I made 5 simple changes on Android to instantly make my phone sound better

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I'm always searching for ways to improve the sounds I hear. Whether it's my record player, a streaming service on my desktop, or my phone, no device is exempt from my never-ending quest.

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If your Android phone is your primary source of music, podcasts, and videos, and you've yet to feel satisfied with the audio, there are several ways to improve what you hear. Although you'll never reach a state of audiophile nirvana on a mobile device, you can improve the results dramatically without too much work.

Let me show you how.

1. Use wired headphones

Bluetooth is convenient but noisy. Two things happen when a Bluetooth signal travels from your phone to your headphones: First, the sound is compressed, losing a considerable degree of fidelity. Second, there's always the chance of interference, which can introduce noise into the signal. 

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Because of these two factors, you should opt for wired headphones or earbuds for higher-quality sound. Most modern phones require a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to plug in those headphones. If you're looking for a budget-friendly pair of headphones that can handle Bluetooth and wired connections, I highly recommend the Marshall Major IVs. If you'd like to get the best sound you can (without spending thousands), consider the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones and use them with the included wired cable.

2. Disable Absolute Volume for Bluetooth

Here's an issue I often encounter while running outside: Sound coming through a Bluetooth connection isn't always loud enough to be heard clearly. This can be especially true when using bone-conducting headphones, which let in a lot of ambient sound. This tip -- to disable Absolute Volume for Bluetooth -- comes with a warning. Use this option with caution, as you could wind up with a sound that's too loud or distorted. Also, sending too many decibels into your ears could damage them.

To disable Absolute Volume for Bluetooth in Android, you must first enable Developer Options. Open Settings and go to About Phone. Locate the Build Number listing and tap it seven times. Once you've enabled Developer Options, locate the option in System > Developer Options > "Default USB configuration." In that section, locate Disable Absolute Volume and tap the On/Off slider until it's in the On position. You should now be able to get more volume from your Bluetooth speakers.

3. Listen to music from a better source

If your primary music source is a streaming service, you'll want to ensure your chosen service offers a high-quality option. Although Spotify has yet to release its long-rumored HiFi option, you can at least change the Audio Quality settings (for both Wi-Fi and cellular) to High or Very High.

I recommend using Automatic for cellular and Very High for Wi-Fi. If you use Very High for cellular, Spotify will consume considerably more data, which could lead to overages. Some music streaming services -- Tidal is one -- already offer high-resolution audio options.

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Not every phone/headphone combination can produce high-resolution audio, so your mileage may vary. When possible, download your music in high-quality formats, such as FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec). In short, make sure that the source material is as good as it can be.

4. Use built-in EQ or install an app

An equalizer allows you to customize the sound to match your preferences and needs, but don't think EQ is just about punching up bass or treble for your music. Equalization can also make it easier for you to hear voices -- if you often listen to podcasts, you might want to boost the midrange, which makes the spoken voice more prominent. 

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You'll find a built-in equalizer on Samsung's Android phones in Settings > Sound & Vibration > Sound Quality and Effects > Equalizer. On other Android phones, you might need to install a third-party app, such as Flat Equalizer - Bass Booster. You'll find a minimal EQ in the buds' settings on Pixel devices with Pixel Buds Pro earbuds. Go to Connected Devices > Pixel Buds Pro > Gear Icon > Sound > Equalizer when they're connected. There, you can adjust upper treble, treble, mid, bass, and low bass, or choose from one of the presets.

5. Use Google's Sound Amplifier app

Google created a Sound Amplifier app that amplifies sounds around you or on your phone, improves phone conversations in noisy places, reduces noise, boosts quiet sounds, and tunes frequencies. It also enables you to apply settings independent of each ear. 

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Because this app was designed to work with wired headphones, you might find the results aren't quite as reliable with Bluetooth headphones. You can adjust the phone mic or phone media settings when the app is enabled. This app comes preinstalled on Pixel phones, but you can also install it on other Android phones by visiting the Google Play Store. 

One thing to keep in mind is that you won't see the Sound Amplifier app in the App Drawer. To add it, go to the Google Play Store, search for Sound Amplifier (you want the one made by Google, Inc.), and tap Open. You will be asked if you want to add a launcher for the app in the App Drawer. Do that so you can easily access the app.

With just a bit of effort, you can greatly improve the sound on your Android device. It might take a combination of the above tips, but I'm confident you'll be able to fill your ears with the best sound possible from your mobile device.

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