3.5 mm Audio Port on iPad 7th Gen Doesn't Work With TRRS Plugs, Only TRS Plugs

Question

3.5 mm Audio Port on iPad 7th Gen Doesn't Work With TRRS Plugs, Only TRS Plugs

When I plug headphones with a TRS plug into my iPad, they work fine. When I plug headphones/headsets with a TRRS plug (includes an extra ring for mic), they don't work at all. The only way I can get them to work is if I plug them in and then pull them back out about 1.5 mm. This is difficult to do, and the audio will still stop working if I bump that connection at all.

I have confirmed that it is the iPad causing the problem and not the headphones by testing multiple headphones with TRS plugs and multiple headphones with TRRS plugs. I have only tested audio out from the iPad, not audio into the iPad. I cleaned out the port, and it still doesn't work.

Is this normal for iPads? Are they not designed to work with headsets? I have never had an issue like this with any other device before.

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Dec 26, 2022 10:45 AM

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Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

303,848 points

Dec 26, 2022 10:51 AM in response to MountainsHills

There are three main wiring standards for 3.5mm TTRS connections - and they are not interchangeable:

CTIA (Apple)

OMTP (Nokia)

Camcorder AV

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Answer 2

Dec 26, 2022 11:38 AM in response to LotusPilot

After further research, I understand that the CTIA/AHJ standard is used by virtually all 3.5 mm audio connections over the past decade, at least in the North American market. Therefore I am confident that all of my headsets are using this standard. If the iPad 7th Gen uses this too, then I am still not sure what the problem could be unless the iPad is somehow damaged internally.

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Answer 3

Dec 26, 2022 11:02 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks for the info. I don't know what standard my headsets are made to, but they were all made in the last 5 years and work with phones, laptops, and DACs of various brands such as Acer, HP, LG, Google, EarStudio, and Dell. The only device they are not working with is my iPad.

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3.5 mm Audio Port on iPad 7th Gen Doesn't Work With TRRS Plugs, Only TRS Plugs

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