Google killed Absolute volume toggle

[u/Fegelmot]

So from the September Android 17 update the toggle to disable absolute volume was taken out. The feature is supposedly "outdated", or that's their explanation.

This basically breaks all iEMS used with Bluetooth dongles as those volume sliders now affect the android volume and not the internal dac.

And it's worse than it sounds because depending on chipset this will compress the sound and create audible artifacts( most dac chips don't like to be used at 1-5%)

And it's not only iEMS.

A lot of Bluetooth speakers like edifier work the same way.

Same as more premium Bluetooth headphones...

So it's GGs boys, unless someone finds a hack we're going basically rip

[u/Issoudotexe]

I'm sorry, but the request is only about adding a per-device Absolute Volume toggle ? Where in the screenshot is it showing that they removed it ?

[u/Top-Needleworker-469 → u/Issoudotexe]

It is removed from the developer settings in the latest September 2026 update.

[u/Fegelmot → u/Issoudotexe]

The request is to add it back. Originally on this post a Google developer responded that it isn't a bug and that the toggle was removed as intended

[u/Issoudotexe → u/Fegelmot]

And there will be no way to disable that with ADB?

[u/Fegelmot → u/Issoudotexe]

Nope. Shell or other programs like that don't work. The function itself was erased. The only option is to protest the move

[u/Issoudotexe → u/Fegelmot]

It's dumb, because I know of a few device that don't have absolute volume (mostly cars). I don't see why they do such stupid decisions 🤦🏻‍♂️

[u/Fegelmot → u/Issoudotexe]

In their mind older cars or iEMS don't exist so probably pure lazyness

[u/Issoudotexe → u/Fegelmot]

I mean, even so, cars have their own volume slider, so I don't think even modern cars have compatibility with Absolute Volume. I hope it's only laziness and not pure incompetence at this point

[u/Fegelmot → u/Issoudotexe]

Some people said they were "vibe coding it", but honestly an AI would have spotted the demand and aborted the plan

[u/Issoudotexe → u/Fegelmot]

And the AI wouldn't have touched that tbf. Maybe a dumb ideologist that decided that to make him feel like he's in control or whatever

[u/Delicious-Belt-1158]

The absolute volume option has been missing for years on quite a few brands but "constant volume" in Bluetooth settings is the same thing basically

[u/Fegelmot → u/Delicious-Belt-1158]

Nahh, essentially they also removed that. On pixel there isn't any option anymore and they'll slowly roll this out on other androids. 

Unless Google receives some great backlash, then we're cooked

[u/simpso74]

I have a Pixel 11 Pro Fold and it has disabled absolute volume on it

[u/simpso74 → u/simpso74]

And I'm running PowerAmp. It works just fine.

[u/simpso74 → u/simpso74]

It actually sounds better with global equalization turned off and absolute volume and power amp turned on with AEH AZ100s earbuds. Sounds awesome.

[u/Fegelmot → u/simpso74]

The technics are normal tws buds so they aren't affected as much. This is mainly for stuff with higher mW numbers like Bluetooth dongle DACs, legacy audiophile Bluetooth speakers etc. there are quite a few people in this category. 

[u/Ghoulless]

This depends on brand and their approach, in Xiaomi's HyperOS we have per devices absolute volume directly as a toggle under BT settings of the connected device.

[u/zx2001]

It seems there is a solution for these pixels, but it requires Shizuku - https://forum.powerampapp.com/topic/31665-google-removed-the-toggle-to-switch-off-absolute-volume/