Q: iPhone 6 Plus Volume

iPhone 6+  64GB Space Grey

iPhone 6+ 128GB Gold

There is another thread in this forum with the same topic...so it's not isolated.

I am facing the same frustration as you on both my 6+ along with my wife's 6+. It is very hard to hear on phone calls. I thought about the placement issue and actively make sure the receiver end is centered towards the open ear canal. My wife's phone is worse than mine. My phone is not consistently bad. The Apple Store used the Voice Recording App to play back through the receiver and based on that they say there is no problem with our hardware.

They didn't have other 6+ models to swap with and just told us to return them if we weren't happy. Apple Store didn't seem to care and said no body else is reporting this problem. Pretty lousy service IMO. For now we have kept both phones.

My only other theory is that the telecommunication module/chip used on the new iphones may be designed for voice over LTE. It considers everything just a pipe of data. When there are a lot of users on a particular cell, the pipe narrows giving less bandwidth to voice calls. The design of the new chips could all be made like this deliberately and according requirements, so the engineers claim it works. I am on AT&T and even Verizon customers have this issue. Perhaps this is one of those newer is not better. It may work as designed, but that does not mean it just works.

Let us know if you find any more info. Thanks

I guess I need to add myself to this thread/problem.  I have the iPhone 6 Plus and during calls the volume is awful!  I do hope that Apple makes an effort to remedy this (non-isolated) problem!  It's such a shame that something this elementary isn't checked and optimized prior to release.  Again, I hope to hear that this can be fixed!

James

Hi

Like many other members, I had the same issue with the low volume during calls and although I increased the volume on the side of the iPhone, this would also alter the volume in the sound settings and, even then, I still had problems hearing the calls.

On my iPhone 5S, I always had the volume at half way and the calling volume was fine so, I did the same on my iPhone 6 Plus but the in call volume was low and I would have thought that the volume would have been the same.

After checking around for fixes, I made a note of a few that seemed to work for other members but, before trying them out, I went into settings/sound and noticed that under 'ringers and alerts', there was a volume sound bar with a slider which, when the external volume was altered, the volume was also adjusted on the sound bar because, 'change with buttons' was enabled so, I disabled it and then I increased the eternal volume and doing so made no difference to the sound bar.

I then increased the slider on the sound bar to about two thirds with the external volume still set to the half way point and, when my next call came in, I was able to hear the caller with ease because the volume in my ear was increased to my liking and, the external volume was still set to half way and also when you launch music app.  I'm really pleased now because I thought that I would have to call Apple but, I'm pleased to say that, with regard to that particular issue, I

don't need to.    I hope that this helps other members who are having the same problem?

The earpiece volume on my 6S was also pretty low. I took the case off (which evidently covers up the speaker there pretty good), and now the volume is fine and dandy. That's too bad cuz I really like that case.

Volume all the way up on my Space Grey 128GB and it's quite difficult to hear in a busy environment.  I had to turn on Hearing Aid mode in the accessibility options.  Hope this is sorted soon.

Here's the answer!!  Go to General...then Accessibility and then scroll down to where you see the (L) and (R) - Left and Right balance.  I use my right ear when speaking on the phone.  Adjust the level all the way to the right (for individuals like me), or to the left, if you use your left ear while talking on the phone.  It worked for me!

I have the same issue with my iPhone 6 plus. I tried to restore the phone and changed the hearing aid setting to no avail. I hope Apple can fix this by a software update... I'll wait to iOS 8.1 before making an appointment to get a replacement.

You're not a very bright one are you?

That setting is for adjusting the stereo balance of your headphones and the main speaker.

The headset speaker has one channel so its mono only. It has no affect on what ear you use for that matter.

What you're experiencing is most likely placebo so I'm sorry but that definitely won't fix it.

Wow! Although I was wrong, you did not have to be so rude and insulting.  I'll be sure to go elsewhere for insight or help. 

Hi Guys

I am an iPhone 6 owner, I was also facing the same problem as you guys. I don't think it is a hardware issue per se. Below is what I did and I think is a fix for this problem.

The new iPhones use VOLTE(Voice over LTE) technology. This means that you can browse the internet and talk at the same time on 4G. This technology actually sends the voice as data and not the normal call that you make.

Coming to the fix:

1) Go to Settings -> Cellular -> Enable 4G (Switch on cellular data if you can't see enable 4G)

2) You will get 3 options there: Off, Voice&Data, Data Only

3) Check which option is enabled for you.

4) If it is Voice&Data change it to 'Data Only' or 'Off'.

Changing to 'Data only' will route all your data through 4G speed, but the voice calls will be made through 3G. You will actually see 3G, while making a call. You can verify this.

Changing to 'Off', will switch off 4G completely. Voice and Data go through 3G.

I found that changing to 'Data only' or 'Off' improved and increased the earpiece volume on my iPhone.

This worked for me, hopefully it will work for you guys too.

I think sending Voice over LTE improves voice quality but decreases the overall earpiece volume.

I haven't read all the way through this posting, but my wife had the same problem and it turned out being the plastic protection from the factory was still on it. I peeled it back and cut a out a piece for the camera and speaker and smoothed it back down in place. Issue fixed

I am a musician. Just bought the iphone 6 plus. I like listening to music on my head phones while training. However, after trying almost everything the sound levels are way too low on my phone, probably around 10 DB low. I presume this can be fixed with a software upgrade. So i really hope apple doesnt disappoint or ill just have to switch back to iPhone 5.

The hint with the plastic film was very helpfully in my case. After I removed the foil, the volume is Ok for me.

Thanks!

We are having the same problem with the iphone 6 plus. I have tried every suggestion posted prior to this. Nothing has helped.

Siri is loud. Music is loud. Voices on a call or voice mail are very low.

Obviously the sound for calls and voice mails are not working right, as they should be as loud as everything else!

Apple is known for being easy to use and synced up. One should not have to change the volume for a call and then lower it for Siri or other sounds.

Hubby called Apple. They said return it. However, it doesn't sound like it's a singular phone issue. It's a developer/engineering issue.

Now he is on the phone with Verizon tech. They are just as non - helpful.

Very disappointed...as I just bought an iphone 6 today! Haven't made a call yet...but wow..disappointing.

HI Loridori4

I know you've stated that you tried all off the suggestions so far but can you just check that you have tried mine (above)?  I have a 6+ and it worked for me I feel sure that it ought to work for other iPhone 6's.