If you are finding that you can’t hear people clearly when you make phone calls on your iPhone you may be wondering whether there is a simple way to improve audio quality on an iPhone.
Check the speaker
There could be an easy fix: perhaps there is dust or gunk in the speaker on your iPhone and a clean could help. Read: What you can safely clean an iPhone with.
Remove the film
If it’s a brand new iPhone make sure that you have removed the plastic wrap from the iPhone because if this is stopping air getting to the microphone or speakers then they simply won’t work! You’d be surprised how many people make this mistake – wanting to keep their new iPhone pristine, no doubt.
Check your headphones
Another reason you might not be able to hear the audio on your call is if you are using headphones and they either aren’t plugged in properly, or they aren’t working via Bluetooth.
To check you are connected via Bluetooth go to Settings > Bluetooth and either turn it on, or turn it off and on again.
Use Noise Cancellation
If you have an iPhone 12 or earlier then there is a handy feature that improved call quality. Phone Noise Cancellation reduces ambient background noise on phone calls when you’re holding the receiver to your ear. This can improve the audio of your call, although it might have the opposite effect.
On iPhone 12 and earlier the feature was on by default, but could be turned off in Accessibility settings.
- Go to: Settings > Accessibility.
- Tap on Audio/Visual.
- Switch Phone Noise Cancellation on or off.
You might be wondering why you’d want to turn the feature on or off. Noise cancellation is a useful feature in calls with people in noisy locations, but some people might find the noise cancellation disorienting because it can cause pressure in the ears. This is likely why there is a setting to turn it off.
No Noise Cancellation on iPhone 13
The Phone Noise Cancellation setting is missing on the iPhone 13 series. You can’t turn the feature off or on. Initially it was thought this was due to an error, but it’s now emerged that the Noise Cancellation feature is missing from the iPhone 13 series.
Apple has confirmed to a 9to5Mac reader that: “Phone Noise Cancellation is not available on iPhone 13 models, which is why you do not see this option in Settings.”
Why Apple has decided to remove the Noise Cancellation feature, which improved sound quality during phone calls, is unclear. The company may have concluded that most people making phone calls were doing so via AirPods, which have their own active noise cancellation, but that does seem unlikely. Alternatively they may have decided to focus development on the similar feature that it listed to FaceTime.
Use WiFi calling
You can also use Wi-Fi Calling as a tool to improve call quality. You’ll need to route your call over a Wi-Fi network instead rather than a mobile/cellular one.
This may well improve the quality of your calls if you have a poor cellular or mobile data connection at home.
To check to see if the feature is turned on, go to:
- Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Tap on Wi-Fi Calling.
- Tap on the option to turn the slider to green.
- Once this is set up you will see your provider’s name and “WiFi Call in the top right of your iPhone screen.
Use AirPods
Those who find it hard to hear callers due to background noise could use AirPods or AirPods Pro.
If you want to purchase AirPods check out our AirPods deals round up for the best price.
Use FaceTime
Alternatively those struggling with sound quality during phone calls could use FaceTime and activate Voice Isolation, which has a similar effect of separating your voice from the background noise. To activate Voice Isolation in FaceTime follow these steps:
- Open FaceTime.
- Start the video or audio FaceTime call.
- Open Control Centre (by swiping down from the top right corner).
- Tap on Mic Mode.
- Now switch to Voice Isolation.
- You can now return to the call.
Read: How to use Noise Cancelling in FaceTime.
If you are having problems with FaceTime read: How to fix lags during FaceTime calls.
Ask Apple
If none of these fixes work for you then there might be a fault with the iPhone, in which case if you are still within warranty (one year from purchase) Apple should fix it for you.
Author: Karen Haslam, Editor
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld almost two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.