How to use in ear or wear detection on Galaxy Buds

Person using galaxy buds

Galaxy Buds in-ear detection allows you to automatically pause music playback when you take them out of your ears and resume playback when you put them back in. You can also use the in-ear detection for when you’re making and receiving phone calls, enabling you to transfer the call to your phone's speaker instead of having to manually toggle your Bluetooth off and on. Read on to find out how to enable and use this feature.

Please note: In-ear detection is available on Galaxy Buds+, Buds Live, Buds Pro and Buds2.

How to enable in-ear detection

If you want to play call audio through your phone when you remove both earbuds, you can turn on in-ear detection by following these steps:

Please note: In-ear detection is set by default. If you have switched it off your calls will continue to play through your earbuds even if they aren't in your ears (such as leaving your earbuds laying on a desk or table).

1 On your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app
Galaxy wearable app icon
2 Tap Earbuds settings

Please note: Your Buds will need to be removed from their case in order to select this option.

Earbuds settings selected
3 Tap In-ear detection

Please note: If you do not see this option you should make sure your earbuds software is up to date by going to Galaxy Wearable app > Earbuds settings > Earbuds software update.

In ear detection option selected
4 Switch the toggle On to enable In-ear detection
In-ear detection option toggled on

In-ear detection audio path

Depending on whether you have in-ear detection enabled or disabled and how many buds you are wearing, the audio path will differ. Refer to the table below to check the audio path, depending on the type of audio being played.

 

In ear detection switched on

 

In ear detection switched on

 

In ear detection switched on

 

 

In ear detection switched off

 

In ear detection switched off

In ear detection switched off

Media audio

Call audio

Third party call app

Media audio

Call audio

Third party call app

 

Both earbuds worn

 

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

 

One earbud removed

 

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

Earbuds

 

Both earbuds removed

Stopped

Phone

Phone

Stopped

Earbuds

Earbuds

Please note:

  • To continue listening to media audio when re-wearing your earbuds (after they have been removed), you will need to press the playback button on your smartphone or tap once on your earbuds (if you have enabled touch controls). Find out more about to set up and use touch controls.
  • Audio for third party call apps (such as WhatsApp) will continue to play on your smartphone when re-wearing your earbuds (after they have been removed).

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