Using external wired speakers during a phone call.

RedwoodDawg wrote:

That is not helpful. The speakers work fine, it is the microphone in the phone that doesn’t work when the speakers are plugged into my phone. It used to work this way with my iPhone 13 but it does not work with the iPhone 16.

My major experience with this has been plugging my phone into my car stereo AUX jack. Going back to my iPhone 11 Pro, the speakers would work, but the microphone generally didn't. I suspect that the problem may lie in the adapter. They tend to be very finicky. You could try a different one. Also, try your adapter on another phone.

You're probably going to say that this is "not helpful" but, honestly, my suggestion is that you get a a decent BT speaker with a microphone. You could spend a lot of time troubleshooting this or just move on.

RedwoodDawg Said:

"Using external wired speakers during a phone call.[...] But since I got the 16 Pro I can’t do that anymore.[...]"

-------

External Speakers While on a Call:

Update and then restart.

1. Go Here: If your Headphones don't Work with your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
2. As it Reads: "Make sure that your iPhone [...]has the latest version of iOS[...] Then restart your iPhone[...]"
3. Follow the Rest: If no success.

Go Here: If you Hear No Sound or Distorted Sound from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch Speaker - Apple Support

RedwoodDawg Said:

"Using external wired speakers during a phone call.: I should make clear, the external speakers work, it is the internal microphone that does not. "

-------

Get this Serviced:

This shouldn't be happening. Seems you have a faulty device, if not purchased secondhand, but rather through Apple. So, if purchases directly through Apple, see if Apple can service this. You have a one-year, out-of-the-box, limited-warranty with this.

So, Set Up a Genius Bar Appointment:

Take this into Apple. Ask Apple Support about this when calling them. Have Apple look into this. Start by contacting Apple***, and request that a Genius Bar Appointment be reserved. You would take this to your Local Apple Store, during which the screen and all other necessities would be looked at.

***Info on Contacting Apple:

• Contact Us - Choose Locations
• Proceed from there as Necessary

TheLittles wrote:

RedwoodDawg Said:

"Using external wired speakers during a phone call.: I should make clear, the external speakers work, it is the internal microphone that does not. "

-------

Get this Serviced:

This shouldn't be happening. Seems you have a faulty device, if not purchased secondhand, but rather through Apple. So, if purchases directly through Apple, see if Apple can service this. You have a one-year, out-of-the-box, limited-warranty with this.

So, Set Up a Genius Bar Appointment:

Take this into Apple. Ask Apple Support about this when calling them. Have Apple look into this. Start by contacting Apple***, and request that a Genius Bar Appointment be reserved. You would take this to your Local Apple Store, during which the screen and all other necessities would be looked at.

***Info on Contacting Apple:

• Contact Us - Choose Locations

• Proceed from there as Necessary

I don't believe the Author has a faulty device at all. To test, on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, I have a Bluetooth music only speaker without a microphone. I can hear a phone call through that speaker. But I cannot speak, because my iPhone has no clue the speaker does not have a microphone built in. The Author is in essence doing the same thing with a wired speaker, which does NOT have a microphone built in. Your assertion it should work for the author is based on what direct experience testing something like this? It didn't work on my 15 Pro Max, my 14 Pro Max or virtually any iPhone I've owned.

lobsterghost1 Said:

“[…]I can hear a phone call through that speaker. But I cannot speak, because my iPhone has no clue the speaker does not have a microphone built in. The Author is in essence doing the same thing with a wired speaker, which does NOT have a microphone built in.[…]”

———-

Internal is the issue here. If they’re not working, then look into getting this serviced.

I never suggested your speakers aren't working. But your speakers don't have a microphone in them. When you connect the speakers to your phone, your phone cannot know the speakers don't have a microphone. And the microphone in the phone is not supposed to work if you are outputing sound to speakers. Perhaps there is an app in the App Store you can find, which will accommodate this, but I'm not aware this has ever been supported on iPhone.

I don't agree with TheLittles that you have a defective iPhone. I believe your phone is doing what it's supposed to do.

I do agree you should ask Apple for help directly, however.

TheLittles wrote:

lobsterghost1 Said:

“[…]I can hear a phone call through that speaker. But I cannot speak, because my iPhone has no clue the speaker does not have a microphone built in. The Author is in essence doing the same thing with a wired speaker, which does NOT have a microphone built in.[…]”

———-

Internal is the issue here. If they’re not working, then look into getting this serviced.

No, you don't understand the issue. Internal is NOT the issue. The Author is using external speakers for a phone call, bypassing the internal speaker. But the external speaker doesn't have a microphone to pick up their voice for the call and is expecting the phone to pick up voice, while the speaker plays the other end of the call.

THAT is the issue.

I'm amazed you were able to use external speakers, which don't have a microphone in them, to use the microphone in your iPhone on previous phones. This is not supported, nor has it ever been supported. So how you managed to do this is a mystery.