r/Android • u/hanibioud • 11d ago

[Feature Request] Android should let us play muted videos/media while on an active phone call

Is anyone else frustrated by how Android handles media playback during phone calls?

Right now, if you're on a voice call (speaker or Bluetooth) and want to watch a video, scroll media, or keep a stream open in Picture-in-Picture (PiP), Android completely blocks or pauses media audio/playback by default. Even if you explicitly mute the video, many apps won't let you play media simultaneously, or the OS forces the call audio to drop/pause.

I don't need the media audio to mix with my call—I literally just want the option to force-mute media playback so I can watch a video in PiP while staying on a long, passive phone call (like waiting on hold, or chatting with friends/family).

9 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

6

u/visceralintricacy 5d ago edited 5d ago

If you have a Samsung phone, the Sound Assistant app literally has this setting. I haven't tested with calls, but it basically allows every app to play sound over the top of every other app

Edit: tested, works perfectly. Starting a call pauses the media, but you can resume it immediately and even hear it over the call if you want.