphones.
Let us know in the comments if you found this guide helpful! Check our website for more Android customization tips.