Android 6.0.1 is breaking volume controls on Bluetooth headsets

Some Bluetooth headphones don't play nicely with Android 6.0.1. Photo: Eli Milchman/Cult of Android

Some Bluetooth headphones don’t play nicely with Android 6.0.1. Photo: Eli Milchman/Cult of Android

Google’s latest Android 6.0.1 update finally allows users to adjust media volume via connected Bluetooth devices, but the update is also breaking them completely on some headsets.

After updating, many users are finding that volume is at maximum when listening through wireless headphones — even if it is turned all the way down on their device.

2013’s KitKat update was supposed to make it possible to adjust media volume via Bluetooth accessories, but it never happened. Not even the big Android 6.0 Marshmallow upgrade delivered on that promise — but Android 6.0.1 did.

After upgrading, pressing the volume buttons on connected Bluetooth devices will adjust system volume on your Android device. The volume slider will even be displayed on your Android device, making it easy to see where exactly what level you’re at.

But it’s not all good news. Android 6.0.1 also breaks volume controls on some Bluetooth devices, making all that new goodness totally useless. Android Police reports that some users are experiencing “extremely loud” playback volumes even after turning the volume down as low as possible.

The problem appears to be affecting all devices that have received an Android 6.0.1 upgrade, including Google’s new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones. However, it seems not all Bluetooth accessories are affected, so you may find that some work just fine.