[Tutorial] Fine-Grained Volume Control: Adjusting Volume Steps on Android with Magisk

Android’s default volume control often feels coarse, jumping from barely audible to surprisingly loud with a single tap. This can be particularly frustrating when trying to find the perfect volume level for music, podcasts, or videos. Fortunately, if you have a rooted Android device with Magisk installed, you can significantly improve the granularity of your volume control by adjusting the number of volume steps. This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on how to increase volume steps on your Android device using Magisk, offering a smoother and more precise audio experience.

Prerequisites: Ensuring You’re Ready

Before we begin, it’s crucial to ensure that your device meets the necessary prerequisites. This will prevent potential issues and ensure a smooth process.

Root Access: This method requires root access on your Android device. Rooting unlocks the full potential of your device, allowing you to make system-level modifications. This tutorial assumes you already have root access.
Magisk Installed: Magisk is a powerful tool for rooting Android devices and managing root permissions. You need to have Magisk installed and configured on your device. You can obtain Magisk from the official source.
SU Terminal: You’ll need a terminal application with Superuser (SU) privileges to execute commands. Popular options include:
- ADB Shell: Android Debug Bridge (ADB) allows you to connect to your device from a computer and execute commands. This is a reliable method for issuing terminal commands.
- Termux: Termux is a terminal emulator app that runs directly on your Android device and provides a Linux-like environment. It’s a convenient option for executing commands without needing a computer.
Basic Terminal Knowledge: Familiarity with basic terminal commands like cd, ls, chmod, cat, setprop, and getprop will be helpful. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert; we’ll provide clear instructions for each step.

Understanding Volume Steps: The Basics

Volume steps determine the number of distinct volume levels available on your device. The default value is typically 15, meaning there are 15 increments between the lowest and highest volume. Increasing this number provides finer control over the volume, allowing you to find the perfect level without large, jarring jumps.

The persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps property controls this value. We will be modifying this property using a script that runs at boot.

Step-by-Step Guide: Increasing Volume Steps

Follow these detailed steps to increase the volume steps on your Android device.

1. Testing the Current Volume Steps (Optional but Recommended)

Before making any changes, it’s a good practice to check the current value of the persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps property.

Open a Terminal: Launch your chosen terminal application (ADB Shell or Termux).
Gain Root Access: If using Termux, type su and press Enter. Grant the Superuser permission when prompted. If using ADB Shell, first type adb shell and press Enter, and then type su and press Enter.
Check the Property: Execute the following command:
```
getprop persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps
```
- If the command returns a value (e.g., “15”), it indicates the current number of volume steps.
- If the command returns nothing (a blank line), it means the property is not explicitly set, and the system is using the default value (usually 15).

2. Creating the Boot Script: Automating the Change

We will create a script that automatically sets the desired volume steps each time your device boots. This ensures that the change persists across reboots.

Navigate to the Service Directory: In the terminal, navigate to the Magisk service directory using the following command:
```
cd /data/adb/service.d
```
Create the Script: Use the cat command to create a new script file named volume_steps.sh:
```
cat > /data/adb/service.d/volume_steps.sh << 'EOF'
#!/system/bin/sh
# This script runs at boot to set more volume steps
setprop persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps 50
EOF
```
- Explanation:
  - cat > /data/adb/service.d/volume_steps.sh: This redirects the following text to create a new file named volume_steps.sh in the /data/adb/service.d directory.
  - << 'EOF': This is a “here document” that tells cat to read input until it encounters the “EOF” marker.
  - #!/system/bin/sh: This is a shebang line that specifies the script should be executed using the sh shell.
  - # This script runs at boot to set more volume steps: This is a comment that explains the purpose of the script.
  - setprop persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps 50: This is the core command that sets the persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps property to a value of 50. You can adjust this value to your preference. Common values are 30, 50, or even 100 for very fine-grained control.
  - EOF: This marks the end of the “here document.”
Adjust the Volume Step Value: Edit the setprop command in the script to set your desired number of volume steps. We recommend starting with a value of 30 or 50 and adjusting it later if needed. Be cautious when setting very high values. Excessive values can lead to unexpected behavior. The line you need to modify is this one: setprop persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps 50
Save the Script: Once you’ve entered the script, press Enter to execute the cat command. The script file will be created.

3. Setting Permissions: Making the Script Executable

To ensure the script can be executed at boot, you need to set the correct permissions.

Set Execute Permission: Use the chmod command to make the script executable:
```
chmod +x /data/adb/service.d/volume_steps.sh
```
- Explanation:
  - chmod: This command modifies file permissions.
  - +x: This adds execute permission to the specified file.
  - /data/adb/service.d/volume_steps.sh: This is the path to the script file.

4. Testing the Script (Optional but Highly Recommended)

Before rebooting your device, you can test the script to ensure it’s working correctly.

Execute the Script Manually: Run the script directly in the terminal:
```
sh /data/adb/service.d/volume_steps.sh
```
Verify the Property: Check the value of the persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps property again:
```
getprop persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps
```
- The output should now display the value you set in the script (e.g., “50”). If it doesn’t, double-check the script for errors and ensure you have root access.

5. Rebooting Your Device: Applying the Changes

To apply the changes permanently, you need to reboot your device.

Reboot: Use the following command (if available in your terminal) or simply reboot your device through the power menu:
```
reboot
```

6. Verifying the Changes After Reboot

After your device has rebooted, verify that the volume steps have been successfully updated.

Open a Terminal: Launch your chosen terminal application (ADB Shell or Termux) and gain root access.
Check the Property: Execute the following command:
```
getprop persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps
```
- The output should display the value you set in the script (e.g., “50”).

7. Enjoying Fine-Grained Volume Control

You should now experience smoother and more precise volume control on your Android device. Adjust the volume and notice the difference in granularity.

Troubleshooting: Addressing Common Issues

If you encounter any issues during the process, refer to the following troubleshooting tips.

Script Not Executing:
- Permissions: Ensure the script has execute permission (chmod +x /data/adb/service.d/volume_steps.sh).
- Script Location: Verify the script is located in the correct directory (/data/adb/service.d).
- Syntax Errors: Check the script for any syntax errors. Use a text editor to examine the script file.
Property Not Updating:
- Root Access: Ensure you have root access and that the terminal application has Superuser privileges.
- Typographical Errors: Double-check the setprop command in the script for any typographical errors.
- SELinux: In some cases, SELinux might prevent the script from modifying system properties. Try setting SELinux to permissive mode temporarily to see if it resolves the issue (not recommended for daily use).
Device Not Booting:
- Incorrect Script: In extremely rare cases, a badly formed script can cause boot issues. If your device fails to boot after making these changes, you may need to recover your device using ADB and Fastboot.

Customization: Experimenting with Different Values

The beauty of this method lies in its customizability. You can experiment with different values for the persist.ro.config.media_vol_steps property to find the perfect balance between granularity and usability.

Higher Values: Higher values (e.g., 100 or more) provide extremely fine-grained control but can make it tedious to adjust the volume significantly.
Lower Values: Lower values (e.g., 30) offer a moderate improvement over the default while remaining easy to use.

Start with a moderate value like 50 and adjust it based on your personal preference.

Alternative Methods: Exploring Other Options

While this tutorial focuses on using a Magisk script, other methods exist for adjusting volume steps on Android.

Magisk Modules: Some Magisk modules provide a graphical interface for configuring volume steps and other audio-related settings. These modules can be more user-friendly than manually creating scripts. You can explore modules available in the Magisk Module Repository.
Custom ROMs: Many custom ROMs offer built-in options for adjusting volume steps. If you’re considering installing a custom ROM, check if it includes this feature.

Conclusion: Enhancing Your Android Audio Experience

By following this tutorial, you can significantly improve the audio experience on your Android device by increasing the number of volume steps. This simple modification provides finer control over the volume, allowing you to find the perfect level for any situation. Remember to experiment with different values to find the setting that best suits your needs. This enhances the core Android experience, tailoring the volume controls to your specific auditory preferences. We at Magisk Modules hope you enjoy this improvement to your device!

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