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Voice Control randomly turns on

I have a problem that is driving me crazy. I purchased a 32gb iPhone 3GS about 3 months ago and I have had an issue with the voice control since the day I brought it home. I have an auxiliary audio jack in my car so I always connect my iPhone to my car stereo to play music. For some reason whenever my iPhone is connected in this way the voice control constantly comes on.

I understand that holding down the home button on the face of the phone is what is "supposed" to bring up the voice control option but that is not the case in this instance. Rather I will be listening to music, or simply pick the phone up while connected so I can change the song (but before I have actually touched any part of the phone) and the voice control will come on - stopping the song and forcing me to hit "cancel" in order to get back to the music. This is incredibly frustrating because it's happening while I drive and what makes it worse is the fact that since the phone is on voice control, and connected to my stereo, whenever I move it the sharp crackling from sound going through the microphone is broadcast through my car's speakers.

I have read through a few threads and there doesn't seem to be any way to deactivate voice control - but I could be wrong. Does anyone have any idea how to permanently shut off voice control? Has anyone else had this same problem? I can't figure out why this would be happening or what I can do to prevent it. Thanks for any help you can give me.

32 gb iPhone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.0.1

Posted on Oct 7, 2009 9:53 AM

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34 replies

Oct 7, 2009 1:54 PM in response to wjosten

Thanks for the info - I know how to turn off the voice dialing, I was just wondering if there is any way to deactivate voice control entirely, or if anyone else has had this issue. It seems like it is some sort of software error but if not it might be an error with my phone.

It's really strange that this only happens when I have my phone connected through its headphone jack to my car stereo - it never happens any other time.

Oct 8, 2009 5:59 PM in response to wjosten

Hi parker81,

I have the same problem as you, and there are now at least 3 threads devoted to this problem within the Apple Support pages, so there are lots of people with this problem. With my 3GS, the Voice Control feature will activate randomly, at all times of day or night. Then it will pick up ambient noise, and randomly start dialing my contacts, or playing music. Lots of people are looking for a way to disable voice control, but it's not possible. So I am on my way to the Apple Store on Monday to return the phone. Cheers.

Jan 8, 2010 9:28 AM in response to mklangeman

I too am having this problem, but i had an even worse experience with it - my screen went blank too! Luckily through my memory i got back to the voice settings and turned it off, all while not being able to see the screen. Once i turned voice control off my screen came back on and the phone went to normal again.

We need an update apple! Or at least something to stop this from happening!

Jan 17, 2010 3:38 PM in response to parker81

I'm having the same problem except it happens when I'm trying to use voice dialling. I speak into my bluetooth headset to dial a number and it starts up my music or other things. I did find something on youtube on how you can disable voice control altogether by downloading some program but haven't tried it because I don't know if it will disable all voice control including voice dialling or just voice control for the rest of the phone. Here's a link to what I found on youtube...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE46y1bUpfQ
If anyone tries this could you please post to let me know if it disables voice dialling. Thanks.

Message was edited by: 4xFord

Jan 17, 2010 5:49 PM in response to parker81

I'm also having this problem, only when my headset is plugged in. I can hear music, hear phone conversations, check email etc. The voice control will randomly start, will start my music, and does NOT seem to hear me when I ask it to do something. People on the other end can hear static. I've tried plugging and unplugging my headset numerous times, resetting the iphone, and still having this problem. Any ideas?

Voice Control randomly turns on

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