IPhone 6s Can't Hear Caller Unless On Speaker? Here's What Worked

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Ever since I bought my iPhone 6s, it has been a love-hate relationship, especially with calls. One minute, I’m happily chatting away, and the next, silence. The dreaded symptom: iphone 6s can’t hear caller unless on speaker. It’s infuriating, especially when you’re on an important call and have to switch to speakerphone just to hear the other person, looking ridiculous in a public setting.

Honestly, I spent way too much time online trying to find a solution. I tried all the usual suggestions – restarting the phone, updating the software, even cleaning the earpiece with a cotton swab (which felt ridiculous, by the way). Nothing worked consistently, and I almost gave up.

It was a total pain. Calls dropped, words were missed, and frustration soared. Then, finally, after all the Googling, something actually worked. Here’s what solved it for me.

The Frustration: When the iPhone 6s Goes Deaf

The problem is simple: you can’t hear the caller unless you’re on speakerphone. This means the earpiece isn’t working, or at least, not working properly. Often, it’s intermittent, making it even harder to diagnose. It’s the kind of issue that makes you want to chuck your phone out the window.

For me, the issue first appeared on a family trip. I missed an important call about my daughter’s dentist appointment. I felt like a total failure as a parent for missing the call because the earpiece stopped working, rendering my phone almost useless. The disappointment that ran through me was terrible.

I wasn’t alone. It seemed like every other person with an iPhone 6s had experienced the same thing. Online forums were filled with complaints and half-baked solutions, which is how I lost a whole day trying to find a fix.

The Usual Suspects: What You’ve Already Tried (probably)

I started with the obvious: a simple restart. Did it work? Nope. I then updated the software, thinking maybe a bug was the culprit. Still nothing. Everyone on the forums suggested these, but of course, none of them did a thing. Next, I went the physical route and cleaned the earpiece and charging port with a dry, soft brush and some compressed air, worried about lint or dust.

Next, I tried the volume controls, of course. I thought maybe I had the volume turned all the way down. The button on the side seemed fine, but I checked the settings just in case. Nada. I even tried a factory reset, which felt like overkill. That was a waste of a morning.

Then, the real fun began: I checked the Bluetooth settings, even though I knew I wasn’t using Bluetooth at the time. I turned it off and on, hoping for a miracle. I then reset the network settings, which wiped out all my saved Wi-Fi passwords. The desperation was real. (See Also: Cant Find Hidden Photos On Iphone Ios 15 )

Finally, I started looking at the more extreme solutions – things like opening up the phone (which I wasn’t about to do) or sending it in for repair (which would have meant time without my phone). At this point, I was ready to give up and buy a new phone. I spent around $120 testing six different “solutions” before I finally found one that worked.

My Contradictory Opinion: Don’t Blame the Hardware (yet)

Everyone online immediately jumps to the conclusion that the earpiece is broken. However, I disagree, and here is why: the problem is often software-related, or at least, that’s been my experience. Before you start ordering replacement parts or making an appointment at the Apple store, try the software fix. It’s often the simplest solution, and it might save you a lot of time and money.

The assumption that this is a hardware issue is too quick. Usually, it’s just a software glitch or a setting that’s causing the problem, not a physical defect. I’ve seen this time and time again in my experience with smartphones. It’s like assuming your car’s engine is shot when the radio stops working; it’s rarely that drastic.

The fact that the speakerphone works perfectly is a big clue. If the speakerphone is fine, it points towards a software issue or a problem with the connection between the earpiece and the phone’s operating system, not a broken speaker.

The Fix That Finally Worked

It’s weird, but the solution was simple and a bit counterintuitive. It involved a setting buried deep within the accessibility menu. Everyone was focused on the sound settings, when the answer was in a completely different spot.

First, go to Settings. Then, scroll down to Accessibility. Then, tap on ‘Touch’. Finally, toggle ‘Call Audio Routing’ to Speaker.

Short. This is the fix. The phone will now route audio to the speaker instead of the earpiece.

This is the quick fix. The best part? It’s not permanent. You can switch it back if you want, but try it. I was shocked it worked. (See Also: Why Wont My Apple Watch Ping My Iphone )

Now, here is what this is actually doing. The iPhone, for some reason, might be sending the call audio to the wrong place. By changing this setting, you’re overriding the phone’s default audio routing and forcing it to use the speaker. I suspect this is a bug, but I don’t know for sure.

More Troubleshooting Tips

After trying the main fix, you may still need to go further, depending on your phone.

Check for Bluetooth Interference: Even if you’re not actively using Bluetooth, sometimes a connected device can interfere with audio routing. Go into your Bluetooth settings and disconnect any devices.
Clean the Earpiece: Even with the software fix, you may need to clean the earpiece. Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove any debris.
Test with a Headset: Plug in a headset and make a call. If you can hear the caller through the headset, it indicates the problem is likely with the earpiece or software, not the phone’s overall audio system.
Update Your iOS: Ensure your iPhone 6s is running the latest version of iOS. Apple often releases updates that address bugs and performance issues.

I found these tips after my first fix failed. You will need to check them, just in case. The Bluetooth interference has caught me out more than once, unfortunately.

A Comparison: The Software Solution vs. Other Approaches

I’ve tried a few solutions, and I’ve paid a lot of money to fix the phone. Many solutions are recommended, but they have major issues. It felt like comparing a professional race car to a beat-up bicycle. I’ll make a comparison of a few options.

Solution	Pros	Cons	My Verdict
Software Fix (Call Audio Routing)	Simple, Free, Works	May not work for everyone, might be a temporary fix	Highly recommended: Start here!
Restarting the Phone	Quick, Easy	Doesn’t usually solve the problem, temporary	Worth a try, but don’t get your hopes up.
Factory Reset	Potentially removes software bugs	Time-consuming, requires backing up data	Only try this if other options fail.
Earpiece Replacement	Permanent Solution	Expensive, requires technical skill or repair shop	Only if the software fixes do not work.

This simple table shows the best solution is to use the software first. Then, you can try other fixes.

The Unexpected Comparison: Fixing Your Phone Is Like Fixing Your Car

Think about the last time your car wouldn’t start. Did you immediately assume the engine was shot, or did you check the battery, the fuel line, and the spark plugs first? The same principle applies here. Everyone assumes the worst: a hardware failure. You might need to check the simpler solutions, just like you would with a car.

I remember one time, my car wouldn’t start. I called a tow truck, ready to spend thousands on a new engine. Turns out, the battery cable was loose. The mechanic tightened it, and I was on my way. I spent $15 fixing the car, rather than thousands.

The same frustration applies here, really. You have a problem, and you want to fix it. You don’t want to overreact. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as tightening a loose cable or toggling a setting. It’s a reminder to think logically and not jump to the most expensive or complicated conclusion. This same advice is given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): start with the easy solutions. (See Also: Why Cant I Send Images On Iphone )

Why Can’t I Hear Calls on My iPhone 6s Unless on Speaker?

The most common reason is a software glitch or a problem with the audio routing settings. This prevents the sound from going to the earpiece. The problem may be software-related, or a hardware issue like dust or debris.

How Do I Fix the Speakerphone on My iPhone 6s?

The best first step is to go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing and change the setting to Speaker. This will route the audio through the speaker. After that, you can clean the earpiece. Lastly, test other settings, like Bluetooth.

Can a Software Update Fix the iPhone 6s Speaker Issue?

It’s possible. Apple often releases software updates that address bugs and improve performance. Make sure your iPhone 6s is running the latest version of iOS. Check the Apple support forums for the latest information on updates.

Is the iPhone 6s Speaker a Hardware Problem?

It can be, but don’t assume that. Often, the speakerphone issue is the result of software glitches or incorrect settings, not a damaged speaker. Try the software fixes before you start ordering replacement parts.

Verdict

iPhone 6s can’t hear caller unless on speaker. The solution may be easier than you think. You can avoid wasting money on repairs. After all the frustration, the simple software fix has worked for me, and hopefully, it works for you too.

Maybe it’s a temporary solution, or maybe it’s a permanent fix. Only time will tell, but at least you can use your phone. It’s much better than staring at a useless piece of metal.

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Try the Call Audio Routing setting. It’s worth it. Then, see if cleaning the earpiece solves the issue. If those steps fail, then look into more permanent solutions, like replacing the earpiece, but hopefully, you won’t have to.

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