iPhone Troubleshooting Sound Issues
Troubleshooting speaker, ringer sound, or microphone issues
Identify issues
Read the relevant support articles if you notice any of the following issues:
No sound, or low or distorted sound from bottom speaker
No sound, or low or distorted sound from top speaker
No ringer sound, or low or distorted ringer sound
Others can’t hear you on calls through Phone app or FaceTime
No audio, unclear audio, or crackling or static on calls through Phone app or FaceTime
No sound, or low or distorted sound during calls through Phone app or FaceTime, in video recordings, or in other apps that use the microphones
Relevant support articles
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Press the volume buttons to check the volume level.
On an iPhone with a Ring/Silent switch, move the switch toward the iPhone display so the orange indicator isn’t showing—the Ring position. On models with an Action button, ensure that the device is set to Ring using the Action button or Control Center.
Remove any screen protector, film, or case.
Clean the iPhone. Check the iPhone speaker and microphone openings for debris. Gently clean these areas using a small, non-metallic, soft-bristled brush. Ensure that the brush is clean and dry. Gently brush the cover mesh in the receiver opening to remove debris. Use extreme care to avoid damaging the microphone embedded within the receiver opening. Don’t use large sweeping motions across the glass that could scratch it. Gently brush debris away from the cover openings of the speaker and microphone. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the loosened debris.
Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPhone first. Don’t use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings and don’t submerge the iPhone in any cleaning agents. Don’t use compressed air.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
Run the appropriate Audio diagnostic suite for the iPhone being serviced.
Use another phone to call the iPhone that you’re testing. Answer the call and turn on the speaker. Talk in a normal voice and listen to verify that the bottom microphones have clear sound quality.
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone repair manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Inspect all relevant internal flex cables and connectors for damage or tampering, such as a film or foreign material blocking a connector.
iPhone microphone numbering and locations:
Mic 1 - Main bottom microphone, opposite side of bottom speaker
Mic 2 - Rear microphone
Mic 3 - Front facing microphone
Mic 4 - Secondary bottom microphone, opposite to the main microphone
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the following parts in the listed iPhone models:
For speaker issues:
AST 2 Audio Test Failure | iPhone Models | Part to Replace |
|---|---|---|
Receiver | iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17e | Top Speaker |
Receiver - Top Speaker | iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17e | Top Speaker |
Speaker | iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17e | Bottom Speaker |
Speaker | iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 8 | Enclosure |
For microphone issues (SSR):
AST 2 Audio Test Failure | iPhone Models | Part to Replace |
|---|---|---|
Bottom Mic - Left | iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max | Whole Unit |
Bottom Mic - Left | iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e | Main Microphone |
Bottom Mic - Right | iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e | Whole Unit |
Bottom Mic - Right | iPhone X, iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max | Whole Unit |
Bottom Mic - Right | iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max | Whole Unit |
Bottom Mic - Right | iPhone Air | Auxiliary Microphone |
Bottom Mic - Right | iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max | Main Microphone |
Bottom Mic - Right | iPhone 17 | Enclosure |
Front Mic | iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air | Enclosure |
Front Mic | iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max | Display Assembly |
Rear Mic | iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max | Whole Unit |
Rear Mic | iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e | Back Glass |
Rear Mic | iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max | Enclosure |
After the repair is completed, turn on the device and verify speaker, ringer sound, and microphone functionality.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. For other models, you can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.