Grey box overlapping my texting keyboard with 0:00

Hi Bugsington,

I see that you are experiencing an issue where your text entry field in the Messages app is being obscured by a gray bar. I would like to suggest that you first update to iOS 9.0.1, which was released today, and see if the issue is resolved by this update. If the issue is still present, you should go to your Messages settings and toggle the “Show Subject Field” setting. Simply turning this on, returning to your Messages app, then returning to the Settings to turn off the field again should resolve the issue:

Messages settings - iPhone

http://help.apple.com/iphone/9/#/iphf2d853e3

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Have a good one!

OK. Same thing happened to me. I been holding off on this download cause I'm really not fan of Apple. I'm more of a Microsoft person. The iPhones are pretty cool though. Windows are falling behind (Nokia, Smh). I know Apple has their flaws in software also. after I updated to the 9.0.1 or whatever it is. I tried everything. Restarting the phone. Restarting the app. Your "subject field" method. The microphone method which do not work for sms text messages, only iMessage. So I investigated the process of what was happening. I reset all apps. I noticed that it happened when I put the phone close to my body. I thought I was covering a sensor or something because the screen would black out like a sleep mode or something. Considering that the grey bar was for audio recording and I didn't actually hit any keys or buttons, I thought about the voice text feature. After combing my options. I finally found a good fix. Although it's not a technical solution. It's your "Raise to Listen" feature in the text messages settings at the bottom. Youll have to switch it off. I noticed that when I put the phone to my ear while texting, it would go dark as if I'm on the phone listening to voice data. But it's just a regular text. I believe the issue in that area. Sorry for those who actually use the feature. But it's only marketing. I have a iPhone 5. It's just their of telling us hat we need to upgrade. "Buy the IPhone 6 Plus". So just turn off the raise to listen feature and you can text normally again. Body heat is what activates the feature and causes the grey bar to pop up. Works for me.

After a while of playing with my IPhone 6 I found a cause and solution. The cause is when in a text message. We tend to wait for a reply to the message in the mean time we tend to put our fingers or hand near the front camera next to the Proximity Sensor. Covering up the senor during the text will make the screen go blank and the 0:00 to appear in the message text box. Making it impossible to go away. Here is the solution.(Till Apple Fixes The Issue) Below are the steps on how to fix the issue.

1. open the "Setting" app.

2. Swipe don't till you see "Messages"

3.Tap "Messages"

4. Scroll down till you see "Audio Messages"

5. If "Raise To Listen" is turned on Please Turn It off.

6. Turning this off play your audio message with the IPhone Speaker.

7. Return to Your "Imessage" app and type a short text. Don't send the message and hold The IPhone up to your ear. covering the Proximity Sensor. If your screen does not go blank and the 0:00 does not appear in the text box. Your issue is fixed (For The mean time)Please Let me know if your issue is still Present. I will work till the issue is Fixed.

Your issues not having the Audio section under messages. Could you be using Sms? if so please follow the steps below.

1.Make sure that you're connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network first.

2. Tap "Settings"

3. Scroll down till you see "iMessage"

4. Select "iMessages"

5. If "iMessage" is turned off please turn it on

6. You'll need an apple id and phone number to activate "iMessage"

7. Once activated please allow iPhone one minute to configure the new changes.

8. Return to "Settings" Then "iMessage"

9. Scroll down till you see "Audio Messages"

10. Disable The "Raise To Listen"

Return to messaging and type a text in the text box.Now raise your iPhone up to your ear. If iPhone screen does not go blank. you have sucessefully fixed the grey box with 0:00. IPhone 4(Left) IPhone 5 (Middle) iPhone 6 (Right) Arrows indicate the location of the proximity sensor.

Have you also checked out apple recall program? recalling the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 Plus and MacBook and More. Check it out here. http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/

Have A Nice Night.

I don't work for apple.

I represent apple.

Please Mark "This Helped Me" button. Thanks

I also have this issue, even after the 9.0.1. update. Where's is this "Raise to Listen" option so I can turn off this incredibly annoying feature that apparently no one really likes. Also, why oh why does it come on by itself in the middle of texting??? Such a pain!

Thanks!

Where's is this "Raise to Listen" option so I can turn off this incredibly annoying feature that apparently no one really likes.

Settings -> Messages -> scroll to the bottom and you will find the setting.

I have the most current software, but that trick did help...for now! I took my phone into a local store and they were absolutely no help at all. Of course when they turned my phone off and back on it was gone...when I got home the gray box was back! I sure don't want to turn my phone off and on all the time. Thank you the trick did work.

I looked there earlier, and just checked that route again. I don't see a "Raise to Listen" selection. I see "Keep Messages" then "Filter Unknown Senders", that's it. My phone is the 4, if that might be the difference....?

I'm with Ruth. Turning off the phone is the only way I can get it to go away.....for now.

My phone is the 4, if that might be the difference....?

Perhaps. My device is a 6S.

There is a section called Audio Message with two options, one of when to expire the message and the other with raise to listen. All found under Settings -> Messages, all the way at the bottom.

Hi raymond73,

I appreciate you trying to assist me, however I have followed your suggestions and there is no "Raise to Listen", nor do I see "Audio Message", even by scrolling all the way to the bottom going through Settings -> Messages function. If your device is a 6S, the on-screen options are evidently different....but again, thanks for help!

If anyone else who has an iOS4, and you know of the solidified fix (aside from powering off and on several times a day), please feel free to share it.

Many thanks to all!

I have the same issue on my iPhone 6 but the grey box is the audio to send an audio message to people with an iPhone. but mine is still showing even after the steps I did. I have to manually close the message app for texting to resume. I have the newest update IOS 9.0.1

Thanks Hunter.

I have to say, Apple - C'mon! What are you doing to us!?!?!?!?

An update causes us all this grief, but no forthcoming info on how to disable it....permanently! No one seemingly knows for sure how to GET RID of this nuisance ! As you can see, it's driving me (and others I'm certain) utterly crazy!

HELP !!!!

Same issue here. I've been an Android guy for several years, just made the move to the iPhone 6s on Sunday and finally got around to activating my new iPhone last night. Today is Day 1 - I'm experiencing the same thing. If this is my "Welcome to the iPhone World" greeting, I'm unimpressed. I'm running 9.0.1 as well. Enabling "Show Subject Line", going into Messaging, then disabling it does fix it....for a few minutes. I also have NO "Raise to Listen" option in my Messaging settings. What gives?

I'm full of issues.....I saw a couple responses; one from lisa24000, and one from mickey1023 on my iPhone stating that they received a solution from someone, but for some reason (even after I refresh), their messages aren't showing here on the site from my laptop....

So, what is the fix? If someone could break out their Crayons for me and let me know please!

Thanks again!

My apologies for my last communication. I see lisa24000 and mickey1023's messages now (page <1 of 2>, duh me!)

So are we implying that the fix is "Show Subject Field" as braden85 suggests? If so, I'm still not completely satisfied as texting on my iPhone 4 is not the same as it was before the 9.0.1. update. I think the extra busyness in the text bar isn't necessary and impractical. Who really puts a subject to their texts? To me, it's a pointless function and just something extra to look at.

Either way, I guess I'm just resisting change, but how does one turn off this ridiculous function and set it to the way the text bar was??? And no extra stuff to gawk at....