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iPhone 13 notification sound too low

I got my iPhone 13 3 days ago, after using it for 2 full days, I realized that the notification sound is way too low. It applies to WhatsApp, iMessage, email etc. Even though I set all volume to the loudest; and googled how to fix it online then tried everything posted on the internet but still didn't improve.


I changed from iPhone XR to iPhone 13, but my iPhone XR with iOS 14 was perfectly fine, the notification sound was very loud with no issue at all.

Posted on Sep 27, 2021 8:40 AM

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Posted on Oct 18, 2021 7:08 AM

Yes me too. Thank goodness I thought it was just me. I took delivery of an iPhone 13 Pro a few days ago and have all the problems noted. I’ve tried all the google ‘fixes’ but of course non of them work because it’s not a case of just pushing the slider up a bit. The ringtone and notifications SHOULD have separate volume controls or at least have them in sync!


The volume is on maximum and whilst the ringtone rattles the windows the notifications of email, messenger and Facebook can only be heard by the dog!! Even turning on ‘key clicks’ (only to test!) is really, really quiet.


That’s €1,200 for a great camera but a phone with serious flaws!! Version iOS 15.0.2 hasn’t fixed it either.


In comparison my iPhone 8 Plus was perfect in comparison.


Time to get a grip Apple and sort this problem. DON’T just grab the money and run.


294 replies

Nov 7, 2021 2:15 AM in response to 85ebennett

Some already tried what you sad with no results. Even customizing tone by increasing the volume via GarageBand.

Once it goes in the alerts sounds, the volume decreases dramatically.

I can’t explain why, I’m not an expert.

I think the sounds source or folder is the same.

For example, the sound “Sonar” is just one and when you use it for a ringtone, is loud and clear but when you set it for a text tone, the volume drops.

Nov 7, 2021 12:45 PM in response to Ledmost

I no longer having a 13, so experimenting with  ‘Test’ on a 13 is not possible.

As stated previously, the XS I use has very good sound, (so no adjustments needed), both on ringtone and notification.

I have ‘attention aware’ feature on, which mutes the ringtone when it sees I’m about to pick up and answer a call, and doesn’t continue ringing at full volume. A useful feature.

I was with my son yesterday, (European time), an iPhone 13 pro user, we both had a WhatsApp notification come through and mine on the XS was louder. He agrees his Pro is not as loud as his last phone, an XR, but with young hearing, he copes.

Maybe Apple doesn’t see the speaker sound as important these days, as everyone sticks those things in their ears to listen to music, though it’s important we still need to clearly hear ringtone etc.

I sympathise with 13 owners, let’s hope the 14’s an improvement, or a software update can help in the meantime. 

Nov 7, 2021 1:58 PM in response to Greek beak

You have to perform the test just with your iPhone XR.

Don’t make comparison with different models, just do the test exactly how I suggested you.

Do not compare third app messages.

Just do the test with your iPhone XR alone and set the same sound to ringtone and text tone.

Volume all the way up

“Sonar” for ringtone

“Sonar” for text tone

This is the only way to verify the difference in volume between ringtone and text tone.

All iPhones running iOS 14 or later have this issue. Period.

Nov 7, 2021 4:08 PM in response to Joey_Chan_HK

This made an improvement for me in so far as the iMessage alerts and other alerts when phone idle. I had to turn off the sound on my Apple Watch! There is some correlation between the two. The sound on phone improved but I don’t have any sound on my watch now. Until there is an actual software fix, this may be a viable option for those who have the Apple Watch.

Nov 12, 2021 1:03 AM in response to DumboTheiPhoneOwner

It’s awful really! What’s even more awful is when you’re looking for a job (ME) or waiting on an important email (also ME) and miss the notifications…could be an emergency (had one recently) and I can’t hear anything. My hearing is not compromised at all. I just saw they’re putting out the 15.2 iOS update & nothing in that update addresses the issue. My guess is that this was deliberate & they don’t intend on changing anything perhaps until more complaints are received. At the very least- they can acknowledge there is an issue & let folks know they are working on a fix. Every rollout with Apple takes forever!!! Terrible!!!!

Nov 12, 2021 1:35 AM in response to DumboTheiPhoneOwner

It’s NOT hardware issue. I have an iPhone 8 and it was ok but after iOS 14 the phone started to have the low volume alert issue. Then I bought the 12 mini with the same issue.

The ringtone are loud and text tone are weak. How it can be possible that is hardware issue?

iPhone 8 was fine and after iOS update had alerts issue.

It is NOT hardware issue.

Nov 12, 2021 2:06 AM in response to Joey_Chan_HK

It’s interesting that I’ve tested at least fifteen iPhones form 6S to 13 and they all have that issue.

My iPhone 8 was fine and after updating to iOS 14 it started to have that issue.

Bought iPhone 12 mini with that issue.

One whole year testing iPhones here and there and all of them with that issue.

I just give up. As soon as I can I will sell my iPhone and switch to Android

Nov 12, 2021 2:25 AM in response to Joey_Chan_HK

Look, thousands of people bought iPhone 12 and 13 with that issue and very few of them got aware of the problem. Now most of them got the Apple Watch, some use the phone in silent vibrating mode only and some just don’t notice it at all.

So you’re not the only one with that issue in HK.

By the way, did you perform my TEST to verify your iPhone XR?

It is the only iPhone I haven’t tested yet.

Nov 12, 2021 2:30 AM in response to Ledmost

Sometimes I put my iPhone 13 in my backpack or pocket, that's why I tend to turn on the max volume. However, since the notification sound is so soft for iPhone 13, I have to carry it with my hand now.


By the way, I didn't perform the TEST you suggest because I traded my iPhone XR but my wife is still using iPhone XR and I heard her phone got very loud notification which is exactly same as my iPhone XR before. We both set the notification volume to maximum, but I can barely hear my iPhone 13's notification but my wife's is really loud. Both are running iOS 15.1.

Nov 12, 2021 2:47 AM in response to Joey_Chan_HK

Please, perform my test with your wife’s iPhone XR.

A comparison between two different iPhone models it’s not enough.

The test is useful to verify the difference in volume between ringtone and text tone.

Set the volume all the way up and set the same sound to your ringtone and text tone.

For example, ringtone sound “Sonar”

text tone sound “Sonar”

You don’t have to get incoming calls or text.

Just hear the volume difference during the setting.

Nov 24, 2021 9:09 PM in response to Joey_Chan_HK

I have this same issue. It started with my iPhone X, now happening again with my iPhone 13 but seems worse. I can’t get the notifications from my son’s glucose monitor that I follow loud enough to wake me up at night. That terrifies me because the consequences could be fatal. I’ve considered connecting to a Bluetooth speaker at night. I always turn my phone all the way up both by turning up the ringer and overall volume and it’s still like the notification volume is stuck at 40%.

Nov 25, 2021 10:32 AM in response to RavjyotSingh

Every iPhone running iOS 14 or later have this issue.

Just try this test. (It’s just a test and it didn’t solve the problem.

Go to sounds & haptics

Set ringtone and alerts volume all the way up

Set the same sound tone for both ringtone and text tone. For example “Sonar” (you can find it in “Classic “)for ringtone and “Sonar” for text tone and you will hear the volume difference.

Choosing “Sonar” it’s just an example but it’s helpful because is very loud.

Nov 26, 2021 11:10 AM in response to Stefbrx

Very strange since it’s an iOS issue and every iPhone running iOS 14 or later is affected.

I can’t believe Apple has made an exception just for you.

Just perform this test:

Settings, Sound & Haptics, Ringer and alerts volume all the way up and change with buttons OFF

Sounds and vibration patterns, Ringtone choose “Sonar” found in classic

Text Tone choose “Sonar” found in the bottom list “Ringtones”, and you will hear the volume difference between ringtones and Tex Tone alert.

Nov 28, 2021 6:22 PM in response to joerich59

I hardly think so.

It’s an iOS problem.

Just try this test and you will hear the volume difference between ringtone and text tone.

Settings, Sound & Haptics, Ringer and alerts volume all the way up and change with buttons OFF

Sounds and vibration patterns, Ringtone choose “Sonar” found in classic

Text Tone choose “Sonar” found in the bottom list “Ringtones”, and you will hear the volume difference between ringtones and Tex Tone alert.

iPhone 13 notification sound too low

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