iPhone Xs Max Speaker Issues - Mono/Stereo

I noticed, no special activity needed to catch this bug. Pairing Bluetooth devices, AirPods, talking holding phone near ear or loudspeaker, nothing pushes this bug. My phone lays all day long without activity. Seems like this happens after period of time, maybe “Screen time” option is involved in this bug?

Now I’m checking sound through time intervals looking at Stopwatch app (it was launched right after starting iPhone).

I don’t think its because of screen time. I noticed it after using it with my Car’s Bluetooth. It happened only twice though but both the times I think it happened when it was connected with my car’s BT (not Apple CarPlay). I also noticed the Bluetooth connection failing or taking more time to auto connect with my Car. Never faced any issue when I was using X in the same car. But right now its been day 3 and the speaker is working fine.

It’s not down to car Bluetooth either as that’s what I thought. Tried to recreate it without success. Second time I noticed it was after casting to my Samsung tv. Third time it happened to me the phone hadn’t been used between the last time I heard it producing stereo sound and suddenly not.

I think it’s an iOS bug.

I’m curious to know if anyone has tried connecting and disconnecting headphones to see if that would clear the bug?

Coming back to the first time it happened to me. When I tried to using my cars voice commands to make calls, it kept telling me I had no network so I had to get Siri to make the calls. Reboot cleared both issues together. I think this further supports the general theory that it’s an iOS bug. A bug with iOS and the new hardware/chipset in the Xs models

Same thing happening to my new XS Max, I have reported it to Apple just today, a reboot solved the issue this morning at around 9am, then it came back at around 2:30pm from the phone being idle, lets wait and see what the Senior tech says tonight!

I don't like the fact that Apple say they will attempt to "Repair" it or if it can't be repaired, then issue a replacement... At the end of the day, I paid £2500 for two of these phones not even 5 days ago, if they want to open it up, break seals and replace something within it, then patch it up and give it back to me then that doesn't abode well with me, I would want a brand new phone and they can recycle the faulty one thank you.

I’m having the same issue. Just got off the phone with Apple Support and well the same steps their asking me to follow in regards to reboots and what not, I have already tried. It works for a day or so and fails again. Hoping for a fix. I don’t believe it’s a hardware issue at all so I’m trying to avoid replacing my current XMax since having the same issue with a new one would just amplify the issue.

Having the same issue. I don’t believe it’s a hardware problem, so replacing the phone won’t fix it. I just got off the phone with Apple, and well rebooting only fixes it temporarily. I’m hoping for an update!

I have an answer on this question. I’m turning off phone every night. In the morning I turned it on and launched Stopwatch app, 5 hours 40 minutes left before speaker bug happened. After phone reboot timer was launched again and bug repeated after 9 hours 26 minutes.

I just got off the phone to the senior tech I spoke with earlier, logs have been sent to him now.. at first (earlier call) he thought it may be a software issue but this evening he said he thinks it may be a hardware issue.

I suspect that many other owners of this handset probably would not even realise there is any fault as their previous handsets may have not had dual speakers (stereo) therefore not even reporting any issue.

If it does turn out to be a hardware issue I’m not going to accept a “repair” as I don’t think this is a situation to do so as the handset is 5 days old, if I do not obtain a brand new replacement then I’ll be asking for a full refund and I’ll move to android out of principle and I’ve stuck with Apple iPhones since the 3G model and paid for all my handsets outright.

About connecting Bluetooth headphones (and other Bluetooth speakers) in order to fix this bug: not working (. Only reboot fixes it. I tried all modes: loudspeaker switching to phone, bluetooth to loudspeaker....all other combinations.

This guy did the exact same thing; https://youtu.be/cWWe1qN5Xvw he got a new replacement and it started doing the same thing even though he had taken his original one to the apple store and they ran their diagnostic tests and it came back with a speaker and mic problem which indicates hardware issues so they replaced it on the spot...

Then with his replacement the same thing started to happen... so either you’re this YouTube guy or this guy got two faulty handsets too .

After seeing the YouTube video and knowing that this guy has been through two iPhone XS Max’s with the same problem, I’m thinking it is a software issue.

Hopefully Apple take a look at this thread because I don’t think it’s even on their radar/scope at the moment as the senior tech I’m dealing with hasn’t had any reports of this issue nor has any apple rep taken the action to reply to this thread..

This, as I mentioned before probably has to do with the fact that most customers moving from a 4/5/6/7 iPhone did not have stereo speakers to begin with therefore their not going to miss something they never had.

I totally understand if it is a software issue BUT come on Apple, you should have a rock solid OS update installed and thoroughly tested before selling your new models, this is the most expensive smart phone available on the market, it’s shameful to have these things happen and also have the audacity to state a “repair” (if it is hardware related) instead of brand new, it’s like purchasing a brand new car from a dealership only to drive out and have an engine problem and be told it needs a engine replacement, now that’s not brand new is it? That’s a refurb job and I didn’t pay £1250 for a refurb. It just doesn’t feel right.

I think we should all email some of the famous YouTube tech guys like Unbox Therapy and MKBHD to make a vid on the issue. I’ve already emailed Unbox Therapy as he brought the charging bug to apples atrention. I saw an article the other day saying the next iOS beta update will have a software fix for that.

Some good media attention does wonders to kick a mega sized company up the butt

Lol I thought so :D yes it seems to be neither of you were unlucky, I think it is a software issue, however, what doesn’t make sense is that the YouTube guy said that his original Xs max completely failed the diagnostic at the Apple store, like totally came back with failed hardware, speakers, receiver etc.. so either it’s a huge software bug which is actually feeding cow dung information back to the apple techs diagnostic or this is going to be a mass recall due to substandard fake crappy receiver speakers that Apple have purchased at a discounted rate in order to squeeze more profits from an already over priced handset. :)

Great idea! Give him a link to this topic.

I’m going to check this night is it possible to wait speaker back to work.

What do you think how long Apple is going to create iOS update?

Is it good idea to wait it or return our devices to store and take our money back?

Yippee I think my previous post got the attention of someone from Apple as I just got an email from apple stating they’ve removed my post, they must have not liked what I said.

My work here is done, I will update you all with the outcome when I know more.