Increasing Video Volume on FaceTime: iPhone Tips

It’s a common problem – balancing video volume when multi-tasking a video chat. In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through some methods to make videos louder when simultaneously on a FaceTime call. Plus a bonus trick to balance volume levels for both things at once – read on to find out! 

Why Do You Need To Make Videos Louder On FaceTime?

Despite pressing buttons and sliding sliders, you still can’t quite make out the dialogue from the video over your friend chatting away on your call – this is when you need to learn how to make videos louder somehow. 

• Video Sounds Get Muffled

FaceTime’s audio takes bandwidth priority on an iPhone, resulting in softer and diminished video sounds playing in apps.

• It’s Tough To Balance Streams

No matter how you adjust the iPhone volume controls, tuning all the audio in equal balance is challenging.

• Watching Requires Dedicated Focus

It’s not easy splitting attention between actively listening on a chat and following the video you are watching.

Therefore, getting FaceTime to play nice with outside media sounds takes some work – but don’t worry, that’s what we’re here for. 

How To Make Videos Louder While On FaceTime iPhone

There are several straightforward ways to increase the volume of your iPhone video while FaceTime is running using our tricks. With that said, this is how you can make your YouTube clips more audible: 

Adjust The Volume On Your Phone

The easiest approach is to use your iPhone’s volume buttons to control the volume levels between FaceTime audio and your video app. Open Control Center while on your call and adjust the volume slider for the app higher until the video is louder versus the call volume. You can also go into Settings > Sounds & Haptics to fine-tune the balance for clearer audio.

Use Headphones

Connect headphones to your iPhone while FaceTime is running. This routes all audio through your headphones, separating and freeing up the video sound from the phone’s built-in speaker currently used for your call audio. With headphones plugged in, you can then turn up the volume for louder video sound isolated from the chat.

Enable “Live Listen”

The iPhone’s Live Listen accessibility feature lets you route one audio source to headphones while another plays from the phone. Enable Live Listen in Settings then choose FaceTime as the phone audio and your video app for headphone audio. This splits the channels allowing you to turn up the video volume in your ears.

Audio Decking

For optimal channel separation, you can deck the audio between devices. Use an iPhone speaker for FaceTime and headphones for a video app. This gives fully isolated sound allowing maximum boosting of video volume in ears without bleeding from call audio. Some minor device setup is required.

Use The Control Center

The iPhone has a volume balancer accessible in the Control Center while on a call. Open Control Center and repeatedly press the volume slider – select the app volume slider and drag it up to raise the loudness. Just be careful not to minimize the call volume too much or mute it entirely.

Enable Mono Audio For A Focused Sound

The bonus tip is – head to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and toggle on the Mono Audio option. This condenses audio for media-like videos into a single focused channel rather than divided right/left stereo sound. Mono audio cuts out background noise interference – but remember to disable it after for regular stereo playback.

How Do I Make FaceTime Sound Quieter?

No matter how much you love catching up with friends on FaceTime, sometimes the loud FaceTime notification can pierce through your eardrums. You can use our tips to make FaceTime sound quieter: 

• Lower Overall iPhone Volume

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider left to reduce loudness for all system sounds including FaceTime. Customize vibration intensity here too.

• Create a FaceTime Focus Mode

Focus Modes mute alerts from specified contacts/apps. Make a custom one for FaceTime to silence rings during the times you don’t want to be disturbed. Toggle on/off at any time.

• Use a Third Party Ringer App

Downloader apps like Ringer – Custom ringtone maker lets you reduce volume levels for Apple native sounds like FaceTime below iOS limits for softer rings.

• Connect AirPods for Private Audio

AirPods switch all call audio to a private connection, which is great if you want to FaceTime in public places. On Mac, click the AirPods icon during a call to select route audio.

• Utilize Accessibility Volume Balance

Head to Accessibility settings and enable Volume Balance to easily adjust the left/right headphone channel levels for fine-tuned lowered FaceTime sound.

How Do I Change Facetime Audio Settings?

Trying these tricks will take your call clarity to the next level so you never have to ask “Can you hear me now?” again:

• Enable FaceTime Audio Enhancements

Toggle options like Wide Spectrum and Ambient Noise Reduction to subtract background sounds.

• Use Apple Earpods or Headphones

They contain built-in microphones with echo-cancelling tech to make voices more focused. AirPods shine here.

• Download a Volume Booster App

3rd party options like Volume Booster + EQ amplify quiet mics and enhance voice frequencies for super clear call quality.

• Switch Microphone Input

Jump into System Preferences > Sound on a Mac to change audio input to an external mic which may sound superior to built-in ones.

• Limit Multi-tasking

Too many apps running slow processing for optimum video chat performance. Close unnecessary tabs and programs especially on older devices.