How to Fix Call or Audio Quality iPhone or iPad

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will help you resolve sound issues with Apple iOS smartphones.

We'll help you adjust your audio levels, see if Do Not Disturb is on, or determine if your issue could be hardware related.

2. Audio Levels

• Set the audio level by pressing the volume keys.
  

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• You can also use the Control Center by swiping up from the home screen. Use the volume slider to set the audio level. Sliding to the far right sets the volume to maximum.
  

3. Restart

To restart your device:

Restart your iPhone X

1. Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn your iPhone X completely off.
3. After your iPhone X turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
3. After the device turns off, press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

With iOS 11 or later, you can also turn off your device by going to Settings, then General, then Shut Down.

4. Turn off Bluetooth

1. Open Settings.
   

1. Tap Bluetooth.
   

1. Slide the button to Off.
   

5. Do not Disturb

To check if Do Not Disturb mode is on, look for the gray crescent moon across the top of the screen.

To turn off Do Not Disturb from Settings:

1. Select Settings.
   

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2. Select Do Not Disturb.
   

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2. Slide the Do Not Disturb toggle switch Off.
   

To access Do Not Disturb from Control Center:

1. To open the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom of your device's screen while the home screen is being displayed.
   

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2. Tap the Do Not Disturb icon to toggle this feature on or off.
   

6. Test Audio with an App

1. Test your device's audio by attempting to play music or by watching a video like you normally would.
2. Use the Volume Up or Down buttons to adjust your device's volume accordingly. You should see on-screen indications that you are raising or lowering your device's volume.
   

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2. Ensure your device's mute/vibrate switch is off. If it is on, a thin orange line can be seen. Your device may not play audio if your mute/vibrate switch is engaged.
   

7. Use an External Audio Device

If Your iOS Device Has a Headphone Jack:

1. Connect a pair of standard headphones or external speakers to your iOS device's 3.5mm headphone jack.
   

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2. Test your device's audio by attempting to play music or by watching a video like you normally would.
3. If sound plays through the accessory you've connected, your iOS device's speakers may be malfunctioning.

If Your iOS Device Does Not Have a Headphone Jack:

1. Use the lightning port on your device to connect either:
2. The AirPods that came packaged with your iOS device.
   

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2. The lightning to analog adapter that came packaged with your iOS device. This will allow you to connect standard headphones or speakers to your iOS device.
   

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2. Test your device's audio by attempting to play music or by watching a video like you normally would.
3. If sound plays through the accessory you've connected, your iOS device's speakers may be malfunctioning.

8. What's next?