Very low sound while calling on iPhone 11 Pro Max

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.

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

In my cade I fixed it on two new phones by Disabling Attention Aware Features (Accessibility/Face ID/Attention Aware Features).

@sailthealbion

That worked! I guess the symptoms can be the same but solutions may be different. I tried a SW update to 17.4.1 and it didn't fix it, but the issue was very likely at this point the build up of material on the speaker. Cleaning it with a Q-tip and alcohol did the magic.

Thanks a lot

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

I tried all the ‘fixes’ on here & other sites & got nowhere. What worked for me was an old toothbrush soaked in rubbing alcohol. I gave the ear piece a quick scrub & it’s working again perfectly. So glad. Was about to take it to Apple to replace the ear speaker.

Go to headphone safety setting, raise the volume there. Every time they do a software update you will have to fix it again.

I had the same issues with low call volume and I finally found out how to fix it on my own. Just remember how you fixed it because with each update I’ve had to trouble shoot it again. .

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....

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.

Clean the ear speaker with rubbing alcohol & a toothbrush…. Fixed it for several times with several iPhones

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

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

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

Go to headphone safety setting, raise the volume there. Every time they do a software update you will have to fix it again.

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

Done. Good volume on the slide. Still low volume to my ear. More help?