iPhone 12 Pro ear speaker sounds muffled after iOS update

I was very skeptical about doing this, but followed the video exactly and it totally fixed my earpiece speaker problem. Super happy!

It happened to me as well. I got the Iphone 13 and after I updated ios to 17.4 my earspeaker and regular speaker sounds crazy. I can still hear a bit what is playing, but it sounds like bass boosted so much it hurts my ears. What can I do? I bought this phone two weeks ago and can’t afford to repair it already.

omg I was having the same issue after updating to 17.1. I have a 12 pro. Finally found a solution and it worked! There’s a video on YouTube by iDoctor UK called “Quiet or muffled iPhone ear speaker hack”. Basically it’s a couple drops of isopropyl alcohol into the top ear speaker while playing the “ear speaker cleaning tone” and then lightly scrubbing with a toothbrush and wiping with a cloth. Wow! 🤩

https://youtu.be/S4_Mztujpnw?feature=shared

Did not help in the slightest! It was working fine until 17.1 update. Apple update has ruined by phone!

I have been on chat with them since Wednesday evening - each new person tells me to do the same thing and yet they do not fix the issue.

Hello bina132,

Thanks for choosing the Apple Support Communities. We understand your iPhone speaker sounds muffled. We have a few steps that may help you resolve this. Check those out below.

If you hear no sound or distorted sound from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch speaker - Apple Support

"If you can't hear a person's voice clearly, hear crackling, hear static, or have issues with sound quality, learn what to do.

Follow these steps

1. If your device has a Ring/Silent switch, move the switch forward—toward the device's display—so that orange isn't showing. If you're using an iPad, you can also swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and make sure that Silent Mode is off. 

2. Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and make sure that Do Not Disturb is off.

Contact Apple Support

If you checked the sound settings and your device still has sound issues, contact Apple Support to discuss service options.

If you want to try more steps on your own

If you prefer, here are some more steps you can try on your own. After following these steps, you might still need to contact Apple Support to discuss service options.

1. Remove all screen protectors, films, or cases from your device. 
2. Check the speaker opening to see if it's blocked or dirty. On iPhone only, make sure that the receiver isn't blocked or dirty. 
3. If necessary, clean the speaker or receiver opening with a small, soft-bristled brush. Make sure that the brush is clean and dry.
4. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds & Haptics), and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider back and forth a few times. If you don't hear any sound, or if your speaker button on the Ringer and Alerts slider is dimmed, your speaker might need service.
5. If you hear sound, try making a call with your iPhone and turn on speakerphone. On iPad or iPod touch, make a FaceTime call. If you still can't hear, or hear static or crackling, then your network or reception could be the issue. Try to call again later, or from a different location."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

Fobbed off by Apple again - distorted sound after 17.1 update

Updated to 17.1 and it has now distorted the my ear speaker during calls. Apple customer support have done nothing to resolve the issue that they have created. On iPhone XR

Same thing is happening to me on my iphone 12. Often changes from normal to muffled after I get an alert on my phone. Sometimes the volume is gradually restored. Clearly a software problem.

Followed what video?

Same thing is happening to me, I can’t watch YouTube without getting a massive headache. I have to use my pc or quest now to view media.

Same thing is happening to me, I can’t watch YouTube without getting a massive headache. I have to use my pc or quest now to view media. Also it’s the top speaker for me.

If you want clean and fresh sound and clean fresh video picture buy a new IPhone , your’s stale now.

Cleaning the ear speaker per that direction along with the sound worked for me!