[Android] Unable to control volume of tablet via phone?

[Nopenopenope34]

Hi 🙂 Anyone here know the reason for this?

So I just swapped from a laptop to a Tablet (Idea Tab Pro) and want to play spotify from the tablet to a set of speakers.

The issue is previously I could control the laptop spotify via phone (Android).
There is no green bar for the multi-device menu via the phone (see pictures)

Is this working as intended? How come it only goes one way? I'm a bit confused.

Any clarification or help would be greatly appreciated! J

 

[Maria]

Hey there @Nopenopenope34,

Thanks for reaching out on the Community!

Just to make sure we cover all bases, could you try connecting all devices to the same WiFi network to see if it makes any difference? It's also worth giving the WiFi/router a quick restart, as well as clearing stored cache from the app, if you haven't already.

Also, if you press the physical volume buttons on your device, does the volume slider appear for you in the app? If possible, could you try connecting your phone directly to the speakers? 

Let us know how you get on!

[Nopenopenope34]

Hi Maria,

Thank you for the reply!

So the router has been restarted. I've connected both devices to the same WifI or via ethernet on the tablet side. Tried both WiFi The and 5G on phone. The app is freshly installed with the new tablet, and I've cleared storage cache on my phone. Still the same.

Physical button only affects the respective device I'm pushing them on. Meaning, if I play it via the phone then the phone buttons adjust volume. When it is played via tablet, I can only adjust physically from the tablet or knob on keyboard which is connected via a USB-C hub. I also tried to reverse it. Playing through phone and adjust volume via the tablet. No volume slider there then either. Only if I go on the phone, click the device menu. Then there's a green volume bar below the device list and current device playing.

The monitors are Presonus Eris with BT. I've connected both via BT and via usb-c audio interface, Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3gen. Neither changes anything. So at this point I'm just assuming that you cannot control a  mobile device from another mobile device.

I've yet to try via Spotify via browser, but that'd be a royal pain since there is no quick multitasking options like there is on a PC or Mac.

[Maria]

Hey @Nopenopenope34,

Thanks for clarifying and for sending over some more details!

We tested this from our end as well, and got similar results as you're describing, so it seems it's not possible to control/use Connect between different mobile devices and speakers. We appreciate you raising this with us, however! 

As this sounds like something you might find useful, we encourage you to submit this on our Ideas Board. There, other users can show their support and vote for your Idea as well. We also suggest checking this FAQ for useful tips on how to submit an idea 🙂

If you'd like, would you mind sharing why you want to control the playback via an additional mobile device? For example, are you unable to connect the phone to the speakers? Feel free to let us know and we'll see if there's something else we can suggest in this case.

Cheers!

[Nopenopenope34]

Heya Maria 😊

The reason to want it playing through a separate device
1. Mitigate extra battery drain from phone.
2. All songs have vastly different mastering and RMS. Meaning some songs are much louder than other songs, and while lounging, reading etc, I'd rather not have to get up every 3rd min to adjust the volume. Especially if it's late, and noise levels need to be kept down. Some tracks might be low, then others are much louder. So if I turn it up for the low, it might be too loud for the loud. The range in neo classical is much bigger than pop, rock, electronic music etc, as they are usually pushed as much as possible
3. I prefer having it on a device which is indepedent of phone etc. This way, if needing to do something on the phone which requires audio, the music can still play in the background.

Due to CPTSD, piano music is very helpful for me to help regulate my nervous system while going through treatment. Hence my obscene amount of listening time over the past few years 😂

I understand this might be an edge case, and that it is nice to have features. In the end I returned the laptop and will stick with laptops to not have to deal with all the inconveniences and limitations of Android Os.

Thanks for your help. Wishing you a wonderful day 🙂

[mmontev]

I have the same issue. Is annoying. Plus the Volumio 2 plugins dont work anymore. Buying "certified Spotify speakers" is not an option. It should be easy, but it's a waste of time.