Can’t you hear phone calls on your iPhone unless you turn on its speaker? Don’t panic because this is one of the common problems that are troubling many iPhone users. It’s common for smartphones to run into various software or hardware glitches.
In this article, we will focus on the problem ‘iPhone can’t hear caller unless on the speaker’ and its possible reasons. We will recommend easier and quick fixes for this issue for a smooth and clear calling experience.
Reasons for This Issue
Several parameters could be responsible for this problem. There might be some temporary glitches with iPhone hardware. There is also a possibility that your iPhone earpiece is not working properly or gets damaged.
Sometimes, the recently downloaded application which has microphone permissions can interfere with the iPhone’s mic functionality while calling. You can read informative blogs, help guides, and useful iPhone tips on BacklightBlog.com to resolve similar issues.
Let’s head over to the most effective troubleshooting methods of can’t hear the caller on an iPhone unless you turn on the speaker.
Give Your iPhone a Restart
First, try the easiest solution of restarting your iPhone. This method is effective in resolving temporary problems with your device. To restart your device, click and keep holding the Power button until your screen displays the Slide to Power Off slider.
Now, move the slider to Power Off. Wait for some seconds until your iPhone gets turned off completely. Once it shuts down, wait for a few moments. Next, keep pressing the power button until your iPhone starts. Figure out if it resolves the issue or not.
Check Bluetooth Connectivity
If you use several Bluetooth devices like any Bluetooth speaker or Apple AirPods, your iPhone can’t hear the caller unless it is on speaker. You would not be able to hear the voice of a caller from the iPhone earpiece.
This is because a voice from other ends is going to linked devices. So, find out if your iPhone is linked to any Bluetooth device while taking or making a call. Based on your iPhone model, swipe down or up to access the Control Center. Hit the Bluetooth icon to disable it.
Use iPhone in Safe Mode
To find any recently downloaded applications with the mic permission:
- Boot your device in safe mode.
- Shut down your iPhone and keep pressing the power button until your phone lights up.
- Keep holding the volume down button until your iPhone shows the Apple logo.
Now, your iPhone will boot in safe mode and figure out if the issue is fixed. If there is no improvement in the issue, any third-party app might be causing an obstacle. So, uninstall a suspicious third-party application.
Change the Accessibility Settings
If you can’t hear the caller, there might be a software bug. If you can hear the caller’s voice but at a low volume, you need to change the accessibility settings. It will assist in getting rid of any software bugs.
Launch the Settings App on your phone and navigate to Accessibility. In the earlier iOS versions, you will find this option in General. Now, scroll down a little to access Audio/Visual and disable Phone Noise Cancellation. You can also turn on Hearing Aid Compatibility.
Clean Earpiece Port
As already mentioned, the iPhone earbuds working can also affect the ability to hear a caller. So, check it for any damage or dust. Debris and tiny particles may collect on the earpiece port over time. So, regularly check your earpiece port for debris, dirt, or dust.
Clean it carefully if you see any dust. Use a soft and dry cloth to remove the dust from the delicate region. Alternatively, you can use a soft and small toothbrush. For effective outcomes, it’s good to blow a little air on the ports to remove grime.
Reset Your iPhone
Another thing you can try to fix the issue is to do the iPhone factory reset. Remember that when you do so, you must back up your iPhone data to iCloud storage or PC. This is because a factory reset may cause data loss.
To factory reset your iPhone, access the Settings app, click General, and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. When you click on Reset, you’ll get two options. Pick the option to Erase iPhone and confirm the action. Now, check the status of the issue to see if it is resolved or remains the same.
Conclusion
This is how you can resolve the problem of not being able to hear your caller’s voice unless keeping your iPhone on speaker. If none of these tips prove useful, there is a possibility that any temporary software issue can be a culprit.
So, it is worth checking your iPhone for any available software updates. Back up all your important data before you initiate the update process. If the problem is due to hardware damage or failure, contact your iPhone service center.
