Lightning port EarPod controls not working anymore

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Level 1

14 points

Lightning port EarPod controls not working anymore

I’ve been using a pair of Lightning port EarPods for a few months now with no issues. However, around a month ago, I got a pop-up when I connected my EarPods asking “Are you connecting a pair of headphones?”

I clicked yes, and from then on, the EarPods didn’t work right. The audio was fine-ish with a couple of pops sometimes when I slightly move the cable, but the volume and song controls don’t work anymore. I have to manually skip songs and raise the volume through my phone now. I’m not even sure if the microphone is working.

I already clicked “Forget Adapters”, restarted my iPhone 13 Mini, and continuously plugged out and plugged in the EarPods to no avail. I know it’s not an issue with the charging port on my phone because there’s no debris in it and all chargers plugged into it work fine.

I’ve seen other people with this problem with no fix, and Apple Support told me to go have someone check it out at the Genius Bar.

iPhone 13 mini, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 25, 2025 9:07 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

157,974 points

Dec 26, 2025 3:40 PM in response to mendytt

Based on what you’re describing, this issue is most likely related to how iOS is identifying the Lightning accessory rather than a general Lightning port problem. When iOS displays the “Are you connecting a pair of headphones?” prompt and the controls stop working afterward, it usually indicates the EarPods are no longer being fully recognized as a certified audio accessory. When that happens, audio may still pass through, but inline controls and the microphone can stop functioning.

Here are a few additional steps you can try before scheduling a Genius Bar appointment:

Test on another Lightning iPhone (if available): If the EarPods show the same behavior on a different Lightning-based iPhone, that strongly points to a failure in the inline remote/microphone module or the Lightning connector on the EarPods themselves.
Inspect and clean the EarPods Lightning connector: Even if the phone’s port is clean, debris or oxidation on the EarPods’ Lightning plug can interfere with the accessory identification pins. Use a soft, dry cloth and inspect the connector closely under good lighting.
Check Accessibility and Audio settings: Go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual and confirm nothing there is remapping button behavior.
As a last software step, you can try Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings. This does not erase data, but it will reset system preferences, audio routing, and accessory detection settings.

If none of the above resolves the issue, the most likely cause is a partial hardware failure in the EarPods themselves. The inline remote/microphone assembly is usually the first point of failure, and unfortunately it’s not repairable. In that case, Apple’s recommendation to visit a Genius Bar is appropriate, especially if the EarPods are still within warranty.

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