Even the world’s best smartphones have poor external speakers. They sound tinny and flat and they lack any type of bass.

Fortunately, there is a way to add strong bass notes to your Android phone or tablet. It won’t turn your phone into a 12 inch subwoofer, but it will help you squeeze every ounce of bass-note-producing capabilities from your device.

This tip works particularly well if you have headphones attached, although it can also improve the bass of your built-in external speakers.

Step 1) Download a free app called Music Volume EQ

Step 2) Start playing a song that should have good bass

Step 3) While the song is playing, open the Music Volume EQ app. The app will appear on your screen like a floating widget.

Step 4) You’ll see a volume control slider as well as an audio visualizer. At the bottom of the app you’ll see the EQ button. Tap that.

Step 5) There are about a dozen different equalizer settings. You should choose the equalizer setting that corresponds to the music you’re playing – or the genre of music you like to listen to. If you want heavy bass sounds, then I find the “Hip Hop” equalizer works particularly well.

Obviously, this tip works best if you have headphones plugged into your Android. However, it can often add a noticeable boost to your external speaker as well.

A Word of Warning

If you come across other Android articles that promise to turn your Android into a bass-producing machine, then be careful: there’s no magical piece of software that will create floor-thumping bass notes over your phone’s speakers.

Your phone’s hardware has fixed limits. And those fixed limits do not include a built-in subwoofer. Don’t fall for software that promises otherwise.

The only real way to produce bass notes on your Android is to connect it to a good pair of headphones or speakers. The app mentioned above is an effective short-term solution but it’s not going to rattle your floors anytime soon unless you have a good set of speakers attached to your device.