--- title: Hardware Knob Mode Configuration description: "Zello-certified devices with a hardware knob include: AINA PTT Voice Responder Stone Mountain Epic Siyata SD7 Telox TE390 and TE320 Inrico T199 Sonim XP5+..." --- [Skip to content](https://support.zello.com/zw/hardware-knob-mode-configuration#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://support.zello.com/zw/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![wordmark@2x](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Trial%20series/wordmark@2x.png?width=92&height=16&name=wordmark@2x.png)](https://zello.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://support.zello.com/zw/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://zello.com/contact/new-ticket/) [Contact us](https://zello.com/contact/new-ticket/) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Zello Work](https://support.zello.com/zw?hsLang=en) 2. [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en) 3. [Network Radios](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#network-radios) May 11, 2026 # Hardware Knob Mode Configuration This article is written for: ✅ Zello Work  ❌ Zello Friends & Family. ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/28236120081037-Feb-27-2026-09-05-11-4571-PM.png?width=670&height=333&name=28236120081037-Feb-27-2026-09-05-11-4571-PM.png) Zello-certified devices with a hardware knob include: - [AINA PTT Voice Responder](https://ainaptt.com/ptt-voice-responder/) - [Stone Mountain Epic](https://stonemountainltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Epic-Collateral-07Feb20-pa01.pdf) - [Siyata SD7](https://siyata.net/rugged-handsets/sd7/) - [Telox TE390](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26789235249165-Configuring-the-Telo-TE390-for-Zello) and [TE320](https://www.telox.com/te-320.html) - [Inrico T199](https://support.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009735831-Configuring-Zello-on-an-Inrico-T199-or-TYT-W700-network-radio?hsLang=en) - [Sonim XP5+](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26790042067597-Setting-up-the-Sonim-XP3-XP3plus-XP5s-and-XP5plus-devices) (exclusively supports indexed contacts) We'll update our [hardware page](https://zello.com/hardware/headsets-buttons-mics/) as new devices are certified.  ### **Types of Knobs** A device may have either an infinite scroll knob or a fixed-position knob.  #### Infinite-Scroll Knobs Infinite-scroll knobs can turn left or right an infinite number of times. Users will not face limitations around the number of contacts or channels they can scroll through.  #### Fixed-Position Knobs Fixed-position knobs (or knobs with stoppers) generally have a set number of positions the knob can turn. For example, if your device’s knob has 10 positions, you can cycle through 10 contacts/channels. Once you reach the 10th position, you won’t be able to turn the knob any further. Similarly, if you descend back to the first position, your knob will stop and you’ll be unable to continue scrolling left.  ### Admins: Configuring the Knob's Mode Admins can configure the channel knob’s intended behavior via the management console’s **Hardware Knob Mode** setting. There are four different knob configurations: ### Indexed Contacts When using this mode, turning the knob will cycle through selected channels/contacts that the network admin has mapped using a two-digit prefix. Unlike the channel or contacts mode, the user will not be able to scroll through all channels/contacts—only those that have been specifically configured. See the [Configuring Indexed Contacts](https://2567349.hs-sites.com/migration/knowledge/hardware-knob-mode-configuration?hsLang=en#h_01J29ECDPWZ56855CMGETR9GA4) section for more information. If working on a device with a **fixed-position knob**, you may want to opt for the indexed contacts configuration to ensure you’re able to communicate with all intended parties. The positional indicator will correspond with the two-digit prefix attached to your channel name. If operating on a device with **infinite scroll**, this configuration is helpful in ensuring a user can quickly and easily access their intended contacts.  Please note that while this setting is called "Indexed Contacts," it applies to both contacts and channels. A mixture of contacts and channels can be indexed. **This mode may benefit:** -Users operating on a device with a fixed-position knob. -Users who want to map a mix of contacts and channels to their device. -Users who selectively communicate with certain channels/contacts. ### Channels In this mode, turning the knob will scroll through a user's channels (including disconnected channels). Users are unable to send messages to disconnected channels.  ### Contacts Turning the knob will scroll through [your direct contacts](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26983041135373-Adding-direct-contacts-for-users). Contacts will not need to be connected to send a message.  ### Recents Turning the knob will cycle through a user's **recents** list. This option will prioritize users/channels you've recently communicated with via Zello, and can be particularly beneficial if you're messaging multiple channels and contacts at once.  Please note that contacts/channels knob positions won't be consistent using this method. At this time, the hardware knob mode setting is supported exclusively on Android devices. **Please note that the available modes may vary by device; some devices may not support all modes (for example, the SonimXP5+ only supports indexed contacts).** [Learn more about Zello's certified devices.](https://zello.com/hardware) ### **Admins: Change the Hardware Knob Mode Setting** The hardware knob mode can be configured so that it cycles through either indexed contacts, recents, channels, or contacts. To change this setting, sign in to your management console at (yournetworkname).zellowork.com. Then:  ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/28238472279565-Feb-27-2026-09-05-15-6516-PM.png?width=670&height=332&name=28238472279565-Feb-27-2026-09-05-15-6516-PM.png) 1\) From the taskbar, click **Settings**.  2\) Select **Android** from the right-hand menu. 3\) Under Android’s **General** settings, locate the "Hardware knob mode" option. Click the dropdown and select your intended default configuration. If opting for the indexed contacts setting, follow the instructions in the [Configuring Indexed Contacts](https://2567349.hs-sites.com/migration/knowledge/hardware-knob-mode-configuration?hsLang=en#h_01J29ECDPWZ56855CMGETR9GA4) section below ### **Admins: Configuring Indexed Contacts** Indexed Contacts allow the hardware user to scroll through **selected and configured** channels and/or contacts. It’s best used when a user will only need access to certain channels in their network; when they’re operating on a device with a fixed-position knob; or when they’d like to map a mix of contacts and channels to their device’s hardware knob.  Indexed contacts require the contact/channel name begin with a two-digit prefix. For example:  - 01 - AustinDispatch - 03 - HoustonFleet  - 08 - Morning Shift  - 15 - Houston Team If using a device with a fixed-position knob, the two-digit prefix will be mapped to the intended knob position. (For example, "01 - AustinDispatch" would map to the knob’s first position; "03 - HoustonFleet" would map to the knob’s third position). Be careful not to replicate the prefix across channels or users. Please note that a channel's name cannot be retroactively changed. The two-digit prefix must accordingly be added at channel creation—otherwise, you'll have to recreate the channel. Consider utilizing the [channel import tool](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26989479686925-Channel-Import)in this circumstance. However, if indexing an existing contact, you can add the two-digit prefix to a user's [display name](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26955794755853-Adding-and-editing-display-names-on-shared-devices)at any point in time. This can be done either manually (user-by-user) or via the[import user](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26983665414413-Importing-new-users-and-exporting-user-data) tool. A user does not have to be recreated to be indexed.  To establish your indexed channels, sign in to the management console at (yournetworkname).zellowork.com. Then:  | 1) Select **Channels** from the taskbar. Then click **+ New Channel**. | [![Create a new channel](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28241141000845)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28241141000845) | | --- | --- | | 2) Assign the channel a name, starting with a two-digit prefix (for example, “15 - Houston Team"). Then click **Create**.  | [![Assign the channel a name, then click Create](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28241013241997)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28241013241997) | | 3) Select the channel's intended users and click **Add people**. This will finalize your channel's set up.  | [![Add users to the channel](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28241013250445)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28241013250445) | To index contacts, adjust the user's [display name](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26955794755853-Adding-and-editing-display-names-on-shared-devices) to include the two-digit prefix (for example, 22 - Andrew). The display name can be assigned at the [creation of a new user](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26981814818061-Adding-users-to-the-network), or it can be retroactively adjusted in the management console by following the steps below: | 1) Select **Users** from the taskbar. Then select the user you'd like to assign a display name from the list.  | [![Open the Management Console's Users tab](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28269749840909)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28269749840909) | | --- | --- | | 2) Click the edit icon to the right of the **Display Name** field in the **User Details** section.  | [![Edit the user's display name](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28269751569933)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28269751569933) | | 3) Add a two-digit prefix to the beginning of the user's display name. Ensure this prefix differs from any others that have been previously assigned. Click the checkmark to save your changes.  | [![Add a two digit prefix to the user's display name](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28269751579661)](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/article_attachments/28269751579661) | It’s not necessary to sequentially map indexed contacts/users. If you’re working with a device that uses a fixed-position knob, the two-digit prefixes added to the channel/contact will correspond with the intended positional number. ### **Expected Behaviors of the Hardware Knob** - Indexed Contacts: Turning the hardware knob to the left will generally descend channel numbers. Turning it right will ascend numbers.  - Unless configured differently on your device, the channel/contact name will be announced as you turn the knob. This ensures screenless device users know where they're sending a message.  - If operating on a device with a fixed-position knob (i.e. a knob with a limited number of stops), the device will default to the channel associated with the knob number when turned back on after a period of inactivity.  ### **Potential Interruptions** Two Zello Work settings configured in the management console may interfere with the selector knob’s configuration.   - If a [default channel](https://paidsupport.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/26991816221709-How-to-set-the-Default-channel-from-the-Admin-console) has been assigned to the network, your hardware device will switch back to the default channel after a period of inactivity. This setting will accordingly override any knob configuration settings. For example, if the device’s knob is positioned to channel “01 Austin Dispatch” but the network’s default channel is “03 Houston Fleet,” your device will automatically switch to "03 Houston Fleet" after inactivity.  The default channel can be configured and adjusted from the management console's **Settings** page. Go to Settings\>Common\>General and look for the Default channel option.  ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/28244560796813-Feb-27-2026-09-05-14-5806-PM.png?width=600&height=67&name=28244560796813-Feb-27-2026-09-05-14-5806-PM.png) - This setting will automatically open a contact’s screen when a message is received. For example, if your knob is set to position 02 but a message from the contact indexed to 07 is received, your device will switch to the contact mapped to 07. If you’d like to avoid this, change the **Automatically Activate a Contact** setting to **Never** in the management console by going to Settings\>Android\>General ![](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/28244538558989-Feb-27-2026-09-05-09-3312-PM.png?width=600&height=187&name=28244538558989-Feb-27-2026-09-05-09-3312-PM.png) - [Getting Started](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Trials](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#trials) - [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#admins) - [Users](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#users) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) - [Intro to Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#intro-to-zello) - [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Management](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#user-management) - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#channels) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) - [Network Settings and Configurations](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#network-settings-and-configurations) - [Zello Enterprise Server](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#zello-enterprise-server) - [Payments, Subscriptions, and Billing](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#payments-subscriptions-and-billing) - [Using Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) - [User Communications](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#user-communications) - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#channels) - [Settings](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#settings) - [Features](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#features) - [Windows PC App](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#windows-pc-app) - [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Rugged/Specialized Phones](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#rugged-specialized-phones) - [Network Radios](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#network-radios) - [Headsets](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#headsets) - [Speakers/Mics](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#speakers-mics) - [Wireless Buttons](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#wireless-buttons) - [Gateways](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#gateways) - [Partners & Developers](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Partnerships](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#partnerships) - [New Mobile SDK (iOS, Android, React Native)](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#new-mobile-sdk-ios-android-react-native) - [Legacy SDK (Android-Only)](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#legacy-sdk-android-only) - [API and Integrations](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#api-and-integrations) - [FAQ](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Functionality](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#functionality) - [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#accessories) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Network](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#network) - [Compliance](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#compliance) - [Videos](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Android](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#android) - [Management Console](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#management-console) - [iOS](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#ios) - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#channels) - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub) [![wordmark@2x](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Trial%20series/wordmark@2x.png?width=92&height=16&name=wordmark@2x.png "wordmark@2x")](https://zello.com) Zello Inc Help Center Copyright © 2025, Zello