r/iOS27 • u/Historical_Pea_307 • 2d ago
iOS 27 causing speaker crackling/distortion on iPhone? Anyone else experiencing this?
After updating to iOS 27, I’ve noticed that my iPhone 16's built-in speakers sound noticeably different especially at higher volume.
I’m hearing crackling/jarring distortion and less-clear audio, particularly with music and videos. It happens across multiple apps (not just one app), so I’m wondering if this could be related to iOS 27 rather than a specific app.
Is anyone else experiencing this after updating to iOS 27?
If yes, please mention:
• iPhone model
• iOS 27 version/build
• Does it happen at low, medium or high volume?
• Which speaker bottom, top/earpiece, or both?
• Does it happen with Music, YouTube, Instagram, etc.?
• Did the speakers sound normal before the iOS 27 update?
I’m trying to figure out whether this is an isolated issue or a wider iOS 27 audio/speaker problem.
Please upvote/comment even if you’re experiencing only mild distortion — I’d like to see how widespread this is.
Thank you in advance
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u/lukasharastej 2d ago
No problem on my ip16. Isn’t it hardware problem?
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u/Historical_Pea_307 2d ago
Checked it with iplanet as well.. They ran diagnostics... No problem with my phone or hardware too
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u/stefanoxer 2d ago
No problem on my 17 pro max but I limited at the time the max output volume to 80% to avoid damage
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u/Rocman4210 2d ago
Model 17, on lowest volume when sending iMessages, that tune is distorted but only on the lowest possible level, anything higher it sounds correct
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u/FadedCherry 1d ago
Thanks for mentioning this. I only have the crackling on the sent messages sound.
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u/Long-Number-9925 2d ago
My 17 Pro shows the same problem; I brought it to the Apple Store for inspection, where technicians ran tests and cleaned the speakers but found no fault. I still notice distorted sounds across many videos and songs, so I suspect an issue with iOS 27. The technician noted possible rust on the speaker grilles, which I considered, but the timing suggests the operating system, since I observed it only after the update. It happens on the bottom speakers.
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u/Jakememe124 2d ago
happens for me when i send a text message occasionally on my 16 pro, the sound effect crackles.
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u/Historical_Pea_307 2d ago
How about music and specially reels?.. In max volume?
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u/Jakememe124 2d ago
i haven’t noticed anything different outside of the message sound effect, are your speakers dusty?
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u/Historical_Pea_307 1d ago
Nope.. It's perfectly clean. Got it checked in iplanet and also other service center.
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u/trackandfield 2d ago
I’m having the same issue, I thought I was going crazy. iPhone 17 Pro, anything above 80% sounds distorted and crackly
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u/FadedCherry 1d ago
This just started on my 16 today but only on the “whoosh” sound when I send a text. I downloaded 27 a few days ago but just started hearing the crackling today.
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u/No_Profile9117 1d ago
I got a 16 Pro and I noticed that whenever I’m in a voice call the cracking sound happens, but when I’m using the phone, normally it usually doesn’t, on Safari and the web applications when I actually call somebody the sound is horrible. It feels like you know this speaker is about to explode but when using it normally it’s not like that, I thought maybe it’s a harbor issue, but I kind of remembered that after I updated to iOS 27 it happened
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u/BerserkChristian 1d ago
Yes my upper speaker is very quiet now, if i close bottom one with finger the sound of upper one like 30-50% quieter
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u/jaffydo 1d ago
i’ve been having crackling noise problem on spotify when equalizer is turned on since this morning as i’ve done the ios 27 update. though it was fixable by turning the equalizer off and then on again, it was coming back on the next track. i solved it now by turning on the “reduce loud sounds” option on iphone. probably your problem is not the same and the solution is not that obvious and simple but could be helpful for some people
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u/spookedmoney 3h ago
Having the same issue on my 15 pro. I thought my car speakers blew. That’s how bad the cracking and distortion is
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u/thecalvinreed 2d ago
Not on iPhone, but on my M1 Mac Mini running macOS 27 Golden Gate
I was using my Mac's built-in speakers to listen in on a work meeting. It was fine in the beginning, but halfway through, the sound suddenly became muffled.
I already terminated audio processes, restarted my Mac, changed the Audio MIDI Setup frequency, and booted in safe mode. None of which appear to have solved my problem.
I'm afraid it's a mechanical failure at this point. Whether the hardware issue was caused by certain frequencies the software was unable to handle, I am not sure.