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Microphone not working on iPhone 7

When making phone calls I cannot hear the other person, and they can't hear me. My voice memos app won't let me record anything in order to test the microphone and speakers. If i take a video, there is no sound. I can get sound on previous videos though. Siri can't hear me. I took my phone to the genius bar a couple days ago, and they did a factory reset. It didn't fix the issue. He said he ran diagnostics, and only told me that I should buy a new battery. I just did apple chat, and was told I need to take it in for a hardware issues. Any other ideas? Is this going to cost me a replacement?

Posted on Apr 3, 2018 4:43 PM

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Posted on May 9, 2018 5:07 AM

I have the issues too, just saw an article on idrop talking about it. It looks to be related to latest SW update messing with the HW. I took the phone in last week (05/04/2018). They ran a few tests, at first, device not supported for them to run test, then they did a network reset and it helped for the test (some type of audio test), it passed them, they said you are good, tired a couple fo calls, worked, about 5 minutes later, got a call from wife, same issues, went back and this time after multiple resets etc, everything failed. Just opened a new Genius bar ticket to have reviewed. As an FYI, you can use bluetooth and it does take calls etc. (temp. solution). It is just from the physical phone that we cannot.

232 replies

Aug 2, 2018 10:50 AM in response to ashleyfromwalkerton

I was at apple yesterday 11-07-2018 with the same issue, they confirmed that my mic was dead and also that my speakers were messed up. Said microphone can’t be fixed so phone needs to be replaced. They said because I did not buy my phone directly from apple (bought it from a 3 store, service provider) I would need to pay 319 pounds for a replacement device but had I bought it from them they would have replaced it. I was vexed and infuriated. Didn’t pay the 319 pounds. My phone is 1 year and 3 months old. Apple is taking the ****. Absolute joke.
[Image Edited by Host to Remove Personal Information]

Jul 12, 2018 10:17 AM in response to jmstew20

I posted this on another thread. I have exactly the same problem being described by others after updating ios. Microphones not working, cannot make or receive calls, cannot record voice memos or make videos with sound, doesn't recognize headphones etc. No damage to the phone ever. Authorized service centre says $469 to fix (this is in Canada). Apple says tough luck even though the cause is either an Apple software bug or an Apple hardware defect. The phone is only a year and a half but is out of warranty. Bought LOTS of Apple products over the years but no more

Jul 12, 2018 2:00 PM in response to jmstew20

I can’t believe some apple stores aren’t covering this issue. It’s so clearly a design defect. I just took my mint condition iPhone 7 to my local Apple store and under no circumstances would they fix it. They acknowagked the issue as a “potential design issue or manufacturing defect” but wouldn’t cover it, wanted me to pay $500 to replace it. Why would I pay $509 and end up with another device that’s got the same design defect, that’s a ticking time bomb waiting to fail again?


I’m so disappointed with this level of customer service.

Jul 12, 2018 10:21 PM in response to jmstew20

Same things that happened to me too. Apple should that that responsibility. Their OS update was spoiled our phone. I have went to Apple service center and I don’t have warranty so what they say they will charge 450SGD for 1 to 1 exchange. This is not fair. Phone spoiled is done by Apple. How am I have to pay extra money??? You should that that responsibility Apple.

Jul 13, 2018 9:55 PM in response to lyle153

Thanks for sharing Lyle Exact same problem for me. I went to the Markham Store North Toronto. Same deal. The specific device code did not come up says diagnostics passed. My phone is put of warranty and $406 to replace.

The guy I was dealing with I figured was a JR guy as he kept walking over to someone else to discuss. He knew the score but wouldnt admit it. Im going to contact apple directly and Cite the fact the OS killed it, and make them show me in their warranty whey they absolve themselves. when a software fix causes behaviour that damages a key component in the phone, that it could be construed as malicious upsell tactic, much like the battery issue they faced and were forced to price drop their batteries when they were seen to be forcing unnecessary upgrades. One point if I connect a bluetooth device to the phone the bluetooth can hear and send and things work. But the greyed out speaker button remains. Maybe theyll get their butts sued when an emergency happens and they owner cannot call 911 emergency services!!! what then?

Jul 14, 2018 3:22 AM in response to timfromthornhill

I agree totally. Apple’s response is disgraceful and unethical at the best and probably a breeches of consumer law at the worst. There are now so many posts about this issue on the apple site that I had to wade through pages to find and reply to your comment. It’s all related to one product, the iPhone 7/7plus. Apple knows it has sold a faulty product or caused a problem with it’s updates but it wants the customer to bear the cost. For shame on a company with billions in unused cash stashed away in Europe. Hypocrtitical too, given the number of times the company weighs in public ally on moral and ethical issues. If this were an automotive product there would be a massive recall underway . I rarely complain when a feel i’ve Got a bad deal from a vendor but this experience and apple’s arrogant response to me and so many other of its customers is infuriating

Jul 14, 2018 3:33 AM in response to lyle153

Worst part of it all!! Listen to this. At iStore the technician told me he isnt upgrading to ios11.4 due to the issues experiences by iphone 7 and 7plus users are experiencing. He also admittes Apple has calles a recall on these devices. It is all over the internet!! So again why am I paying,?!! I hate apple. I will make sure everyone else does too. I will post on youtube, there forum and any public forum every single day

Jul 19, 2018 3:17 PM in response to jmstew20

My iPhone 7 was working perfectly fine, that was until I updated the software from 11.3.x to 11.4.1. After doing so and receiving a phone call, I couldn't hear anybody and they couldn't hear me. Basically the speaker and the microphone had stopped working!!! Genius bar rep told me that they could only swap it out for $250! Apple needs to do something since this is their fault not mine!!! My phone is basically useless!!!!

Jul 19, 2018 3:21 PM in response to loaisiga

The same thing happened to me. The iOS update broke the mic/speaker on my perfectly functioning iPhone 7+. It is absolutely useless and dangerous to have a phone that does not make or receive phone calls. The Apple employee at the Genius Bar did one diagnostic and knew immediately that the issue was the iOS damaging the iPhone 7+. He said that Apple knows about this issue and will “override the service fee” to fix it, but I have to call Apple. So I did call Apple, per their OWN EMPLOYEE’s instructions, and they denied the problem, denied that anyone has ever had this issue, and denied that they covered the service fee previously. FRAUD.

Jul 19, 2018 3:42 PM in response to ELCSmom

Yupe, they’re trying to cover up with lies.

My co-worker’s iPhone 7 was replaced for free even his phone is out of warranty. And my sister’s friend also got a free replacement iPhone 7.


What the heck.

I’ll post my experiences on social medias.

Apple is so shady now. They need to correct their mistakes or their competitors (Samsung, Google) will have the advantages.

Jul 21, 2018 11:11 AM in response to Leonid@kdog

That’s a good idea. What we need is a change in culture and some pressure on Apple as they get away with too much yet still impose premium prices on their less and less competitive products. The fact that they don’t even acknowledge this apparently widespread problem and still have clients pay for fixes/replacements when their software caused the issue in the first place is too much for me. I doubt I will purchase another iphone (have been a loyal customer since iphone3) as the risk is too big.

Microphone not working on iPhone 7

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