Pixel 2 Does Not Allow 3rd Party Headphone Adapters

[steejo]

Info from Ohgami_Ichiro on compatible Pixel 2 headphone adapters:

There's more options now it appears.
BASEVS $17.90 https://www.amazon.com/Basevs-Earpho...dp/B077GT9MTD/
CONMDEX $17.90 https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-CONMD...dp/B077GS8G3N/
FARACENT $17.90 https://www.amazon.com/adapter-Farac...dp/B077FJH6WT/
AirsFish $17.90 https://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-AirsF...dp/B077GVVLQZ/

These 4 appear to be the same with different brand names on them and they use a Realtek Chip compared to the Geekria one that uses a Conexant one. I don't know what the Google one uses though. Slight update it looks like the Razor one will be compatible so there's that plus the ones for the HTC U11 are as well although there is debate as to whether the one for the U11 and the U11 Ultra are the same with a new case design or us a different chip. But either way the HTC ones have a DAC in the adaptor so that makes it compatible.

So far the current list is:
Google OEM
Essential Phone PH-1 adaptor
Razor Phone Adaptor
HTC U11 https://www.htc.com/us/accessories-b...-3-5mm-htc-u11
HTC U11 Ultra Adaptor https://www.htc.com/us/accessories-b...mm-htc-u-ultra
Geekria https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Headp...dp/B073Z47PSK/

I bought some $0.89 USB-C to 3.5mm adapters off of AliExpress, because they're dirt cheap and I know for a fact I will lose the one that comes with my phone. After receiving my Pixel 2 yesterday and plugging one into the phone, it says "Analog audio accessory detected - The attached device is not compatible with this phone. Tap to learn more."

I'm a little peeved that they decided to take the headphone jack out, make you use an adapter, and even more specifically make you use their adapter. I switched away from iOS specifically these kinds of reasons..

I assume the only way to remove this restriction would be via root?

 

[chaose]

Pixel 2 and 2 XL requires a digital adapter, which means it needs a chip inside. The one on the google play store is only $9, is a digital adapter, and also contains a DAC. There is no restriction that you can't use a 3rd party adapter, you just need to use a digital adapter.

 

[edscholl]

USB c allows analog and digital audio, the pixel only does digital, your adapter is only analog (which is why it's so cheap).

https://www.androidauthority.com/3-5mm-audio-usb-type-c-701507/

 

[alexjzim]

This is very interesting! As is known, Google is focusing hardcore on USB C compliance. I was under the impression that since the pixel 2 does not do analog audio, it broke the spec, and was a bit confused why.

As per the error message you are receiving, it is clear the USB C port is reading the SBU pin's correctly, there is just no DAC connected on the other end. So i guess technically this is compliant...

 

[foosion]

This is very interesting! As is known, Google is focusing hardcore on USB C compliance. I was under the impression that since the pixel 2 does not do analog audio, it broke the spec, and was a bit confused why.

Lack of analog does not break the spec, AFAIK. The spec allows, but does not require, analog pass-through.

I wish they did allow it, so we could buy cheaper adapters. However, that would require another DAC and amplifier in the phone.

 

[anzenketh]

Google made the right choice

Google made the right choice here. As not all USB C devices do not do analog out it is better to only do digital out. This is so you can use your USB accessories with other devices. Not allowing it is actually more complaint in google's mind then doing analog and digital out.

 

[graffixnyc]

I tested the adapter that came with my Essential phone in the Pixel 2 and it worked fine. It has a dac inside it as well

 

[wonderrx]

I tested the adapter that came with my Essential phone in the Pixel 2 and it worked fine. It has a dac inside it as well

Any purchase links available, especially want one with a Y splitter to charge phone and use headphones/bed speaker at the same time. Looking for something like this THIS ITEM DOES NOT WORK WITH PIXEL 2 XL - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075F5Y75L/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[anzenketh]

No But...

Any purchase links available, especially want one with a Y splitter to charge phone and use headphones/bed speaker at the same time. Looking for something like this THIS ITEM DOES NOT WORK WITH PIXEL 2 XL -

I do not have anything but I can say anything that states it works for the Moto Z is not what you are looking for. The Moto Z has a USB analog audio out.

 

[radon222]

Any purchase links available, especially want one with a Y splitter to charge phone and use headphones/bed speaker at the same time. Looking for something like this THIS ITEM DOES NOT WORK WITH PIXEL 2 XL - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075F5Y75L/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is what you're looking for:
https://store.google.com/us/product/moshi_usb_c_headphone_adapter_charger?hl=en-US

unfortunately it's still in "Coming Soon" status.

 

[wonderrx]

This is what you're looking for:
https://store.google.com/us/product/moshi_usb_c_headphone_adapter_charger?hl=en-US

unfortunately it's still in "Coming Soon" status.

Yeah but not at that price and also something that is available now...

 

[Chronzy]

I tried some el cheapos that also didn't work on my Essential phone, so I went ahead and ordered 2 more from google since they dropped the price to $9 a few weeks ago. Mind as well roll that into price of the phone if you insist on wired like I do. Sucky thing is they're not slated for delivery until Nov 17 – 18.

 

[Joe92T]

My advice would be if you need another adapter to buy the official Google one and not a 89 cent China eBay special. You must remember that embedded DAC is solely responsible for making sure your audio doesn't sound like ****. Don't cheap out and get a quality converter

 

[radon222]

Yeah but not at that price and also something that is available now...

Agreed the price sucks. But I'm cautiously optimistic that Google will drop that like they did for the regular adapter right before launch. (fingers crossed)

 

[iutri]

As per usual, Google pulled a Nintendo and did not make enough of one of the most sought after accessories for their flagship phone. The adapters are out of stock and any orders placed for them while they where in stock don't even ship until mid November. Lame.

 

[EVR_PR]

Does anyone know if the Razer Phone's adapter will work on our Pixel 2? Would be interesting to try that THX certification out if Razer were to sell this separately from their phones.

 

[skullzaflare]

Nothing looks simple, but i have found some things like this
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65201371&postcount=48

 

[Bazirker]

I'm using a Dragonfly Red with my Pixel 2 (via an Anker USB-C to A converter) without issue, aside from the known low volume problem with the Red (which isn't as much of an issue for me as I mostly use sensitive headphones.)

 

[FanDroid09]

I can't personally vouch for this because I haven't got it yet... but this adapter appears to have a dac.

Its pricey, but there if you need one before Google can get them back in stock.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073Z47PSK/

 

[Ohgami_Ichiro]

I can't personally vouch for this because I haven't got it yet... but this adapter appears to have a dac.

Its pricey, but there if you need one before Google can get them back in stock.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073Z47PSK/

This one is good. It was referenced in the 2XL forum. A user there did testing of audio quality and his result was it was just a little bit less than the Google supplied one.

Post for reference: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=74352935&postcount=26

I have scoured Amazon and really at this time The google one and the Geekria one are the only one at this time. As more and more companies release phones without 3.5mm there should be more options. One other option I brought up was also that the iPhone adapters also have DACs in them so there is the option to get one and get a Lighting to C adapter.