iPhone 14 Pro Max proximity sensor does not work on whatsapp voice messages

That's not the case in mine: 14 pro with iOS 16.2

The proximity sensor seems to be working ok, the screen goes black instantly on regular calls and also calls on WhatsApp.

I have been in communication with WhatsApp support and they are interested in learning more, it seems they have replicated the problem this way:

On WhatsApp:

• record a voice message that is at least 10 seconds long. (my message is counting the seconds so I know when it turns black when testing).
• Send it.
• Hit play for that message start listenning on the speaker.
• Take the phone to your ear or block the proximity sensor with your palm.

You will see the screen taking 5 seconds to go black.

Let me know if this is also your case. Pura vida!

I went to the store because the specialist told me they would try to change the display (which “contains” the proximity sensor circuit).

I didn’t expect to fix the issue with the display replacement only.

Also I didn’t say I will stop using Apple products (EDIT: actually I did, but yesterday I called Apple and they are switching my iPhone with a new one by courier, so far so good), the specialist (another one from yesterday appointment) told me “iPhone wasn’t the phone for me”.

I felt totally abandoned in this issue. It’s been 6 months now, a software update won’t fix it, it’s a problem with the proximity sensor itself which Apple will have to fix by changing the only thing they could change: the circuit itself.

A unit recall would also be possible if EVERYONE owning an iPhone 14 (Plus, Pro, Pro Max) would leave a feedback regarding this problem (which doesn’t only affect WhatsApp!).

Try to listen an iMessage voice message and rest assured that you will see the same problem.

Hi saqlain36,

To isolate the behavior a bit more, let us know if the display goes black when placing the phone to your ear while on a call using the native Phone app. Make a call on iPhone will walk you through testing this.

"Call someone on your contacts list

Siri: Say something like: “Call Eliza’s mobile.” Learn how to use Siri.

Or do the following:

1. In the Phone app, tap Contacts.
2. Tap the contact, then tap the phone number you want to call.
3. On models with Dual SIM, the default voice line is used for the call unless you set a preferred line for this contact."

If the device screen doesn't go black when the phone is held to your ear while making a call using the Phone app, we'd recommend contacting Apple Support.

Take care!

I totally get what you're going through with the proximity sensor and screen light issue while listening to WhatsApp voice messages on your iPhone 14 Pro Max. I actually faced the same problem, but guess what? I managed to fix it! Here's what worked for me:

First, I gave my iPhone a good old restart. It's surprising how often that simple trick does the trick!

Next, I made sure to update WhatsApp to the latest version. Those updates often come with bug fixes and improvements that can solve pesky issues like this one.

If the problem still persisted, I went ahead and reset my iPhone's settings. It didn't erase any of my data, but it did reset my preferences and settings back to their default values.

As a last resort, I uninstalled WhatsApp and then reinstalled it from the App Store. Sometimes starting fresh can make all the difference.

After going through these steps, I'm happy to report that everything is working smoothly now! But if you're still stuck, I'd recommend getting in touch with Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store. They're the experts and can offer more specific help.

Oh, and don't forget to back up your important stuff regularly, just to be safe. Hope these tips do the trick for you too! Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions!.

It's not only voice messages or WhatsApp. It's the proximity sensor itself, which takes 3 seconds to turn off the screen.

How to reproduce on iPhone 14 serie:

• Make a phone call. There's no need to wait for the other party to answer
• Cover the proximity sensor part with your finger or the palm of your hand
• Don't move it. It will take approximately 3 seconds for the sensor to turn off the screen.

The problem is surely more complicated in WhatsApp, because you press everything with your cheek (you can also feel the dynamic island haptic feedback) and it takes more seconds to turn off the screen.

I went to the Apple Store today and the diagnosis showed no issues (the proximity sensor is there and working).

I insisted about the problem and showed them the difference between an iPhone 13 Pro Max (instantly turning off the screen when making a phone call) and my iPhone 14 Pro Max. The genius guy entered the lab and asked. He came back with an iPhone 14 and showed me it has the same "behaviour" (3 seconds to turn off the screen when making a phone call).

I decided to wait for an update as it seems like it's a software problem.

iPhone 14 pro, exact same issue.

Got an appointment today with a Genius at the Apple Store and they have in the order:

1) test the phone hardware - all good

2) reset the settings - no changes

3) DFU the phone - no changes

4) tried to make a call and listen to a whatsapp message on a demo 14 pro max - same behaviour but a bit faster maybe cause it was on 16.2

5) they've replaced the phone with a new one - same slowness!

Bottom line it is not a problem related to our specific phones but it is a general behaviour.

I do not know whether it is good or not, but I hope whatsapp update the app to fix it since iMessage and Telegram work perfectly in my case.

Enjoy your phones mates

Proximity sensor issues are usually hardware, although they can be caused by a case or screen protector that blocks the sensor, so try it without a case.

Hello

I have iphone 14 pro max and I have the same problem as well

The problem is when you call or play voice note holding iPhone on your ear at whatsapp messenger or telegram or botim…what ever

the screen still not go black and start to scroll up and down and after 5 seconds the screen goes black and thats the main issue.

The problem is reference to the sensor in iphone 14 pro and pro max because I try all the ways like removing the screen protection, settings, even I make restore by default on itunes by dfu mode and all of it failed

It’s not only in whatsapp it’s belongs to every messenger like telegram botim and more and I try every single way to solve this issue but I realize that this problem related to iphone 14 pro and pro max series’s

so hope my message reaching you as well as the all complaints for customers

RamiAbdEllah wrote:

me too

And the answer is the same. The proximity sensor is just a tool; it is up to the developer of an app to choose to use it or not. If, for example, the Meta developers who support WhatsApp don’t use the tool that Apple provides that is their choice, not Apple’s. Apple has no control over how apps work or what features of iOS they use, other than to make sure they aren’t violating privacy standards.

I'm sorry to say that but I think they did not fix the issue 'cause there is no hardware issue.

With the dialer the proximity sensor works great, same with telegram.

It works a really mess or it does not work at all with the META's apps.

For example, it did not work at all with Telegram too but few weeks ago, after an update, they fixed the problem and now it works without problem.

Then we may have two issues here.

There is a batch of iPhone 14 with a faulty proximity sensor and there's another one with only WhatsApp not working properly only on iPhone 14 serie.

This is totally strange as it has been 7 months after iOS 16 was first launched to the public and Meta (Whatsapp and other apps) have had a LOT of time to fix their code with the new API changes. 7 MONTHS and the problem is still there.

You all may want to try something that I noticed: place a phone call (no need for the other party to answer) and put the phone on your ear. Immediately move away iPhone from your ear and put it back to your ear again. You'll see the proximity sensor takes its time to work (about 3 seconds). Try this a couple times.

Please note: every other iPhone model does not have this issue.

Another note: Apple will need to do a REP to replace the proximity sensor. Like a second version of the circuit. I would not be surprised to see it in the Apple Service Programs page soon, like it happened with iPhone 11 serie (touch issues) and iPhone 12 serie (ear speaker issues).

Third note: my iPhone is now at an Apple repair center to diagnose the problem. They're currently "inspecting" the product. I'll let you know if they are going to change my iPhone and IF the problem will be fixed, or if they will ignore the problem and will send my iPhone back as it is (which will result in contacting an association for the customer rights).

con applicazioni come whatsapp, Signal e Telegram quando ascolto i messaggi vocali avvicinando il telefono all’orecchio, il display si oscura solo dopo 6 secondi e quindi avvengono tocchi involontari (iPhone 15 plus). Il sensore di prossimità funziona bene con le chiamate e anche con i messaggi vocali dell’applicazione iMessage. Il problema si presenta solo con l’applicazioni di terzi. Lo stesso problema c’è l’hanno tutti gli IPHONE CHE HANNO L’ISOLA DINAMICA (quindi 14 pro, 14 pro max e tutta la serie 15). Questo bug persiste ormai da circa 1 anno.

These are issues with third-party apps and must be addressed by their authors.

Apple has no control over their apps and therefore cannot fix them or "force" them to do so; if you want them fixed, contact them:

• Telegram Support: https://telegram.org/support
• WhatsApp Support: https://www.whatsapp.com/contact

Only one entity can fix this issue - WhatsApp.

Neither Apple nor anyone else can make them fix it; they have to want to fix the issue, and it seems obvious they simply don't care.

Feel free to complain to them here:

https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/?subject=messenger

It its not an Apple feature, it is something a third-party application is doing incorrectly.

You will need to contact WhatsApp for further help.