Why is the volume on your iPhone so low? How can you boost the volume on your iPhone or iPad? If you’re having difficulty increasing the sound on your device, there are usually simple solutions available. Occasionally, there may be a more significant issue related to the hardware.
Here are some simple tips for boosting your smartphone’s volume.
iPhone Volume Not Working or Too Low: Software Fixes
Are you bothered by the shutter noise when capturing a photo? It’s likely that you have set your phone to Silent mode by adjusting the small switch located at the top-left of your iPhone. If the switch is closer to the screen, the volume is turned on. However, if it is positioned towards the back and showing an orange color, your phone is muted.
Silent Mode shouldn’t affect music, but it will affect your iPhone alarm volume.
Just below the Silent switch, you’ll find the Volume buttons, which adjust sounds for videos and music in increments. This also works if you’re trying to increase ringer volume.
If the buttons don’t change anything, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, then check that Change with Buttons is turned on.
There’s also an option to limit the maximum volume. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety. There, you can toggle on Reduce Loud Sounds. This should be automatically set to 85 decibels (described as “as loud as heavy city traffic”), but you can go up to 100 decibels (“as loud as an ambulance siren”).
When listening to loud music, your phone will warn you if you exceed recommended volume levels in a week.
Are You Connected to Bluetooth?
What if the issue isn’t with your speakers? It’s possible that you are connected to another device.
If you’re playing music on your iPhone and it seems like the sound is not coming from the device itself, but rather from a Bluetooth speaker, you would likely notice the difference. However, this may not be as apparent if you’re using wireless earphones such as Apple’s AirPods. In that case, if you want to increase the volume on your AirPods and enhance the sound quality, there are several methods you can follow.
A similar situation could occur if you have connected your iPhone to an Apple TV or if it is connected to your vehicle’s audio system. In such cases, the audio output is directed to the connected device rather than the iPhone’s built-in speakers.
To test this, swipe to access your Control Center as mentioned above and turn off Bluetooth. Otherwise, go to Settings > Bluetooth, where you can also check which devices you’re connected to. Disconnect as needed, then try playing your music or video again.
Is Your iPhone Set to Do Not Disturb Mode?
Do Not Disturb stops interruptions while you’re busy or asleep: notifications won’t appear and calls won’t ring out. You might’ve activated it and forgotten to turn it off.
Head to Settings > Do Not Disturb and check to make sure it’s disabled. Otherwise, you can also check via Control Center—Do Not Disturb is represented by the half-moon symbol found under the Focus heading.
Is Call Volume So Low Due to Noise Cancellation?
This feature specifically impacts phone calls by reducing background noise, aiming to improve the clarity of the caller’s voice. However, some individuals have reported that it has the opposite effect, hindering their ability to hear properly.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/ Visual then toggle Phone Noise Cancellation off if it’s already on. Or, if it’s turned off, you could try activating it and see if that makes things better.
iPhone Volume Not Working or So Low: Hardware Solutions
If none of the aforementioned solutions have resolved your volume issue, there’s no need to panic or immediately schedule an appointment with Apple. In some cases, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem on your own.
However, we strongly recommend exercising caution when attempting to repair your smartphone.
Don’t take your device apart if you don’t know what you’re doing. But if you’re lucky, you won’t need to anyway.
Is Your Phone Stuck in Headphone Mode?
This issue predominantly impacts older iPhones with headphone jacks, but newer models can also be affected if dirt or debris accumulates in the charging port, particularly when using an adapter to connect wired headphones.
When your iPhone mistakenly detects the presence of earphones, it may attempt to play audio through a non-existent connection. To adjust the volume in this scenario, you can use the side buttons. The screen will indicate if the sound is apparently being routed through an alternative speaker.
If you are using AirPods, following the Bluetooth solution mentioned earlier should resolve the issue. However, if you are experiencing volume problems with your iPhone and don’t use AirPods, here are some steps you can take:
- Shine a light into the headphone jack to inspect for any blockages. Sometimes, debris may not be immediately visible due to its small size, but it can still cause problems.
- Attempt to insert and remove headphones or a charging cable from the headphone jack several times. This repetitive motion can help dislodge any dirt or debris that may be causing the issue. Afterward, test the volume again.
- Use a soft lens cloth to gently clean the headphone jack and speaker areas. You can also lightly rub the edge of the small recess with a dry cotton swab, cotton ball, or toothbrush. Avoid pressing anything into the recesses as this may push dirt further inside.
- If needed, you can moisten the cotton with a small amount of rubbing alcohol before cleaning. However, avoid using other liquids, as they can potentially cause further damage. Even small amounts of sweat can trick your phone into thinking headphones are connected.
If these troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem and you are not confident in dismantling your device, it is advisable to seek professional assistance from Apple.