Questions and answers

Wired earphones with an in-line remote: 3.5 mm headsets, USB-C earphones and 3.5 mm headsets on a USB-C adapter. Bluetooth earphones are not remapped: JackKey is for wired buttons.

Some USB-C adapters (and phones without a DAC) do not pass earphone buttons to Android. Try another adapter or earphones, press firmly, and make sure the earphones are fully plugged in.

The in-app button tester shows every press that reaches Android, so you can check before changing any setting.

With the screen on or the lock screen showing, all three buttons and every gesture work. With the screen fully off Android does not let any app read the volume buttons, so JackKey offers two experimental options:

Pocket mode keeps a small media session running so the centre button can reach JackKey while the screen is off.

Android sends media buttons to the last app that played sound, so JackKey briefly plays silence to stay in line. Your music keeps playing.

Ride mode shows a black, locked screen that stays awake, so all three buttons keep working with the phone in your pocket. Hold anywhere for 2 seconds to leave.

JackKey uses Android’s Accessibility Service for one thing: to see when you press a button on your wired earphones (centre, volume up, volume down), so it can run the action you chose.

It never reads what is on your screen, never types or taps for you, and nothing leaves your phone. Volume buttons on the phone itself are left alone.

Android 13+ blocks accessibility for apps that were not installed from Google Play until you allow it:

1. Open Settings → Apps → JackKey.
2. Tap ⋮ (top right) → Allow restricted settings, then confirm.
3. Go back to Settings → Accessibility → JackKey and turn it on.

Some phones (Xiaomi, Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus) stop background services to save battery. In Settings → Apps → JackKey → Battery, choose Unrestricted. The app shows the exact steps for your phone in Settings → Permissions.

No. JackKey only remaps buttons that come from your earphones. The volume keys on the side of the phone keep working as usual.

During a call (ringing or talking) JackKey steps aside completely, so the centre button answers and hangs up as normal.

Almost. JackKey can open the camera (on the lock screen too, without unlocking) or the video camera. Most camera apps already use a volume button as the shutter, so the Creator preset leaves volume up alone: inside the camera, press it to take the photo or start recording. JackKey cannot take a photo with the screen off or without opening the camera app.

Pick a time (10 to 90 minutes in the app). One press starts it and JackKey says so; press again to cancel. When the time is up the music fades out over about ten seconds and pauses, and the volume is put back for next time.

Seek, restart, shuffle, repeat and speed; announcing the track; switching players; custom volume steps; launching apps or links; screenshots; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth panels; reading notifications or your own text aloud; a sleep timer; Do Not Disturb; opening the camera; all presets (including Creator) and timing controls. It is a single payment through Google Play, not a subscription.