How to Fix Sound Issues on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Audio on your iOS device(s) can be played back by using the built-in speakers, a multitude of Bluetooth audio devices, or by physically connecting a pair of headphones to it. This guide will help you troubleshoot sound issues on any of your iOS devices.

This guide is compatible with all iOS 12 devices. If your device is not using iOS 12, some functions may appear differently.

Tools You'll Need:

  • If your iOS device does not have a headphone jack, you may need a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter in order to physically connect your headphones.
iOS device with headphones nearby.

2. Troubleshooting Speaker Audio

During this process, test things often. Any of the proposed solutions may solve your audio issues.

Check Volume Levels

  1. Press the volume buttons to make sure your device is not muted.
Volume buttons
  1. Some devices have a silence/vibrate switch. Makes sure you do not have your device silenced.
Silence toggle

Temporarily Disable Bluetooth

When you are connected to a Bluetooth device, audio will be routed through your Bluetooth device. We will temporarily disable Bluetooth to make sure you're not connected to a Bluetooth device.

  1. Open the Control Center.
  2. On iPhone X or later, or iPad with iOS 12 or later
  3. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen.
Arrow showing how to swipe on iOS screen.
  1.  
  2. On iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad with iOS 11 or earlier, or iPod Touch
  3. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Arrow showing how to swipe on iOS screen.
  1. If the Bluetooth icon is blue, tap on it to disable it. This will disconnect any currently connected Bluetooth devices.
  2. Bluetooth will be temporarily disabled until the following day. You can turn Bluetooth back on at any time by tapping the button again. 
Bluetooth toggle

3. What's next?

4. Troubleshooting Bluetooth Audio

Ensure your Bluetooth device is nearby, charged, and powered on.

During this process, test things often. Any of the proposed solutions may solve your audio issues.

Check Volume Levels

  1. Press the volume buttons to make sure your device is not muted.
Volume buttons
  1. Some devices have a silence/vibrate switch. Makes sure you do not have your device silenced.
Silence toggle

Check Audio Source

  1. Tap Settings.
iOS Settings.
  1. Tap Bluetooth.
iOS Bluetooth
  1. Make sure is toggled On.
Bluetooth toggled on
  1. Verify your Bluetooth device shows in the list and says Connected next to it.
Connected Bluetooth Device

If you need help getting Bluetooth devices paired with your iOS device, the following guides may be of use.

5. Troubleshooting Headphone Jack Audio

During this process, test things often. Any of the proposed solutions may solve your audio issues.

Check Volume Levels

  1. Press the volume buttons to make sure your device is not muted.
Volume buttons
  1. Some devices have a silence/vibrate switch. Makes sure you do not have your device silenced.
Silence toggle

Temporarily Disable Bluetooth

When you are connected to a Bluetooth device, audio will be routed through your Bluetooth device. We will temporarily disable Bluetooth to make sure you're not connected to a Bluetooth device.

  1. Open the Control Center.
  2. On iPhone X or later, or iPad with iOS 12 or later
  3. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen.
Arrow showing how to swipe on iOS screen.
  1.  
  2. On iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad with iOS 11 or earlier, or iPod Touch
  3. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Arrow showing how to swipe on iOS screen.
  1. If the Bluetooth icon is blue, tap on it to disable it. This will disconnect any currently connected Bluetooth devices.
  2. Bluetooth will be temporarily disabled until the following day. You can turn Bluetooth back on at any time by tapping the button again.
Bluetooth toggle

Check Headphone Cabling

  1. Make sure your headphone cables are securely pushed into the headphone jack.
  2. If your device does not have a headphone jack, and you are using an adapter, make sure both the headphones are fully inserted to the headphone jack and that the adapter is seated all the way into the lightning port.
Earbuds with jack being shown connecting
  1. If possible, test your headphones using another device to make sure your headphones are working correctly.
  2. If your headphones do not work in another device then you may have defective/malfunctioning headphones.