[Updated] Thousands of iPhone X/8 users still face mic issues during calls

Is Apple even planning to fix the maddening microphone issues plaguing its flagship iPhone X and iPhone 8 devices?Or have they settled for replacements as the only way out to prevent the issue from blowing up?

From what we can see, the number of those affected is growing leaps and bounds, and the Cupertino-based company just doesn’t seem bothered.

Back in November, we uncovered iPhone 8’s mic issues during calls. And while the matter was still on the boil, we highlighted that iPhone X users are also complaining of similar issues.

For those who missed, a significant number of users were reporting that during calls their voice isn’t clearly audible to the other person until they switch to speaker phone.

Some said the issue was related to their phone’s case, but a very large number of users have specifically said the is irrespective of whether or not a case/cover is being used.

Recently, in a look out for whether the mic issues were fixed, we were astounded to see a massive escalation in the number of complaints. See for yourself the number on the ‘Me too’ button on just a handful of Apple forum threads where the issue is being discussed:

So let’s take you on a journey highlighting what new has come to light since we first reported the matter.

From what we can see, Apple has been casually replacing the affected units. But sadly, that hasn’t resolved the issue for majority of users, as the problem continues to persist even with replaced units. In fact, the issue worsened in some cases.

Following is a selection of recent comments by some of the affected iPhone X users sharing their experiences:

Three calls yesterday had to be put on speaker phone so they could hear me. Major problem and needs to be addressed. i don’t like having others hear my phone calls when I am in a store or restaurant. And from reading all these complaints Apple really needs to get on this. Too much money to spend and have a problem like this

We have to have some legal rights here!! I am on my 4th i phone X. Same problem as everyone else this is not right after spending almost 1500 on a cell phone and etc. I am going to check my rights when I get some time!

I’m havjng the same issue and my iPhone X is only 10 days old… will this phone have to be taken back to the store? What can I do? I do not appreciate forking our this much money only to regret not keeping my IPhone 5S

After 3 iPhones all x 256gb space grey, I can say that it has nothing to do with your carrier. This is an Apple ploy to shift the buck. I finally got a silver x 256gb and no problems at all. Apple tried to tell me it’s was a carrier issue, if that was that case how then does this latest exchange Iphone work. Return it and keep returning it until you get one that’s not faulty

Not only that, here are some of the latest tweets from the never ending trail of complaints on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AbersychanWard/status/964232183002075142
https://twitter.com/MedicinalMay/status/961749408042962944
https://twitter.com/hiteshmomaya/status/960560511925370880
https://twitter.com/Sheaeffinbutta/status/959443492584984576

Suggested workarounds only worked in a handful of cases. And many of the users mentioned that Apple Support even blamed their carrier for the problem instead of fixing what’s broken.

Well, that was just iPhone X users wording their pain. Let’s see what iPhone 8 users have been chiming:

I have the same problem , I replaced the iPhone 8plus 2 times and the problem still exists , I also changed the SIM card and no hope. I contacted apple with no response from them all they do they are trying to take more time and keep me waiting for what I don know

I feel your pain……. I over exhausted too many 8’s. Apple claims they never heard of this. As I mentioned, I own 5 8’s all do it. SIM card won’t help. The only possible fix is put it on speakerphone and then turn it off. See what happens. It’s a microphone transfer issue being the phone uses 1 of 2 mics when on call. Then the microphone closer to your mouth is then turned on and the other does nothing until you move the phone. In other words, talk on the left side…left mic enables…..right side, right mic enables. Speakerphone, both enable

Apple support via chat (super unhelpful) claimed that if my voice memo recording audio is clear, it is an issue with the cellphone carrier and not the phone, which I know is NOT the case. I know it is the mic. In my case, no-one whom I speak to on the phone can’t hear me – I’m either muffled or very faint – so the 8plus fails totally as a phone

I have had similar issues and had to endure Apple support suggesting my carrier was at fault.. Oddly, my main use of my phone is to make telephone calls! If I can’t do that without using speakerphone mode or whatever there is a serious problem, and it’s not the user. Phone returned to retailer today for a full refund. They told me they had many unhappy customers…

I even had a replacement iPhone 8 plus and now it’s even worse, microphone cuts often during calls noone can hear what I say, video messages are noiseless voiceless, phone doesn’t ring!

Here are some of the recent reports from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Sasinthevale/status/960892703209852928
https://twitter.com/Kevykev808/status/962238283731341312
https://twitter.com/GoodVybzDEL/status/958768572746092545

Is the issue iOS 11 specific?

Well the story doesn’t end with iPhone X and iPhone 8 users.

While digging in deep we could locate many old iPhone users facing similar mic problems on their units after upgrading to iOS 11. Following are some of the recent complaints:

If you read through this entire discussion group, the issue is affecting iPhone 7’s, 8’s and X’s. It’s affecting people across multiple regions of the world. It’s affecting those on iOS 11 specifically. All that adds up to it’s not hardware — it’s statistically too broad — it’s software as previously described… a misprogramed driver, codec, etc that is overaggressive on noise cancellation. Turning off noise cancellation and updating to the latest iOS seems to resolve it in a workaround way. Interestingly before iOS 11 the default was to have noise cancellation turned off. In iOS 11 the default was to have it turned on

https://twitter.com/FoodieEmma/status/953309521488830466
https://twitter.com/joaquinvergara/status/958563262144176129
https://twitter.com/J0_jO/status/951657758494883840
https://twitter.com/Vibaaah1/status/943302525104611328
https://twitter.com/bendoyle1983/status/937768888984588288

And even the latest iOS 11.2.5 doesn’t appear to have made any difference, as users continue reporting the same despite upgradation.

I also get too. Fixed please!! I lose my job today because of this! iPhone X / ios 11.2.5 / Thailand AIS / Got full signal / Random happen / Using without case. ** Troubleshooting >> Have to use headphones to stop this issue

I’m having a tough time hearing calls on my phone (iPhone 7, iOS 11.2.5). It sounds like a bad quality connection – like they’re in a tunnel. I have no trouble with the speaker, headphones, and while in my car (connected via Bluetooth). Just using the phone as a regular phone

If you ask us, this does appear to be an iOS 11 issue. And it’s not a normal bug, as it’s breaking a fundamental functionality of iPhones being phones in the very first place.

Plus it’s very widespread now – not hundreds but thousands are affected and complaining of the problem on help forums. We don’t understand why is Apple turning a blind eye on it?

Update (February 23): Looks like some users continue to face the glitch despite upgrading to the latest iOS 11.2.6.

https://twitter.com/FirstNameWil/status/965697880160862211

iPhone 6 (iOS 11.2.6)- either call failed or no one can hear me on outgoing calls. Now it seems that incoming calls are hit and miss too. Tried toggling airplane mode- didn’t help. Talked with carrier- no help there. Really need to be able to make calls

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