Frequently Asked Questions

The most common cause is the surround sound output setting. When the TV is set to pass audio through as Dolby Digital or DTS — often shown as Auto — the sound is never decoded on the device itself. It leaves as a compressed stream, so no app on Android can apply an equaliser to it.

Try this first:

Settings › Display & Sound › Advanced sound settings › Surround sound — set it to None, or Stereo / PCM depending on your model. The wording varies between devices, so on some it sits under Settings › System › Sound instead. Then reopen TV DSP Center and play something.

The app itself tells you which of the two problems you have. If the status line reads ✓ DSP Active in green but the sound still doesn't change, the app is working and the audio simply isn't being decoded on the device — the setting above is what to look at. If it reads DSP Active — no effect on this device in red, it is a different problem: see the next two questions.

Some devices — particularly certain phones with custom audio systems (such as some Asus, Xiaomi and Realme models) — restrict apps from controlling system-wide audio effects. On those devices the equalizer may have reduced or no effect. The app will tell you clearly if this is the case on your device. Using headphones, enabling Bass Boost and Loudness together, and disabling any built-in sound enhancement in your phone's own settings usually helps a lot.

One case worth ruling out first: if another equaliser or sound-effect app is running, it may be holding the audio effect. Close it and tap Retry in the warning box — that often releases it.

When your TV uses HDMI ARC passthrough, it sends the raw compressed bitstream (Dolby/DTS) straight to the soundbar without decoding it. Android audio effects can only process decoded PCM audio, so no equalizer can affect passthrough audio — it's a system-level limitation, not specific to this app. The workaround: set your TV's digital audio output from Auto/Bitstream to PCM. The TV then decodes locally and the equalizer works, though you trade 5.1 surround for stereo. The same applies to the TV's own surround setting — see the first question above for where it lives on Google TV.

Unfortunately not. Android audio effects attach to each app's audio session, and for security reasons Android doesn't let one app access or control the audio sessions of other apps (Netflix, YouTube, etc.). The app hooks into the global output mix so it processes all audio together — which is also exactly why the settings can't be split per app on standard (non-rooted) Android.

AI Auto-Suggest listens to what's currently playing and works out which profile fits it best — Movie, Music, Voice or Night — then lets you load it with a single tap. It's a suggestion, not an automatic switch: your current settings stay untouched until you tap to apply, and a status line shows what was last applied and when.

It runs on the device and only looks at the audio's content type, not what you're specifically watching or listening to. If you'd rather stay in full manual control, turn it off anytime with its switch — your saved profiles and manual EQ settings keep working exactly as before.

TV DSP Center is available only through the Google Play Store. There's no standalone APK or Downloader code, because the free trial and Pro features rely on Google Play licensing and wouldn't activate on a sideloaded version. If your device can add the Google Play Store, the app works fully there.

Pro is tied to your Google account. Make sure the other device is signed in with the same Google account you used to buy Pro. Open the Google Play Store on that device for a moment, then reopen the app — it re-checks your purchase automatically on launch and unlocks Pro. No need to buy again.

Yes. The Pro features include an Anti-Clipping Limiter that tames sudden volume spikes, plus a Loudness Enhancer. Together they help even out loud jumps — similar to a night listening mode — which is handy when falling asleep or watching late at night.

Start a 7-day free trial with one tap by choosing a Google account — no payment or card required, one trial per Google account. It unlocks all 10 EQ bands, 6 presets, Smart DSP and profile saving. After the trial, the free version keeps Bass Boost, Loudness, Virtual Surround and a 3-band equalizer. Pro is a one-time purchase, no subscription.