How to Enable Auto Speaker on Android for Call?
Hello;
I'm facing a challenge with my father who has MS and has lost his vision and hand movement. He's confined to a medicalized bed, and up until now, I had him set up pretty well with an Android using the "OK Google" command. It took some time, but he got the hang of it and started using it daily, mainly for checking the weather and other things.
I usually call him, having the phone set to auto answer and auto speaker mode, which allowed us to communicate effectively. However, a recent Android update seems to have messed up the app's auto speaker functionality. As a result, I can't call him the way we used to anymore because the phone does not enable the speaker after auto answering.
Does anyone know of an alternative method to make the speakers activate automatically after a call? Or of there is another type of phone that I could.use?
Your insights and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton for your help!
Oh, goodness,
. I have to have my kids set up my phone for me (I'm a Gen Xer), so this is well outside my wheelhouse! Sorry! I LOVE that you did this so you could stay in communication with your father and I think all of us have experienced the hiccups of the dreaded phone updates. Ugh. Any advice I can offer would be . . . annoying. You know, like rebooting the phone or taking it back to factory settings (that's always the last ditch attempt, though, right?). Have you checked online (surprisingly, Reddit can be helpful for this) to see if other Android users are experiencing this issue?
I am so sorry I can't offer more helpful advice in this respect. I do hope you get the problem figured out and that it's not to hard to correct.
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team member.Hi Astrocalibre,
I hate reading non-answer responses online, so I apologize if this doesn't quite answer your question. I've been looking in to this. I don't see an obvious setting, but there is a lot of reference to Bluetooth devices. If a Bluetooth speaker or headset is connected, those settings might be something to take a look at.
Hope this helps.
That's great advice!! Bluetooth can be a fantastic tool to help with these sorts of commands and accessibility features, especially with things like Alexa and all of the tools like that. We have a community member who once mentioned having their entire house connected through their Alexa device. It does things like answer his phone, operate the tv, open and shut blinds, turn lights on and off, and so much more. It's really interesting what you can do all via Bluetooth. Thank you so much for sharing that! 🧡 Kayleigh, MultipleSclerosis.net team
- Admittedly, I am an Apple user, but I found what looks like a great resource that will hopefully be helpful for you and your Dad. https://www.android.com/accessibility/. I was cruising through this page and in it, it shows you how to use all of these accessibility hacks through visual, audio, and mobility features. I found this section, in particular, interesting and hopefully useful for you guys - https://www.android.com/accessibility/mobility/. There's a section that talks about how Google has an app that allows you to do everything on your phone hands-free through vocal commands called 'voice access.' I've never tested it out before or anything but it looks to be at least something that will lead you hopefully in the right direction of making your Dad's device work for him and not against him. I would also consider reaching out to your Dad's phone's customer service and ask if they have suggestions on what to try. I know Apple does free in store classes to teach you all the tips and tricks of your phone. Maybe Android does something similar? I really hope that helps! 🧡 Kayleigh, MultipleSclerosis.net team Get an alexa show, you can call your dad and check on him. You use the drop in feature, he doesn't have to do anything, and it's secure. Only the users you set can use it and there is the ability to automatically call emergency services as well for either party.
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