Why does my iPhone 16 Pro audio sound underwater?

Whenever I record a video on my iPhone 16 pro and airdrop it to my Mac, the audio sounds like it was recorded underwater. I’ve tried it from both sides of my phone, I’ve tried it in different places, and I’ve tried it without the case. If this is user error, no it’s not, because the product was designed extremely non-intuitively. There is something wrong. My new phone feels like a downgrade. I’ve seen others attempt to ask about this fairly recently but their thread is just locked




[Re-Titled by Moderator]



iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Apr 20, 2025 6:05 AM

Reply
3 replies

Apr 20, 2025 11:44 PM in response to Just_Bryce

Have you updated the device to latest software and checked .


have you observed any dust particles seen in speaker and receiver ,if yes try to clean them with an ESD brush.


still the same issue persists try to take data back up and restore the device ,even after doing it same issue is there then you need to visit an Apple Service provider for additional diagnostics and screening.

Apr 21, 2025 12:21 AM in response to Just_Bryce

"Why does my iPhone 16 Pro audio sound underwater?: [...]If this is user error, no it’s not, because the product was designed extremely non-intuitively. There is something wrong. My new phone feels like a downgrade.[...]"

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Troubleshooting iPhone-Recorded Audio Issues on a Mac:

A. Try Resetting the Core Audio:

Type the following command in Terminal:

sudo killall coreaudiod

Opening Terminal: To get to Terminal, navigate to: Apple menu > Applications > Utilities



B. Single Out this User:

Create an administrator to temporary use. Then, try the using them with that user. If it works, then it is a misconfiguration somewhere within the current user. If it does not work, then it is an issue with the macOS itself.


C. Try in Safe Mode:

[Hold Down: the shift key upon boot]. In Safe ModeLogin Items do not load at login, certain System Preferences are set aside, and damaged system files (i.e. caches) are intentionally fixed.


D. Single-Out this Computer:

Try this on another computer --a Mac or a PC, even. See if you get the same issue.

Apr 21, 2025 12:22 AM in response to Just_Bryce

"Why does my iPhone 16 Pro audio sound underwater?: [...]I’ve seen others attempt to ask about this fairly recently but their thread is just locked"

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Report this to Apple: Seems to be catching on. so, report this to Apple. Question is: "Just how many people have reported this to Apple?"

Do your Part: Inform Apple of your feedback of this issue. Include how you’ve troubleshot this, and your results. Apple wont get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive from its users, the more likely they will know what needs to be fixed, and what their customers prefer in updates, and future macOS versions to come. Apple with know nothing of this occurrence, if you don't report it to them.

  1. Go Here: Feedback - macOS - Apple
  2. Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
  3. Select: "User Interface" for the "Feedback Area"
  4. Comment: on when this issue began, and how you have troubleshot it, thus far. Include the URL of this thread.
  5. Proceed from there as necessary


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Why does my iPhone 16 Pro audio sound underwater?

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