Silent switch randomly turns on - iPhone 12 Pro Max

Thanks for the suggestion. However, my biggest problem was that I never knew that it was off until I realized that I was missing things. I bought a new (harder) case, and the problem has not happened again. (In other words, it turned out not to be an iPhone problem but an ‘Otter case’ problem.)

I figured out a pretty simple solution. I have a silicone Apple case and it was continuously switching to silent mode over and over again. I decided to put a small piece of cardboard (torn piece of toilet paper ring, actually) underneath the case covering the switch, and, voila! Problem solved. Hope this works for you guys out there as well! :)

I had the same issue with my iPhone 12 and Apple silicone case. I slightly enlarged the hole around the silent button (carefully, with a sharp knife), and it completely solved the problem. My phone used to switch to silent mode several times a day, and now it never does it unless I operate the switch.

My iPhone 12 with an Apple silicone case toggled into silent mode every day. I suspected that the case was pushing against the switch and moving it. My suspicions were confirmed when I found that I could press on the case in such a way as to get it to trip the switch. I carefully and painstakingly enlarged the hole in the side of the case that surrounds the switch, and it solved the problem completely. Since then I have not had one occurrence of the phone putting itself into silent mode.

See the long discussion on this point. If you’ve got an Apple silicone case, the opening for the silent switch is not big enough and it operates the switch when you put it in your pocket. I opened mine out with a conical diamond bit and it’s been fine ever since.

you could get a different case and complain to Apple

It's easy for me to simulate it with my Apple silicon case on my iPhone 12. The case is not as snug fitting as the silicone case was on my iPhone 6. The corner by the switch slides off and on easily so when it is in my pocket, the movement jiggles that corner of the case. While the case doesn't come off, it doesn't have to move very far to trip the switch. I'm hoping Apple will refund the cost of the case. One of these days, I'll go to an Apple Store to ask about it. Now that there are so many posts about it, and I can easily duplicate it, maybe they will refund or exchange my case.

I've had exactly the same issue with the Apple silicon case and iPhone 12 pro. A bit of pressure on the case near the switch toggles the switch from normal to "silent" (off). Then I miss calls.

The switch definitely sticks out too far. Quite a bit further than earlier iPhones I have had.

I've fixed the issue by simply cutting off part of the edge of the silicon case - so now when it flexes nothing touches the switch.

I only experienced this issue after getting a 12 Pro with Apple's cases. The mute switch turning on multiple times a day happens with both the silicon and leather cases. Apple's clear case is also defective in that the wake/sleep button is too stiff. I've exchanged all 3 cases and the issues persist so it is a design or manufacturing problem. All 3 Apple cases have are flawed. Be sure to visit apple.com/feedback and tell them about the problem, as they don't read these community forum posts. Then look for another case option.

I have figured it out.

Using IPhone 12 and IPhone 12 mini.

I switched between different cases and found out, with at most certainty, that when using Apple’s original (MagSafe cases) cases (leather or silicon - I have them both) silent switch turns off. However, when using cases of brands other than Apple (Toiko) - switch stays firm.

I noticed that the new Apple cases are not firmly tight at the top and bottom edges so when the phone is in my pocket, body movements causes the edge of the case to slightly move - just enough to cause the switch to move.

It never happens with other cases other than Apple’s.

I solved this problem on my soft case by cutting a notch with a razor blade by the switch, a small 1/4” notch is enough to stop the case from moving the switch to silent mode, and it is hardly noticeable.

It’s a physical switch. It’s like a light switch on your wall; the only way it can change its position is if something external moves it. That could be a case that is too close to it, or it could brush against your hand or your clothes if you keep it in your pocket.

It is the case that's moving it. A slight, very slight push back of the top corner causes the case to flip the switch off. I cut mine and it's fixed it and it works good. Hated to do that on a $50 cased.

I you've got an apple soft case, or leather case, it's the case. Even if seems like it didn't happen that way, just picking the phone up sometimes by the sides of the case can trigger it to flip off the switch. It doesn't take much when the case is handled in must the right way.