Fixed: Why Is My Bluetooth Volume So Low?(Android/iPhone)

If you’ve ever used Bluetooth wireless headphones, you’ve probably had issues with low volume. Smartphones limit volume output, which is frustrating when you listen to music, podcast, or watch a video. To offset the limit, it is a matter of tweaking the phone’s settings.

Why is my Bluetooth volume so low? Major phone manufacturers usually cap the volume to ensure that consumers aren’t exposed to sounds at a high level. This way, you don’t end up damaging your hearing. For Android, turn on the ‘Disable Absolute Volume’ feature. For iPhone, open the Settings>Music>Volume>Set the volume bar to maximum.

We will tell you exactly how to do that, based on the phone you have. So, you no longer have to worry about low volume again. 

Why Do Phones Limit Volume On Bluetooth Headphones?

High-end headphones can produce sound at a level that can be harmful to your ears. They have the technology to reach decibel levels of over 100 dB. To put that into perspective, that is equivalent to the sound of a running lawnmower or a jet taking off about 305 meters away.

Furthermore, listening to sound over 75 dB for a prolonged period can result in hearing loss. The main reason why phones limit maximum volume is to prevent hearing problems. 

The limit typically only works with Bluetooth headphones. The phone’s software isn’t capable of limiting the volume on headphones connected through a 3.5mm jack. Let’s look at how you can increase the volume on various phones. 

How to Fix Low Bluetooth Volume On Android?

Android phones are known to give their users the most control as far as customization goes. Fixing low volume button is just a matter of knowing where to go in the settings. The steps below explain how to go about the process:

1. Turn on ‘Disable Absolute Volume’

1. Click on the ‘Settings’ app. 
2. Once in, click on ‘About Phone’. 
3. Scroll through until you see ‘Build Number’.
4. Press ‘Build Number’ a few times until you gain access to ‘Developer Options’, for most Android phones you will need to press it seven times. 
5. You will be prompted to enter your PIN, do so. You will not have access to the settings as a developer. 
6. Go back into ‘Settings’. Click on ‘System’. 
7. Select the ‘Advanced’ option and then, ‘Developer Options’. 
8. Scroll through the options until you find ‘Disable Absolute Volume’ and click on it. 
9. Restart the phone and the limit should be off. 

Put on your wireless headphones and you will notice a stark difference in volume when you listen to your favorite tunes. Just make sure you limit how long you have the volume on max. 

Tip: Do not make any changes to volume settings while you are wearing your headphones!

2. Enable Media Volume Sync(For  Samsung)

This function will help us to make sure that the phone’s system volume will sync with the headphone’s volume. Follow these steps:

1. Open ‘Settings.’
2. Click ‘Connections.’
3. Click ‘Bluetooth.’
4. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the screen.
5. Click ‘Media Volume Sync.’
6. Turn the Media Volume Sync on.

3. Disconnect and Reconnect to Bluetooth

It is possible that the connection between your Android phone and the headphones is causing the issue. Refreshing this connection can help with the sound volume. Follow these steps.

To unpair your device:

1. Ensure your Bluetooth is turned on.
2. Navigate to Settings>Bluetooth>Connected devices.
3. Click your device’s name or the Settings icon.
4. Click ‘Forget‘ or ‘Unpair‘.

To pair your device:

1. Go to ‘Settings’.
2. Select ‘Bluetooth’.
3. Ensure your Bluetooth is turned on.
4. Make sure your device is discoverable.
5. Tap your device’s name to pair it with your phone.

4. Reboot your Phone

You can use this method for fixing various phone issues, including this one. Follow these simple steps:

1. Press and hold down the power button along with the volume up button until the screen goes off.
2. Power the device back on by pressing the power button for a few seconds.

Tip: Reboot can be used separately or in a combination with the methods described previously.

How to Fix Low Bluetooth Volume On iPhone?

The iPhone has a few ways in which you can work around the problem of low volume. The first is more of a trick, while the second one solves the problem.

We also have a dedicated article tackling this issue alone, you can find the link to it at the end of this section.

Process 1

1. Click on the ‘Settings’ app.
2. Scroll down and click on the ‘Music’ option. 
3. Select the ‘EQ’ option. This will let you select the various audio equalization settings. 
4. Select ‘Flat’ or ‘Late Night’.

You will notice a slight boost in volume after doing this. But, this obviously doesn’t fix the low volume limit set by the phone. You can even toggle through the different options to see which one offers the most output. To do that, you need to:

Process 2

1. Click on the ‘Settings’ app.
2. Scroll down and click on the ‘Music’ option. 
3. Scroll down until you see ‘Volume Limit’. Click on it and make sure the volume is set to max. 
4. This particular setting limits the maximum volume you can increase when listening to anything on the phone. 

For iPhones on iOS 14 or later, there is a setting that reduces loud sounds. This may limit your phone’s volume. To turn the setting off, you need to do the following:

1. Click on the ‘Settings’ app.
2. Go to ‘Sounds & Haptics’. 
3. Click on ‘Headphone Safety’.
4. Here you will see an option for ‘Reduce Loud Sounds’. Turn it off if it is on. 
5. The settings pretty much reduce the sound so it is under the decibel level set under this particular option. 

Make sure to check your iOS before you try the method. The first method under Process 2 won’t work on devices with iOS 14 or later because there is no ‘Volume Limit’ option in them. Apple took the setting out and instead put in ‘Headphone Safety’. 

Restart your Phone

You can always combine the steps listed above with the phone reset for a higher chance of success. Follow the steps below:

1. Press and hold the Volume button and the Side button until the power off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the Right side button.

Related Post: Solved: How To Turn Up The Bluetooth Volume On iPhone?

Other Factors That May Result In Low Volume

The methods mentioned above should help you solve any low-volume problem with your smartphones. But before you toggle with the settings you should always check for the following:

Low Volume Set On The Phone

Check the volume set once you’ve connected the wireless headphones. Chances are the volume is either low or off. Turn it up before you start listening to the audio. If you still feel it is lower than usual, you can change the settings. 

Dirty Earbuds

Besides volume, make sure that the earbuds are clean. After excessive use, ear wax and gunk tend to build up in the earbuds. The junk becomes a barrier, limiting how much sound travels through to your ears. Therefore, clean the earbuds from time to time. 

Low Battery

Most Bluetooth headphones have a mechanism set to save battery. The moment the battery starts to run low, it automatically reduces the sound output. Make sure that the headphone is fully charged when you use them to avoid this from happening.

The battery will drain as you use it, but recharge it after use, so it doesn’t get to a point low enough where it has to lower the sound output to continue to function. 

Final Thoughts

Bluetooth headphones make it so much easier to connect, listen, and talk on your smartphones. Having issues with low volume limits that. So it is understandable that consumers might get frustrated with the low volume limit. But as mentioned in the methods we covered, there are ways around it, giving you the chance to enjoy listening to whatever you want with ease. 

Just be careful not to listen to loud music for a prolonged period. The volume limit is there for your safety, and bypassing it can be detrimental to your ears, especially if you have high-end headphones.