How to Make an iPhone Louder in Headphones

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Want to make your headphones or AirPods even louder than the maximum volume while listening on your iPhone? We'll show you how to find the hidden settings on your iPhone that will increase your phone's volume limit, how to find a volume booster app, and how to adjust your iPhone's equalizer (EQ) for the best sound quality.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using the iPhone Volume Control Buttons

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    Look for the music app on your home screen or pinned at the bottom. It's a white icon with a colorful musical symbol.
    • You can also open a song or video from YouTube, SoundCloud, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media services. Or, open one that has been sent to you.
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    Tap on the song to start playing, or look for the triangular play icon.
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    It's with a pair of buttons on the left side of the phone—the one closest to the top is Volume Up and the bottom one is Volume Down.
    • A Volume indicator will pop up on the screen with the word Volume if it is changing the media volume.
    • If the volume indicator says Ringer , then you are adjusting the ringtone volume, but not the media volume. To adjust media volume, make sure a song or video is currently playing through the phone.
    • Tap until the volume is at the level you would like.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using the iPhone Volume Control Screen

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    Look for the music app on your home screen or pinned at the bottom. It's a white icon with a colorful musical symbol.
    • You can also open a song or video from YouTube, SoundCloud, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media services. Or, open one that has been sent to you.
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    Tap on the song to start playing, or look for the triangular play icon.
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    This will access some of your iPhone's settings.
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    Look for a bar with a speaker icon. You may need to swipe left to access more settings.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Raising the Volume Limit

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    Look for the gray settings cog icon on your home screen. Tap on the app to open it
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    It's in the second group of apps near the bottom, indicated with a colorful musical symbol.
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    It's near the bottom in the Playback section.
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    This will make the maximum volume higher.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using the Late Night EQ Setting

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    Look for the gray settings cog icon on your home screen. Tap on the app to open it.
    • The Late Night EQ setting is optimized for loud late night environments, so it boosts the volume a little.
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    It's in the second group of apps near the bottom, indicated with a colorful musical symbol.
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    It's near the bottom in the Playback section.
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    A checkmark will appear on the right when actively selected.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using a Volume Boosting App

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    Look for a blue icon with a white A on your home screen. Tap on the app to open it.
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    There are several ones available, with different features. Tap in the search bar and type "equalizer" or "volume booster".
    • Equalizer + is a free app, but it has ads.
    • Equalizer FX and Boom Music have more features, but require a subscription, though you can do a free trial.
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    You may need to confirm your Apple credentials. The app will be added to your home screen when it's done downloading.
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    Find the app on the home screen and tap to open it.
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    When you open the app for the first time, you will be prompted to allow the app to access your files.
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    Every app works differently, but with most, you can access your music library and play songs as normal. There will be a function within the app settings where you can boost the overall volume.
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      Warnings

      • Take caution when raising the volume in headphones. Volume limits help protect your hearing by preventing the volume from reaching a level where it could damage your ears. Overriding or raising them could put the media at a level considered dangerous.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open a song or video on your iPhone.
      2. Play the song or video.
      3. Press the Volume Up button on the side of your iPhone.
      4. Make sure the volume bar says Volume instead of Ringer to adjust media volume.
      5. If the volume bar says Ringer , make sure media is currently playing.

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