The Media Output Switcher on Android is a convenient feature that appears as a button in your media notification player or quick settings panel, allowing you to seamlessly switch audio playback between your phone speaker, Bluetooth headphones, and cast-enabled smart speakers. However, in environments where multiple Bluetooth devices or cast targets are constantly appearing and disappearing, the switcher can become cluttered, distracting, or accidentally triggered. Some users simply prefer a minimalist notification shade and wish to rely solely on the Bluetooth menu for audio routing.
This guide outlines the steps to completely disable the Media Output Switcher and associated media player suggestions system-wide on your Android device.
How to Disable the ‘Media Output Switcher’ on Android
The method to hide or disable these media controls involves adjusting the system’s Sound and Developer settings. Follow these steps:
- Unlock your Android device and open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Sound & vibration.
- Scroll down and tap on Media.
- Toggle the switch for Pin media player to the Off position. This prevents the media player (and its output switcher) from permanently residing in your Quick Settings panel when audio is paused.
- Next, if you want to completely disable the seamless media routing cast options, you must access Developer Options. (If you haven’t enabled them, go to Settings > About phone and tap the Build number 7 times).
- Go to Settings > System > Developer options.
- Scroll down to the Networking section.
- Locate the toggle for Turn off media routing (or Disable absolute volume / Disable media output switcher depending on your specific OEM overlay).
- Toggle it to the On position to disable the seamless switcher UI from scanning for cast devices.
Reverting the Changes
If you later decide you want the convenience of quickly switching between your Bluetooth earbuds and a Google Home speaker directly from the notification shade, simply return to the Sound settings and re-enable the pinned media player, or turn off the media routing restriction in Developer Options.