Volume control Iphone

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14 comments

  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Sjoerd

    There is no fix for us to apply. Either you are using Spotify via Airplay, in which case the volume control works as designed by Apple or you are using Spotify Connect, in which case the main volume slider in the Spotify App would control the volume. Based on our research here and in conversations with our development team, option 2 (Spotify Connect) may or may not violate the usage of those buttons in Apple's SDK... 

    I am sorry to hear this would be a reason for not recommending our product but your concerns have to do with partner software usage using our product as an endpoint.

    It is true that our App volume cannot be controlled using the hard buttons in iOS but that is because the SDK for Apple suggests those buttons can only be used for volume on the iPhone or iPad only or devices it is AirPlay-ing to. Since our App does not play music but a controller to other hardware, Apple will not certify our App to use those buttons.

    Thanks for understanding and I hope this explanation suggests it is a limitation we cannot overcome, but not from lack of trying...

  • Christoph

    Hi Tony,

    sorry, but with Yamaha and Sonos, the hardware buttons on the iPhone work out of the app. And there are more different apps that use the hardware buttons. This can't be.

    But if Bluesound is not able to provide such a basic function, I have to think again whether Bluesound is the right system for me.

     

    regards,

    Christoph

    1
  • Diederik

    To my understanding Sonos works around this rule by “playing a silent song” on the iphone to gain access to the volume buttons. Apple has for some reason always allowed this, even though it is not complying with the API rules.. That’s why the buttons only work when you last used the Sonos app. If another app takes over audio, the button control is gone.... as is the lock-screen control.

    The behavior of the Sonos app becomes unpredictable this way. I assume this is the reason why Bluesound decided to just comply with the API rules.

    The solution Bluesound provides is quite good by the way: a widget for use in the lock screen. Is more useful than just the play/stop/skip buttons and has volume control as well. It operates the last selected player or group. And the widget works on an Apple Watch too.

    And on top of that, you may choose to operate any Bluesound player with almost any IR remote control! Most functions are programmable...

    I come from Sonos, and I have never missed the button control for volume on the Bluesound system.

    2
  • Anton Kuzmin

    I came from Heos system - thats and i miss feature to manage volume with hardware buttons -intuitive and easy way

    And if buttons could work only with bluesound app opened - that will be great impalement  in UI

    1
  • Brian Kirchoff

    What these guys said.  I realize this is an old string, but I just purchased the Node as a supposed upgrade from my various Squeezebox devices which are failing purely due to age.  Very surprised this is not a feature of the BluOS. 

    I've been using the Logitech Squeezebox for almost 20 years.  The side volume controls of my iPhone always work when controlling the audio volume through the "iPeng" for squeezebox app.  Maybe you can talk to them about how you can get it to work with your app.  Sure would make it much more convenient for the end user.  Thanks for your consideration.

     

    0
  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Brian

    I am sorry to report that Apple has not changed their rules for iOS Apps. In working with our Product Development Team it appears that since the BluOS App itself does not play music itself, only controls the Players, we would not pass iOS Certification to make this happen. Thanks for understanding.

    0
  • Brian Kirchoff

    Wonder how iPeng got around that?  Their app only controls the Squeezebox, which is the player.  Thanks for responding though.

    1
  • Alex H.

    Sonos, Bose Soundtouch, Marshall Multi-room, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and many others also are just controllers in the same way the BluOS app is – yet they all allow this and all have passed the iOS certification process.

    0
  • Cédric Chauvin

    Hi ! I just received my Node 2021. I have a Pixel 5 and the hardware controls don't control the volume, except if I open the app. How can I raise the volume without opening the app ? Regards, Ced 

    0
  • Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    Use the touch panel on the top of the NODE, buy the RC1 remote or open the app!

    0
  • Cédric Chauvin

    No thank you. I want to control the volume with my phone without opening the app.

    1
  • Seppi Evans
    Hi-Res

    Seriously two of the options I suggested don't require an app and you reject them and now you change the goal posts by wanting to use your phone but not the app? Alternatively look at the Alex integration.

    0
  • Christoph

    I can't understand why it is so complicated to make the volume control of the smart phone available. I only use Apple Music with AirPlay.  

    0
  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    HI Cedric & Christoph

    Your question was answered here in my previous comment on this thread; https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360038536353/comments/1500000625162

    Why? Because Apple and Android don't allow it.

    0

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