Traffic Aware setting toggle greyed out

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Hi MRA Forum users,

First time poster here. I'm using MRA app on a Samsung Android phone (and Route Planner on Firefox browser).

An Internet search for the issue in the title (Traffic Aware button greyed-out) tells me that I need to have an active Navigation Next subscription for this setting to be active, but I have lifetime Gold & Navigation already.

Any ideas on how I can fix this, please?

Also, while I'm here (and to avoid a whole new thread), I find it annoying that, when I'm listening to a podcast while riding, the volume of the directional instructions is too loud and overrides the volume of the podcast so much that I can't understand any of it.

Is there a way to alter the balance of the app's volume versus the system volume setting. If not, perhaps it is something the app developers could work on including in a future update. Road closures were my big-bugbear until that got fixed, but this is the thing that annoys me most right now.

Thanks in advance for any advice or fixes.

[LennyO]

@Peter-Burch-1-0 Hi, Peter!
To your first question - can you access and navigate any route normally on theh App aside from the slider issue? If you can - I am not sure what's up.
If you can not - open the Web route planner, log in and click on Subscriptions to make sure that it lists both the Route planner and Navigation next. If you don't see the Navigation Next as purchased - open a support ticket. (Somehow it looks like your Nav subscription is not active).

On your phone, open the MRA App, tap your profile (upper right), scroll down and verify the App version. The latest for Android id 5.2.1-488.
As far as the volume issue - according to the development team the Android release 5.2.1-488 has dealt with volume issues. I did not verify the latest performance myself.
Personally I have an App on my Android called "Good Lock".
It has a section dedicated to setting individual volume levels to any and all the Apps you have.

Hope that helps.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

That help a lot LennyO, thank you very much.
Will return to this thread when I've had time to do all you suggest (including the Good Lock app).
Much appreciated.

[Nick Carthew]

@Peter-Burch-1-0 Your Traffic aware route calculation is greyed out because you have selected Offline navigation (top slider). The app cannot access the traffic information if it is offline.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Thank you @nick-carthew, that was the answer. It's easy when you know, isn't it?

I imagined that selecting 'Offline navigation' just allowed the app to use the downloaded maps; it never occurred to me that it would inhibit accessing the Internet. There are so many network dead spots in the UK when you get out in the countryside, that I must have thought I was better off with it set like that at some point to avoid what I perceived as error messages about being offline when there was no signal. I sure I was thinking "I've got the maps downloaded as well, I don't need a signal for the app to work for a couple of minutes before it next finds a signal."

It's probably something else I haven't learned about MRA yet. I keep trying to find time to wade through the manual in its entirety, but there always seems to be something more important to do (like riding or getting MOTs done - today's task) so I'm ending up learning as I go along.

Going back to the volume issue @lennyo, I definitely have v5.2.1-488 but when I move the MRA volume setting in the audio settings, it just moves the sytem-wide media volume. Likewise, moving the system-wide media volume with the phone's hardware keys, adjusts the MRA volume setting when that page of the app is open.

Probably something else I haven't learned about how MRA works yet (although I've got a lot better at creating routes quickly than when I first started a year ago).
I'm having a look at Good Lock and it seems that I've already got it installed but not enabled on my phone. I see it's a Samsung app so it probably came with it when new. I'll enable it and have a play. Thank you for the knowledge of it.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Thanks @Nick-Carthew

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Thanks @Nick-Carthew, that was the answer.

I imagined that in selecting 'Offline navigation', I was just giving MRA permission to use downloaded maps as well as any information it can get from our 'intermittent at best' mobile networks here in the UK. It never occurred to me that it would inhibit MRA from using the mobile connection (when available) to calculate routes. I think I selected it to stop myself getting all those annoying 'offline' messages when riding. I will need to reassess my tolerance levels for them, methinks.

I'd already posted this reply but, about 6 or 7 hours later, I can't see it yet. Maybe it's still awaiting approval, but I've no way of knowing whether that is the case or whether it got lost in the ether so here it is again. Well, part of it anyway. And now I've screwed myself over by accidentally hitting 'submit' after a few words so have to wait an hour to post again because I'm a new user. It ain't easy being a newbie.

[Stevedo 6 0]

@Peter-Burch-1-0 said:

Thanks @Nick-Carthew, that was the answer.

I imagined that in selecting 'Offline navigation', I was just giving MRA permission to use downloaded maps as well as any information it can get from our 'intermittent at best' mobile networks here in the UK. It never occurred to me that it would inhibit MRA from using the mobile connection (when available) to calculate routes. I think I selected it to stop myself getting all those annoying 'offline' messages when riding. I will need to reassess my tolerance levels for them, methinks.

I'd already posted this reply but, about 6 or 7 hours later, I can't see it yet. Maybe it's still awaiting approval, but I've no way of knowing whether that is the case or whether it got lost in the ether so here it is again. Well, part of it anyway. And now I've screwed myself over by accidentally hitting 'submit' after a few words so have to wait an hour to post again because I'm a new user. It ain't easy being a newbie.

Garmin devices are much better in this respect. It's possible to use the local map for navigation and planning whilst also getting live weather and traffic reports via the Tread app. which is then displayed on the Garmin device.

[Con Hennekens]

It is a broad misconception that Offline navigation needs te be enabled for offline maps to be used...
Offline maps will ALWAYS be used when available, even when offline navigation is disabled. Offline navigation tells the app to not use the internet connection while navigating. This has effect on the calculation itself and features like traffic info. Of course offline maps need to be available for offline navigation to work.

[Mopetenpit]

@Con-Hennekens
I think the term 'offline maps' is often misunderstood. Terms like 'locally saved Maps ' could help prevent such misunderstandings.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

@Stevedo-6-0, Thanks.

Alas, I don't have any other devices. Samsung phone with MRA app on it and a hard-wired Quad Lock charger is as advanced as I go. That and noise-cancelling bluetooth earbuds to hear the instructions.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

@Con-Hennekens,

Thank you for your post. That is very useful information to know. Apologies for not having covered it for myself by reading the manuals sufficiently to have found it.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

@LennyO,

Thank you for the information about Good Lock.

I've enabled it (it seems to be part of the Samsung UI operating system out of the box) and set it up as per the screenshot here.

Alas it doesn't seem to make any difference.

MRA still overpowers the volume of YouTube such that I can't follow the audio on whatever I'm listening to.

Any other ideas? The volume button built-in to MRA just seems to alter the global media volume when the slider is use.

Thank you.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Sorry all, for the duplicate and erroneous posts above. I can't seem to find an 'edit post' or 'delete post' function on this bulletin board. Only 'delete thread'.

Edited to add that I've found an 'edit' button. Maybe I can tidy up the mess above after all?

Further edited to add that only this and the previous post allow editing. I guess you only get that privilege after a few posts? Anyway, we're stuck with the mess above (unless a mod wants to delete posts #6 & #7 from this thread?).

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Ah... looks like you can only edit relatively recent posts, as the option to edit the post above is no longer there. I'm learning.

Anyway, I see I missed* adding the screenshot to my post above in reply to @lennyo and I can't edit it in now, so here it is.

*I received an insurance related phone call which distracted me. :can't seem to find a male 'face palm' emoticon:

[LennyO]

@Peter-Burch-1-0 Peter, I am sorry the Good Lock did not work for you.
I am starting to have the issues where the Nav Directions are too quiet.... and the music is not going down in volume when I play YouTube Music app.... Go figure...

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Oh dear @lennyo, sorry to hear that you're having problems too.

There's probably a fix out there in the ether, but as with most of this new tech, it's like searching for the Holy Grail sometimes.a

I wonder whether there is a third party app that will work better? I'll do some research when I can find time.

Cheers!

Edit: This is my first search. Showed up a possibility. Volume Styles app might do the trick. It says 'in app purchases' so I don't know how much the premium version is (although one reviewer says £3 and I don't mind paying that kind of money). I'll try it and report back.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=android+app+which+can+fix+relative+volumes+of+different+media+apps%3F&t=newext&atb=v443-1&ia=web

[Peter Burch 1 0]

@LennyO,

I got the following (admittedly AI generated) results from a search on how to make Good Lock work with individual app volumes:

---

Using Good Lock to Control App Volume

To limit the volume of individual apps on your Samsung device, you can utilize the Good Lock app along with its Sound Assistant module. Here’s how to set it up:
Installation Steps

Download Good Lock:
    Go to the Galaxy Store and search for "Good Lock."
    Install the app on your Samsung device.

Install Sound Assistant:
    Open Good Lock and find the Sound Assistant module.
    Download and install it.

Adjusting App Volume

Once you have Sound Assistant installed, follow these steps to customize the volume for each app:

Open Sound Assistant:
    Launch the Sound Assistant app from your app drawer.

Access Volume Panel:
    Tap on the volume button on your device.
    Look for the three dots at the top of the volume slider and tap it to expand the panel.

Customize Volume Levels:
    You will see a list of currently open apps.
    Adjust the volume sliders for each app individually to set your desired levels.

Key Features of Sound Assistant

Independent Volume Control: Control media, ringtone, alarm, and notification volumes separately for each app.
Volume Profiles: Set different volume profiles for various situations (e.g., work, home).
Custom Volume Panel: Customize how the volume panel appears and behaves.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the volume levels of different apps on your Samsung device, ensuring a tailored audio experience.

---

Unfortunately, I don't get the list of currently open apps when I click on the three dots on the volume slider and the panel doesn't expand for me.

I plan to investigate the Volume Styles and Precise Volume apps today or tomorrow.

[Peter Burch 1 0]

Sussed it... I hadn't customised the volume panel. The AI search missed out this important step. This page has the proper guide on how to do it (although I haven't tested the results out yet).

https://www.howtogeek.com/796399/how-to-adjust-volume-for-individual-apps-on-samsung-galaxy-phones/

I now get this as a volume panel. I'd be surprised if things don't work as I want now.

[LennyO]

@Peter-Burch-1-0 Thanks, Peter! This floating panel is just for convenience, I am afraid.
If you used a standard panel with horisontal sliders, it does the same thing, but to change the volume is more steps. I am not sure if this will really yield a result you are after... But, please, let us know what happens.
P.S. I opted for a floating button to bring up this panel (as far as the position on the screen).
Tap the button, then 3 dots and Voila!, the panel appears.