iPhone 4 internal mic active during phone call with headphones

Just got a new iPhone 4 and pretty quickly noticed this problem. Thanks to Google search, I ended up here and learned I'm not alone. But it's particularly disconcerting to learn that this may be a design flaw (or heaven forbid, feature) of the iPhone 4 and hasn't been corrected nearly a year later. Apple should be ashamed, but I guess I'm not really surprised. 😠

OK, so, I've had this same problem since I purchased my iPhone 4. I kept hoping a software fix would solve my problem.

Recently, I got fed up. I brought my phone to an Apple store. We tried another pair of headphones - and it worked. My headphones: bad; had the problem. Their's: no problem. So, headphones have been switched and my problem has been solved!

The headphones appear to be identical physically. Clearly, though, there is a difference, because they behave differently. May be a clue or a red herring, but I know that I had been using headphones from my old 3GS (again, _should_ work, look identical).

Bottom line: my phone which had never behaved appropriately on the internal mic issue now works just fine.

Good luck!

The same issue is a constant problem with my 3G phone. I've tried multiple headphones to no avail. It's a real problem.

I was having this problem with my iPhone 4... It is a hardware issue with the phone. I had Apple Care, took it to the Genius Bar and they tested it with another set of earbuds... Once determined it was the phone they gave me a new one and problem solved. Thankfully to, as it was extremely annoying!

Hi,

I've just purchased the new iPhone 4S 64gb, but have a problem when using the headphones and speaking to someone on the phone.

I have used two different apple headphones, one which came the iPhone 4S and one from my old iPhone 4.

When using the headphones in a call, after 5 mins the line crackles and you cannot hear anything. I have to remove the headphones and use the phone by putting it next to my ear and then it is fine. I have also put the headphones back in to the phone whilst on the call but still experience the same problem.

The noice amplification issue is still prevalent in the 4S. I wish I would've know before 'upgrading' from the 3GS which does not have this issue at all. With this issue, the 4S is useless as a phone to me as I spend a lot of time driving and need to talk hands-free. I have experienced this with both the supplied earbuds and a pair of Klipsch earbuds and both have the issue.

I have the same issue, it's a huge problem and Apple has not provided any proven solution. I've gone to the Genius bar, swithched headphones repeatedly, called, searched online and have found no solution. It appears the external mic picks up the sound when the headset mic is in use. People I'm calling constantly get echos and feedback. It is a crippling problem for someone trying to use the Iphone as a work phone. It happened on the 3 as well as my 4.

What's also surprising is that the technicians on the phone or at the store say they're unaware of the problem.

I'd like to voice my frustrations as well. I've been using Shure earphones paired with an Apple approved phone adapter for years and never had a problem til I got the 4S. Hearing myself (and the background noise) sounding twice as loud as the person I'm talking to is incredibly annoying. I'll try to whisper so I don't hear myself, and the person on the other line will say they can't hear me. Then I try to turn down the volume and now I can't hear them.

Will someone from Apple please look into this problem? The person at the Genius bar told me the problem was my earphones, which happens to cost more than the iphone. Am I just going to have to switch to another smartphone?

I am extremely frustrated with my iPhone 4S as well. When plugged in via the audio cable to the car speakers, the person I am talking can hear themselves and I hear a strong echo as well. I spend a lot of time driving to and from work and this makes the iPhone 4S obsolete as a phone for me. This NEVER happened with the 3GS and it worked perfectly fine for the past two years. I wish someone has a solution for this, or Apple just not aware or is ignoring this issue. I am probably going to refund the phone.

Just upgraded to the 4S and was surprised to have the same issue. I'm pretty sure it doesnt affect the person on the other end of the line, because everyone I talked to said I sounded normal, but I could mainly hear loud background noise.

Prestige, I'm pretty sure your problem is different. Sounds like a bad connection between the phone and your headphones or maybe just a bad headphone wire.

I have this problem with my iphone 4S. When make a phone call with headphones, mic on the handset stays active. Both mic and remote volume control on the headphones does not work. I replaced the headphones but still got same issue...

Absolutely, it is amazing to me that I had not heard of this problem before. I got the 4S about three weeks ago, and started noticing this problem. Never happened with 3GS. Went to Apple Store in Tokyo, sales guys seemed to have never heard of this problem, saying to try different headphones, turn off the vibrate, crazy-*** stuff like that. And now I come here and see it's been a problem for people for more than a year. Unbelievable. What is going on?

I am done trying another set of headphones, when this is obviously a horrible design flaw.

This being the only thread regarding this problem on the entire internet is rather disconcerting as well.

Really? The only solution is a refund? This is rediculous!

Mine has done this since I got it out of the box, with the supplied headphones, and every other headphones.

I agree with you. I don't think this is a problem with software. My headphone works well on my friend's iphone 4 with iOS 5. I'm very disappointment with this flaw, though it seems only a few of iPhone 4S have this issue.