Q: iPad air 2 pop noise

I'm using a smartcase do you think the magnets have something to do with the issue?

Do you think gray space ipads are more affected?

I can't say with 100% conviction, but I'd say the two are not related.

Just oust got my third loud cracking sound in the last month and half, this time when opening Safari.

My speakers are fine 99% of the time, Apple second tier support over the phone say they believe its a software problem so ill go with that for now, and exchanging it does seem very hit and miss, I have Applecare so if it turns out not to be software (they said they were working on this and I do believe them at this time) then I can change it anyway, this thread is now just full of conjecture and opinions and contradictions and guesses. I'll listen to second tier support over a genius any day or guess work but as to what it turns out to be in the end, well who knows it may not be software. The cure might be the iPad Air 3, if they even call it that for all I know. I think this thread has now become nothing more than confusing and convoluted, as only Apple know the answer for sure

It would be nice if you could post any news you get from Apple support regarding this issue.

From my own observations:

1. Popping noise happens at any battery level.

2. My iPad already popped before I put it in a case.

No pop for the past six days during normal usage. Installed a new app yesterday (the app plays a sound on startup) and when I started the app right after the download it popped. Of course, it didn't pop after killing the app and starting it again.

killhippie wrote:

 

My speakers are fine 99% of the time, Apple second tier support over the phone say they believe its a software problem so ill go with that for now, and exchanging it does seem very hit and miss, I have Applecare so if it turns out not to be software (they said they were working on this and I do believe them at this time) then I can change it anyway, this thread is now just full of conjecture and opinions and contradictions and guesses. I'll listen to second tier support over a genius any day or guess work but as to what it turns out to be in the end, well who knows it may not be software. The cure might be the iPad Air 3, if they even call it that for all I know. I think this thread has now become nothing more than confusing and convoluted, as only Apple know the answer for sure

and that's nice? i mean according to you Apple knows for sure in the meantime the rest of us are in limbo. Sorry but that's definitely NOT nice.

Hi all,

I spent hours reading every post in this thread and decided I would have to contact Apple myself to see what they have to say about it. Further on I'll tell you what she told me over the phone. First I'll set out what my iPad is and what I tried.

So, I bought my iPad Air 2 (64GB Space Grey) Sunday (18th Jan, '15). It's production week 48/49 December (I can't remember exactly without using the site again). I too have this popping sound. I've tried all manor of things to reproduce the sound through a number of variables: plugged in, unplugged, full battery, empty battery, full volume, mute etc...

The trick to tap in and tap out of the URL box on Safari was the most 'reliable' way to reproduce this issue, but it doesn't always produce it! I understand both points of view on this issue, regards to the software/hardware debate and I can empathise with both equally and the idea that it is a bit of both.

Software, yes, it well could be. I have 2.1 surround sound on my PC. When I install the driver I get a similar sound from my bass speaker, it goes pop. Likewise when I turn off the computer (leaving the speakers powered on) it cuts the connection and the bass speaker goes pop. -> I can record a video to prove this fact if anyone requested it. I've had the speakers 10 years and they still work great. But I know right, apples and pears. However, this logic does coincide with the principle of software cutting the power to the speaker (perhaps at sporadic times) -> It was always in my mind as a possibility.

Hardware, yes, it well could be. I don't know a lot about the inner workings of the iPad, I'm not going to speculate on this but I could agree (with the fact lots of people don't have this issue) that it is hardware.

This left me on the fence, and I considered keeping it and waiting for iOS 8.1.3. However, I chatted with Apple and it was escalated to higher support on the basis reinstalling iOS 8.1.2 didn't fix the issue.

OKAY, onto what she told me on the phone.

1. The fact I had factory reset the device, she said, with absolute certainty, the issue is a HARDWARE problem.

2. She had no idea about this thread, OR how widespread this issue is.

3. Her colleagues have had numerous calls about this issue, however, this was her first.

4. I should absolutely return the device, and she would make a note of this fact on my case, for if I were to have a problem doing this.

5. She hopes if I get a new one I won't have the issue.

6. She, and her colleagues have no idea about iOS 8.1.3 -> I got the impression she thought this was a long shot, despite the suggestions being given by some staff in store -> according to the posts I've read in this thread.

7. She was really hoping I could reproduce the sound for her over the phone because she was really intrigued to understand this issue more -> I guess because it's been raised numerous times with her colleagues. I told her I've tried to record it, unfortunately I've not had much luck -> I said YouTube is the best place to go.

I was always interested to know if the pop would go through headphones or not. Like others I got the pop just by touching the screen, not necessarily using any apps.

Also, I think changing the equaliser is an entirely different kettle of fish, in my honest opinion.

I really don't care what you take away from my post here. I haven't come to persuade anyone. I've lost faith in this product and will be returning it tomorrow. (IF I purchase another one) I will buy it from Apple next time so I don't have to go through so many lengths to get confirmation it's an issue so I can actually return it -> I was sure the high street store would kick up a fuss.

I'm not going to say you should do one thing or another. All I'll say is: it's a lot of money for this product. Seems to me this thread started in October. Mine was made in December. Take from that what you will. I'm really sorry to those of you who can't return it and want to -> I really sympathise with you.

I felt I should share my experience. I wish you all the best of luck. I'll monitor this thread. If anyone has any questions for me I will try and respond.

Thanks,

Nic

My air 2 poped only 100% fully charged. it poped when I type anything on safari and when I lock my ipad when 100% charged. I think the pop noise might come from speaker so I try to mute the sound from these two functions ( lock/keyboard) .  Then I go to setting --> sound --> and mute the lock sounds and keyboard clicks.. The result is no more pop anymore as I test at 100% fully charged several times.  however when I turn on the sounds of these two function the pop come back again..  I'm not sure if it's hardware or software issue but right now I just learn to live with it by this mute solution...

I've recently bought an iPad Air 2 128g space grey model and it does that snapping pop sound. Plus whilst I'm typing this, precisely when the keyboard popped up or I press the backspace button. I have posted a YouTube video, I was recording keyboard malfunction on this very forum using Chrome mobile and the pop sound occur when pressing the backspace button for the first time. I've contact apple support waiting for reply. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PNbT6lwuxc

Hello all! I have this issue as well and want to share my experience. I have returned my device for another that pops just the same after reading this thread with no solution in sight. I found that the pop is heard all the time through headphones when doing the things mentioned in this thread, especially when pressing home for Siri and entering a text field and pulling the keyboard up. I guess the sound is easily heard through that part of the circuit and sometimes goes to the speakers very randomly. More problems with sound are heard with headphones when messing with the sound settings for notifications and ringers. Muting specifically the notifications separately will stop the pop. Messing with the EQ presets is not producing the same sound, it's far less offensive. I had a chat with support and they asked me if it happens with the case off (smart case) and I replied yes. The case makes no difference. They told me it sounds like a hardware issue and I should return my iPad for a new one since I just bought it. So I'm going to give it one more shot and return this for a new one. If the third device has the same issue it will be a refund until this issue has a definitive solution.

Good luck to all. This is a lot of money to spend for pad with sound issues.

iPad Air 2 wifi 128GB Space Grey. Same Problem with the popping / crackling noise... it doesn't happen very often but this is unacceptable for a brand new 700 euro device.

I Just hope it is a software issue and Apple are working on a fix...

just had a chat with Customer Support and they recommended that I have my iPad replaced. This is very strange as my iPad was manufactured during week 50 in December 2014 and if Apple were aware of a hardware defect they would surely have addressed it by then. I'm still quite skeptical about this issue...

This amazes me most. As far as I know the earliest devices are production week 37, yours is week 50. Assuming it is a hardware issue, they are making defective devices for 14 weeks now. More than strange in my opinion, because they got customer feedback about this issue in october already. What happened to QC?

Air8 wrote:

 

This amazes me most. As far as I know the earliest devices are production week 37, yours is week 50. Assuming it is a hardware issue, they are making defective devices for 14 weeks now. More than strange in my opinion, because they got customer feedback about this issue in october already. What happened to QC?

Because Apple's engineers have already stated they don't consider this to be an issue.

Personally i don't think there are people who don't have this issue, maybe it hasn't pop, maybe it already has but they don't care, or they haven't been aware, etc. But again that's just my opinion.

Why don't they offer an official response then? Why do they not inform their own customer service so they can reassure customers? And why are we all being offered replacement units?

This is plain weird...

All are being offered replacements units?? Where? Lol i wish.

Cook is about making money, these issues are not important for apple.