How to fix poor call quality on your iPhone
Poor iPhone call quality is usually caused by weak signal, outdated carrier settings or physical obstructions, and Engadget outlines several built-in fixes and simple troubleshooting steps.
When iPhone calls sound muffled, cut out or get drowned by noise, there are several practical fixes worth trying, according to Engadget. The most common causes are poor cellular signal, outdated carrier settings, or physical barriers such as walls or metallic phone cases.
During the call
Start by checking the volume and whether speaker mode is on, then glance at the signal bars — moving toward a window or more open space can help with weak reception. On the iPhone XR/XS and newer models running iOS 16.4 or later, a feature called Voice Isolation uses machine learning to suppress background noise so the caller's voice comes through more clearly. It can be switched on through Control Center under the Mic Mode section, though the effect only benefits the person on the other end of the line.
Connection settings
If a call drops or sounds bad, briefly toggling Airplane Mode on and off forces the iPhone to reconnect to the cellular network, sometimes with a stronger signal. Enabling Wi-Fi Calling in Settings routes calls over a Wi-Fi connection instead of a weak cellular signal, which is useful in homes with poor reception. Keeping iOS and carrier settings updated is also recommended, since Apple regularly issues fixes for call-quality issues.
Other troubleshooting steps
A simple restart often resolves lingering issues. Users can also check the SIM tray for dust or a loose fit, test the microphone using the Voice Memos app, clean the speaker grille and earpiece, and try a call without a case, since thick or metal cases can interfere with antenna performance. Bluetooth headsets, including AirPods, share the crowded 2.4GHz band with many other devices, which can degrade call audio. Some iPhone 12 and 12 Pro units had elevated earpiece failure rates addressed through a now-closed Apple service program, while older models with Intel modems may have weaker signal strength overall.
