iPhone 7 Microphone Cutting Out

In my case the problem is ralated to gps, turned it off and all is good.

Turned off ”share my iphone position ” and turn position on again. Its working fine accept when i receice calls while using maps, but i can live with that.

Wow, you can pave the way for all of us being that close to the heat :)

I am informed there is an Apple store in that 'spaceship', like an experience centre or such. Cute to visit one day.

When you would be in The Netherlands I would have been happy to link you with my Dutch senior AppleCare guy when possible. He's a total pro regarding their iPhones and iPads.

But being that close to Apple HQ you must have even more options to make yourself 'heard'.

Maybe take a deep breath and reach out to AppleCare by phone, explain all the steps you went through, explain that the problem is known by Apple (my previous iPhone 7 with a lot of supporting data is being/has been researched at Cupertino regarding this matter) and that iOS 11 would/should fix it, but you have tried and for your iPhone it's not the case, and that you want to have it fixed, and that you are willing to help where possible if they require info or want to do tests with the phone. Apple can do already very advanced stuff from a distance with your phone. When at a certain moment a senior AppleCare guy is connected with you, from that moment on you will only deal with him or her, and you will get his or her email address and you will be in touch with that person all the time, as it should (not everytime someone new to explain to).

Hope you can and will reach out to AppleCare by phone. Have a little patience at first with them because they may go through all te obvious steps first, and when they understand that you are an advanced user and the problem is indeed something deeper, I am quite sure you will get a senior AppleCare person specialized in iPhones and iPads appointed to you to work together on (y)our problem. Apple has to look at all the problems individually as so far known the problem with this problem is that not all iPhones 7 and 7 plus experience this problem.

Thank you ttttttaaas, I think you would be perfect to contribute in this matter as you are that close to Apple HQ and you seem to be an experienced user.

I tried all the tricks of using the SW to turn off anything and everything associated with the microphones and none of it worked. I deleted apps that some believed may have been associated with the problem and that didn't work. I had Apple replace one of my two problematic phones and that didn't work. I have installed all of the SW upgrades to date and am currently on 11.0.3 and none of that worked. I've performed multiple factory resets and restoring from iTunes and that didn't work. Several months ago, I put the tape over the rear microphone and that eliminated the problem. However, I would not call that a FIX. It is a terrible temporary solution. APPLE NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND REPLACE THESE CRAPPY PHONES WITH A GENERATION THAT DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. My biggest mistake was to trade my 2 perfectly working iPhone 6's for these crappy iPhone 7's. They have caused me months of grief and frustration and Apple has been ZERO help.

I was at the Spokane Apple store today for the same problem on my second 7. The first I got my carrier to replace after much wrangling with them. The Spokane Apple store behave as though they have never heard of this problem, but I don’t believe that. You have obviously been to the same store with this problem, as I bet several others have been. They told me there was nothing wrong with my phone and it is an environment problem or a carrier problem. Really? According to this thread, ALL carriers must be ****? What I found is covering the back speaker between my camera and flash cures the problem. Gonna be a pain in the *** to have to cover it for the next two years. I’m pretty ****** and don’t know what to do from here.

Hi Feedat,

Better reach out to Apple Care by phone. My experiences in the store / Genius bar have been the same as yours (which is quite frustrating by their total lack of knowledge about this).

Apple Care by phone seems more knowledgable, especially a senior Apple Care person specialized in the iPhone and iPad series.

It’s better to have an official problem case-file opened for you at Apple. Though mine is existing now roughly for 12 months regarding this problem. So it still holds no guarantees for a quick or good fix of this problem. But at least your’re officially in ‘the Apple Care system’ as one of many users with this same problem.

Success!

Hi Nor,

Thank you for your message and question.

Apparently the issue can be fixed by software, but better think of it as an orchestration problem between hardware and software for the iPhones that are having the mic-cutting-out issue. That's why it wasn't so easy to have it just quickly fixed. Such an issue requires a lot of understanding on different levels before able to solve, and then a solution should not create new problems again on other levels within the phone's functionality. Therefore a lot of testing is then mandatory too.

Apple has absolutely no interest in producing or selling a faulty product, but the huge complexity of the device caused it to take quite some time to have this problem solved. Also because there were iPhone 7 (Plus)'s with no problems and there were others with this mic-cutting-out problem. All having the same software but some having slightly different produced parts as various companies produce comparable parts for the iPhones. Again adding to the complexity of the issue.

But I am told it is about to be fixed. That's great for us all.

A few more nights Nor and iOS 11 is expected to be launched. That will have this problem fixed for once and for all as I am told by by my senior AppleCare support contact.

Fingers crossed!

Take care Nor and thanks again for your message.

Hi Klawrimore,

Thank you for your message. My pleasure.

It's nice when people respond positive to someone's effort of sharing and posting new info.

It took really a lot of effort to gather all the iPhone 7 info, data and log files with Apple, including user videos and such that I made with Apple. As you can read in all my posts. This was gathered and achieved over a period of several months. And it all - including my iPhone 7 - went to Apple HQ in Cupertino :). Quite intense and professional all of Apple I must say. They really want to have it understood well and have it fixed.

Perhaps good to know for all people 'shouting & complaining' here is that it's perfectly fine to post their frustrations here, but the only way to get to a solution is When they continuously stay in touch with AppleCare. Not by complaining here and/or say they will change phones to Samsung and all when Apple doesn't do 'so and so' within a certain time-frame. Honestly, noone really cares for that and it doesn't add to come to and/or find a solution with Apple. As such it's not a constructive approach, only frustrating themselves. And possibly others too while at it.

Apple is a very professional organisation that makes most advanced products, which they really want to be as perfect as humanly possible.

In this situation it added to the complexity that also many iPhone 7 (Plus) users out there had absolutely no problems, so it took a while to understand and pinpoint the problem that we are having.

By persistently staying in touch with AppleCare I made progress. That's the way forward. The genius bar is not necessarily that genius in my opinion, it's like a Quick Fit car repair shop that can answer to a lot of problems already. When it's a much deeper problem - and that became clear to all people in this thread as well - then AppleCare is the best way forward. Eventually you will be connected to a senior AppleCare guy.

At first though I had someone from AppleCare not that good, but as even Apple is basically just run by humans that can make mistakes sometime like anyone else, I kept contacting AppleCare more over again and when that guy was apparently not there anymore for whatever reason, I got this perfect guy named Alexander. This senior AppleCare guy was brilliant in getting this problem with me on the radar and up to the level of Apple Engineering in Cupertino that have been working on this problem with all the information that we created for them and even with the iPhone 7 I was using shipped over. That's great I think. That's Apple taking it all very seriously.

I kept my belief that Apple has 100% best intentions to make the best products humanly possible, so kept trying to have it clarified and well understood so a solution could be found. Why would they not try to fix it as soon as possible when they become fully aware of it? Makes no sense if not. But people should understand the complexity of this specific matter: not everybody has the same problem or even a problem at all, then what is the problem exactly when not all iPhones have it, is it a user triggered issue or 100% a device issue and/or software or hardware, where to start, how to fix it without negatively impacting other functionalities, have several solutions thoroughly tested and verified to come to the right fix, then how to integrate the fix in a future update roll out, and I am sure there's much more to it.

Guys, a little longer ... iOS 11 promisses to fix this issue.

Hi ttttttaaas,

I don't believe you would be 'censored' here for that. Or for anything at all.

Do you actually ever speak to real AppleCare people about your problem. That is more efficient as those guys can 'activate' Apple Engineering to the highest levels. Shouting around is not efficient, unless that's your thing and offers you a lot of satisfaction.

Wait till the iOS11 please. AppleCare in contact with Apple Engineering, told me so. And when then not fixed with your device, please reach out to AppleCare and explain the situation in full. All the rest is a waste of time and energy and a lot of frustration tbh. Apple is happy to hear from you - directly through AppleCare guys - when your user experience is not perfect. I have the best experience with these guys. Try them. Talk to a real person that could supply you with answers to your problem in real time. It's good.

Success!

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You make a Genius Bar appointment at your nearest Apple Store or contact AppleCare and get your iPhone serviced.

Hi I have same problem as everyone else with no advise to fix. Brand new iPhone 7 plus, callers say they can't hear me. I sound muffled and distant. Its intermittent, sometimes caller can here me, then they say "I can't hear you". Meanwhile I can hear them very clearly. Booked an appointment at the genius bar at the weekend, took my phone back, and under warranty they gave me a new one. Came home, tested it, and I have the same issue with the new phone. This is my work phone and my customers can't hear me. I am thinking of going back to the genius bar but this time getting a refund and changing phones. As this issue is so widespread no point in trying a third phone. So disappointing too. Never had any issue with any other iPhone.

The tape has not solved my issue I’ve tried and I have tried every recommendation in this thread to try to solve this, but my mic still cuts out. People can only hear bits of what I’m saying and I sound muffled. But it does not happen all the time just randomly. Apple gave me a replacement phone and the second phone is as bad. Customer service suggest it may be when uploading the back up from iTunes. They said I should put my phone back to factory settings and then use the phone for a few days without the back up. I guess that’s the next step for me. Frankly I’m tired of the whole thing now, wish Apple could help or at least recognise the issue do we know they are looking for a solution.

Am on my 3rd iPhone 7 Plus and 2nd Sim this month and followed all recommendations, still have all the same call quality issues. Tape on back does not help. Going back to Apple again.

Very frustrating to pay $1000 for a new phone that cannot even function as a phone! ATT is of no help, online or in stores, even as a longtime loyal customer. Chat Agents state they will refund me and give a courtesy credit. ATT stores will not do it. I have all my chat transcripts.

Only option is to keep replacing with Apple. And switch carriers soon. Then when AppleCare runs out choose another vendor.

Also appears to be same issues with the iPhone 8...

I agree, my new iPhone 7 plus sounds like it has the same issue, people often say my voice is muffled. If I ask them to hold for a while till I remove phone from case, when I talk again, they say it sounds as though I am standing next to them. My first 7 plus only lasted 2 weeks then died totally, (power to phone from battery stopped). New phone is now 2 weeks old as well, but has had the same issue from day one. I have the Tech21 EvoWallet as well, so am thinking I might try a case with no flap and also no rubber around the microphones at bottom, hopefully it is one of them. Am thinking about what you said regarding flap covering microphone when you open phone, so will experiment with the 2 microphone issues and write some more if I have any luck.

FYI, same problem iPhone7,128,10.3.3,noise cancel off, Data ONLY for LTE, Verizon.

Had it 6 months and already exchanged at apple a couple months ago and same issue. It is ridiculous that an $850 phone cannot make a simple call. Now, thinking it was just me, my daughter got a new 7 (6 suddenly broke) and her first call to me had this same issue. Her voice was going in and out to the point of only understanding about 1/2 the words. She is 250 miles away so it really be a cell tower or service issue. Seems already about 3000 people on this post alone said they have the same problem yet nothing is being stated by apple... Apple please help.

Hi ttttttaaas,

As explained times before, don't go to the Genius bar. They are most ideal for easy solvable generic stuff. Basically they solve problems caused by users. As such that will be their starting point when they meet up with you. So that will work quite frustrating and not ideal for the problem solving process of this mic-cutting-out issue.

Contact AppleCare by phone and ask for / 'demand' a senior AppleCare specialist, specialized in iPhones to be appointed to you.

When you go to the Genius bar I am sure you may even get more frustrated as those guys are too generic for this very 'special' problem and have a starting point of problems caused by users, not something intrinsically inferior with the product.

I will wait though for the official release of iOS11. That's on the 19th, 3 more nights.

Success in your efforts.