Low volume with USB-C to 3.5mm adapter

Hello Everyone,

I was also facing the same low volume issue with USB-C to 3.5mm connector.

The following setting was enabled in my 15 Pro Max:

Settings > Sounds and Haptics > Headphone Safety > Reduce Loud Audio

After disabling this settings, there is a huge difference in the audio output, getting the previous output at only around 50% of the current volume.

This setting worked for me, hope that helps.

Thank you

Hello iThrall,

You can try one more thing, enable the Reduce Loud Audio setting, below that you will find a loudness slider, try increasing it upto 100 decibles.

I tried this and this too worked for me.

BTW I am on iOS 17.2, if that makes any difference.

Hello mtuchalski,

Volume is a tough thing to confirm as it can be subjective from one person to the next. If you feel that there is an audio issue with your AirPods or possibly your iPhone, try restarting/resetting both:

• Restart your iPhone - Apple Support
• How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support

If you have the ability to, testing with a different adapter (or testing that adapter on different equipment) can help narrow things down too.

We hope this helps. Let us know if we can assist with anything else at all. Take care.

Same problem here. Like to use AirPods Max wired to iPhone so I’m not always using a Bluetooth connection. It was dead obvious moving from lightning to USB-C when I upgraded my phone there was a reduction in volume. This is with using ALL official Apple adapters, cables, devices, etc.

The significance and that change may be subjective, but the fact it’s happened is certainly not!

Strange that someone would offer support by telling you to reset your device and “volume” is subjective… volume is measured in decibels but ok.

This is a wild issue that needs more attention but because most people are going wireless and not audiophiles, it will probably remain an issue.

I did a little research and found an iOS app developer measuring nearly a 10x difference in audio levels when measuring USB-C vs lightning to 3.5mm (23dB lower in this case). I’m going to guess that apple *could* compensate by updating their audio driver in a future iOS release, but my tech knowledge doesn’t extend far enough to know the root of it, and this could pose issues with their programmed volume limiter.

Your best solutions are unfortunately a burden. I have yet to find a workaround that doesn’t involve taking the direct-to-USB-C out of the equation.

I can assure you this isn’t subjective. I have had several pairs of solid wired headphones that have always worked fine with my Lightning connector on a previous iPhone. Since upgrading to a 15 and getting the new USB-C adapter I noticed a slight reduction in volume. I have since switched them between the old and new phones a few times, and now the sound is barely audible AT ALL on EITHER DEVICE, and I’d like to be clear I am not exaggerating. The USB-C adapter has destroyed my audio output on 2 devices through a perfectly good set of headphones that are in excellent working order.

Exact same problem here! I'm using the 3,5 mm earpods with the USB-C Apple adaptor and the volume is much lower. Already tried other non-Apple USB-C adaptors and the issue persists.

It seems that we really have to go wireless. Not good.

Agreed. Never resolved after several iOS updates and I’m on my second iPhone 15 since my first one had issues out of box with its antenna that ultimately failed after 6 months. Production quality of the 15 has given me more issues than any iPhone I’ve had. Apple knows I’ll still buy the 16 tho…. Sigh

Having the same issues.

Nope same issue 🤠

This issue still persists, and it's driving me insane. I have headphones with a 3.5mm jack, and the volume is significantly lower when I plug them into my iPhone 15 Pro with the USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. This needs to be fixed fast.

Seriously a shame. Haven’t had a good jam sesh in my car ever since upgrading 😂

In my case(15 pro), usb c to 3.5 makes the lowest volume is still too loud :)) i use an apple authentic adapter with sony xb75ap but the volume is still ok with my colleague’s 15 pro :))

Great stuff! Thank you Jas-Khaira, problem solved!

🙏🏻