iPhone 16 Pro Max: crackling and voices from speaker outside of calls

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iPhone 16 Pro Max: crackling and voices from speaker outside of calls

Hi everyone,

I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max (iOS 26, brand new, already replaced 3 times) and I hear crackling + clear human conversations from the speaker even when I'm NOT on a call.

It happens randomly, sometimes when working online. I've tried:

- Restarting

- Disabling Voice Isolation

- Checking audio settings (balance, mono, etc.)

- Checking for unknown profiles/apps

Since it happens on 3 different iPhones, is this:

- A known EMI/RF interference issue with the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

- An iOS 26.2 audio bug?

- The Apple Store heard the issue but couldn't find a solution.

Is anyone else experiencing this? Any solutions? I can hear it without putting the phone near my ears—it's so loud!!!

Thank you for your help!

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Jan 7, 2026 5:13 PM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

100,871 points

Jan 9, 2026 7:22 AM in response to Phoenix38

Could they hear it?

Having two phones with such bizarre behavior has such a small probability, the third was unnecessary.

As this is an almost impossible phenomenon you will not get a technical response.

It now needs you to speak with someone like your doctor and see if they can hear it too.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

100,871 points

Jan 8, 2026 8:07 AM in response to Phoenix38

First in settings, Accessibility, Audio & Visual. Background sounds, make sure it is off

Then swipe up the screen to half way and close all open apps one by one by swiping up on each.

Then force restart the phone https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6/ios

After that you need to take it to an Apple store again and show them again, that is not a suitable response from them.

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Answer 3

Phoenix38 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 9, 2026 5:15 AM in response to LD150

Hi,

thank you for your answer, but I have been doing that for months...

And I've had 3 replacement phones, reset my Apple account, and already tried all the troubleshooting steps. Unfortunately, the Apple Store doesn't seem to care and even the support team never responded to my report - my ticket was just closed. So I have little hope of seeing this problem resolved...

I can hear it in real time now... It's harassing me and giving me headaches...

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