iPhone 5s mic problem

It should be noted that this issue has affected users of phones [and their operating systems (7.0 +)] purchased on release day. This is NOT related to any specific release of OS7 and is instead (I'm 98%) a hardware issue. mrsbaer's idea to compile and organize what we've collectively established was a very good one.

I suggest my above comments (i.e. the first sentence of this post) be added to the list of characteristics of the "bad microphone situation".

I agree with your list...

Also the first batch of new iphone 5s had this issue, along with the four subsequent "service" phones that i was given had the same issue

-people who bring up the case literally boil my blood because that is the first thing everyone did was take off their cases/ covers/ screen protectors (in my case).

(white box iphone 5s, purchased Dec 13, w/ 7.04 using Sprint and Survivor case) I'm not sure I would agree that this is a hardware issue. Nor do I agree that this is a problem with a particular case, i.e. book book. It looks like some folks like myself don't even have the same features as others using the same 7.04 OS. My system does not have an ability to switch off the Noise Cancellation using the prompts Settings > General > Accessibility > Phone Noise Cancellation. It just isn't there. I was able to fix the problem by putting a small piece of clear tape over the rear speaker. (a more permanent solution than using your finger). The sound transmission quality has improved dramatically."Like" if this worked for you.

Sorry for my english.

But.... what Apple is saying???

I bought my 5s in Miami but I'm living in Italy and in Brazil for work....

Apple doesn't want to help me because is a US phone!!! Incredible!!!!

They (Apple, Samsung, Sony, etc...) invented and planned the globalized world but they doesn't like the globalized worker/customer.....

blah!!!! 😠

I'm not using any cover. Turn off "noise cancelling" doesn't help

I'm thinking to trash my first iPhone.... I can't travel to USA for a iPhone...... 😮

I'm in the same situation as yours.

I live in Brazil and I bought my iphone 5S in Miami.

Apple doesn't want to cover warranty here because model A1533 is not sold here.

It is unbelievable that a company like Apple let lot of products with factory problems to be sold to final consumers.

Hi, where do you live?

I'm Italian but living in Curitiba PR (work...)

I can't travel to USA or Italy or Europe, where the warranty is valid, until August '14...... I can't wait, I can't wait...!!!

This phone is useless!

Unbelievable!

It's a serious deficiency of information.... why don't tell me: "hey guy, in Brazil, China, X, Y, Z, you will be without warranty!!!!" Ok?????

😠

I've similar issue. This is really affecting me as I attend many conference calls and if people are not able to hear me clearly they get frustrated. Now all my calls first begins with an apology and test if everyone can hear me.

Why there is no recall yet by Apple? I'm sure even politicians should be having similar issues. Hello Lawyers!

Use a headset for now. That's what I do on my conf. calls. Works fine for the time being.

Like many of you, I am often being told I sound muffled, far away, thin sounding or robotic. My problem is DEFINITELY to do with the rear microphone, as I can now replicate the fault on my phone (16gb grey 5s) at any time.

If the rear mic - located in between the camera iris and flash/torchlight - is partially covered i.e. with my fingers, or lying on a pillow, or holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder, or coming into close proximity with a high backed chair, i.e. during normal everyday constantly occurring situations, this is when the fault happens and I sound muffled, far away, etc.

If the rear mic is completely covered with my fingertip, the fault does not manifest at all, and the fault also goes away when the mic is completely unobscured. It is only when partially obscured that this happens. I use a Cygnett case, but the fault happens whether my phone is in or out of the case.

Great, so I found a way to get around it for now, but this is a massive technical FAIL for apple. Sounds like it should be able to be sorted with a software update though as both mics obviously work, but the outgoing signal is seemingly adversely affected via the phone's software processing if the rear mic is partially obscured. Try it for yourselves, and see if it's the same for you. Apologies if anyone's written this already in the thread - didn't have time to read all posts.

I have same problem !

My friends complain the mic goes really quiet and can't hear me .

What can i do ? How can i resolve this issue ?

I think, all of us, who have the same issue, will wait and wish to resolve somehow this problem .

If many owners complain it, i think it's a generally defect from Apple .

I'm having the same problem with my wifes phone. It does appear to be a noise suppresion issue. As a pilot I use noise canceling headphones, and the problem seems to replicate noise cancelling activities.

I agree with the list so far. The noise cancellation microphone on the back of the phone causes my voice to get muffled or they can't hear me. If I use a headset or the speaker phone, then people can hear me. There is definitely something wrong with either the software (noise cancellation) or a physical hardware issue with the rear microphone. I took my 5s into the Apple Store genius bar and they said "we have never heard of this microphone issue" (wink wink.... I'm sure they have, they just don't want to admit the flaw). To humor Apple support, they swapped my phone out thinking it was a hardware issue, but now on the second 5s device and the microphone problem persists.

I think the reason that they may not hear of the issue too often is (a) so many people use headsets when making phone calls, and (b) many next gen users do not make voice calls any more (mainly texters or social media posters).

Like others, if I place my finger over the mic on the back next to the flash/camera, the issue resolves itself immediately. And I have turned off noise cancellation in settings, but that doesn't fix the problem consistently as I still have to put my finger over there. This isn't an elegant solution as you get smudgy prints over your camera lens.

Let's get this fixed Apple. Please don't give us the runaround.

I have been following this thread since inception. Small square of clear tape over the mic on the back of the phone seems to be the most logical fix. I tried it finally 3 days ago and the problem has gone away.

Eventually Apple will address it in a new production run and I will swap out the phone then.

Excuse me.... Apple doesn't tell us anything???

Like "we're looking a solution, don't worry!"

Ops, I was forgetting that the iPhone is a very cheap phone, we don't deserve it.......

Blah

I have the same problem with my iPhone 5s, please when is the new patch will realesed