Hi everyone, I’ve noticed that my Fairbuds XL (first version) don’t seem to turn off by pushing the button when they’re connected to my smartphone via Bluetooth and I receive a call. This is quite annoying when I’m just listening to music and want to answer a call without using the Fairbuds XL (I never use them for calls). Can anyone confirm this issue and tell me if it’s a bug or an intended “feature”?
For most Bluetooth devices you can change the settings in your phone to use it only for media audio, the “receive calls” function should be turned off in your case.
Never heard of a button on my headphone (various non Fairphone devices) that have this function, so it is completely normal behavior a.f.a.i.k.
But not in all cases:
(AI is my friend)
The reason some Bluetooth devices lack an option to separate “Call” and “Media” audio usually comes down to the device’s default Bluetooth Profile (like HFP for calls or A2DP for media) or limitations in the Android operating system. [1, 2, 3, 4]
You can fix this or work around it using a few reliable methods:
1. Check for a Companion App
Many Bluetooth accessories (speakers, headphones, and even hearing aids) expose advanced settings and toggle switches in their proprietary companion apps. Check the manufacturer’s app (e.g., Sony Headphones Connect, Bose, or JBL) to disable microphone/call features while leaving media enabled. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
2. Use “Separate App Sound” (Samsung Devices)
If your phone supports it, you can tell your phone to send specific app sounds (like your browser or TikTok) to your phone speaker, and only route your music app to your Bluetooth device. [1, 2]
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Go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Separate app sound.
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Toggle it on and select which apps use which output device. [1, 2]
3. Change the Device Type (Android)
Sometimes Android miscategorizes a device (treating a speaker like a headset). Changing the profile manually can expose different audio settings: [1, 2, 3, 4]
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Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
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Tap the gear icon next to your device.
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Look for an option like Audio Device Type and set it explicitly to Headphones or Speaker. [1, 2, 3]
4. Adjust Output on the Fly
If you cannot disable the feature system-wide, simply redirect the audio while it is playing: [1, 2]
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Swipe down the Quick Panel or Notification shade while playing media.
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Tap the Media Output or Media Player button.
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You can manually select which device handles media playback without unpairing the Bluetooth device. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
To help you get the exact setup you want, it would be great to know:
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What make and model of phone are you using?
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What specific Bluetooth devices are causing the issue?
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Are you trying to listen to media while blocking phone calls, or vice versa?
Thanks, I found the option to disable the Fairbuds XL for calls in the settings of the connected device. I need to check whether it works when receiving the next call while listening to music. However, it still seems like a bug to me that you can’t simply turn off the Fairbuds XL when receiving a call.