The system governing audio levels in Android Pie introduced significant alterations to the user experience. Instead of solely adjusting ringer volume, the primary control now manages media output by default. Activation of volume modification occurs when media is playing, or by directly interacting with the physical buttons. This differs from previous iterations where the ringer volume was the initial control option, regardless of media playback status.
This shift in functionality aimed to provide a more intuitive method for governing audio. By prioritizing media volume, users could more readily adjust what they were actively hearing, reducing instances of accidentally changing the ringer and potentially missing calls. This change sought to streamline the experience, reflecting a user-centric design philosophy intended to minimize frustrations associated with audio management on mobile devices. The prior system often resulted in unexpected adjustments to notification volumes, leading to user dissatisfaction.