Level 1

36 points

iPhone 7 Microphone not working after iOS 15.7.6 Update

My iPhone 7 (yes, I still have an iPhone 7) was working perfectly until immediately after I installed the 15.7.6 update. Since then, I can no longer pick up phone calls - the audio / speaker symbol is greyed out when I make calls or receive calls. The only way I can take a call is by using my AirPods. In addition, if I try to record a Voice Memo, nothing happens - I'm unable to record. After some online sleuthing I went ahead and reset all settings, and immediately afterwards the microphone functioned again, implying that the issue is software related, not hardware related. But the celebration ended quickly as the microphone stopped working again within a few hours....

Is anyone else facing this situation and is Apple taking a look at this? What can I do to solve the issue? Thank you in advance for your help!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Earlier iPhone models

Posted on Jun 1, 2023 1:21 PM

Best reply

PiyushChaurasia

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Oct 23, 2023 7:33 PM

Issue: My iPhone 7 Plus was working perfectly until immediately after I installed the 15.7.6 update. Since then, I can no longer pick up phone calls - the audio / speaker symbol is greyed out when I make calls or receive calls. The only way I can take a call is by using my Apple Watch. In addition, if I try to record a Voice Memo, nothing happens - I'm unable to record.

Triage and seeking support from Apple:

I went ahead and I did factory reset and also reset all settings, problem did not resolve.

I called Apple customer service and they mentioned that it is hardware issue and suggested me to visit apple store.

I visited apple store, and they said it is hardware related issue and asking me to pay $349 to replace whole hardware unit since they cannot replace just microphone/speaker. Touch ID button sometimes does not work. They completely ignored this.

Questions that is still unanswered:

If it is hardware related issue, then why did phone work before upgrading to new OS version?
As a customer, I am not at fault OS version compatibility. What Apple can do resolve it?
In the store, they mentioned that it is an issue with carrier. I swapped sim with another phone and confirmed that is not an issue with carrier.
No satisfactory response was given by West County Manager in St Louis MO when I mentioned. this phone stopped working after OS update.
Store updated OS to most recent version and problem is still not resolved.
I am sorry to say that it is like forcing customer to buy new phone after introducing issues in older phone with OS update. This is an unethical behavior. Can someone please help?

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75 replies

Feb 8, 2024 7:39 AM in response to BonovoxParis

My phone is alright but the last 1 week earlier when I updated I started to face some issue whenever I put my phone on charge it lost sound mic no calls can hear

Mar 19, 2024 1:42 AM in response to BonovoxParis

Updated to 15.8.2 this week same issue unable to answer calls, automatically disconnects call, with phone, WhatsApp and messenger calls

Alancito

Level 7

27,580 points

Jul 30, 2023 11:23 PM in response to Dadanmers

Dadanmers wrote: "i update my iPhone 7 to 15.7.8. But it's still the same. now sometimes even Bluetooth audio and mic is not working..."

Dadanmers ~ Does your iPhone 7 still have its original battery?

And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health

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BonovoxParis Author

Level 1

36 points

Aug 28, 2023 2:41 PM in response to BonovoxParis

FYI, I did try the factory reset option and initially, my microphone started to function again. However, the celebrations were short-lived: within 24 hours the microphone stopped working as before. To me, this is further evidence that the microphone hardware is not broken or damaged but that there is a software bug.

Musab7

Level 1

8 points

Aug 29, 2023 9:21 AM in response to BonovoxParis

My iPhone has the same problem after 15.7.6 update, first i was using my air pods for calls now they don't even work, previous month my camera stopped video recording due to this and ik its a software issue because every 2-3 time i hard reset my phone the mic and video recording works for 1-2 hours max, apple knows about this problem and is not doing anything about it, i even think apple is intentionally doing this so people upgrade their phones to the newer model

BonovoxParis Author

Level 1

36 points

Aug 31, 2023 2:18 AM in response to Alancito

Thanks for the Feedback link. I just used it and included a link to this chat to provide them with fuller details. I would encourage others to use the link as well. Hopefully that will persuade them to thorougly investigate the problem and roll out a solution.

Edban

Level 1

8 points

Oct 12, 2023 8:08 AM in response to BonovoxParis

This is also happening to me after the 15.7.9 update with my iPhone 7. I understand that technology must advance but Apple should still not only honor those who have spent money on the purchase of these iPhones that once where new in the game but also test the updates to ensure that they work on these older iPhones and not compel the consumer to purchase another newer version when their present iPhones are doing what we want them to do therefore having no reason to upgrade on a much more expensive iPhone. It’s cruel and unjust to do to us consumers. It’s like Apple once made the money on us and now our iPhones are no longer important to them because the iPhone 15 is in the spot light. Apple get it together because who saids we’ll buy another iPhone and not another brand so we are still important, fix this issue already and let’s cut this crap out!!!

Alancito

Level 7

27,580 points

Oct 24, 2023 12:56 AM in response to PiyushChaurasia

PiyushChaurasia wrote: "1. Issue: My iPhone 7 Plus was working perfectly until immediately after I installed the 15.7.6 update..."

PiyushChaurasia ~ With an older iPhone model such as the iPhone 7 Plus, it's worth checking the battery. If it's still the original 4+ year-old battery, the long process of applying an iOS update can strain a weak, aging battery and be the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back". Does your iPhone 7 Plus still have its original battery?

And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health

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suryanes

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2024 8:19 AM in response to BonovoxParis

I thought my iPhone 7 was damaged somehow and led to microphone not working. This happened last July in 2023.

everything adds up now that I bumped in to this thread.

the microphone stopped working after the software update!!!

everything works okay in my iPhone 7 except the microphone and it gets hot. Typing this from my otherwise perfect iPhone 7. 😒

BonovoxParis Author

Level 1

36 points

Mar 7, 2024 5:21 AM in response to BonovoxParis

After installing iOS 15.8.2 yesterday, my microphone worked again...but only for a few minutes. This happens every time I've installed a new update: the microphone initially works again, but then doesn't work. This is very frustrating. Apple: you really owe us an explanation. Why does the microphone work again (suggesting that the hardware is functional) and then stop working after each update? Why can't you get this fixed?

Vegasabi

Level 1

8 points

Mar 12, 2024 3:56 PM in response to BonovoxParis

I have the same problem last week as soon as I updated my iPhone 7 Plus the phone stopped working I still am able to get text messages and also able to go online but no phone calls. I did go to apple store they wanted to charge me a fee to put the phone for diagnostic check but was basically told to buy another phone because that will not work

Mar 31, 2024 1:35 AM in response to BonovoxParis

I was able to somehow fix the issue (at least until now - 30 min)..

I updated to 15.8.2 and I still had the same microphone access issue (was not able to answer call, WhatsApp, voice memo, etc)...

I got tired. Pressed right button and home buttons... and siri shows up couple times and finally rebooted .. and when it came up it works 💪

To test it further.. I rebooted and it back to the same problem and I was able to fix it again with the same method!

So far it is working 💪

By the way. This was done for my daughter, I am an android user and hate Apple products... 😁

Alancito

Level 7

27,580 points

May 23, 2024 1:12 AM in response to hippolyte193

hippolyte193 wrote: "...My iPhone 7 was working perfectly, but after updating to iOS 15.8.2..."

hippolyte ~ With an old iPhone model such as iPhone 7, it's worth checking the battery. The long process of applying an iOS update can strain a weak, aging battery and be the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back". ...Does your iPhone 7 still have its original battery? And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health

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May 31, 2024 8:34 AM in response to Searcher235

@Searcher235

Interestingly, this method also worked for my iPhone 7 running iOS 15.8.2.

Note: First, I enabled Siri in the settings. Then, I double-pressed the home button a few times along with the power button, followed by pressing the power and volume down buttons together. After the Apple logo appeared, everything surprisingly started working fine.

turab179

Level 1

8 points

May 31, 2024 12:26 PM in response to BonovoxParis

I just had this issue while visiting Pakistan. Was needing to use iPhone 7 and my newer phone was network locked. Same issue of mic not working , speaker greyed out. Unable to receive calls or talk, Siri not working, voice memos not functioning.

took it to a local repair guy. Checked and said sound IC was busted. Replaced and functioning fine. Just charged 20$. Repairs are cheap here.

iPhone 7 Microphone not working after iOS 15.7.6 Update