Bug: Voice is too soft when calling or receiving calls on Android

[duongnguyennlsoft]

Environment

• Twilio Voice React Native SDK: 1.0.0-rc8
• Platform: Android
• Device(s): Samsung S24, Samsung S23 Ultra
• React Native version: 0.74.5

Description

When using the SDK to make or receive calls, the voice audio is too soft on Android devices. It sounds like the app is not using the proper call audio mode (e.g., AudioManager.MODE_IN_COMMUNICATION), which results in low volume or wrong audio routing.

I checked the SDK source and it seems there is no call to AudioManager.setMode(...) in the Java layer.

Steps to reproduce

1. Use TwilioVoice SDK to make or receive a call on Android.
2. Talk normally.
3. On the receiver’s end, the volume is very low compared to system call volume or other VoIP apps.

Expected Behavior

Voice volume should be at a proper level, using the correct Android audio mode to route and amplify voice properly during the call.

Questions

1. Does the SDK internally set AudioManager.setMode(MODE_IN_COMMUNICATION)?
2. If not, is it recommended to set it manually in the app before and after a call?
3. Is this a known issue? Any suggested workaround?

Thanks for the great work on the SDK!
Attached audio: voip_audio

[Aliyan-Ansari]

I’m experiencing the same issue on Android devices—specifically with low call volume when using the Twilio Voice SDK. I attempted to manually set the ringtone, but the default Twilio ringtone still plays simultaneously, which leads to a confusing and unpleasant user experience.

Would appreciate any guidance on properly managing audio routing and ringtone playback in this scenario. Looking forward to a potential fix or recommended workaround.

[afalls-twilio]

@Aliyan-Ansari
AudioManager.setMode(MODE_IN_COMMUNICATION) yes, it does. The SDK uses the AudioSwitch library to route the audio. (https://github.com/twilio/audioswitch/blob/ef1cee84e4a90c0ff790cb2147c3df0fd383337e/audioswitch/src/main/java/com/twilio/audioswitch/AudioDeviceManager.kt#L77)

As for volume control, the sdk does not provide any volume control, you may need to do some work at the java layer to adjust the volume

[Aliyan-Ansari]

@afalls-twilio The current behavior for incoming calls routes audio to the earpiece, leading to audibility issues. We need a robust workaround because modifying the default audio output necessitates managing several edge cases, such as:

Initial connection to a Bluetooth device.
Connecting to Bluetooth during an active call, requiring dynamic audio redirection.
We anticipate that the Twilio SDK typically handles these audio routing complexities. Is there a specific recommendation or method to address this?

[mhuynh5757]

Hey @Aliyan-Ansari you can use the voice.getAudioDevices and audioDevice.select methods to handle this.

[spartan-khoatannguyen]

Hey @mhuynh5757, this method can't work. Can you please give me the example to use this method.

[mhuynh5757]

@spartan-khoatannguyen can you describe what you're trying and why it's not working? Are you seeing any crashes?