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Volume Buttons in Android 9.0 Pie Actually Control Media by Default Now

Mar 7, 2018 09:59 PM
Aug 6, 2018 11:07 PM
Mobile device screen displaying interactive control elements.

In stock Android Oreo and below, the volume rockers change ringer volume by default unless audio is currently playing. In order to adjust media volume when media isn't playing, you have to tap the down arrow next to the ringer volume slider that appears at the top of the screen to see the option. Now, Android 9.0 Pie has flipped things around, giving media volume the limelight.

On a Pixel phone running Android Pie, when you hit either the volume up or volume down button on the side of your device, you'll see the volume box pop up on the right side of the screen, and "Media" will be the sound that adjusts with the presses. You can tap on the note symbol to mute or unmute. Also, you can tap on the arrows icon to switch your Bluetooth output.

Volume Buttons in Android 9.0 Pie Actually Control Media by Default Now
Volume Buttons in Android 9.0 Pie Actually Control Media by Default Now
Volume Buttons in Android 9.0 Pie Actually Control Media by Default Now
Volume Buttons in Android 9.0 Pie Actually Control Media by Default Now

As for your ringtone, there's now the "Calls" toggle under the "Media" slider. Tapping that will rotate it between "Calls," "Vibrate," and "Mute," similar to how tapping the same icon in ringer slider that appeared at the top in older Android versions. Long-pressing on the "Call" toggle will open up the "Sound" menu in Settings so you can adjust the ringer volume, as well as alarm volume and the same old same old.

Smartphone screen displaying a volume control slider.
Smartphone screen displaying settings menu and options for brightness and audio.
Audio settings menu with volume controls for media, ringtones, and notification sounds.
Smartphone screen displaying a volume control slider.
Smartphone screen displaying settings menu and options for brightness and audio.
Audio settings menu with volume controls for media, ringtones, and notification sounds.

Depending on how you use Android, this new feature may be a blessing or an annoyance. If you're the former who spends most of their time watching YouTube videos and listening to music, instant access to media volume is much appreciated. If you're the latter, and you get a crazy amount of phone calls, you might rather prefer ringer volume first like it was before, where media volume was only adjusted if you were actually playing media.

Cover photo and screenshots by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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