iPhone 12 can’t speak on phone calls

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.

I have the same problem. When I receive calls I can't hear the caller and they can't hear me. I have to call them back, than it works.

But I have it also during conversations, that all of a sudden the connection is dropped.

Really really annoying. Have done factory settings and start again, didn't fix the problem.

Now it started to happen on my old 11pro max, so it definitly is 14.3 related.

on the other hand, my 12 pro max found new ways to surprise me as it keeps forgetting the wifi passwords in my house.

I also sound like a robot from outer space to the person on the line and then it suddenly cuts of and the only way to get back on the line is a soft reset.

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.

my wife was having this issue with her 12 max pro almost immediately out of the box. took to verizon and they replaced the SIM card a the solution. it worked for a few weeks but the issue is back. I started having the issue with my 12 pro today. i had previously spoken to verizon support via on-line chat - and they had me only resetting the network settings and this works temporarily. hoping for a permanent solution.

i have the same issue on the 12 Pro Max,

but mine’s a bit different - the recipient of my calls cant hear me but hear machine gun sounds which is strange!

im on esim, but I’ve changed and tried another carrier’s physical sim and both reacts the same. So i think it rules our carrier issues. No issues on speakerphone , as they can hear me loud and clear (machine gun noises disappear)

Others apps such as WhatsApp also works perfectly fine.

Same problem with my iPhone 12 Pro. When I receive a call and attempt to hear, I hear nothing but when I initiate a call and call the same person, it works fine. Technically, it's the incoming call that I am not able to hear. After I reboot my device, It works fine for few days and then repeats again. This is very disappointing!

Well I have sort of a mix of everything said above... and I am sick of factory resetting iPhones when they are newly released each year. I have tons of apps, music pictures etc and dealing with all that takes days.

I think Apple should stick with making solid software instead of working on very stupid emoji etc. updates.

before anyone tells me otherwise, I am an Apple user since 1997, have all my computers etc. all apple. And I have been using iphone since 2007 after the introduction of the first one.

[Edited by Moderator]

iOs 14.4 will not resolve this problem. it’s an eye opener for those who thought it would. I just checked what’s new in 14.4. Seems like Apple is neglecting all the crucial fixes and working on creating non essential updates. Gone are the days when I bought my first iPhone in 2007. Seamlessly beautiful. Nice job Jobs!!

our update as the saga continues....12 max pro - 3 trips to dealer, 3 on-line service chats, new SIM card, reset network settings, turn off 5G, reset to factory setting - none of it worked. Rec'd replacement phone - 1st call, same issue. spouses 12 pro is having same issue, and actually seems to be getting worse by the day. UGH this is frustrating.

So It’s clear then. I don’t think it has anything to do with the hardware as you said it happened in the new iPhone. Thank you for the update as I was about to go for the replacement device. Now, I will not. I hope someone in the software development team is listening. 😢

Today I talked with Apple support they told me to switch the phone 3G instead of 4G. I had no problem with audio on 3G connection.

They told me that it seems ilke a software issue. They told me to reset the phone to factory settings via iTunes and dont use backup.

I couldnt try it yet if anyone tried to reset the phone to factory setting via iTunes please share your opinions about it.

I did factory reset thru iTunes, not too big a deal as long as you have enough storage space on computer for IOS download. It didn't necessarily work for me, but I restored settings using a back-up.

If you don't use your back-up - you will have to rebuild all your contacts and settings. But maybe starting from scrath isn;t a bad thing. I was told by a Verizon in-store rep that Apple has notified them they are aware of the issue.

Advise on how to set to 3G.

Just sharing has this issue since Dec 2020 on both my 12 pros.

turning off 5G (using 4G) seemed to work for me.

it seemed like a carrier thing if their 5G is too congested or not (just my guess) as similar thing happened to when AT &T years ago when they started selling iPhone.