iPhone 5s microphone does not work when on speaker or FaceTime

Hello there, mickpearce.

The following Knowledge Base article provides some great troubleshooting recommendations for issues with the microphone not functioning on your iOS device:

If your voice is too faint or sounds unclear using iPhone, or iPod touch

Test the microphone

To find out if there is an issue with the microphone itself—and not the app you're using or your cellular connection—test the microphone with the built-in Voice Memos app. Speak into the microphone and then play back the recording. You should be able to hear your voice clearly.

Fix common issues

Follow these steps, testing after each with Voice Memos.

1. Unplug anything plugged into the headset jack.
2. If you're on a call and holding your phone next to your ear, speak into the microphone and make sure you don't block it with your fingers or shoulder.
3. If you're using a screen protector or case that covers the microphone, remove it. Clear any debris from the microphones.
4. Restart your device.
5. Update to the latest version of iOS.

If you've tried these steps and people still can't hear you well on calls, contact Apple Support.

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

Cheers,

Pedro.

I posted this on another thread:

I had a similar problem on my 4s after ios8.x update that I was able to fix. My issue was that I could not hear sound from the receiver(ear speaker) [the way most people make calls]. I could put it on speaker phone and could hear the caller but then that made the microphone inoperable, the caller couldnt hear me. I also could not hear my voice mail messages. Everything worked file over bluetooth.

I decided to test the various audio outputs (bottom speakers, ear speaker, headphones) by opening the voice memos app and creating a new memo. I then pressed play and it played over the bottom speakers. I noticed the speaker icon in the upper right hand corner of the app and so I pressed that turning it from blue to white and then replayed the memo and voila I had sound coming from the ear speaker. I then tried making a phone call and listening to my voicemails and everything worked like it used to. Seems that toggling that icon fixed everything. If your voice memo speaker icon is blue try to toggle it to white. HTH, Cheers!

is your problem solved?

i have same problem too. On Facetime skype or handsfree calls my voice going otherside only when otherside mute its mic. İ can record video or voice memo there is no problem.