iPhone 12 can’t speak on phone calls

This is happening to me as well. Sometimes the microphone doesn't work from the beginning of the call and sometimes it stops working in the middle of the call. I can always hear the person on the other end. Speaker phone mode always works.

The problem of not being able to hear incoming calls on the IPhone 12 is actually a fault with the phone. Apple are apparently aware of the issue and are working on an update to resolve it. However in the meantime there is a simple solution that works! Go into Settings, General, Reset, Reset Network Settings. Enter your PIN and rest this. You will NOT lose anything on your phone and once done will resolve the issue of not being able to hear incoming calls. It worked for me immediately and i haven’t had a problem since

I had this problem on my new 12 too. I reset to factory settings and now I'm not getting anyone telling me they can't hear me. I also had to keep placing my phone on the pad to charge it as it wouldn't connect. That doesn't happen now either. The volume buttons used to race up and down too but that has stopped. Thought it was phone provider but now all working. Definitely software

I was having this problem intermittently with my new iPhone 12 and tried everything I could do myself - reset network settings, reset all settings, and the full factory reset. Nothing worked and after the full factory reset, the problem actually became more prevalent. It was only ever a problem with calls, never an issue recording video with audio or voice memos. I finally called Apple support and they were able to run some software diagnostics over the phone but could not detect the issue. They helped me set up an appointment at my local Apple store where they ran additional diagnostics, got a notice of an error, and was therefore able to give me a replacement phone.

This is happening to me as well! Its so frustrating I have Verizon my service is always good. I know it’s not my microphone because it works on face time and when I use voice on my keyboard board ...just disappointed this phone cost way to much to not even be able to do the bare minimum have a phone call!!! Will be seeing how it can be fixed or return it...smh

I've had the exact same issue on my iPhone 12 Pro. On both in coming and out going calls, I can hear the other person clearly and they can't hear me at all. I've had to restart my phone every time for it to work again.

My suspicion is that it's related to Bluetooth, even though no device is actively connected when the issue occurs, it is on days that I've been using my AirPod Pros a lot and have been switching between devices.

I haven’t been able to get help or answers. I have gone to Best Buy- Apple support . Just stuck having half conversations on a 1200 phone :(

It definitly must be a software bug as it happens on all 3 iphone 12 pro maxs in my household.

weirdly if I initiate the call my wife can’t hear me and neither can I hear her but when we hang up and she initiates the call everything is fixed.

to fix the problematic device the only solition is a reset and everything works for a couple of days.

at times when the problem starts happening the mic and speakers all work on other apps except phonecalls.

Mine was an constant issue, no matter who called me it did not work at all.

i just had to bring my phone into apple to get it replaced with a new one. But it could be software in your case I recommend going to an apple store to get it looked at.

Hmm that is odd.

As you say the microphone for calls is the same used for voice memo.

If the microphones on your iPhone aren't working - Apple Support

I would recomend to try a clean install of your device after a factory reset:

First make sure you have a backup

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Then factory reset your device:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

And set it up without a backup. See if the issue persists.

If it still does not work it is a ponts to a hardware issue and might need service:

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

If that solved it there was a software issue. Try restoring the backup and see if it still works.

if that made the problem come back the backup is the problem

Good luck!

I have the same problem. I got my iPhone 12 in April 2021, and at the same time switched from AT&T to Xfinity. I can always hear the other person but they can’t always hear me. We can be talking and they hear me okay then they tell me I’m breaking up, and then they don’t hear me at all. This has happened with phone calls and FaceTime. Xfinity couldn’t figure out the problem, so got Verizon involved saying it was probably a network problem, but Verizon says everything is okay. Xfinity said go to Apple store which I did. Apple tested and said it’s okay, it’s a network problem. They also said they never heard of this problem. After reading this forum now I know it’s not true, it’s an Apple iPhone 12 defect. I was considering switching to another network before reading the other complaints, but I guess the real solution is switching to a non-Apple phone. I was thinking maybe trade up to iPhone 13 even if it costs a lot to change after 6 months, but now I don’t feel confident Apple has this problem resolved and they are not standing by their product. This was my 3rd iPhone. I will be warning all my friends and family about the risk of the new phones.

I’ve followed all recommendations from the link you provided and the conclusion is that the microphone is working fine. I’ve also tested front and rear facing cameras and the audio is fine on those as well.

As everyone on this thread has stated, the microphone only stops working on certain phone calls, at which point a reboot consistently resolves the issue.

Doesn’t that suggest a software issue?

Just wanted to let you a know that I'm having the same issue and it's a defective speaker. If it is a 12 you need to make an appointment to the genius bar to get it fixed. I tried to go to Best buy through apple and the phone was too new for them to fix it.

I don’t think my phone has a defective speaker as the issue would be more consistent and would appear in other ways, such as being unable to record audio on video. The symptoms are consistent with a software problem.

Hard to say for sure. As your issue is intermittent, it can just be that it never happened when you did your tests.

Another thing to note is that it can even be on the carrier side if it only happens on phone calls.

To rule out a software issue on your end you can try a clean install. backup, factory reset via a computer, and set up as new.