Callers hear their voice echo if I take/make calls using Apple Watch

For others coming across this thread with the echo issue on the Apple Watch.

The solution that solved the echo problem (and the other posters on this thread that had it solved in the same way). Was to install the latest version of Watch OS (which is currently 3.2.3) and just in case the echo issue could be related to iOS, install the latest version of iOS to (which is currently 10.3.3).

Doing all of the above should solve the echo issue.

Gaël Grandjean wrote:

Same issue here with two different watch s2 and two IPhones. IPhone 6 and 7+ with last os release. Software issue ?

I'm beginning to think it is a software issue.

I've had replies on another forum with the same issue. They commented that the echo issue wasn't present for them, when they got their S2 Apple Watch and 7 Plus at the end of September.

My issue is exactly the same (i.e. the echo was not there previously/back in December). Since December, there has been at least two WatchOS updates and probably the same for iOS. So I think one of either or both iOS, WatchOS updates has introduced this echo bug.

I've submitted a bug report to Apple, on both Apple Watch/WatchOS and iOS (as it could be either one or both the cause).

I suggest that anyone else who is experiencing this problem, to do the same, as it cannot get looked into, if people don't bring it to Apple's attention.

I've installed iOS 10.3.1, but this hasn't made any difference.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

bondsingh wrote:

I has exact same problem since the last update or maybe the one before. Every time I make a call from my Apple Watch the other person on the line says there is an echo. And maybe even a screeching type of sound. However...When I hand the call off to my phone, the echo goes away. I've done many unpairing and reinstalling.

It's the exact same for me (although none of my callers mention about a screeching sound, just echo).

I can replicate the echo issue with every call I make with Apple Watch and also the echo stopping to, when the call is handed back to my iPhone.

I've unpaired and restored and still the same. Definitely sounds like a software bug on either or both WatchOS and iOS.

@Gaël Grandjean post pretty much confirms its a software bug, because Gaël Grandjean mentioned that they made calls everyday with the Apple Watch without issue, before the last lot of WatchOS and iOS updates.

@bondsingh I would recommend submitting a big report to Apple, for both iPhone/iOS and Apple Watch/WatchOS as it could be either, that is the cause of the bug. The more bug reports that are submitted, the more chance there is of Apple fixing it with a software update 🙂

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

JSMichel wrote:

I have spent significant time on the phone with Apple Senior Advisors about this. 6 different calls. No answers. My watch is less than a week old so they told me to return it and get a new one. I did so. The new watch worked fine with no echo UNTIL I updated it to 3.2. Now the echo is back. Apple called to check in about my new watch. I tell them the same problem is occurring and they give no help, say someone will call me back. When will they acknowledge this major issue?? Makes me want to get my $400 back and get rid of this thing if they can't work something like this out quickly. The whole reason I got the watch was to talk handsfree.

I've submitted a bug report to Apple, on both Apple Watch/WatchOS and iOS (just in case its one or the other or both the cause).

I expect that you have already done this, but if not, I suggest that anyone else who is experiencing this problem, to submit a bug report to the areas I've mentioned above, as it cannot get looked into, if people don't bring it to Apple's attention.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Lyinx wrote:

Absolutely the same story. I had watchOS 3.1.3 and there was no issue during phone calls. After update to 3.2 the echo apeared. It is so frustrating. Especially when it is not possible downgrade. Great disappointment so far...

Again, very helpful in proving a pattern of the echo not been there prior to installing WatchOS 3.2.

I've submitted a bug report to Apple, on both Apple Watch/WatchOS and iOS (as it could be either one or both the cause).

I suggest that anyone else who is experiencing this problem, to do the same, as it cannot get looked into, if people don't bring it to Apple's attention.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Thanks for posting your findings on this thread 🙂

Alecsssus wrote:

Hello guys

I have the same problem with my apple watch series 2 . I bought it a week ago , made all the tests to see how it is working , i called from the device and receveid calls , everhthing was nice and clear . Clear sound , callers couldn,t hear any echo at all . After a few hours since i bought it , i made the update to watc os 3.2 . After the update , echo problems started . Everyone is acussing hearing themselvs when i am talking from the watch . I just wanted to know if anyone got the bottom of this issue . I sent already message to apple about this issue but without any reply.

Hope they will fix this soon because it is pretty annoying .

My callers like you have mentioned, complain that they can hear themselves too.

It is looking like it's a software bug Alecsssus and as such, will not be fixed/gotten to the bottom of until Apple fixes it. The only thing that us users can do, is to submit a bug report to Apple detailing the issue. Hopefully the forthcoming WatchOS 3.3 will fix it, like you, I really hope it gets fixed soon as it is annoying and affects a fundamental feature of the Apple Watch.

To anyone else affected, please submit a bug report to Apple, detailing the issue. Here's the link to submit the report:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

msberlin wrote:

same problem here, watch2 with newest software

I was hoping Apple would have fixed this issue with 3.2.2 but they have not 😠

Hopefully with 3.2.3 they will, but I have my doubts.

If you haven't already done so, can you submit a bug report to Apple for the Apple Watch (by using the below link) as the more people report the issue, the more likelihood it will have of getting fixed.

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

mistyjones wrote:

I am also having this problem, was looking here for help, or suggestions for what to do. I have taken the watch back 2 times, now on my 3rd watch. I have not updated it, it is still echoing on the callers end. I did update the others and it didn't fix the problem. That was the suggestion I got before taking the last watch back. I really have no idea what else to do. Just wait? Take it back again? HELP!

If the echo is there on your 3rd watch, I would say that it has already come with at least WatchOS 3.2 on it, as that is when all of us who are experiencing the echo issue, first got the echo issue (with update 3.2, prior to that we did not have the echo issue).

There really isn't anything else you can do but wait, as you have had three replacement watches and all have the issue. It is definitely a software bug that seems to be only affecting Series 2 of the Watch, as myself and others never had the echo issue until WatchOS 3.2 was installed.

Apple are aware of the issue, but it is anyone's guess when it will be fixed, so the only thing that you could do is wait, and hope that a software update will fix the echo issue. WatchOS 4 is due to come out in the Fall (so could be around September-November) so this will be the next major software update and I'm hoping this will finally solve the echo issue. We should not have to wait this long though and Apple should be looking into getting this bug found and sorted out well before then.

It isn't an ideal solution and us Apple Watch users, should have the ability to roll back the Watch software to a version before 3.2, this would indeed get rid of the echo, until such time that Apple find the cause and fix it with a later software update.

I would advise though, that you submit a bug report to Apple (if you have not done so already), explaining the echo issue, as the only way it can possibly get looked into, is if we all submit bug reports on the echo issue.

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

Gaël Grandjean wrote:

This issue appeared only after last week updates (iOS and watchos). Before i used to call with my watch everyday without any issue. I'going to report this issue too. My wife with his Iphone and applewatch has the same issue.

That is extremely useful information, as you use your Apple Watch to call with much more than I do and as such, provide a more accurate timescale as to when the issue appeared.

I couldn't provide an accurate timescale as to when the echo issue had started (as I don't always use Apple Watch to take or make calls), apart from the person who I was talking to, commented on they could hear their voice echo, this was on the 30th March. This was the first time someone mentioned to me about this issue, so like you have said, it seems very likely it appeared with the 10.3 iOS and WatchOS 3.2 software updates last week.

Thanks very much.