jmp.chat/cheogram and audio output device issue

xrayspex

I'm using the cheogram app with the jmp.chat service (highly recommended btw) but I'm noticing a strange problem with the audio output if I enable the android dialer integration function. I tried the cheogram support room and didn't get much of a response, but someone seemed to think it might be a system audio bug. So here I am.

When using a bluetooth headset, audio works as expected with any app with sound output (spotify, podcast app, youtube,etc). However, when making a call, the output device will switch to the phone speaker after 1-2 rings. After hanging up, audio output immediately returns back to my headset.

Often, there will be no audio output at all, and a few times it rapidly oscillated back and forth between outputs. Sometimes it will work properly the first time, then fail for all calls afterwards. The problem also occurs when receiving calls - as soon as I answer, sound will switch from headset to phone speaker (or often no output).

After turning off android dialing integration, the headset output works normally when directly using the cheogram app. The problem is isolated to the jmp.chat/cheogram service and does not occur if I dial out using my native SIM.

As I mentioned, no other app with audio does this. It's not a bluetooth connection problem as I originally thought, it’s an output device switching issue. Also, I experienced it on a Pixel 5 and also after an upgrade to Pixel 7 (both on GrapheneOS).

I realize that it's a very specific problem and don't know where to go with this. I've done searches but can't find any related information. It would be good to hear if anyone else is having the same issue.

I'm mainly on a headset during the day and it would be nice to have the integration for smoother operation, especially to allow easier access to my contacts.

Any insight would be really great.

spiral

xrayspex

Assistance for technical difficulties within Cheogram can be found here. The first link on the page is to their forum.

I wish I could actually assist you with this issue but I'm not knowledgeable enough. Please and kindly report back here the solution, if you discover one.

spiral

xrayspex
I will do some testing in the next couple of days to see if I can replicate this issue across multiple GOS pixels. Will report back here. I am also willing to set up a GitHub account to file an issue, if necessary.

ellsworth

I also use Cheogram/jmp.chat. But I have received exactly one call through it since installing Graphene. And don't use a BT headset. Your problem is really specific.

xrayspex

Thanks - I've already gone through that support channel (twice in fact) and didn't get much enthusiasm for looking into the problem. The only response I got was that someone said it's probably a GrapheneOS issue.

xrayspex

I was able to get a hold of a phone running LineageOS and try the cheogram android integration + headphones. Everything worked properly as expected. So, it would seem that the problem is specific to GrapheneOS.

I've never filed a bug report but would this be the most appropriate next step?

[deleted]

xrayspex It would be appreciated as this contributes to a better experience for everyone down the road. OS issues are tracked in the OS issue tracker.

everything2protect

Can't provide any assistance, but can confirm you're not the only one experiencing this issue.

xrayspex

Thanks for everyone's responses. I've filed issue #2577.

For anyone using jmp.chat (or other voip service) that is able to help testing, the phone quality testing line (631) 791-8378 is really useful.

de0u

xrayspex The phone quality testing line (631) 791-8378 is really useful.

I had no idea such a thing existed. Thanks!

DeletedUser115

I use it without the dialer integration (for other reasons) and it works fine.

xrayspex

DeletedUser115 Me too - cheogram functions just fine, but with integration the UI is much simpler. For example, every time you want to call a new number, one has to go through about 5 steps on cheogram.

MoonshineMidnight

xrayspex I just add the new number to my contacts and dial off that. A lot quicker than the Cheo set-up.

xrayspex

MoonshineMidnight If I initiate a call straight out of contacts, it dials through my SIM. Don't you need Cheogram android integration for that to work?

MoonshineMidnight

xrayspex On GOS the way I set up Cheo/JMP is when I make a call from my contacts a screen pops up asking to either "make call with carrier" or "make call through [my Jabber account]). I never use my SIM. Either Signal to Signal or XMPP Jabber to anyone I want.

xrayspex

MoonshineMidnight Are you changing that setting through Cheogram app or is there another way? I just tried through Cheogram but I still get the audio output switching issue.

spiral

xrayspex

Cheogram > Settings > Use phone accounts for incoming calls

xrayspex

spiral Thanks, but I've tried that and it also causes the audio device switching issue, only for incoming calls rather than dialed calls.

xrayspex

This problem has been fixed in the latest Cheogram release version 2.15.3-1.

eve

I have a similar issue with my Pixel 8, GrapheneOS, Cheogram 2.17.2-2+free from F-Droid on 2024-11-07, and Pixel Buds Pro (OG). When calling from the bundled phone dialer, I randomly get different behavior where the Bluetooth headphones sometimes don't work, or there may be rapid flipping between headphones and speaker.

I experimented by making a call directly from Cheogram, and the call seemed to start making noises from the phone speakers, then the call ended up on headphones later. So if I'm right about what happened, it could be a Cheogram bug. I reported the issue in their support channel.

If others have this issue with the same or a different configuration, it would be good to know.

xrayspex

eve This problem just started happening to me again after upgrading from Cheogram 2.15.3.2+free to the same version you mentioned. Unfortunately at the same time I also upgraded to the latest GrapheneOS 2024111800 (on a Pixel 7) so I don't know which upgrade caused the problem. It took almost a week before the problem appeared.

There are a few differences this time. When calling from the phone dialer (after integration) there is rapid flashing of the speaker/bluetooth icon as it switches between audio output. This now happens consistently where before it was infrequently one of the several different symptoms. When the call connects it again changes to the phone speaker instead of my connected BT headphones, as before. This time it seems I can keep the android integration set and still use the app directly and receive calls with no problem (at least so far).

I tried briefly to look into downgrading Cheogram to my original version but couldn't easily figure out how. Unfortunately I don't have time in the near future to troubleshoot downgrades and deal with possible side effects.