iPhone Ear Speaker Not Working? 9 Fixes for Quiet Calls

1. Turn up call volume during a call

iPhone keeps a separate volume level for calls. Start a call (try your voicemail) and press volume up several times while it’s connected.

2. Check where the audio is going

During a call, tap the Audio (speaker) button. If AirPods, a car or a Bluetooth speaker is selected, choose iPhone. Also check Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Call Audio Routing is set to Automatic.

3. Toggle Phone Noise Cancellation and balance

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual. On models that offer it, try toggling Phone Noise Cancellation. Make sure the Balance slider is centered and Mono Audio is set how you want it.

4. Turn off Hearing Aid / MFi settings

Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices. If a hearing device is paired that you’re not using, unpair it.

5. Remove the case and screen protector

Thick screen protectors can partly cover the earpiece slot at the top of the display.

6. Clean the earpiece

Skin oil, makeup and pocket dust slowly clog the slot. Brush it sideways with a soft, dry toothbrush; for grease, use a barely-damp brush with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then lift lint with painter’s tape. Step-by-step: how to clean iPhone speakers.

7. Eject water from the earpiece

On iPhone 7 and later, the earpiece also plays media, so the iPhone water eject sound can reach it. Hold the iPhone top-edge down while it plays, and repeat 2–3 times.

8. Restart and update iOS

Restart (side button + volume up, slide to power off) and install any available update in Settings → General → Software Update.

9. Test the hardware

Rotate the iPhone to landscape, play music and use the left/right speaker test. If the earpiece side is silent or crackles on media too, the earpiece speaker may be faulty. Apple or an authorised repair shop can replace it.

Callers can’t hear you?

That’s the microphone, not the earpiece. Check it with the online mic test, and clean the tiny mic holes on the bottom edge and next to the rear camera.

Frequently asked questions

Why can I hear music but not calls on my iPhone?

Music plays through the bottom speaker while calls use the top earpiece. A blocked earpiece, low call volume or Bluetooth routing are the usual causes.

How do I clean my iPhone ear speaker?

Brush the slot sideways with a soft dry toothbrush, lift lint with painter’s tape, and use a barely-damp brush with isopropyl alcohol for grease.

How much does an iPhone earpiece repair cost?

It depends on the model and where you repair it. Get a quote from Apple or an authorised service provider.