Is there an app that turns volume up?

There are times when the maximum volume setting on a smartphone or tablet is not loud enough for some users’ needs. People with mild to moderate hearing loss often have difficulty hearing phone calls, music, videos, and other audio played through mobile device speakers. Additionally, certain environments like loud restaurants, crowded city streets, and some public transit systems can make it challenging to hear a device’s audio even for those with normal hearing. This is where volume booster apps can be helpful. Volume booster apps allow users to increase the audio output volume from their mobile device beyond the built-in maximum setting. These apps provide software-based amplification by utilizing the device’s headphone jack or internal speakers. Volume boosting apps offer a convenient way to turn up the volume for those who need a little extra loudness in specific situations. They aim to improve accessibility and ensure media on mobile devices can be heard clearly by more users.

Built-In Volume Boosters

Many smartphones, both iOS and Android, have built-in accessibility features that allow users to increase volume beyond the max volume setting. This can be helpful for those who are hard of hearing and need extra amplification.

On iOS devices running iOS 12 or later, Apple includes a feature called Sound Recognition that not only amplifies sounds but can also notify you when specific sounds occur like alarms, sirens, doorbells, etc. To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and toggle on Sound Recognition. There you can turn on amplification and adjust the decibel level of amplification up to 40dB.

For Android 9 and newer, Google has included a similar amplification feature. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Volume and toggle on Media Volume Limiter. This will remove any volume limit caps and allow you to increase the volume higher than the max setting. You can adjust the exact amplification level here as well.

So both major mobile operating systems contain built-in accessibility settings to boost volume higher than the set max volume limit. This can help those with hearing issues better hear and adjust volume levels as needed without requiring a separate app. Just be careful when increasing to high amplification levels as you don’t want to damage your hearing.

Third-Party Volume Booster Apps

There are many third-party volume booster apps available for Android and iOS devices that can increase the maximum volume levels beyond what is normally allowed in the system settings. Some popular options include:

Volume Booster GOODEV – A simple app that provides a volume slider to boost speaker or headphone volume above the system limit. Useful for listening to music, movies or audiobooks.

Volume Booster – Features bass booster and equalizer options in addition to volume boosting. Claims to increase volume higher than max system volume.

These apps work by accessing lower-level audio controls to override the system volume limit set by device manufacturers. They can boost volume anywhere from 20% to 100% higher than what is normally allowed.

Benefits include being able to increase volume for entertainment purposes or to aid those with hearing impairments. However, safety precautions are recommended as excessive high volume can damage speakers or hearing over time.

How Volume Booster Apps Work

Volume booster apps work by using audio processing technology to increase the amplitude of the audio signal beyond the maximum hardware volume level of a device. They amplify quieter sounds more than louder sounds through a process called dynamic range compression (Source 1).

Basically, volume booster apps analyze the audio signal in real-time and selectively boost the quieter frequencies more than the louder frequencies. This has the effect of reducing the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds, increasing the overall perceived volume (Source 1).

On a technical level, volume booster apps use digital signal processing algorithms to reshape the amplitude envelope of the audio waveform dynamically. They split the audio into different frequency bands and apply targeted amplification to each band, with more boost applied to the quieter bands (Source 2).

The volume boosting is done in real-time and only applies to the app/audio being played through the app. Volume booster apps cannot actually override the system-wide maximum volume level set by the hardware. But they use compression to make it seem louder to our ears (Source 3).

So in summary, volume booster apps use dynamic range compression and other audio processing tricks to selectively amplify the quieter parts of the audio more than the louder parts. This makes the overall sound seem louder and more full-bodied within the app, even though the true peak volume remains within hardware limits.

Benefits of Volume Booster Apps

Volume booster apps can provide significant benefits for people with hearing impairments or those who are frequently in loud environments where they have trouble hearing their device’s audio. According to one Reddit discussion, these apps work by boosting up the frequencies that are not already at maximum volume, allowing for an increase in overall “loudness.” This can make audio more audible for those who have trouble hearing soft or moderate sounds.

For those with hearing loss, being able to increase the volume beyond the device’s built-in maximum can make phone calls, music, videos, navigation directions and other audio much more accessible. Volume boosters allow the user to customize the volume level to suit their individual hearing needs. Additionally, in noisy environments like concerts, construction sites or busy public spaces, volume boosters help cut through background noise so media audio can be heard more clearly.

Rather than having to purchase expensive specialty devices, volume booster apps provide a free or low-cost software solution for those needing a volume boost. And the ability to adjust volume on-demand as needed is more convenient than fixed volume-boosting hardware. For those reasons, volume booster apps have become popular assistive hearing solutions for many users.

Drawbacks of Volume Booster Apps

While volume booster apps can help amplify sound, they also come with some potential drawbacks users should be aware of. One of the main issues with volume booster apps is audio distortion. Pushing the volume too high can lead to clipping, crackling noises, and distortion as the audio signal peaks beyond what the speakers or headphones can cleanly reproduce ¹. This is especially noticeable with music that has a lot of bass.

Volume booster apps can also put extra strain on smartphone speakers and headphones, potentially decreasing their lifespan if used regularly at max volume. The boosted volumes may damage speakers over time.

Some volume booster apps are known to drain battery life faster since they utilize more processing power. The battery drain depends on the specific app optimization and how much system resources it uses.

Additionally, many free volume booster apps come with advertisements which can be disruptive. There are also privacy concerns with some apps requesting access to more data and permissions than seemingly necessary.

Finally, volume boosting could impact notifications and ringtones that are designed to be loud enough already. It may amplify them to unnecessary levels.

Alternatives to Volume Booster Apps

While software volume boosters can help amplify sound, there are also some hardware alternatives that may provide a better overall audio experience.

One option is to use headphones or earbuds that are designed for amplified sound. Many models have larger drivers and other acoustics optimizations that allow them to produce louder and higher quality audio. Popular brands like Beats by Dre, JBL, and Sony offer headphones with enhanced bass and volume capabilities.

For those with hearing impairments, hearing aids and other assistive listening devices can boost volume beyond what’s normally possible with phones or tablets. Both external hearing aids and implanted solutions like cochlear implants help amplify sounds for those with hearing loss.

Using external speakers or soundbars can also help increase maximum volume output. Models designed for home theater or parties are capable of high sound pressure levels. Just be mindful of your surroundings if using speakers in public spaces.

While software volume boosters provide a free option for amplifying audio, purpose-built headphones, hearing aids, speakers, and other hardware alternatives can often produce louder and higher fidelity sound.

Tips for Using Volume Booster Apps

Here are some tips for getting the most out of volume booster apps on your Android device:

First, be aware that drastically boosting volume can damage speakers or your hearing over time. Use the volume boost cautiously and avoid maxing out volume for long periods.

Try adjusting the equalizer in the app to boost specific frequency ranges that suit your hearing. For example, boosting mid-range frequencies can help with dialogue in movies.

Use the app’s limiter or compressor features, if available, to prevent distortion at peak volumes. This allows overall volume to be louder without compromising audio quality.

Disable any existing audio limiters built into your device’s OS. Volume booster apps work best when not competing against native limiters. Check your manual on how to disable limiters.

Consider supplemental devices like portable Bluetooth speakers if your built-in speakers lack power. Quality external speakers paired with a booster app can significantly amplify volume.

Experiment with volume boosting and equalizer settings to find the optimal combo for your particular device setup and hearing needs.

Be aware that rooted devices allow more complete access for volume boosting. If stock volume is still too low, explore rooting to unleash an app’s full potential.

The Future of Volume Boosting

As smartphone technology continues to advance, we can expect to see improvements in accessibility features like volume boosting. One exciting development is the possibility of iPhone speakers that can “turn the volume up to 11”. Using an audio chamber design, future iPhones may be able to produce louder sound while maintaining audio quality. This would benefit users who require boosted volume due to hearing impairments.

In the coming years, we are also likely to see major strides in AI and voice technology for smartphones, according to Wired. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa will be able to understand context better and have more natural conversations with users. This could lead to voice assistance that can automatically adjust volume or repeat phrases for those who need it. As AI improves, voice control may become a preferred accessibility option over manual volume adjustment.

While the future is uncertain, we can expect accessibility to remain a priority. Smartphone makers will continue developing creative solutions to make their devices usable for all. Volume boosting abilities are likely to improve in power, precision, and ease of use. With inclusive design principles and emerging technologies, the potential to transform mobile accessibility is immense.

Conclusion

In summary, there are both built-in and third-party volume booster apps available that can effectively increase the maximum volume output on smartphones and other devices. The built-in volume limiters are designed to protect hearing, but can be disabled or overridden with apps that bypass the limiters and amplify volume beyond normal levels. While volume booster apps can make media louder, they should be used responsibly as excessive volume poses risks of permanent hearing damage. Moderation is key. Look for volume boosters that offer granular control and the ability to minimize distortion at peak volumes. Use the lowest effective volume increase to avoid compromising sound quality or safety. Ultimately, volume booster apps can provide more volume when needed, but take care to monitor and control volume to safe levels.