Mobile phones are pretty complicated, especially the iPhone. Despite having a user-friendly interface, not all of its settings are clear to all users. As such, problems may arise without a clear solution. Hearing low sound from your iPhone speaker is one such problem — but there are a few simple ways to fix it.
How to fix low sound coming from iPhone speaker
If the sound coming from your iPhone speaker is too low, you may simply need to adjust the volume. However, low volume or muffled sound could be the result of incorrect accessibility or audio equalizer settings.
To fix the problem, you should first determine its cause. If sounds are only low volume while in a call or using apps, it’s possible that local app settings are to blame. However, if all sound seems too low, you may have a problem with a broader app setting — or even the speaker itself.
Make sure the speaker actually works
You should already know how to adjust overall volume by now — just use the volume buttons on the side of the phone. However, you may not realize there’s a tool to check to see if your speaker actually works. Head to Settings, then Sounds (or Sounds & Haptics), then drag the Ringer and Alerts slider up. If you hear sound, your speaker works. If you don’t, something else is amiss.
It’s possible that you may have silenced your phone on accident. iPhones and some iPads have a slider on the side — make sure that it’s pointed toward the screen with an orange bar. You should also make sure that Do Not Disturb mode is disabled. You can find that option in the Settings menu.
Check app settings
Individual apps can also take control over the iPhone speaker. For instance, if sound is low while playing music, the Music app may be to blame. Check the equalizer settings to see if they’ve been changed, or just outright disable the equalizer to see if it fixes the problem.
It’s also possible for iPhone settings to disrupt or distort audio. Facetime call audio may be distorted or quiet depending on network coverage, for instance.
You may have even triggered accessibility settings without realizing it. To check, go to Accessibility Settings, then ensure that Mono Audio and Noise Cancellation are turned off.
Clean and inspect your phone for damage
Beyond these tips, you should also inspect your iPhone and its speaker for damage. Remove it from its case, clean it if necessary, then inspect the phone itself. If the microphone or speaker openings are clogged with dust or dirt, power the device down, then clean them out with a soft brush. Pocket lint and other materials can easily block the iPhone speaker, resulting in low sound.
If none of these solutions fix the problem, you’ll probably want to contact Apple support. Phones get knocked around a lot, and it’s possible yours took a knock that affected the speaker. Without any user-servicable parts, you’ll need to have your iPhone inspected by the experts.
By and large, low sound coming from your iPhone speaker is the result of faulty app settings. Make sure mono audio and equalizer settings are turned off, and remove any apps that may override other sound settings. Otherwise, it’s possible your phone’s speaker may be either dirty, damaged, or both.
