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iPhone 7 Mic Problem iOS 14

I recently updated my iPhone 7 to IOS 14. Now the microphone doesn't work so I can't make phone calls (they can't hear me and I can't hear them, send audio messages or talk to Siri. Anyone else encounter this issue. Is there a way to fix this. Please help!!!!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 7

Posted on Sep 24, 2020 3:19 PM

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Posted on Sep 24, 2020 7:28 PM

Same, started today after IOS 14 update. This is a nightmare with working at home. I’ve tried everything and can’t find a fix. I can make calls with a Bluetooth headset as a temporary workaround but none of my apps that require listening work. Siri, voice notes, guitar tuner, Duolingo, voice to text, FaceTime, zoom, etc. All disabled.

664 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 24, 2020 7:28 PM in response to Luriku

Same, started today after IOS 14 update. This is a nightmare with working at home. I’ve tried everything and can’t find a fix. I can make calls with a Bluetooth headset as a temporary workaround but none of my apps that require listening work. Siri, voice notes, guitar tuner, Duolingo, voice to text, FaceTime, zoom, etc. All disabled.

Sep 27, 2020 3:13 AM in response to zois18

Hi, I have experienced all of the above after the deployment of 14.0. The phone and microphone issues are still all there even after updating to 14.0.1. Whatsapp suffers from the same issues, I can´t record any voice messages. My brother has also an iphone 7 but he is experiencing no issues after the update. This is a pretty disturbing situation: a perfectly functioning hardware turned useless by a software update. I do think apple should look more into this issue we´re experiencing. It is also impossible now to revert back to 13.7 where things worked well. I suggest apple enables the use of 13.7 again so we can go back to a situation where things worked while they figure out what is going on with some of their iphone 7 users. Why shall I change a perfectly functioning hardware: it is not fair economically and environmentally.

Jan 25, 2021 9:15 AM in response to Luriku

https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

 

Please fill out the apple iphone feedback form. It's been said a few times here, but worth repeating.  Many of the apple support personel that I spoke with said apple doesn't read the support communities (although they like to limit what we can say in them), but they do read and take note of the feedback. I have filled it out twice, once when I thought it was the update and 2nd when I realized it was the hardware (as a result of the update). 

Sep 30, 2020 10:20 AM in response to Luriku

I have this same problem: I cannot do the following thing:

  • hear/talk on calls; the speaker icon is just grayed out.
  • connect to facetime unless on my Bluetooth headphones
  • No audio collected on video on forward/face viewing camera
  • Use siri
  • Take voice memo
  • Dictate using powermic mobile for work
  • Listen to amazon music?
  • Headphones that plug into the charging spot will not play any audio or make calls/use microphone.


What does work:

  • You-tube/Netflix with sound from phone
  • Old videos with sound from phone


Attempts to fix without success

  • Restarted phone x 5
  • Took sim out and put back in
  • Hard reboot
  • Factory reset


Only success to make a call was: have device forget my Bluetooth headphones, repair the device and made a call. Was able to transition to facetime while still using the Bluetooth for audio, but no audio when disconnected the Bluetooth speaker.


Therefore, my iPhone is currently a slightly functional computer that can send texts. I hope they fix this VERY soon. I just spent 60 min on the phone with apple help, and all the diagnostics returned without obvious error. Good luck everyone.

Oct 2, 2020 1:39 PM in response to Luriku

Same here, I have an iPhone 7+

  • front and back camera aren't working in all apps that have a camera (IG, Snapchat ect,)
  • flashlight isn't working
  • headphones aren't connecting
  • when I'm calling, the caller and I can't hear eachother. Can't use speaker either
  • can't make a voice audio.

This sucks honestly, as these are all important things for me. It seems like most people that have this problem got an iPhone 7/7+


Oct 9, 2020 6:21 AM in response to Luriku

Same problem here. Chatted with support. Reinstalled 14.0.1, but the problems persist. Next, they wanted me to set up as a new phone. I had seen on here that doesn't work, so i declined. First available appointment at apple store isn't for a week. In the meantime, some things that seem to work as others have pointed out:


  • reset network settings - this works temporarily but then the call problems return.
  • Use Airpods or other Bluetooth headphones - this has worked for me for now.


Nothing seems to get the camera to work for me, but at least I can make/receive calls until the Genius bar appointment.


Apple, this really sucks.

Oct 9, 2020 1:37 PM in response to Luriku

update on what i've tried so far:

  • reboot & hard-reset
  • reset network settings and all other settings too
  • restore iPhone from iTunes
  • switch off BT and reboot
  • switch off WiFi call option and reboot


none of it worked.

i'm not surprised that not everybody has the same problems. even though they are all iPhones 7, i doubt that all devices are 100% technically identical. (from my own experience in other product development this is rather unlikely).


i noticed yesterday, that for some funny reason the green dot in the upper right corner (showing that the mic is working) suddenly showed up in the home screen once, and even in the locked screen once.

i have no explanation why.


today i tried to downgrade to iOS 13.7

so i got myself an older iPhone backup from the time-machine, as well as the matching IPSW (firmware).

but that won't work either. Apple does not allow anymore to sign this OS version.


if at least they would allow us to downgrade again, until they fix the bugs in the iOS 14.

if we could downgrade and all of us still had the trouble with the mics, then they could convince us that it's a hardware related issue. but if they don't even allow us to find that out, this is a pretty unfair behaviour.


it's possible that they messed up. probably they haven't.

but if they had, they would be aware of it, and they should at least give us a solution as "easy" and quick as downgrading!


Oct 10, 2020 10:35 PM in response to H_m4t0

Everybody in this tread with a

  1. speaker button greyed out
  2. calls can’t be placed unless over Bluetooth
  3. voice memos not working


YOU HAVE A HARDWARE PROBLEM WITH YOUR PHONE THAT THE UPDATE HAS REVEALED. Please stop waiting for the next update, I PROMISE you it will not fix your phone.


When major updates go through they cause the system to stress harder than normal uses and the device also runs self checks. This can reveal or cause underlying hardware issues to become present because the correct amount of voltage is not running across the pins or the heat of the update worsened the already compromised component.


Multiple people in this thread have pointed to the exact audio IC issue that people in this thread are experiencing, save yourself some grief and accept the facts. I know it doesn’t make sense.

but picture it this way: your car engine has a slightly bent piston and you are unaware, you go 90mph on the freeway which causes more stress to the engine than normal driving conditions and BAM! You threw a rod because the underlying issue is now revealed. This is the best way I can describe it and I think it makes sense once you accept the facts.


I know that this issue only started after the update, I am telling you that the update screwed your phone and revealed underlying hardware issues unbeknownst to you.


Apple is not trying to screw you by trying to get you to buy a new phone, for crying out loud they still pay developer teams to update older versions of MacOS and iOS.

It is simply time to upgrade or fix the current phone you have by micro-soldering the chip back in to place, pick one.

Oct 24, 2020 8:33 AM in response to MillerAndy1134

UPDATE:


I am writing this from my a brand new iPhone7 Apple has kindly provided me for free out of warranty exchange. This took an tremendous amount of time and patience to get them to agree to.


Thank you Apple for standing behind your product and taking responsibility (eventually).


The basis of my argument to Apple was that there is nothing wrong with my phone, it’s hardware (verified by Apple diagnostics) or physical condition. I am willing to pay to have the phone fixed, but no one can fix it or tell me what’s wrong with it. What am I suppose to do? I have already waited a month and exhausted all troubleshooting possibilities. Waiting longer for a ‘possible’ software update solution seems unreasonable.


The good advice I got from the tech girl who verified the phone was not fixable was that Apple Support will never just say ‘sorry you’re screwed’, they will always offer a solution even if it means you paying for a repair. Well guess what, they can’t repair this. There is nothing wrong with the phone! Logic trap. Exchange agreed to.


Here are the facts:

  • This is a common, known issue. The tech at the repair shop (I recommend an Apple verified retailer so you get the expertise without the Apple defensive bias, Jump+ was fantastic) knew exactly what was going on about 5 words into me explaining.
  • This is a software-induced hardware failure. My best guess is the software update ‘shorted’ (probably not the right term) out the chip that makes the mic work (speculative but logical) Apple is aware of this an working towards a solution, but it may not fix phones who have already failed. Apple support did find a record of engineers ‘working on’ this issue.
  • They don’t have an official exchange program for this issue. You will need to negotiate.
  • You will have to go through a long, painful troubleshooting problem solving process with Apple (that you know won’t work), including wiping your phone and taking it into an Apple store before they will even consider doing an exchange.
  • The exchange was painless. Mailed in less than 24 hours. Quick data transfer (and yes, an update to iOS14) and put it back in the pre-paid box back to Apple. They put a hold on your cc until they receive the old phone. $0 cost.
  • You will likely have a harder time convincing them to do an exchange if you have physical damage (water, screen, heavy scratches, etc.)
  • Like all things in life, patience, kindness, listening and calm discussion goes a long way. They very well could have told me to pound salt but the Apple representative was fair and understanding. At the end of the day they did me a favour so don’t go in making demands and stay solution focused.


Whether or not this can or will get fixed with a software update remains to be seen. I am somewhat skeptical but there is hope for those waiting for a potential software fix.


Godspeed!

Nov 4, 2020 3:09 PM in response to Luriku

omgomgomg thank you sooo much omggg it worked it works now please try it it didn’t work at first but then i reset the network settings. ik how stupid it is to have a broken mic now so i wanna help y’all si here’s what i did exactly

  1. Airplane mode for like 2 minutes
  2. Turned off my phone
  3. WHILE my phone is turned off i removed my sim card.
  4. Turned on my phone and when it’s on i put my sim card back.
  5. I thought that shitt this is not going to work either. Then i resetted the network settings here’s how to do that:

Settings->General->Reset-> Reset Network Settings

And then voíla !!!!! I really hope that this is working for y’all too! Have a goood goood good day or night or morning or whatever!!!

Nov 27, 2020 12:56 PM in response to blinktalk

OK, I found this video helpful: https://youtu.be/rhDkShFksrQ


This is what just worked to get my sound back on my iPhone 7 with iOS 14.2

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Go down to General
  3. Go down to Reset
  4. Hit Reset All Settings (DO NOT hit Erase All Content and Settings)
  5. You'll probably have to put your Apple Pay info back in, but that's the only adjustment I see. All my data and photos etc are still there.

Hope that helps!

iPhone 7 Mic Problem iOS 14

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