For years, a fundamental difference has separated desktop and mobile audio experiences. On a computer, seamlessly juggling sound from multiple applications – music, video calls, system notifications – is commonplace. On smartphones and tablets, however, initiating playback in one app typically silences everything else. This limitation, a longstanding characteristic of mobile operating systems, seemed unlikely to change. But Samsung Galaxy device users running One UI have access to a surprisingly well-hidden feature that bends this rule, offering a degree of audio multitasking previously unavailable.
Dubbed “Separate app sound,” this functionality has been quietly available within One UI for some time, yet remains largely unknown to many users. It allows for a more nuanced control over audio output, routing sound from specific apps to either the device’s built-in speakers or a connected Bluetooth audio device, even while other audio sources continue playing elsewhere.
The core benefit of Separate app sound lies in its flexibility. Imagine a common scenario: you’re a passenger in a car, enjoying music through Bluetooth headphones, while the driver relies on turn-by-turn navigation from Google Maps. Traditionally, the navigation prompts would interrupt your music, forcing you to pause or raise the volume. With Separate app sound, you can designate Google Maps to consistently output audio through the phone’s speakers, ensuring the driver receives critical directions without disrupting your listening experience.
This isn’t limited to navigation. The feature can be tailored to a variety of use cases, from gaming with simultaneous music playback to receiving important notifications without interrupting a video call. The possibilities are determined by individual needs and preferences.
How to Enable Separate App Sound on Your Galaxy Device
By default, connecting a Bluetooth audio device to a Galaxy phone or tablet directs all audio through that connection – music, videos, alerts, and everything in between. Separate app sound alters this behavior, providing granular control over where audio is routed.
To activate and customize this feature on Galaxy devices running One UI 8 or later, follow these steps:
- Settings > Sounds and vibration > Separate app sound > Turn on now. From here, you can manually select which apps will utilize the phone’s speakers while a Bluetooth device is connected, and customize the audio output options.
The feature functions as described, though it does have one notable limitation. Currently, it’s not possible to assign different apps to different Bluetooth devices. You can choose between the device’s speakers and a single connected Bluetooth device for each app, but you cannot specify distinct Bluetooth outputs on an app-by-app basis.
Samsung continues to refine the One UI experience, and features like Separate app sound demonstrate a commitment to bridging the gap between mobile and desktop functionality. While not a complete solution for true audio multitasking, it offers a practical workaround for common scenarios, enhancing the usability of Galaxy devices for a wide range of users.
As Samsung continues to develop its DeX platform—allowing Galaxy devices to power a desktop-like experience on external displays—Samsung DeX is also evolving to offer more robust audio control options. The company’s ongoing efforts to improve mobile productivity and versatility suggest that further enhancements to audio management are likely in the future.
Have you discovered this hidden audio feature on your Galaxy device? Share your experiences and use cases in the comments below.
