How It Works
CrewTalk intercepts the media play/pause button on your Bluetooth headset using platform-specific APIs:
- Android: MediaSessionCompat (media session framework)
- iOS: MPRemoteCommandCenter (remote command center)
When Bluetooth PTT is enabled, pressing the media button on your headset triggers PTT instead of playing/pausing media.
Enabling Bluetooth PTT
Connect Your Headset
Pair and connect your Bluetooth headset through your device's Bluetooth settings.
Open CrewTalk Settings
Tap the gear icon next to the channel indicator to open Settings.
Enable Bluetooth PTT
Toggle on Bluetooth PTT. The setting shows the name of your connected Bluetooth device.
Test
Press the media button on your headset. You should see the PTT button activate and hear the walkie-talkie chirp (if enabled).
On Android 12+, CrewTalk needs the BLUETOOTH_CONNECT permission. You'll be prompted to grant this when enabling Bluetooth PTT.
PTT Modes
CrewTalk supports three PTT modes for headset buttons. The best mode depends on your headset's hardware:
Toggle Mode
The default for most Bluetooth headsets:
- Press once — Start transmitting
- Press again — Stop transmitting
This is designed for hands-free use where holding a button isn't practical. The walkie-talkie chirp sound helps confirm when you've toggled on and off.
Hold-to-Talk Mode
Works like the on-screen PTT button — hold the button to talk, release to stop. Available on headsets that send continuous hold/release events (most wired headsets with inline buttons).
Retrigger-Hold Mode
Designed for USB-C headsets and some Bluetooth devices that send rapid button pulses instead of a clean hold signal. CrewTalk uses the rapid pulses as keep-alive signals, converting them into natural hold-to-talk behavior. When you release the button, the pulses stop and transmission ends after a short timeout. This mode is automatically selected by the Headset Button Wizard when it detects pulse-style button behavior.
Not sure which mode is right for your headset? The Headset Button Wizard in Settings auto-detects your headset's button behavior and selects the best PTT mode automatically. It's the recommended way to set up any headset for PTT.
If using toggle mode, you're transmitting until you press again. It's easy to accidentally leave the channel open. If you hear the chirp, make sure you toggle off when you're done talking. Your crew will thank you!
Auto-Recovery
CrewTalk uses a dual-state model for Bluetooth PTT:
- User preference (
bluetoothPTTUserEnabled) — Remembers that you want BT PTT enabled - Active state (
bluetoothPTTEnabled) — Whether BT PTT is currently active
This means:
- If your headset disconnects (battery dies, goes out of range), BT PTT deactivates
- When you reconnect the headset, BT PTT automatically re-enables without you needing to toggle the setting again
- Your preference persists across app restarts
Status Indicator
When Bluetooth PTT is active, the PTT screen's status row shows:
- A Bluetooth audio icon
- Your connected device name (e.g., "Jabra Elite 75t")
This confirms at a glance that your headset is connected and PTT is routed to it.
Audio Routing
With Bluetooth connected:
- Microphone input: Uses the Bluetooth headset's microphone for PTT transmission
- Audio output: Received PTT audio plays through your device speaker (not the headset earpiece) — this is by design, using
USAGE_MEDIAfor reliable routing
Some Samsung devices have non-standard audio routing behavior. If you experience issues with audio output, see Headset Setup for workarounds.
Supported Devices
Bluetooth PTT works with any headset that sends standard media button events:
- Wireless earbuds (Galaxy Buds, Jabra, Sony, etc.)
- Over-ear Bluetooth headsets
- Bluetooth motorcycle intercoms
- Bluetooth PTT shoulder mics
- Wear OS smartwatches (via separate Wear OS integration)
The key requirement is a physical button that sends a media play/pause event. Touch gestures and voice commands may not be supported.