Annoying volume warnings on Android

This is a post from our smartphone FAQ section. To see other questions please click here. 

Since the Android 4.2 update, there has been a volume warning that pops up when you raise the volume above a certain level for playback with headphones connected. This can be very annoying and unfortunately there is not an easy workaround for it.

It’s possible that the warning exists because of an EU law that was passed a few years ago, so it may not feature in some devices intended for regions outside of the EU. However, US users have also reported having received the warning so this isn’t certain.  

There is a post here on XDA that is specific to removing the volume warning on the AT&T S4 – and there are likely other similar solutions that exist for other devices – but be aware that taking such action may void your warranty so it is not advised unless you are experienced with this kind of modification.

How to change the default program in Android

This is a post from our smartphone FAQ section. To see other questions please click here. 

With Android, there are usually several different ways in which you can carry out an action. For example, if your friend emails you a link to a website, you will be presented with the option of opening it with any of the web browsers that you have installed (if you have installed more than one web browser).

When a link or file can be opened with several different apps, Android lets you choose which app to open it with. Once you have selected the app, you can then choose to open it ‘just once’ with said app, or you can select the app as the default for opening files of that type.

Settings an app default removes the inconvenience of choosing which app to use each time, but can be inconvenient if you select the wrong default by mistake.

What happens if you accidentally select an app as the default?

If you have selected an app as a default by mistake, don’t worry, it’s easy to change.

First of all you need to go into Settings and then select Apps.

Next, scroll down to the app that you have selected as the default. For example, if you have selected Chrome as the default app for opening web links, but you actually want to use Dolphin Browser, you should scroll down the list and click on Chrome.

You will then see info about the app and a few options. Scroll down to the heading that says ‘Launch by default’ and you should see a button to ‘Clear Defaults’. Click this button and it will remove the app as a default for any file types or actions.

The next time you try to open a web link, you’ll see the box again that prompts you to either use the app just once, or set it as a default. You can then proceed to choose a new default app, or avoid settings a default app altogether by clicking ‘just once’.

Turn auto rotate off on Android

This is a post from our smartphone FAQ section. To see other questions please click here. 

Sometimes the autorotation feature on android is great, other times it can be frustrating.

There is the option to disable auto rotate, which we will detail below, but sometimes even when auto-rotation is disabled certain apps will still auto rotate, such as YouTube for example. Luckily, there is  a way to turn it off altogether. 

Android auto rotate settings

First of all, if you simply want to turn auto rotate off, you can navigate to settings > display. There is then a tick box to turn auto rotate on and off. This will stop the vast majority of apps from auto rotating. 

Many handsets now provide a toggle which can be placed on your homescreen to turn auto rotate on and off. If not, apps such as Widgetsoid can do so.  Another app called Notification Toggle will put a shortcut in your notification bar. 

Turn auto rotate off completely

Certain apps will ignore the auto rotate setting in Android. Usually this is to provide optimum picture, however there may be some situations when you do not want the handset to auto route. 

In order to completely prevent autorotation, you can down load an app called Set Orientation. This forces all apps into the orientation that you specify. Once the app is running there a shortcut will appear in the status bar so that you can easily change or disable the orientation if you so choose. 

You should be aware that the app can force certain apps to close by preventing their orientation, but it should run fine for most.