iPhone 7 Mic Problem iOS 14

Apple swapped my 7 Plus for a new one. The Genius Bar member was asking questions which suggested he was aware of the issue specific to iPhone 7 models. He tried to run an audio diagnostic but claims he was having issues connecting it to the service so he simply gave me a new iPhone 7. I was quite surprised! What may have helped my case was the fact the same apple store provided a screen replacement less than two months ago which I paid for.

I just spoke with an Apple Technical Representative. They informed me today 10/9/20 that apple developers and engineers have been notified and are currently working towards addressing the issue. I really hope they roll out a software update to fix this issue as it is causing lots of frustrations.

A friend of mine had the same issues as me

mic not working

greyed out speaker etc

after iOS update but he was quick enough and rolled back to 13 and his iphone7 worked again

so as I have said before unless 14 is using different or extra pins on the audio IC it’s not hardware

if it is hardware it’s poor quality control/design as chips should not become “loose”

I am in a difficult situation as I don’t own my phone it’s a work phone. My IT guys who are in a different country have said it’s my fault for upgrading and to talk to Apple. As I don’t own the phone Apple won’t even give me a price for a replacement.

if it was my phone I would have had the Audio IC repaired to prove if it is the fault..

I have been hoping that someone on here would do this.

If it was my choice I would never buy an Apple product. I have always considered them overpriced over marketed and as for the closed system the run it’s just a monopoly

this is a helpful answer.

i could follow the way how you explained it now, and found out, that a broken audio IC soldering shows the same effect. also i found out, that this is a very well known issue for the iPhone 7.

furthermore i could have this fixed for around 120 bucks. so i might have a try.

but i have to admit, that your first post sounded a bit different, and also made me feel like you are defending Apple.

i don't know, how many iPhones 7 are used worldwide, but maybe it's likely that some 1000 show the same known issue within a timespan of 2 weeks. for everybody who just updated before, it looks like a correlation.

Indeed but not us because we are angry! I think it’s totally absurd. You need a phone to make phonecalls!!

It’s dangerous too, not able to call emergency services if you really need to. They HAVE to fix this bug tomorrow!!

If I use dictaphone: Doesn’t work either

But with camera: microphone(s) DOES work on my device. So it’s not a hardware issue, it’s the software update for sure.

I am relying on it because it’s working for me with no issues having to use a headset is not ideal but there only a few bucks and if it allows me not to have to purchase a new phone until I’m ready, I’m sure there are some phones that are having issues unrelated to the update mic issue.

I have the same problem. It worked when I did a reset for all of my settings but only for like 30 minutes. I still have this problem. I hope Apple has a correct update for this.

FYI: my bluetooth works so I'm using headphones and speakers to use it.

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!

Same here. WA and Facetime calls result in failed call, normal calling results in a call but no sound and no mic.

I have tried using Bluetooth while calling and this works. But only if Bluetooth device has built in mic.

I am also able to play music on my Bluetooth devices and built in speakers of iPhone only when I plug in my iphone-connector to jack audio plug it doesn't recognise the earphones at all.

Normally with failure updates we had the option to reverse it to a previous version but now It can't be done?

I do not have money to buy a new phone or something especially now..

Please Apple Support try help your customers with something more than linking the standard FAQ

The reason it worked had more to do with movement of the iPhone when your removed and reinserted the SIM than any of the other steps. You can probably slap the phone into the palm of your hand and get it to work again for a little while. This is because the Audio IC on your logic board has come loose. You can do an out-of-warranty replacement with Apple for $349 USD. You can also find a competent 3rd party repair shop that can do board level soldering and have it repaired for around $145. If you go this route Apple may refuse service on that iPhone in the future. Or you could trade it in towards a new phone.

Please send feedback to Apple. They need to start a service program to offer an out of warranty fix or resolve through a software update. Like others I have been told to send the phone off for repair costing £346.

Same issue!! Updated to iOS 14.2 and now the mic is gone. No FaceTime, voice memos, videos with no audio, my phone actually rejects others calling me. Rendered my phone useless. Hard restarted, no good. Factory reset, no good. Had the microphone assembly replaced....no good! When will someone from apple respond?!? When will this be fixed? Are they trying to force people to upgrade???

i dont think you are right, after network settings reset i can make phone calls and everything (including recording with camera) for about 30s, then it crashes again and im forced to use bt headset>>airpods. This problem started directly after automatic update to 14.1

Same problem with iphone 7 plus, after IOS 14 update.

I can't make or receive phone calls and videos recorded without audio, ..

The update also affected camera functions, i can't take photos, music playback (headphones won't work through jack) . Have tried to reset the phone  but problem persists.

Sometimes (after restarting) the phone back to normal but after few minutes (3 to 10 min) then everything stop working again!

I waited for the next update (14.1, 14.2 and tested also the beta version for 14.3) and the issue is not fixed by Apple.

Whats the point of having a device that cannot make or receive calls and not even taking a photo?

It's just a useless brick, thanks to apple

No, I don’t work for Apple. But I am familiar with the Audio IC issue. And if you use your favorite search engine it goes back farther the iOS 14 and it also happens to people when there is no update. And if the speakerphone is also not working that pretty much narrows it to the Audio IC.