There's a known issue affecting some Nexus 5 users where the speaker volume is fairly low. This could be attributed to a manufacturing defect, which you could possibly fix with a hot needle, but if your built-in speakers and headphones seem muted, don't take your Nexus apart just yet.
If your music is playing too softly on the built-in speakers and you're having slightly muted audio on your headphones, your Nexus 5 system volume levels might just need tweaked.
Developer Marc Robillard (presumably no relation to the Canadian musician) has released an app that streamlines the process of boosting the Nexus 5's volume. Based on work done by fellow developer SuperHanss over on XDA, his app Nexus 5 Real Volume Booster lets you create a flashable ZIP with customized volume levels.
What You'll Need for This softMod
- Rooted Nexus 5
- Custom Recovery
- Nexus 5 Real Volume Booster (free from Google Play)
Step 1: Set the Volume Levels
Once you have N5RVB open, you can set the volume levels to your liking. The higher the numbers you enter, the higher the volume will be.
The first value will change the output volume for media playing through your headphones. The second value will change the volume level for anything coming through your phone's speaker.
The most important thing to note here is the Maximum Value depicted in red below each entry. For Headphone Volume, do not exceed 20. For Speaker Volume, do not exceed 95.
Step 2: Create the Flashable ZIP
When you're satisfied with your volume level entries, you'll need to create a ZIP file that can be flashed in custom recovery to apply these changes. Do that by tapping the Save button.
A message will appear below the save button telling you that the file was created and where it was stored. Be sure to note this location, as you'll need to find the file later when it comes time to flash.
Step 3: Reboot into Recovery
Next up, tap the Reboot to Recovery button. A dialog will pop up asking to grant the app superuser privileges. Hit Grant, and your phone will automatically boot into recovery.
Step 4: Flash the ZIP That You Created
As always, before flashing anything in recovery, it's best to have a backup handy just in case.
From the home screen of TWRP Recovery, tap the Install button. Navigate to the file you created earlier, which should be located on your SD card and named N5Volume. Tap the file, then swipe the slider to initiate installation.
When finished, tap Reboot System and the changes will have taken effect. The process should be the same with other recoveries like CWM.
You can now enjoy louder sound on your Nexus 5.
How to Get Back Your Stock Volume Levels
If you wish to revert to the stock volume levels, open the N5RVB and enter the default values, which are in parenthesis next to both entries. Create a new ZIP and flash it just like you did with the first time around and you're back to normal.
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25 Comments
Hahah now I can listen the music, thank you ;)
Hi, I just found your post. I actually am the author of the app. Glad you like it. Btw, I am canadian but not Marc Robillard the musician :)
Your instructions are very nice. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me adding the video you made to my apps Play Store description?
For more on the app you can check out the XDA thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/themes-apps/app-nexus-5-real-volume-booster-t2688313
Thanks
Marc
I wouldn't mind that at all—in fact, I'd be honored!
Hi I'm really interested in this app! But I am having a funny problem. My Nexus 5 is rooted, I did receive the pop-up required for the reboot, just like it was shown in the video. But once the phone powers down, I get this funny logo of the android logo laying on his back, and a red triangle with an exclamation mark. The screen stays that way unless I push the power button. Once I do, nothing is changed. The phone is plugged into my computer, and the file is in My Files. Can you please tell me what I am doing wrong? Is there a Kit Kat update I could probably be missing?
Hi. This is a great app and its working great!
But I'm having one problem. It has significantly reduced my headset volume and no matter what value I put it at it stays constant. I'd say JTS 50% lower than before I installed this.
If you know or ANYONE HERE knows how to solve this issue. Please help me out!
Just curious if you are working on creating an app for the Nexus 6?? I just got this phone and love it but am having the same issues with not very high volume! I love my music to be LOUD!! Thanks for your time!
Nothing like this yet, and there probably won't be, as the Nexus 6 takes advantage of both available speaker outputs.
Strange though, as I've found the Nexus 6 to be quite loud. That being said, there is likely a way to increase the overall volume of the 2 speakers, so we'll look into that.
I've been wanting to do a video tutorial for a while now and just happened to see your post. Why reinvent the wheel right :)
Thanks
Marc
there is no way to create one for the nexus 7 2013?? or something similar
This app alters files specific to the Nexus 5. While there's a good chance it can work for the N7, it's not guaranteed by any means.
The app modifies the /system/etc/mixer_paths.xml which may not exist on the nexus 7 and if it does, it is probably completely different. I unfortunately don't own a nexus 7 so I can't create a version for that device.
btw thanks for the great tutorials, thumbs up , keep going that way
Hi. I have a question. Do I need to root my phone? I really want to do this, but my Nexus 5 is unroot, so everytime I click on "Reboot Recovery", no popup appear.. and I have to root my phone if I want to use TWRP or CWM flasher right?
So can you help me?
Yes, you need to be rooted. It's easy, check out our guide.
Actually, you don't need to be rooted to install TWRP or CWM. You only need an unlocked boot loader. The reboot to recovery button will not work because it requires ROOT but you can reboot to recovery manually manually. http://www.android.gs/how-to-boot-recovery-mode-for-google-nexus-5/
All you really need is a custom recovery (TWRP or CWM).
Sorry tonsay i dont thinknyou know what you are talking about to access and change any sort of a file on a phone you need root
But greate app keep up the good work
Hi yes to do any modifications to your phone you need root privelages to gain root to the nexus 5 you need to unlock the bootloader throu your computer then root the phone throu the computer root apps will not work unfortunatly i had to do the same to get android 7.1.2 onto my nexus 5
Please make one for the nexus 4. :)
Unfortunately volume settings on the Nexus 4 do not work the same way and I have no Nexus 4 to test with. Sorry
This worked great! Thanks!
i'm not able to find the app in play store..... is it deleted or anything as such??
I was just reading up on this, and apparently Google pulled the app from the Play Store because it used "Nexus 5" in the name. The developer is in the process of getting that all squared away (apparently it's okay to call the app "Volume Booster for Nexus 5", but not okay to call it "Nexus 5 Volume Booster"), but in the meantime, he uploaded the APK here. So if you want to try it, download that file and make sure you have "Unknown Sources" enabled in settings under "Security", then launch the APK to install it.
Had to rename the app to comply with Google policies. The new name is "Volume Boost For Nexus 5™" it can be found with the same link as before...
Hello, I just released version 2.1.1 in the Play Store with full Android Marshmallow support.
Btw, the app is now called "Volume Boost For Nexus 5" because Google had some issues with Nexus 5 being at the begining of the name...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.n5rvb.nexus5realvolumebooster
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