Here you can find answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. If you would like to ask something you can also reach out to leanderoid.development@gmail.com

I can't get the EQ to work on my device, how come?

Most users and devices get it to work after some effort, if not immediately. See the in-app instructions for a step-by-step guide. What music app did you try together with? Did you allow the record audio permission? Usually the important thing is to have SpotEQ31 running/enabled before even open the music player. Try it immediately after a device reboot.

I can get some music players to work but not this particular one, why?

The compatibility of music players will vary depending on how it's developer handled audio. Some apps (like Spotify) connects fine and you can see its icon in the SpotEQ31 user interface. Some unfortunately breaks the connection every track and makes SpotEQ31 reconnect. In general, music apps perform better than games. See https://sites.google.com/view/spoteq-musicapps/tested-apps for some compatibility notes.

Why do you need the Microphone (Record Audio) permission?

This permission is a broad audio permission that needs to be granted to be able to use the visualizer and to detect music apps playing. Here you can read the technical documentation explaining the need: https://developer.android.com/reference/android/media/audiofx/Visualizer . However, no audio is recorded, stored or uploaded from your device.

It should also be possible to withdraw the permission after its granted from the Android System settings, but that might make the app not function properly. It's therefore not recommended, but the app should keep working with music apps that show their icons under "Connected apps", for instance Spotify.

The app works well at first but seems to disconnect when tracks change or when being in the background, why?

This app is doing work in the background to sync with your music player. Some manufacturers are limiting what apps can do after a while, to save battery. This unfortunately requires you to manually go to the system settings and remove things like "Battery optimization", "App sleep" or similar for SpotEQ31. The specific settings differ from device to device, please have a look here for advice on your manufacturer: https://dontkillmyapp.com/

In a previous version I could unlock features by watching ads, why did you remove that?

Unfortunately, this summer the app was suddenly - without any warning - removed from the Play store for more than a week. The reason described was that the use of ads didn't comply with Google policies. There was not much information what exactly was wrong and no human response/support. And despite the best of intentions and guesswork, the update attempts of the app were rejected. The past months Google algorithms governing the Play store have been more active, which is generally very good because it helps keeping all users safer from intentionally malicious apps. Nevertheless it seems ordinary developers are harsher treated as well, see another example here: https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/27/droidscript_google_ban/. To minimize the risk of another app removal and possible account termination, it was decided to remove all ads altogether - at least for now. This is to be replaced by a one-time fee for similar Basic features, with the advantage that those will be kept even on uninstall/reinstall. If you still would like a similar ad-based and free experience, you can check out the LeanderSound app, see below.

Is there an ad-based and free alternative app available?

Yes, if you prefer a more basic ad-based app with a solid single channel EQ up to 21 bands and similar audio quality and compatibility as SpotEQ31 you can check out the LeanderSound app: https://www.amazon.com/LeanderSound-Improve-music-podcast-player/dp/B0993PQGPQ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=leandersound&qid=1627289180&sr=8-2

That app is currently only available through the Amazon appstore app. The reason for not being available directly on Google Play store is that Google policies do not approve of apps that are too similar.