The Problem: On many non-Samsung phones, all calls, even when answered on the phone itself, get sent to the watch's speakerphone, requiring the user to manually switch the sound back to the handset every time a phone call happens. As a side problem, the watch conflicts with other Bluetooth devices capable of of being used for calls, like car stereos and headsets. Several threads on xda and elsewhere discuss these issues; however, the only solution posted is to disable the "Phone Audio" profile of the watch in settings. This is sub-optimal because it completely disables the ability to use the watch as a phone speaker.
The Solution: I have put together a series of Tasker profiles and tasks that utilize the BlueTask plugin to control the connection of the Gear S3. A convenient detail about BlueTask's disconnection method is that it only seems to affect the "Phone Audio" component of the Gear S3, leaving all other functionality untouched during a call. I use the proximity sensor to determine whether or not the call is being made/answered on the phone itself vs the watch. The assumption is that if you leave you phone in your pocket, bag, or face down on the desk, then you answered the call via the watch. I understand this is not a perfect method for determining which device is answering the call, but it works pretty well in my testing. In addition, an exception is made for when a wired headset is hooked up to the phone, as one may leave their phone in their pocket while answering using such a headset. Finally, an additional profile I call the "Car profile" will automatically disconnect the watch and disable its Tasker profiles while connected to specified Bluetooth devices like a car stereo, Bluetooth headsets, etc.
Setup:
Let me know if this works for you. Also, suggestions for how this project could be improved are welcome.
The Solution: I have put together a series of Tasker profiles and tasks that utilize the BlueTask plugin to control the connection of the Gear S3. A convenient detail about BlueTask's disconnection method is that it only seems to affect the "Phone Audio" component of the Gear S3, leaving all other functionality untouched during a call. I use the proximity sensor to determine whether or not the call is being made/answered on the phone itself vs the watch. The assumption is that if you leave you phone in your pocket, bag, or face down on the desk, then you answered the call via the watch. I understand this is not a perfect method for determining which device is answering the call, but it works pretty well in my testing. In addition, an exception is made for when a wired headset is hooked up to the phone, as one may leave their phone in their pocket while answering using such a headset. Finally, an additional profile I call the "Car profile" will automatically disconnect the watch and disable its Tasker profiles while connected to specified Bluetooth devices like a car stereo, Bluetooth headsets, etc.
Setup:
- Re-enable "Phone Audio" for Gear S3 if you previously disabled it (Settings>Bluetooth>Gear S3)
- Install Tasker (if you haven't already)
- Install BlueTask
- Go to Tasker>Preferences>UI>Beginner Mode. Disable it (if it is not disabled already).
- Go to Tasker>Preferences>Monitor>Display Off Monitoring>Proximity Sensor. Set it to "Yes"
- Download the Tasker project attached to this post to your phone
- Import the project into Tasker (Press and hold the home tab in the bottom left corner of tasker and then click Import)
- Enter the new "Bluetooth" project and open "Car Profile" in "Profiles"
- Delete the Dummy MAC address in the Profile and replace it with the MAC addresses of any car stereos and/or bluetooth headsets you use with your phone. If you have multiple of such devices, separate each address with a "/" (the magnifier glass icon does this for you). If you have no such devices, feel free to disable or delete this profile.
- Open "Disconnect Gear S3" in "Tasks"
- Open the "BT Connection" action
- Replace the dummy information with your Gear S3's Name and MAC address
- Repeat steps 10, 11, and 12 for the "Connect Gear S3", "Car Mode", and "Exit Car Mode" tasks.
- Complete!
Let me know if this works for you. Also, suggestions for how this project could be improved are welcome.
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