RootlessJamesDSP Guide


RootlessJamesDSP is a powerful and highly configurable audio equalizer app for Android that allows you to enhance your mobile audio setup even among those not familiar with tuning when used in combination with things like AutoEQ. It is about as close as it gets to a non-rooted system-wide audio equalizer on Android, along with the things it can do — it won't feel much different from desktop software if you are familiar with them. This guide will outline what AutoEQ is and how to make use of it, as well touch on specifics about how to get certain apps working with RootlessJamesDSP when they aren't already fully supported.

  1. What for
  2. How to use AutoEQ
  3. Using unsupported apps

Why you might want to use an audio equalizer

While it is in part outside the scope of this guide, there are plenty of reasons you might want to consider using an audio equalizer. Among which is the ability to take advantage of AutoEQ.

Using AutoEQ

AutoEQ is a large collection of equalizer configuration presets for a wide range of various different audio output devices (Headphones, IEMs, and TWS'), the general idea being to improve the sound of these devices. If you're at a more advanced level, you can use these presets as a starting point for your own configuration. AutoEQ essentially allows you to reap the benefits of EQ without having to do the hard work yourself, or you can use the presets to further tune your sound, which is appealing if you are a beginner or are looking to get started with tuning.

Over on the home interface for RootlessJamesDSP, you can just simply enable the toggle for Arbitrary response equalizer and search for your device model in the profiles search.

Alternatively, you can use the Convolution equalizer. Acquire the preset file for your configuration from AutoEQ, and choose RootlessJamesDSP as the equalizer app. Import the .wav file and select the newly imported configuration as your Impulse response filter. This is the preferred method if you don't mind the extra steps, as convolution equalizers are more precise.

And that does it, you'll now start enjoying the benefits that AutoEQ brings, provided there weren't any faults along the way.

Patching unsupported apps for use with RootlessJamesDSP

RootlessJamesDSP will work with just about every app. But there are certain ones that require more finesse, among which is Spotify. Fortunately enough, there is a sort of remedy for this problem.

Important note

Chromium browsers are NOT supported. Attempting to patch them will result in a PathNotFoundException, due to how audio playback is done on them.

Firefox, its forks, and related browsers however, are almost completely supported out of the box, requiring you to only follow one other step.

If you plan to use your browser for media playback, this does mean you will have to give up your Chromium browser if that is what you're currently using. I suggest using Firefox or a similar browser exclusively for media playback if a browser is necessary. Iceraven is recommended.

  • The first step is to install Revanced Manager if you haven't already.
  • Next you should acquire the files for the app that you want to use or have it installed. Note that this app may have its data wiped in the process if an uninstall is neccessary.
  • Now enter Revanced Manager and make sure the option Show universal patches is turned on in the settings.

  • After which you can select the app you want or choose the APK file you've just acquired with the file picker.

Once having done all that, choose the Remove screen capture restriction patch, which will allow RootlessJamesDSP to capture audio for otherwise unsupported apps. Note that this is not a silver bullet and won't work for apps using the native AAudio C++ API for audio playback, which is why Chromium browsers aren't supported.

  • Patch and install the app. You may need to uninstall when there is a signature conflict if one arises.

Rather important little tweak

We're still not done however, you will still need to adjust just one more thing in RootlessJamesDSP.

Go to the settings, in the Troubleshooting section you'll want to change the Preferred session detection method from AudioService dump (recommended) to AudioPolicyService dump or you will encounter audio streams going undetected or audio duplications.

What this setting will do is put RootlessJamesDSP in a more persistent and aggressive audio capturing mode, which should allow you to use some apps that already had support, like Firefox browsers. The downside may be that RootlessJamesDSP will continuously process every single audio stream as they're being detected even while they're not playing audio, but otherwise no big deal.

..and that does it for this guide! Now you know how to take advantage of audio equalization on Android with RootlessJamesDSP.

This guide was written by oldbama on Discord [also epoc、ippoku]. I felt compelled to write this guide to cast some light on this app, as I generally consider it to be the best way to do EQ on Android. While not intended to be an extensive guide on EQ, I hope you can still take away something with this guide. With that said, feel free to reach out to me if you have any inquiries, and I'll try my best to respond!

Edit

Pub: 21 Apr 2025 16:44 UTC

Edit: 23 Oct 2025 17:22 UTC

Views: 1356