Very low sound while calling on iPhone 11 Pro Max

Same here on 12 Pro. Very low volume. Tried all switches, software settings Audio and Voice, upgraded to 17.1, hard reset, cleaned with clean air, etc, etc...no effect. Seems like a software issue with iOs17

Hi Shahanad3,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand you have some low volume issues on calls after updating to iOS 17.0.1. The latest of iOS is now 17.0.3 and we recommend updating to see if the issue persists after doing so. Here's how if needed: Update your iPhone or iPad.

This article has some relevant steps that may help as well: If you hear no sound or distorted sound from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch speaker.

"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."

Take care.

Ok, UPDATE: Went to the Apple repair station at Best Buy yesterday to get this fixed. I have the 12MAX and when the 17.3.1 load hit my phone, the speaker issue was created. Apple is fully aware of this problem, and are you ready for this, it PHYSICALLY broke my speaker according to APPLE. Yes physically...a software update broke hardware? I have never heard of this ever! So they ordered me a speaker and will install tomorrow...we will see if this fixes the issue....

This simple trick worked for me.

’ Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds & Haptics), and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider back and forth a few times.’ That should do it.

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. Good luck

Found solution on another thread. It worked for me (two new iphones 15 plus and 13, both iOS 17.x)

Turn off the attention aware feature and ring tone remained loud.

Turn Attention Aware features on or off - Apple Support

This video finally worked for me. The 3rd step under touch.

https://youtu.be/rebeZsQLebs?si=mW5vMbk7vYbQixVM

FIXED!!! 😊

So… I’d been having this as well. iOs 17.2. It’s been like that since 17 but strangely on the previous 17.1.x I had distortion on call audio only on the small speaker, with volume NOT at its loudest. 

distortion seems gone now but call audio level is super quiet, but fine on the “speaker” setting. 

I since updated to 17.3 and the problem persisted. I did some searching and found out there’s a known issue with SOME iphone 12 speakers and that they’ll replace it FOC if it qualifies. So I took the phone in to an Apple Store to ask them to do this. They took it out back for a few minutes and brought it back working good as new. All they had done was clean the speaker, the didn’t even take the phone apart. No charge. 😊

I’m not sure exactly what method they used to clean it but it was obviously more effective than what I’d tried.

Did you try to disable Attention Aware Features? (Settings/Accessibility/Face ID/Attention Aware Features

They cleaned it with rubbing alcohol. This problem has nothing todo with iOS updates or apple parts. It’s merely filth in the ear speaker.

I think I may have the same problem.

Could anyone verify, does your ringer, music etc. all work fine, but if you try to hear a call in a normal fashion, it’s there but barely audible? But then putting them on speaker is right back to normal volume?

I was perplexed bc the speaker works, it’s seems to just be malfunctioning for that very specific task. Had not thought of a bad update, but that would explain it.

if anyone can just verify if the issue is the same for them, I’d be grateful.

I was pretty behind on updates and still in the 16’s but recently updated to 17.1.1 and I’m extremely aggravated as I’m experiencing the same volume issue during calls since this update. This is super annoying and inconvenient as my volume is up all the way and I can hardly hear a thing! I have an iPhone 12 mini.

yes this is exactly how my pro max 13 has been since updating to ios17. Word for word. I just updated to 17.1.2 hoping the fix was in the update but I was wrong. It actually made the issue worse!!! . bc my 13 pro max was perfect BEFORE the 17ios was forced updated. I’ve tried everything. Let me know if you find a solution other than buying a new phone. Thanks

[Edited by Moderator]

You win apple bought a new phone running same software as my mini (updated multiple time and never got better) and the issue is gone....shocking. It'll be interesting to watch apple get in trouble for this update like they did with battery life back in the day. Guess I will enjoy the phone feature until you guys come out with the 16 or 17 and force your customers to update the software which turns into updating the phone all together. This tactic is good for stock not so much for customer loyalty.

Yes, @LifeCereal - I am having the exact same issue. I am currently updating my iPhone 14 to iOS 17.2.1 and hoping that my phone's in-call volume is fixed. Just like you, I can do all things normally, except for hearing the caller's voice. The in-call volume is drastically low. I can faintly hear the caller, but it sounds extremely low. As soon as I enable speaker, the volume is accurate and appropriate.

I do not have a screen protector on my phone either.

After calling Apple support about this, I took my iPhone 13 (and recently upgraded to iOS 17.2) to Best Buy for diagnosis and they determined that the top speaker is not functioning. Repair will be $80.