This species is found in the leaf-litter of lowland and hill forests, and occasionally in disturbed forests. It breeds by larval development in small pools of water.

This species was previously thought to be widespread in the southern Philippines, Malaysia (Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak), southern Thailand (Tanintharyi), Singapore, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan, Laut in the Natuna Islands, and in one locality on Java). However, following genetic analysis, there have been numerous taxonomic changes resulting in a revision of its distribution. Subpopulations from Tioman Island in Peninsular Malaysia have now been assigned to Kalophrynus tiomanensis (Chan et al. 2011), subpopulations from Johor and Negeri Sembilan on Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore have been assigned to K. limbooliati (Matsui et al. 2012), subpopulations from northern West Kalimantan to north-eastern Sabah and isolated records in South Kalimantan have been assigned to K. meizon, and subpopulations from east-central Sagaing Division and south-central Kachin State in Myanmar are assigned to K. anya (Zug 2015), and some subpopulations from Pahang and Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia have been assigned to K. kiewi (Matsui et al. 2017). Subsequently, all of these records have been removed from this assessment. Subpopulations from Kelantan, and Perak on Peninsular Malaysia are likely referable to K. kiewi (K.O. Chan pers. comm. June 2021). Thus, the remaining subpopulations in Peninsular Malaysia that were previously assigned to this species have been moved to K. kiewi and coded as 'Presence Uncertain' pending further taxonomic work.

This species is now only known with certainty from Sumatra in Indonesia, and records from southern Myanmar and Thailand, Borneo, Java, and southern Philippines (including Mindanao and Cebu) require confirmation. Apart from the subpopulations in Sumatra, all other records are coded as 'Presence Uncertain' pending further taxonomic work. Genetic sequences suggest that some subpopulations on Sumatra may be several undescribed new species (D. Iskandar unpubl. data May 2017), and further taxonomic work is required for verification so they have been coded as 'Presence Uncertain'.

Conservation Actions In-Place
The range of this species includes several protected areas, but it is unknown whether it occurs in any protected areas in Indonesia (D. Iskandar pers. comm. May 2017). 

Conservation Needed
The preservation of the lowland rainforest is essential for the conservation of this species.

Research Needed
Further taxonomic research is required to verify the identity of all uncertain subpopulations under this concept.