What Is Live Listen on iPhone and Android

Have you ever wished to amplify surrounding sounds in your ears through your device? To your surprise, this feature is available on iOS devices and lets users use their phones as remote microphones. By turning your phone into an audio receiver, you can listen to conversations from afar. Keeping in mind its usefulness in monitoring kids' activity, even Android users try to find it on their devices.

This guide will explain how Live Listen on iPhone works and how to enable it on your Android and iOS devices to hear distant conversations. Similarly, you will also find a comprehensive guide on an extensive tool to help parents monitor their children's conversations and ensure their safety.

Released over a decade ago, this feature in iOS devices has been very useful for people in monitoring their loved one's conversations. It was initially released to help people with hearing challenges fit better into conversations.

While it has been available for a long time on all Apple devices, not all Android devices have this built-in feature. Many new Android devices, like Samsung, include this feature in their phones for audibly impaired people. However, other companies or some older variants must rely on external apps to access this feature.

While the feature is called Live Listen in iPhone, Samsung users may find it under the banner of Amplify Ambient Sound in their accessibility settings. As a mobile application by Google, it is available for unsupported mobiles under the name of Sound Amplifier on Play Store.

Although the feature is available on both operating systems, the steps to enable it might differ considerably. In the following section, you can learn how to enable and use this feature on iPhone and Android devices.

As the feature was initially released for audibly impaired users, it works best with Made for iPhone hearing aids. However, you can also access it through your AirPods to monitor conversations effectively. To learn how to enable live listen on AirPods, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1. Access your phone's Control Centre by swiping down the screen and then tap the "+" icon at the top left corner. Afterward, press the Add a Control option to access available shortcuts.

Step 2. From the new screen, scroll down and press the "Live Listen" feature to create its shortcut. Once it appears in the Control Centre, tap on it after connecting your AirPods to use it anywhere.

In Android phones, you can access this feature in your mobile's accessibility settings. Additionally, you must connect your phone to a wireless/Bluetooth device to make sure you can hear sounds remotely. By following the given steps, you can enable the Amplify Ambient Sound, which is equivalent to Live Listen on Android:

Step 1. Go to your device’s settings and open the Accessibility options. From the new screen, access the Hearing Enhancements feature to access its various options.

Step 2. Once it takes you to the new screen, select Amplify Ambient Sound from the available features. Finally, toggle on the Amplify Ambient Sound Shortcut option and then connect your Bluetooth device to start listening.

Users looking for a reliable alternative to the Live Listen feature for their Android devices can use the Wondershare FamiSafe toolbox without relying on AirPods specifically. Widely used as a parental control app, it provides a One-Way Audio feature. It allows parents to remotely listen to the surroundings of their child's phone.

This parental monitoring app can activate real-time audio recordings from children devices that are then returned to parents for review. By analyzing these recordings, parents can assess their child's surroundings and take action promptly. To maintain trust, children also have the option to disable the features on their devices.

In addition to the One-Way Audio feature, it provides a range of additional functionalities designed to enhance parental control. To help you ensure the proper safety of your child's activity, we've explained some of its useful features.

1. Call & Messages: Using this app, parents can monitor the phone calls and messages, along with the duration of the call.
2. SOS Alert: This alert feature allows parents to receive immediate alerts when their child sends an SOS. It also provides the child's real-time location for quick help.
3. Screen Viewer: Utilizing this capability, you can capture a child's screen activity and get instant screenshots of the content.
4. Location Tracking: Parents can track their kid’s live location and receive alerts when they enter or leave designated areas.
5. App Blocker: Using this feature, you can lock apps on a child's device to limit excessive app usage. You also get the option to be notified when the kids try to open the blocked app.

To ensure you monitor your child's surroundings efficiently, follow these simple instructions to use this innovative and latest feature of FamiSafe:

Step 1. Download the FamiSafe App on Parent and Child Smartphones

After installing the app on the parent's phone, press the Start button from the home screen to receive a six-digit code. Next, install FamiSafe on the child's phone and enter the code received on the parent's phone. After doing so, give the permission the app asks by tapping on the Enable Now option. Once the connection is established, press the Turn On Now button from the next screen.

Step 2. Find the One-Way Audio Feature

Now, navigate to the Features tab from the screen and choose the One-Way Audio feature to begin monitoring the children’s surroundings.

Step 3. Begin Recording the Sound Around the Child

Once you choose the One-Way Audio feature, tap the Ear icon to start the recording. After recording the sound around the kid, tap that icon again to end the recording. Finally, access the saved recorded version of the audio from View My Recordings.

In short, the Live Listen in iPhone is a useful innovation that transforms phones into real-time mics. It has also made it easier for audibly impaired people to enjoy their conversations better. Considering its usefulness, various Android devices have incorporated this feature. For those devices on which it does not come built-in, Google's downloadable app is an ideal alternative.

While it's useful in listening to children's conversations, parents must find alternatives for detailed monitoring. For parents in search of more remote listening app for Android and iPhone, tools like FamiSafe can fill the gap. Its advanced features, like One-Way Audio and Screen Viewer, ensure the children are supervised.