How to Change Media Output on Multiple Bluetooth Devices for Android Phones and Tablets.
Learn how to connect multiple Bluetooth speakers or headphones to your Android phone and switch between them easily. If you have a pair of headphones for quiet listening and a Bluetooth speaker for when you’re alone, you can connect both at once and switch back and forth without re-pairing.
I’ll show you this on a Sony Xperia 1V running Android 15, but the steps work on Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and most other Android phones and tablets.
What is media output switching?
Media output switching means you can play music, podcasts, or videos on one Bluetooth device, then switch to another device without disconnecting or re-pairing. Your phone can remember multiple connected Bluetooth devices and let you pick which one plays sound right now.
What you can switch between
- Bluetooth headphones (like Sony, JBL, Bose, Apple AirPods, Samsung Buds)
- Bluetooth speakers
- Your phone’s built-in speakers
How to connect multiple Bluetooth devices
Before you can switch between devices, you need to pair them with your phone. You can do this ahead of time.
Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth
Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings. Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.
Step 2: Pair your first device
Put your headphones or speaker into pairing mode. On your phone, go to Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device. Tap the device name when it appears.
Step 3: Pair your second device
Repeat step 2 with your other headphones or speaker. Your phone can remember many paired devices.
Step 4: Connect both devices
Turn on both Bluetooth devices. Your phone will automatically connect to both if they’re within range and already paired.
On the screen, you’ll see both devices listed as “”Connected.””
How to change media output between devices
Once both devices are connected, switching is very simple.
Step 1: Start playing something
Play music, a podcast, or a video on your phone. Any media will work.
Step 2: Look for the media output control
There are two ways to find it:
Method A – From Quick Settings:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen twice
- Look for a tile that says “”Media output”” or shows a music note icon
- Tap it
Method B – From the volume panel:
- Press the volume up or down button on the side of your phone
- Look for a small text or icon below the volume slider that says what device is playing
- Tap that text or icon
Step 3: Pick your device
A window will pop up showing all available devices:
- Your connected Bluetooth headphones
- Your connected Bluetooth speakers
- Your phone’s speakers
Tap the device you want to play sound through.
Step 4: Done
The sound immediately switches to your chosen device. You don’t need to stop or restart your media.
How to know which device is active
In the media output window, the currently active device will have a checkmark or a dot next to it. Some phones also show a blue indicator.
The device name will usually say “”Connected”” or “”Active”” under it.
Can you play on two Bluetooth devices at once?
On most Android phones, no. You can have multiple devices connected, but only one plays media at a time. You switch between them, but they don’t play simultaneously.
Some Samsung phones have a feature called “”Dual Audio”” that lets you play on two Bluetooth speakers at the same time. On Sony phones, some models support “”Multipoint connection”” for certain headphones. But on standard Android, it’s one at a time for media playback.
What about phone calls?
When you’re on a phone call, you can also switch audio output. The same media output menu works during calls. You can switch from your headphones to your phone’s speaker or to a Bluetooth headset.
How to disconnect a device without unpairing
If you want to stop using a Bluetooth device but keep it paired for later:
Method 1: From the media output window
Tap the device you want to disconnect. Some phones show a “”Disconnect”” option. If not, use Method 2.
Method 2: From Bluetooth settings
- Go to Settings > Connected devices
- Tap the gear icon next to the device you want to disconnect
- Tap “”Disconnect”” or “”Forget”” (only tap “”Forget”” if you want to remove it completely)
Method 3: Turn off the device
Just power off your headphones or speaker. Your phone will automatically disconnect.
What if the media output button is missing?
On some Android phones or older versions, you might not see a dedicated media output button. Here’s what to do:
Alternative method:
- Swipe down twice to open full Quick Settings
- Tap the pencil or edit icon to customize your tiles
- Look for “”Media output”” in the list of available tiles
- Drag it to your active Quick Settings panel
- Tap Save or Done
Now the media output button will appear.
How to switch back to phone speakers
To stop using Bluetooth and play sound from your phone’s built-in speakers:
Step 1: Open the media output menu (from Quick Settings or volume panel)
Step 2: Look for your phone’s name. It might say “”This phone,”” “”Phone speakers,”” or your phone model name (like “”Sony Xperia 1V””)
Step 3: Tap it
The sound will now come from your phone’s speakers. Your Bluetooth devices stay connected but idle.
How many Bluetooth devices can stay connected?
That depends on your phone. Most Android phones can keep 2 to 5 Bluetooth devices connected at the same time. However, only one device plays media. The others are connected but idle.
The exact number depends on:
- Your phone model
- Bluetooth version (5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
- The types of devices (headphones use more bandwidth than fitness trackers)
Quick summary
To connect multiple Bluetooth devices:
- Pair each device with your phone ahead of time
- Turn on both devices – they connect automatically
To switch media output:
- Start playing music or a video
- Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings
- Tap the Media output button
- Tap the device you want to use
To switch back to phone speakers:
- Open Media output
- Tap “”This phone”” or your phone model name
Things to remember:
- Most phones only play on one Bluetooth device at a time
- You can have multiple devices connected but idle
- Switching is instant – no need to stop your media
- Phone calls can also be switched the same way
That’s all there is to it. Connect your favorite headphones and speakers once, then switch between them whenever you want.
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