A quiet iPhone is rarely broken. It is usually a setting that limits volume, a sound profile that hides the mid-range, or a speaker grille blocked by lint or water. Work down this list in order.
1. Check both volume controls
iPhone has separate volume for ringer and for media. Play a song and then press the volume up button so the media volume is changed, not just the ringer.
2. Turn off Reduce Loud Audio
Go to Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Headphone Safety. If Reduce Loud Audio is on, it caps headphone volume. Turn it off or raise the limit. This only affects headphones.
3. Use the Late Night EQ trick
In Settings → Music → EQ, choose Late Night. It compresses the sound so quiet parts get louder. Many people find music clearly louder on the built-in speaker.
4. Check the Volume Limit in Music
Older iOS versions have Settings → Music → Volume Limit. Make sure it is set to maximum.
5. Remove the case
Some cases cover or redirect the bottom speaker. Test without it.
6. Clean the speaker grille
Pocket lint and dust collect in the bottom grille. Brush it gently with a soft, dry toothbrush, then run our Dust Cleaner. If the phone got wet recently, use the iPhone Water Eject first.
7. Check the earpiece for calls
If calls are quiet but music is fine, the top earpiece is blocked. Use the Ear Speaker Cleaner and turn up call volume during a call.
8. Turn off Bluetooth
If your iPhone is still connected to a speaker or earbuds, sound may be going there. Turn Bluetooth off and test again.
9. Restart and update
A restart clears audio glitches. Updating iOS fixes known volume bugs.
Measure the difference
Use another phone or a laptop with our Sound Meter. Play the same song at full volume before and after the fixes. A gain of 3 dB or more is easy to hear.
Quiet recording, not quiet phone?
If only one video or voice note is quiet, the recording itself is the problem. Play it through the Volume Booster to raise it up to 500% with a limiter.
Common questions
Why is my iPhone quieter than before?
Dust or water in the grille is the most common cause. A cleaning tone usually brings it back.
Can I boost iPhone volume above 100%?
Not system-wide. You can use the Late Night EQ, or boost a specific file with the Volume Booster.
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