This is the ULTIMATE blog post revealing the truths about reducing Bluetooth lags and minimizing audio delays with Bluetooth headsets or headphones. With all the necessary screenshots and 11 simple steps, you’ll be ready to go in just a few minutes.
Bluetooth latency, or the delay between when a signal is transmitted and received, can significantly impact the user experience, particularly in audio-related activities. This delay can manifest as lag or out-of-sync audio, which can be frustrating and disruptive.
How I Fixed This Instantly
Generally, when you start seeing Bluetooth audio lag on a device running Android, try unpairing the audio device once, then pair it again after a restart. Moreover, disabling the absolute volume from the developer options can significantly improve the audio latency.
Now, here are a bunch of fixes you can follow: turn off the battery saver, toggle off the HD audio from developer settings, switch to wired headphones, or simply get good headphones that have low latency features or Bluetooth 5.3 or higher.
My 12-Step Guide to Reducing Bluetooth Audio Latency on Android
Fix 1. Resetting Bluetooth Connections
Sometimes, I remove and re-pair my Bluetooth devices to resolve connection issues and improve performance. As general advice states, “Resetting Bluetooth connections sometimes helps in resolving sync issues.”
Simply, unpair the currently connected headphones or Bluetooth earbuds, then restart your device internally. Afterward, reconnect or re-pair with the Bluetooth device. This time, you likely won’t find any audio delay. This fix has been proven effective for 24% of users who tried it.
Fix 2. Turn Off HD Audio for Bluetooth Device
Turning off HD Audio for Bluetooth devices can sometimes help reduce audio latency. HD Audio, while providing higher sound quality, requires more data to be transmitted between your device and the Bluetooth headset. This increased data transmission can introduce delays, particularly if the Bluetooth connection or the device processing power needs to be more robust to handle it efficiently. By turning off HD Audio, you’re reducing the data load, which can lead to a more stable connection and lower latency, especially in real-time applications like gaming or video calls.
Reddit Comment Extract:
“I was experiencing a noticeable audio delay when gaming with my Bluetooth headphones. Someone suggested turning off HD Audio in the Bluetooth settings, and it actually worked! The sound quality dipped a bit, but the lag was pretty much gone. It’s a trade-off, but for gaming, I’ll take the lower latency any day.”
Fix 3. Adjusting Bluetooth Audio Settings in Developer Options
Next, I enable Developer Options on my Android device by going to Settings > About phone and tapping on the Build number seven times. Once enabled, I modify the Bluetooth audio codec setting, experimenting with options like SBC, AAC, or aptX. I also adjust the Bluetooth audio sample rate and bit rate if available. Kyle3389 suggested, “Dev options, edit the bit rates under Bluetooth.”
To minimize Bluetooth audio latency, I go to Developer Options and set:
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: aptX Low Latency (best), aptX, AAC, or LDAC (at lower bitrate)
- aptX LL is designed for low latency. I use aptX, AAC, or LDAC if aptX LL isn’t available.
- Bluetooth Audio Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
- These rates balance audio quality and low latency. Higher rates may increase delay.
- Bluetooth Audio Bits per Sample: 16 bits
- 16 bits is standard and minimizes latency. 24 bits improves quality but might add delay.
- Bluetooth Audio Channel Mode: Stereo
- Mono reduces latency but degrades sound. I keep Stereo for quality with minimal latency impact.
- Bluetooth Audio LDAC Playback Quality (if using LDAC): Optimized for Connection (330 kbps)
- This prioritizes stable connection and low latency over higher quality modes.
After changing settings, I reconnect my Bluetooth device and test audio with video or gaming to check latency improvement. If issues persist, I experiment with sample rates or bit depth, keeping them low for best results.
Fix 4. Turn Off Battery Saver
Suppose you’ve somehow turned on the battery-saver mode, which primarily helps protect your battery life and reduces consumption. If you’re playing any audio, video, or even video games on your device, the battery saver might restrict the app or game that you’re using, or the one that’s sending audio to your headset. This could potentially cause issues, including audio delays. So, whenever you notice any audio delay on your Android device, try simply disabling the battery saver mode to see if it helps resolve the problem.
Fix 5. Updating Your Device and Headphones
I always start by ensuring that both my Android device and Bluetooth headphones are running the latest firmware. Manufacturers release updates that can improve performance and reduce latency.
General Process:
- Check for updates via companion app or manufacturer’s website
- Download latest firmware
- Connect headphones to device (USB or Bluetooth)
- Initiate update through app or computer software
- Wait for completion
- Verify update success
Example: Boat Headphones
- Install BoatHeadphones app
- Connect headphones via Bluetooth
- Open app, find “Firmware Update” section
- Download and install update
- Wait for process to complete
- Verify new firmware version in app or phone settings
Note: Steps may vary by model. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Fix 6. Selecting Low-Latency Bluetooth Codecs
When it comes to reducing latency, not all Bluetooth codecs are created equal. If your headphones and phone support aptX Low Latency (aptX LL), I highly recommend giving it a try. This codec is specifically designed to minimize audio delay.
In my case, I found that using headphones with aptX LL provided a notable improvement in audio-visual synchronization. If aptX LL isn’t available, AAC can still offer better performance compared to the default SBC codec in some situations. As mattyelle1 shared, “I tried my JBL Bluetooth headphones to compare playing PUBG and they were much better. Ratings measured to those have 140ms (266% less delay)…”
Fix 7. Using Low-Latency Bluetooth Headphones
I invest in Bluetooth headphones specifically marketed as having low-latency capabilities. However, I keep in mind that some popular options might still have high latency, as mattyelle1 pointed out, “Galaxy Buds have a legendary high latency…372ms.”
When I’m looking for low-latency Bluetooth headphones, here’s what I focus on:
Key Features I Look For:
- I always make sure they have Bluetooth 5.0 or later.
- I prefer headphones with a dedicated low-latency mode.
- For gaming, I seek out specific features like surround sound.
- I always check user reviews to see how others rate the latency performance.
Brands I Consider:
- For gaming, I look at Razer, SteelSeries, and Logitech.
- For general use, I consider Sony, Bose, JBL, and Sennheiser.
- If I’m on a budget, I check out OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Realme.
Where I Shop:
- I often browse Amazon, Flipkart, and eBay online.
- Sometimes I visit stores like Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales.
- I also check brand websites for exclusive deals.
My Buying Tips:
- I always consider my budget first.
- I make sure they’re compatible with my devices.
- If possible, I try them on for comfort.
- I read reviews carefully, focusing on latency and audio quality comments.
Fix 8. Trying Different Bluetooth Headphones
If possible, I test with different Bluetooth headphones to determine if the issue is specific to my current headphones or a general problem with my device. Sanjog R shared their experience, “I have been playing PUBG on my RealMe 1/iPhone SE with Airpods/Marshall Major bluetooth headphones (which has the Qualcomm aptX) and experienced no latency in the audio.”
Fix 9. Using External Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver
I consider using an external Bluetooth transmitter or receiver that supports low-latency modes. As general advice suggests, “Some people find that using a low-latency Bluetooth transmitter or receiver can help with audio sync issues.”
Fix 10. Switching to Wired Headphones
In terms of gaming or video calling, what I recommend—based on my last gaming experience—is that wired headphones or earphones are far better and perform well in terms of audio latency. They don’t have any delays like Bluetooth devices do. So, whenever you’re choosing a headset for gaming or video calling and your priority is simply the audio latency, just go for any wired headphones with good reviews. Any day, when it comes to competing with Bluetooth headphones, wired ones win hands down for latency.
For activities requiring precise audio timing, such as gaming, I switch to wired headphones to eliminate latency. Maverick2.0 emphasized this point, stating, “Exactly! Nothing can match wired headphones if one wants zero latency.”
Fix 11. Adjusting Bluetooth Settings in Other Apps
I check if the app I’m using has its own settings for audio playback that might influence latency. I look for options to adjust audio delay or buffering within the app. As general advice, “Have you played around with the different Bluetooth audio settings in developer options? You may find a setting/codec that improves things,” as suggested by infinityplus1.
Or suppose you are watching content on MX Player or any other video player app; these apps offer different decoding modes like HW (hardware), HW+ (hardware plus), and SW (software). When you switch between these modes, you might experience variations in audio delay. If you notice an audio delay, try experimenting with these modes to find the one with the least Bluetooth audio delay. This approach can help reduce audio lag for most Android users.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some easy and quick ways I use to reduce audio delay on Bluetooth for my Android devices:
- I often turn off Bluetooth and reconnect. It’s a simple fix that can resolve minor lag issues.
- Restarting my device is another go-to solution. It clears temporary glitches that might be causing audio delays.
- I’ve found that disabling battery-saver mode can help. It sometimes restricts processes that affect audio transmission.
- Unpairing and re-pairing my device is another trick I use. It resets the connection and often reduces delay.
- I check my Bluetooth audio codec settings in Developer Options. Setting it to SBC or aptX usually works best for me.
- Sometimes, I turn off HD audio for my Bluetooth device. It can introduce delay due to higher data transmission.
- I try to minimize interference by reducing connected devices or moving closer to my Bluetooth device.
- Keeping my firmware and apps updated is crucial. It often improves performance and reduces latency.
- If my device has a low-latency mode, I make sure to use it. It’s usually found in a dedicated app or on the device itself.
- In video apps like MX Player, I switch between audio output modes. Some modes have less latency with Bluetooth.
Conclusion
So, that’s it for today’s blog post! In today’s post, we’ve dedicatedly shown you all the practical ways to fix or at least reduce the audio delays on Android Bluetooth devices. I know it sounds weird, but all the steps are very practical, with all the necessary screenshots, making it easier for you to follow along. Bluetooth audio lag on Android is often related to the type of headphones and the audio quality settings. If you try both approaches, like buying a new headset or lowering the audio quality, you’ll likely notice a significant drop in audio lag.
I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you did, please let us know in the comments section below. And if you still have any doubts or questions, feel free to contact us. Don’t forget to share your experience with others in the comments!
