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235/iOS audio prompt volume bug?

Former Member
Former Member over 9 years ago
Running 3.10 on my 235 and using the latest version of Garmin Connect on iOS 9.1 / iPhone 6S / Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth headphones I've discovered a reproducible bug with volume.

When GC is set have automatic audio prompts of lap times / paces when synced with the 235 it automatically lowers the volume on the music or whatever you are listening to and have a female voice announce the times. Works great. Problem is after the voice is done the volume does not go back up all the way to the previous levels, it seems to have been cut by 25-50%. The bigger issue is that iOS seems to think the volume level is the same as before so trying to increase the volume with controls on the phone, headphones etc. only work to the extent there was room to increase the volume before, it never really lets you return to the previous levels if you were loud to start with. Basically you have a permeant loss of 25-50% volume UNTIL the end of your entire workout when you stop the run on the watch, then the volume suddenly returns to the normal higher levels. I bet the issue in the Garmin Connect iOS software but it is 100% reproducible.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    I reported this to Garmin and they said it's probably an iOS bug. The mechanism is called audio ducking, google it and it's explained there. I found if I get a notification sound after the audio is held slow then it reverts to normal volume. I wondered if it might be related to having the volume at max (which I need to do with quiet podcasts) and the EU volume limit restrictions.

    anyway, if you find a workaround let me know!

    CW
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    I'm experiencing the same thing.

    I listen to Spotify and have Garmin Connect's "Audio Prompts" enabled (which will generate a voice over after every lap/mile). When the audio prompt is engaged, the music is lowered (i.e., "audio ducking") allowing the lady's voice to deliver the report. However, afterward, the music's volume is *not* restored.

    I have seen reports of so-called work-arounds --such as disabling Facebook from running in the background-- but none seem to help. (I've since completely removed both Facebook and Facebook Messenger, to no avail.)

    If this is an "iOS bug," then why do other programs --such as Google Maps-- work perfectly fine. E.g., Google's voice will correctly lower the volume when issuing driving instrutions, i.e., "audio duck," then afterward will restore the original volume to the Spotify music app.

    The only work-around I've found is to pause/un-pause the music via my headphones. I know, it sounds like a simple, no-fuss workaround, but it isn't. Doing this mile after mile becomes tedious very quickly. I no longer have "Audio Prompts" enabled, because it's just too annoying.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    Music on IOS does not restore to correct volume after "audio prompt" announcement

    Same here - very annoying, makes option useless for me as well.

    Rich

    I'm experiencing the same thing.

    I listen to Spotify and have Garmin Connect's "Audio Prompts" enabled (which will generate a voice over after every lap/mile). When the audio prompt is engaged, the music is lowered (i.e., "audio ducking") allowing the lady's voice to deliver the report. However, afterward, the music's volume is *not* restored.

    I have seen reports of so-called work-arounds --such as disabling Facebook from running in the background-- but none seem to help. (I've since completely removed both Facebook and Facebook Messenger, to no avail.)

    If this is an "iOS bug," then why do other programs --such as Google Maps-- work perfectly fine. E.g., Google's voice will correctly lower the volume when issuing driving instrutions, i.e., "audio duck," then afterward will restore the original volume to the Spotify music app.

    The only work-around I've found is to pause/un-pause the music via my headphones. I know, it sounds like a simple, no-fuss workaround, but it isn't. Doing this mile after mile becomes tedious very quickly. I no longer have "Audio Prompts" enabled, because it's just too annoying.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    > If this is an "iOS bug," then why do other programs --such as Google Maps-- work perfectly fine.

    When I asked about this got reply "iOS does not allow apps and BLE connected devices (i.e. the 235) to control “system functions” that aren’t part of it’s native API"
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Yes! This is an issue that got me extremely frustrated!

    I have previously experienced the same issue on my iPhone while using other apps (e.g. using Snapchat while Spotify is on; the music volume from Spotify not being restored after I am done using Snapchat). Garmin may be correct in saying that it is an iOS issue.

    Ultimately, I have turned off the audio prompts. I am satisfied with whatever that shows up on my watch with every lap. That said, it would be nice to have normally functioning audio prompts! :)
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    Running 3.10 on my 235 and using the latest version of Garmin Connect on iOS 9.1 / iPhone 6S / Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth headphones I've discovered a reproducible bug with volume.

    When GC is set have automatic audio prompts of lap times / paces when synced with the 235 it automatically lowers the volume on the music or whatever you are listening to and have a female voice announce the times. Works great. Problem is after the voice is done the volume does not go back up all the way to the previous levels, it seems to have been cut by 25-50%. The bigger issue is that iOS seems to think the volume level is the same as before so trying to increase the volume with controls on the phone, headphones etc. only work to the extent there was room to increase the volume before, it never really lets you return to the previous levels if you were loud to start with. Basically you have a permeant loss of 25-50% volume UNTIL the end of your entire workout when you stop the run on the watch, then the volume suddenly returns to the normal higher levels. I bet the issue in the Garmin Connect iOS software but it is 100% reproducible.


    I get exactly the same behaviour running 6.42 on my Fenix 3 using the latest version of Garmin Connect Mobile on iOS 9.1 / iPhone 7S with wired headphones as well, so it does sound like a GCM issue. Unfortunately this bug does make the audio announcements feature unusable.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    > Unfortunately this bug does make the audio announcements feature unusable.

    Rather limiting if wanting to listen to something else I agree.
    However, I don't tend to use headphones or anything on most of my runs and so just have phone in my back pocket. Works fine then. It also not effected by the similar audio alerts from the Strava app. Kind of fun to hear how consistent the lap splits are...
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    This issue should be resolved in the 3.2 version of GCM.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Ooh, excellent. Ill try it out on my run tomorrow

    CW
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    Still an issue for me

    This issue should be resolved in the 3.2 version of GCM.


    I'm on version 3.30 of the software, but the sounds still stays low after a lap announcement when listening to the radio on my ios8 iphone - any tips?