Users could try several troubleshooting tips if they hear no sound or distorted sound from their iPhone. Since its launch in 2007, Apple's iPhone has become an instantly-recognizable brand, with billions of devices sold over the past decade and a half. According to a report from Strategy Analytics a few months ago, the iPhone was the best-selling 5G smartphone worldwide last year, ahead of Samsung and Xiaomi.
Notwithstanding its global popularity, iPhones are also prone to various bugs and vulnerabilities. Thankfully, most of those are software-related and periodically get fixed with over-the-air (OTA) updates. Unfortunately, however, there are issues that an OTA update cannot correct, and problems with the phone's speakers or earpiece might be one of them. Fortunately, in most cases, it is only a minor problem that does not require users to replace their hardware and can be fixed by following a few handy troubleshooting tips.
If an iPhone user cannot hear the person's voice at the other end of a phone call, there are multiple ways to try and fix the problem. The methods described here should also help if the user can hear crackling, static, or have other issues with the sound quality of their iPhone's earpiece or speaker. As explained by Apple, if the iPhone has a Ring/Silent switch, move it forward — towards the device's display — so that the orange isn't showing. This will set the Silent Mode to 'Off' and allow rings and other notifications to be audible again. Users can also do this on an iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner to view the Control Center and then manually turning off the Silent Mode.
Troubleshooting Tips For Sound Issues In iPhone
If the Silent Mode is already set to 'Off' and there is still difficulty hearing rings for incoming phone calls, the receiver and speaker grills likely need a thorough cleaning. To do that, first remove any screen protector or case, if applicable. Then check the speaker and the receiver openings to ensure they're not blocked or dirty. Finally, if required, clean the grills with a clean and dry brush to eliminate any dirt and grime.
Users should also check the sound settings on their phone by going over to 'Settings' and then choosing 'Sounds' or 'Sounds & Haptics,' depending on their iOS version. Now drag the Alerts slider back and forth a few times. If there's still no sound or the speaker button on the Ringer and Alerts slider is dimmed, the speaker might need servicing. In that case, users should contact Apple support for their iPhone or iPad.
People who can hear the sound should try and make a call with the device and turn on the speakerphone to check that everything is working as expected. However, if there's still no sound or there's static or crackling, the network or reception could be the problem. In that case, try to call again later or from a different location to troubleshoot the iPhone's sound issues.